We are all familiar with the lather, rinse, and repeat routine of using traditional shampoo and conditioner, but women everywhere are discovering trendy (and often strange!) methods for silky, soft shine. If you’re looking for alternatives to your usual hair care, then the following unique options just might be for you. Here are some crazy (but cool) Shampoo Alternatives!
Shampoo Alternatives
Beer
Image: Flickr
Although cracking open a beer in exchange for shampoo is starting to get a buzz, women in Hollywood have been doing this for years. This age old trick for shiny, soft, lustrous hair is said to have quite a few benefits according to experts.
Because of the natural barley and hops in the beverage, beer is rich in proteins and vitamins that can help enhance and improve hair. While there is no evidence that beer can help hair grow, the benefits of beer on existing locks include fuller, thicker and more body after a beer rinse.
This trick is best used on fine, flat hair that craves body and luster.
Method:
Next time you throw a party, wrangle up those half empty beer cans and pour that flat beer over your hair, directly onto your roots. Keep the rinse on for 3-5 minutes and rinse thoroughly with cold water to increase the shine.
Worried about smelling like a dive bar? Follow up with a sweet-smelling leave-in conditioner.
Eggs
Add shine and luster to any hair type with whole eggs. Just be sure to avoid the water getting too hot, or you will literally have scrambled eggs instead of a natural hair treatment. Try explaining that one to your roommates!
Method:
Combine one egg and a dime-size amount of shampoo in a bowl. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water. An alternative method is to apply one or two eggs onto dry hair and leave on for 10-15 minutes before shampooing out.
Baking Soda & Apple Cider Vinegar
Image: Flickr
For those on the no shampoo bandwagon, this rinse is a great way to clean your hair without the chemicals found in most shampoos. Baking soda helps keep hair pH-balanced, while the apple cider vinegar is known to fight dandruff and fungal infections.
This method is best for normal, non-color-treated hair, as the baking soda and vinegar combination can potentially cause hair to look brassy and cause breakage. This method should only be used once or twice a month, but is great for those who want a natural, cleansing remedy.
Method:
Use as you would normally shampoo your hair. Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water. Pour evenly over hair and let sit for 3 minutes. Follow up with a conditioner.
Co-Washing
Image: Flickr
This technique might prove especially useful for anyone with dry, curly, or color-treated hair. Shampooing regularly can be extremely drying and anyone who already has dry hair and/or does a lot of heat styling, may notice a lot of damage on their tresses. Co-washing adds extra moisture and helps keep hair softer and healthier-looking without using traditional chemical-based shampoos.
Method:
Ditch the shampoo most days of the week. Instead, lather and rinse with conditioner only to maintain the overall integrity and health of your hair. The chemicals in shampoos can strip nutrients from hair. Co-washing can help you discover hair that has more moisture, feels stronger and is more manageable.
Dry Shampoo or Baby Powder
Image: Flickr
If you’ve dropped some serious cash on a blow-out and you want it to last a few more days, dry shampoo is the ideal way to preserve the style while avoiding a greasy scalp. Perk up your hair, add volume, and add fragrance to your hair – no water required. Dry shampoo works well with any hair style, and is very easy to apply.
Method:
Starting at the roots, and working front to back, gently spray hair one section at a time. Although the powdery substance may be a bit alarming, don’t worry. Simply blend the spray into your hair while adding volume with a slim hair brush. This is also a good time to do any styling or straight ironing.
Whether you have attempted some of these techniques in the past or are trying them for the first time, keep in mind that the results may vary. But considering how expensive some salon treatments are, it’s worth giving these home remedies a whirl.
Want other tips on alternative uses for common products? See how versatile (and effective) essential oils can be!
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