Conditioning your hair
Our hair suffers from the abuses rendered by the city environment-the air is polluted,
the water we drink and wash our hair with is laden with chemicals. That's not all, the suffering
is worsened by the harsh and strong hair-care with chemical cosmetics, emotional crisis, hormonal problems and
adverse weather conditions. All these cause the problems of split ends, dryness or
oiliness, limpness, or frizzy unmanageability. this is when a conditioner comes to your rescue.
A conditioner is a beauty preparation that improves the texture of the hair and makes them easily manageable. It comes
in as many different kinds as there are hair problems and is applied mostly after shampoo.
Why we should condition our hair
Conditining is a very important aspect of the hair-care routine, almost all kinds of hair need conditioning to some extent
or the other. It is carried out to rejuvenate our hair which is usually robbed of its vitality by the abuse it is exposed to.
Conditioning restores body and bounce to limp hair
There are two kinds of body-building conditioners-the ones you rinse out and
the ones you leave in. Both work at adding bulk to the hair by leaving some material on the hair shaft.
These materials include polymer fibers and protein.
Conditioning restores the acid mantle and removes snarls from the hair
The special cream rinse conditioners are designed to untangle the frizz in the hair. Many also add the welcome beauty benefit
of high gloss to the locks. The cream rinse coats the hair to help minimise the stress on the hair from brushing, combing, setting and deeps
breakage and split ends under control. Cream rinses do not add body but only soften the hair.
Conditioning restores the damaged hair into full-bodied hair
We use deep conditioners to help restore the dry, damaged hair, plus hair that is brittle
excessively and broken in any way. The deep conditioners contain large amounts of protein. In order
that these proteins are absorbed, the deep conditioner should be applied for a longer time. The protein
works by repairing hair damage at the area that is badly in need of help.
Conditioning helps restore the loss of moisture in hair
Conditioners also help in reducing friction and adding combability to hair. In addition, they
help in removing dryness and moisturising it.
Home-made Cosmetic Care
These are effective and simple-to-make conditioners. These are not as harsh as the
chemical conditioners, and are pure and resultful.
The All-purpose Conditioner Rinse
Mix the following to prepare the magic rinse:
- 1 Teaspoon of castor oil.
- 1 Teaspoon of Amla or Brahmi oil.
- 1 Teaspoon of Malt Vinegar.
- 1 Teaspoon of Glycerine.
- 1 Teaspoon of Shampoo.
The castor oil gives body to hair; the herbal oil acts like a hair tonic;
vinegar restores the acid mantle; glycerine moisturises the hair and shampoo is the medium that
blends the ingredients. Before washing the hair, apply this mixture to the hair gently and
leave it on for about twenty minutes. Shampoo it out with clear water and feel the
marvellous change in your hair texture.
Conditioner for Shine and Sheen
Grate few onions and some cabbage together and leave in copper vessel overnight.
In the morning, add few drops of eau-de cologne to remove the onion smell. Add few drops
of herbal oil like Amla or Brahmi and then apply. Shampoo after 20 minutes. Your hair will gain
a superb gloss and colour. You may follow this routine once a week.
Henna Conditioners
- For oily hair- Mix Henna with 2 tablespoons of yogurt and a pinch of sugar to a light paste. Add a bit of
water if the paste is thick. Apply on hair and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse it out with clear water.
- For dry hair- Mix Henna in a tablespoon of oil and enough warm milk to make a paste. Apply and leave on for 20 minutes.
Rinse it out later.
The Henna conditioners give color, sheen and body to the hair.
Hair-setting Conditioner
Mix one teaspoon of gelatin in a mug of water. Rinse your hair with it. Finger-dry your hair and set them as you desire.
