Hair Care

Have you ever looked at the ingredients on your shampoo bottle? Don't. The list is long and scary. Ingredients in shampoo can cause flaky skin, persistent itching and irritation, asthma symptoms, sinusitis, allergies, and cancer. These chemicals wreak havoc with the immune system, leading to frequent colds, viruses, and even fungal infections. These chemicals also strip moisture and natural oils from your hair causing rashes, hair loss, and even dandruff.

I tried (unsuccessfully) to make my own shampoo. The first one I made left my hair so greasy that it looked wet when it was completely dry. The second one I made left my hair in knots that I could barely brush through. I threw in the towel, no pun intended, and decided to find some chemical free hair care.

The below products are the ones that work best for me. I did try a few other chemical free lines including, Dermorganic and The Naked Bee, but I like the below brands better. They won't break your bank either. At around $10 a bottle, it's just a little more than your chemical ridden Pantene.

Acure - http://www.acureorganics.com/Acure-Organics-Hair-Care-Products-s/140.htm Acure hair care products use cutting edge plant stem cell technology to address specific hair concerns at the root and follicle level. Each product is:
- color safe
- paraben free
- gluten free
- sulfate free
- sodium chloride free
- vegan
- phthalate free
- cruelty free
I have used all four of the shampoos they carry. My favorites are the Repairing Shampoo and the Coconut Straightening Shampoo. This is the best shampoo I have ever used. You can buy them at Wegmans, Lori's Natural Foods, or online.

Shea Moisture - http://www.sheamoisture.com/Hair_c_1502.html Shea Moisture products are natural, organic, and sustainably-produced while pioneering fair trade through Community Commerce. They have strict no-nos on the following ingredients:
- no parabens
- no phthalates
- no sulfates
- no paraffin
- no formaldehyde
- no propylene glycol
- no mineral oil
- no synthetic fragrance
- no synthetic color
- no DEA
- no petroleum
- no animal testing
I have tried almost all of the shampoos and conditioners in this line. My favorites are the Fruit Fusion Coconut Water, Tahitian Noni & Monoi, and Zanizbar Marine Complex. I highly recommend these products. You can buy them at Target, Ulta, Walgreens or online.

Juice Organics - http://juiceorganics.com Juice Organics are luxurious, affordable, effective haircare products made with certified organic ingredients. They use only the best organic healthy ingredients to keep you and our planet beautiful. All Juice Organics are formulated without:
- parabens
- petroleum
- propylene or butylene glycol
- sodium lauryl sulfates
- phthalates
- PEG
- DEA
- TEA
- GMO
- silicone
- artificial dyes
- synthetic fragrance
There are five different kinds in the collection; repairing, color protect, volumizing, soothing, and brightening. I have only tried the repairing shampoo and conditioner. It has a great coconut smell! You can buy them at Ulta.

Homemade Dry Shampoo
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup organic non-gmo corn starch
1/4 cup alcohol (you can use vodka or rubbing alcohol)
5 drops of Young Living Grapefruit Essential Oil
Mix all the ingredients together until the corn starch is fully dissolved. Transfer into a spray bottle. Part your hair in small sections going from one side of your head to the other. Spray the mixture on the scalp of each section. Let it sit for a minute or two, comb through your hair, then blow dry it out. Be sure to shake the bottle before each use. The corn starch will settle at the bottom of the bottle so it's important you shake it up enough to dissolve it before you spray it on your scalp.

Epsom Salt Hair Mask
Combine equal parts of Epsom salt and conditioner together. After shampooing, apply the mixture to hair, coating it from the scalp to the ends. Leave the mixture on for 10 to 20 minutes then rinse out. You can do this mask weekly. 

Dry Itchy Scalp Treatment
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp olive oil
Mix lemon juice and olive oil together. Massage into your scalp before bed. Wrap your hair in a shower cap or towel. Shampoo out in the morning.