My hair maintenance routine is working very well, so why is it I’m itching to try something new? Bored, most likely. I recently wasted money at Sally’s Beauty Supply for Silk Elements Revive & Restore Oil Moisturizing Lotion, Silk Elements Repair Masque, and Root Organic Stimulator Carrot Oil. It took all of three days for the protein in those products to make my hair go from happy and obedient to guilty of disorderly conduct. I had to go full out Bohemian (thanks JazziJenni81/HappyCurls) in order to get things back to normal. For those unfamiliar with the Bohemian Routine, it’s basically a wash and go with conditioner and no styling aids are used (gels, pomades, mousse, etc.), only homemade spritz, moisturizer, or a leave-in.
To cure my boredom, I visited From Nature With Love, Oils By Nature, and Essential Wholesale who have alphabetical lists of oils, butters, herbs, their benefits and uses, etc. I found three ingredients I’d like to experiment with. These ingredients were in products I’ve used previously and had good results (Aubrey’s White Camellia Conditioner, Redken All Soft Cream, Herbal Essence Gel w/Hibiscus (discontinued)).
Camelina Seed Oil (Camelina Sativa) - Camellina seed oil has a high level of tocopherols (vitamins and antioxidants) and is similar to vitamin E oil. Use this oil to seal in moisture and protect ends.
Products with camelina oil as an ingredient: Redken All Soft Cream, Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair Oil (Fine) and Curl Junkie Guava Curl Cream.
Camellia oil - Camellia seed oil is a multipurpose oil which smoothes, moisturizes, and adds shine to hair. Also is beneficial to skin and has anti-aging properties (fine lines, dryness, scars, etc.),
Products with camellia oil as an ingredient: Aubrey’s White Camellia Oil, Aubrey’s White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Conditioner, Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair oil (Dry/Damaged).
Hibiscus Flower (Jaswand) - A natural hair detangler which can be purchased in powder form, as an extract, or as dried flower petals. Also nourishes the scalp and used often in ayurvedic hair products such as shampoos, conditioners, and gels.
Products with hibiscus flower: John Masters Organics Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor, Curl Junkie Hibiscus Bliss Moisturizing Shampoo, Roots 100% Natural Hibiscus Gel or Powder, Lush Godiva Solid Shampoo Bar.
Other ingredients I’d like to try: Meadowfoam seed oil, sweet almond butter, babassu butter, watermelon seed oil, and seabuckthorn berry oil.
See what I mean. I’ll tell you which is worse; neither one. You’ll be broke either way you go. I’ve gone from product junkyism to ingredient junkyism. My advice for those with a routine that is working; leave it alone. Your pocketbook will thank ya (lol).
