Photo: Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
Mousse, gel, anti-frizz serum, root-lifter and hairspray are just a handful of styling go-tos for high-hold hairstyles. But, over time, these hairdo helpers can turn stylish tresses into lifeless locks, weighed down by product buildup. Clarifying shampoos can get rid of the gunk but are often laden with harsh cleansers that can be damaging to stressed strands. Instead, opt for a natural and gentle DIY remedy made with just a few basic kitchen staples.
Vinegar for Hair Help
Whether in its white distilled or apple cider form, vinegar is one of nature's best — and cheapest — beauty secrets. This odoriferous powerhouse removes styling residue from the hair shafts and closes the cuticle, or the outermost layer of the hair, leaving strands smooth, shiny and squeaky clean. It also restores hair's natural pH.
Vinegar Hair Solution Recipe
To make a basic vinegar solution, add 1 cup of vinegar to 2 cups of warm water. A drop of essential oil can also be added, if desired. Shampoo as usual, then work the vinegar into the hair. Follow up with either a thorough or partial rinse. Allowing some of the solution to remain in the hair can help reduce tangles. Either way, any lingering vinegar odor will disappear once hair is fully dry. The solution can be used up to three times weekly; however, vinegar can cause hair to become somewhat dry. Should this occur, use a conditioner prior to applying the solution.
Benefits of Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, has been used for centuries as a non-toxic way to clean and deodorize everything from laundry to teeth to tile grout. What it does to gently remove excess dirt and grime around the house it also does for overloaded hair, working naturally to clarify and remove excess styling product buildup. Incorporating baking soda into an occasional shampooing is a quick and inexpensive way to achieve cleaner, more manageable hair, as well as restore pH balance and combat excess oil.
Baking Soda Clarifier Recipe
Add a small amount of baking soda to a dollop of shampoo. Work the mixture into the hair, wait three to five minutes and rinse thoroughly. Or, for a larger supply, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to a bottle of shampoo and mix to combine. Baking soda can be used once a month or more, as needed to clarify hair.
