Spring has finally dawned on us beauties! As nature prepares for another season of heat, there's no better time to explore some natural ingredients to enhance our beautiful hair! Armed with a few botanical encyclopedias, I introduced some new oils that I've had great experiences with this season. Here are my top 5 picks:
The first mention of passion fruit dates back to 1587. Its name passion fruit would derive from a Guarani word meaning “the fruit that is eaten in one bite”. This delicious tropical fruit contains dozens of seeds and a delicious, fragrant pulp that is cold-pressed into a fine, yellow-tinted oil. Passion fruit oil contains an abundance of vitamin E, vitamin K, carotenoids and bio-flavonoids. It is rich in vitamin F which nourishes and beautifies the hair. Its high content of vitamin B2 and B5 acts to strengthen the structure of the hair and promote its growth. I recommend massaging the oil directly into your scalp to allow all of these amazing vitamins to work on your hair follicles.
Mongongo is a fruit found in Africa that has been eaten by humans for thousands of years. The outer shell of the nut is particularly hard to crack, but its oil has long been used to improve and soften dry skin and hair. The moisturizing oil extracted from the nut is very stable and does not go rancid for some time. What makes this oil so awesome for the hair is its alpha-eleostearic acid content. This restores hair vitality by creating an extremely effective protective film around the hair shafts. It is also rich in vitamin A, omega-6 and omega-9. This oil is powerful, so a little oil can do a lot of good. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and use this oil sparingly.
Centella Asiatica, also known as Brahmi, is an ingredient that I use extensively in its plant form to create my Angëlia hair mask . It is a semi-aquatic plant that grows in the swampy regions of India, China and even Melanesia. The herb is typically dried and macerated in sesame oil to obtain the so-called Centella oil. This oil is said to be heaven for damaged damaged hair in distress. Its healing properties can be attributed to its richness in vitamin C, flavonoids, saponins and beta-sitosterols to name a few. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You can either massage it into the scalp for quick absorption, or apply it directly to your hair and let the oil soak in for 30 minutes before washing it out.
The kukui nut grows from the bankouli tree which is found in some of the most dazzling places in the world, such as Hawaii and Tahiti. Kukui nuts are not harvested until they have fallen from the tree. Oil extraction is not an easy task. To break the tough shell, the nut must be heated to temperatures above 200°F and then immersed in a bath of cold water. The beans are cold pressed and the oil is purified. The oil created looks a bit like a dry oil and is quite fragile. It must be stored in the refrigerator and expires after 6 months. Kukui nut oil is composed of linoleic acid and oleic acid which protects the hair and prevents it from becoming dehydrated. Its light, dry texture won't leave hair greasy and is great for invigorating curls and soothing itchy scalp.
Acai berries have been trending for quite some time now as a key ingredient in those delicious purple protein bowls you've probably seen on the internet. This Amazonian fruit is made up of 90% seeds and 10% pulp. The berries are hand picked and cold pressed to produce a dense oil similar to castor oil, the main ingredient in our regrowth serum , but green in color. The smell is quite strong but dissipates soon after application. Acai oil contains a high concentration of vitamin F (omega-6 essential fatty acid) which plays a crucial role in hair regeneration and cell renewal. It is also composed of almost 50% oleic acid (omega-9) which helps improve hair elasticity and contributes to its optimal hydration. Thanks to its pronounced smell, this oil is best used at night and in very small quantities. I recommend working a few drops into your damaged ends before tying your hair up in a bun or applying directly to fragile hair and your hairline.
I hope this article inspired you for some awesome hair care recipes!
Comment, share your experiences and tell me which of these oils catches your eye.
