Beauty Blog

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar should be a part of your healthy hair routine.  A healthy scalp is the first step towards growing and maintaining a healthy head of hair. Relaxers, perms, hair colors, bleaches, commercial shampoos and other styling products are mainly of an alkaline pH, whereas a healthy scalp must be a slightly acidic pH.  As a result of using alkaline and chemical based products the scalp’s natural acid mantle breaks down.  This naturally acidic mantle on your scalp and skin is how harmful bacteria are kept at bay.  Once the mantle is broken down your scalp becomes vulnerable and weak, this is when hair loss can start.  When your skin begins to breakdown, you will notice itching which progresses to burning and sensitivity, then shedding and balding.  Additionally, you may notice excessive oil pockets and pimples on the scalp.

Preventing the cycle is key to maintaining a healthy scalp. Avoiding chemical based styling products is a good place to start. Using a well formulated Raw Apple Cider Vinegar rinse on a regular basis will help to maintain a healthy scalp.

There are probably quite a few good vinegar rinses out there. If you are the adventurous type you could even try and make your own. I found Pretty Natural’s Healthy Roots Final Rinse and Scalp Toner to be just the right mix of ingredients to balance the scalp, remove debris and residue and help your hair to shine beautifully. With regular or weekly use of Healthy Roots Final Rinse and Scalp Toner, the enzymes and acidity of the combination of vinegar, aloe, witch hazel and essential oils in this formulation will help to:

• Balance the pH of your scalp, helping it to maintain it’s slightly acidic mantle.
• Dissolve minerals and heavy metals that attach to your hair from the tap water you use when washing.
• Dissolve buildup left behind from styling products, relaxers and color.
• Improve the appearance and feel of your hair.  As buildup, dirt and grime are removed, your hair will appear shinier with a healthy glow. 
• Strengthen your scalp’s natural acidic defenses to destroy unwanted bacteria that can cause thinning and hair loss.
• Keep your hair and scalp clean, a first step in restoring hair loss.  

  Pretty Natural’s Healthy Roots Final Rinse and Toner’s ingredients include:      

• Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
  
• Organic Aloe Vera Juice
  
• Lavender and Witch Hazel Hydrosols                     
• Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Rosemary Oleoresin Extract
• Proprietary blend of Essential Oils that includes Rosemary and Sage.
  

Directions for use:  If you are experiencing an itchy scalp and thinning, add 1/4 cup to 8 ounces of distilled or spring water, massage into scalp and leave on for 20 minutes before washing hair.  Follow up with Pretty Natural’s Healthy Roots Shampoo and Healthy Roots Leave in Conditioner.  For regular use, shampoo hair first and add 1/4 cup to 8 ounces distilled or spring water.  Massage into scalp and leave for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.  For best results, use once weekly. 

To order go to Pretty Natural’s website at:  http://www.prettynatural-inc.com

I’m not the type of person to stress over my looks, but I do have a strong work-with-what-you-got ethic. One of the latest additions to my beauty tool box is this Crew Fiber (about $13). I have thick hair for which I am thankful, but its coarse texture means it’s hard to tame and often looks messy about 10 minutes after I do it. It’s a bit of a curse in that way.

Ever since a horrible pomade mishap in the late 90s (involving me, my greasy head, a dance club, and three subsequent hair washings), I’ve steered clear of any products with a thick or paste-like appearance. However, after cutting my hair short, my old trusted products just weren’t doing it for me. So, since Crew seemed to be working for my husband, who is also of the thick and coarse hair persuasion, I thought I’d try it, too.

My technique: I take a small dab in my hand, rub my palms together, then pat my head in the messiest areas. I just let it sink it before I attempt to style with my fingers or a comb. It gets better as the day goes on, and the result is less messy hair. Or at least more stylish messy hair.

And it washes right out.