Hair

I recently read an article on Curly Nikki’s blog, where she discusses the reasons Why YouShould add Aloe Vera Juice to Your Routine, and I knew that I had to highlight this product on my Natural Hair Necessities series on my blog! I have been using aloe vera juice on may hair for over a year now, and I have noticed a substantial difference in my hair. My hair is shinier and hydrated.

"Aloe Vera is a succulent cacti plant species that has spikey leaves and a thick fleshy stem. It is the pulp of the plant (the sap) that contains the juice and gel and these have been used for medicinal, cosmetic and health purposes throughout time due to the fact that they contain antioxidants, antibiotics and antifungal properties. They also have a vast amount of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, Calcium, folic acid and amino acids to name a few." (via Curly Nikki)

Curly Nikki’s article states that there are many benefits to using aloe vera juice in your hair, which are:

• Promote hair growth
• Moisturize the hair due to it being a humectant
• Restore the natural pH balance of the hair and scalp
• Reduce dandruff
• Naturally condition the hair
• Reduce hair shed
• Promote hair shine
• Help heal an irritated, dry, itchy scalp

In this picture, you can see that my hair is very full and healthy. That is because of my usage of aloe vera juice on a consistent basis.

I love what aloe vera juice does for my hair, and that is why it is a natural hair necessity!

I've decided that I want to start a new series on my blog, where I write about some of my hair care favorites. The product I want to highlight first is coconut oil. I love coconut oil because it leaves my hair shiny and moisturized the entire day. This is because coconut oil is rich in carbohydrates which soaks into the hair shaft much easier than any other product. Coconut oil has a high moisture retaining capacity, since it is not easily broken down nor evaporated, being very stable. It does not let moisture escape, thus keeping hair moist and soft, which prevents breakage of hair. So, if you have dry hair coconut oil can be effective in taking care of that!

The use of coconut oil on hair helps to reduce protein loss in both damaged as well as undamaged hair. Coconut oil rich in lauric acid, has a high affinity for hair protein, and easily penetrates inside the hair shaft, which is due to its low molecular weight. It can be used for pre-wash or post-wash hair grooming.
Coconut oil is a better conditioner for hair than any synthetic one available in the market. Use of warm coconut oil helps in keeping hair shimmering and soft. Apply some warm oil at night and wash your hair the next morning. This can be repeated every few days for healthy, strong and conditioned hair.

Coconut oil can be a good styling oil for hair as well, because it melts when heated and then condenses when cooled. Therefore, when you apply it on your hair, it thins and spreads evenly due to the heat of the scalp. Soon afterwards, as the hair comes in contact with air, the oil on the hair condenses, thus working as a styling gel or cream.

My personal favorite is the Trader Joe's Organic olive oil, because it is the most natural. As you can see, there are many uses for coconut oil, which is cost effective. I love the way that it makes my hair look and feel, so this product is definitely a staple for me!

(Facts derived from: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/coconut-oil-for-hair.html)