We have all been there… Damaging our hair to achieve different colors and hairstyles. After having long flowing gorgeous virgin hair for over eight years I fell into that long downward spiral of trying to go blonde. The consequences, well, irreversible damage to my hair! It was so damaged that I ended up having to cut it all off. I went from having waist-length hair to a lob. Ouch! I had to have a giant glass a wine before my sister could cut it! Luckily for me, my hair grows fast!
Unfortunately, many women make these same mistakes. We fall victim to the hopes of achieving the beautiful hair colors we see but these shades are not always practical. If we are not over coloring we are over-heating and repeatedly damaging our hair with hot tools. I think hairstylists must make sure their clients understand that the exact color they would like may not be possible. Stylists need to convey the damage that happens after the hair is processed. Going over the different shades that can be reached is a must. Many stylists will say that they can achieve the color in one sitting but be wary and do your research! Those before and after photos are usually never done in one process and many stylists use hot tools and many products to get that gorgeous final look. Research the salon and make sure you get all the facts before diving in. Awareness is key!
After months of repairing my hair with masks, tonics, and of course healthy living habits it is finally at a stage where it looks healthy again. I initially tried many OTC shampoos, conditioners, and masks of all different costs but not many of them worked. Some even made my hair worse! There are many herbs and other remedies out there that can be used to repair damaged hair. Herbs can be used as a strong infusion and applied to the hair as a daily tonic or they can be mixed in with any hair mask. These herbs can restore, revitalize, and strengthen damaged hair. Some of my favorites to use for blonde hair are horsetail, marshmallow root, chamomile, and calendula.
Horsetail is a nutritive herb abundant in vitamins and minerals. It has been around for over 300 million years! It is rich in silica, which gives the herb effectiveness in its ability to revitalize hair. Silica is a mineral that is the second most abundant element only second to oxygen and it is the third most abundant trace mineral found in the human body. (1) It helps strengthen the hair preventing further breakage and loss, and also helps to restore shine. Marshmallow root is a demulcent herb that contains mucilage, which will moisturize, cool, and soothe the hair and scalp. The mucilage content can bind to the hair proteins making it appear fuller and thicker. (2) It works wonderfully as a detangler and is perfect for dry, brittle, and damaged hair!
Chamomile works to promote a healthy scalp. It is nourishing and will add shine while helping the hair grow. Chamomile will also lighten and brighten blonde hair keeping it from looking dull without the use of harsh chemicals. Calendula works similarly by cleansing the hair and bringing brightness to the color. It helps the hair grow and acts as a gentle hair and skin tonic. Keeping the scalp nourished is very important in promoting healthy growth. If the scalp is dry or too oily it will make it difficult for the hair to grow and it will lessen new hair growth.
Using any or all of these herbs will certainly help bring life back to damaged strands. It is very simple to integrate these herbs into an everyday hair care routine. Used every day or a few times a week these herbs can help restore brittle, dry, and damaged hair. These herbs can be combined and made into a simple hair rinse, shampoo, conditioner, mask, and leave-in treatment. Just be careful about what herbs you use for blonde hair as some can tint the hair a darker color. We don’t want that!
It is also very important to find a washing regimen that works best for you. I recommend using a cleansing conditioner and leave-in conditioner. If you’d like to continue to use shampoo and conditioner try this method out and see how it goes. Only shampoo the scalp and only condition the bottom strands. This technique will help remove buildup from the scalp which will promote growth while keeping the bottom from getting too dry preventing frizz and further breakage. Make sure you scrub your scalp and let the conditioner sit on the ends for at least three minutes. Wash every three to four days for the best results. Keep reading below to find free recipes for my favorite hair rinse & masks!
Easy Blonde Herbal Hair Rinse
1- Teaspoon Calendula
1-Teaspoon Chamomile
1-Teaspoon Horsetail
1- Cup of boiling water
¼- Cup Marshmallow Root (Cold-water Extract)
Prepare an infusion by pouring boiling water over the Calendula, Chamomile, and Horsetail. Cover and steep for twenty minutes. Next, strain the herbs and let the infusion cool down. When it cools add in the ¼ marshmallow root. (Fill a small jar ¼ of the way with the marshmallow root then add cold water to fill the rest of the jar soak overnight for best results). Use this rinse every day or a few times a week for beautiful healthy hair!
Herbal Infused Yogurt Mask
1/2- Cup high protein yogurt
2- Tablespoons herbal infusion
1 – Tablespoon oil of choice (I like Safflower or Sunflower)
1- Dash Lime Juice
2- Drops Rosemary EO
3- Drops Lavender EO
Whisk all of the ingredients together adding the essential oils in last. Apply to towel-dried hair and let sit for 1/2 hour.
