Lavender & Rosemary Hair Rinse Recipe

Alright, there is a slight problem. I will be honest with you all...I don't remember exactly how I made this hair rinse (I had found a simple recipe on Google before and didn't bookmark it). But I will recall as best I can the way I made my rinse the first time.

My Recollection:

1) Put 1.5 cups water in a saucepan (I did 1.5 cups because of the size of my container)

2) Bring to boil
(if you have a water boiler you can skip that saucepan and just turn the boiler on to make the hot water)

3) Place 1 Tablespoon lavender and 1 Tablespoon rosemary in a heat proof container
(preferably glass or ceramic) (and I used dried herbs from the health food store)

4) Pour boiling water over the herbs and let them steep covered, I believe I waited about 15 minutes (the longer the herbs steep the stronger the rinse will be)

5) After steeping strain the herbs out of the rinse with a mesh strainer or a muslin cloth
(if I remember correctly I just used a paper towel)

6) Once cool the herb rinse can go in the desired container and be kept right in the shower, a spray bottle would be really handy but I keep mine in a little mustard container
(just like my ACV rinse)

7) I use this rinse about once or twice a week following my baking soda and ACV routine

Any herbs can be used in your hair rinse. I just chose Lavender and Rosemary for the qualities they possess. Different herbs do different things to your hair. A list can be found here or just Google useful hair herbs or something along those lines.

Also, something you can do is to make your ACV rinse and herbal rinse into one rinse. The reason I did not combine mine was because it was my first time making and using an herbal hair rinse so I just wanted to try it out. The following recipes combine the ACV and herbs into one easy rinse.

A few more recipes....

• Your hair will say

• Thank you!

Ummm okay.. through my quick research here I noticed most people are refrigerating their herb mixes. I haven't refrigerated mine and as far as I know it has not gone bad. I tried to search if herb rinses spoil or not but I did not find a whole lot. To me it seems like a pain to keep it in the fridge when you are going to be needing it in the shower. I am sorry I don't have an answer to this dilemma, I am really wondering now. But I would suggest to keep an eye on your herbs and if it looks or smells funky make a new batch. Please let me know if you know the answer to this!

Apple Cider Vinegar "Conditioner" Recipe

Throughout this recipe I will refer to Apple Cider Vinegar as ACV because it is much shorter and easier. The ACV recipe is super similar to the baking soda shampoo and it is just as easy.

The ratio is actually just the same:

1 Tablespoon ACV
1 Cup water

This huge jug of ACV was $20 and it will last me so long! To the right is the container I store my vinegar in (cheapy mustard container). I love how I can open and close it, the opening is a good size too.

Pour into a container with a lid, mixing up as much at one time as will fit into your container. The handy thing is that you can store it right in the shower. My vinegar is kept in a cheap plastic mustard dispenser I picked up at Meijer after not being able to find a spray bottle. Not gunna lie, ACV smells a little funky, especially for something going into your hair. If you want to mask the smell a little you could add something like pure lavender oil or infuse your rinse with herbs. I have not tried this yet but my vinegar rinse just ran out and I need to mix up some more.

Application:

-Fully rinse out baking soda mixture
-Flip head upside down so your hair is hanging upside down
-Sprinkle/Pour some vinegar onto head targeting roots and scalp
-Gently massage scalp working vinegar through hair
-Let sit for a minute or two
-Rinse out

There is probably no wrong way to apply the vinegar as long as you are getting it into your scalp and through your hair. I just gave you the way that works for me. Vinegar balances the PH of your hair, that is why it is important to get it into your scalp, and it works as a conditioner/detangler. I am unsure if white vinegar would work the same as ACV, but I do know that ACV works wonders with almost anything. I have read that it can improve your health and energy if you drink some every day, so I just think ACV is better all around! Google it if you want to know more uses for ACV.

Again, you may have to adjust this recipe based on your hair needs. By playing around with the amounts of both vinegar and baking soda you can find what is best for you.

My hair and scalp have been a little bit dry. I am wary of using too much vinegar because in the past my hair has been very oily so I do not want to over condition. I am going to try and increase the amount of vinegar solution I use during each rinse to see how that works.

I also found some recipes for deep conditioners that I want to try out. These treatments would be less often (maybe once a month?) to ensure that my hair is getting all the moisture and nutrients it needs. I am excited to try some out but I need to wait until it is time to wash my hair again because a washing is required after conditioning.

Questions are welcome and I will post more hair adventures soon.

Baking Soda "Shampoo" Recipe

This recipe is super simple and only takes a minute or two to make. When I was researching before starting the 'no poo' plan I found two ways to make the baking soda mixture. One way was to make a paste, mixing a little bit of water with a couple of tablespoons of baking soda. That's great and all and works for some people but truth be told I am lazy so I wanted something I could make every once in awhile.

The recipe is a simple ratio:

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
1 Cup water

Pour into a container with a lid and shake. You will not be able to see the baking soda, it will fully dissolve in the water. Store in shower and shake before each use. I usually make about 2 cups at a time because that is how large my container is and it lasts a good couple of weeks. I store my mixture in an old water bottle with a squeeze top (works well to apply the mixture to my head).

Application:

-Wet hair in shower
-Flip head upside down so hair is hanging down
-Pour small amount of baking soda mixture onto head targeting scalp
-Gently massage the mixture into scalp and hair (as you massage the baking soda should get mixed into all of your hair)
-Let sit for a minute or two
-Rinse out

This is how I have been using my baking soda mixture and it seems to be working well. I have noticed that a small amount goes a long way. I squirt only a few spots and then massage that little bit into all of my hair.

Everyone's hair is different so you may have to adjust the amount of baking soda depending on your hair type and length. I have shoulder length fine hair.

If your hair is too dry decrease baking soda, if it seems oily increase baking soda. The oil level or dryness of your hair also depends on the apple cider vinegar "conditioning" mix (will post recipe).

Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions, I will happily try to answer them.