When it comes to hair care, most of us have heard the age-old advice about nothing works better for hair than oil. Or the oft-repeated mantra of oil being the best conditioner for hair. Before the cosmetic industry evolved and hair conditioners, hair masks hair serums became readily available in the market. Oil was the go-to for any hair related issues. There was a time where different types of oils were blended or infused with herbs at home and used for haircare.
Though we have come a long way from those days of preparing oil concoctions at home and every beauty brand has an impressive range of hair care products lined on their shelves, oil still remains the number one on everyone list when it comes to taking care of your tresses.
There is a lot of buzz these days about essential oils and carrier oils used in products for hair care, and everyone seems to be talking about their wondrous effects. So, before we go any further, let us first understand what these oils are.
CARRIER OILS are vegetable oils derived from the fatty part of a plant, such as the seed, nut, or kernel. Widely used to dilute essential oils, they are vital because as their name suggests, they help ‘carry’ essential oils into the skin. These oils are heavier than essential oils and most of the time have no aroma of their own. They are excellent moisturisers and are hence a must-have addition in any skin or hair care blends. In fact, for most combinations, the volume of carrier oils is quite large compared to the few drops of essential oil. Their goodness is more enhanced when using the cold-pressed variant.
ESSENTIAL OILS are extracted from the leaves, bark, roots and other aromatic sections of a plant and are thinner in viscosity. They have a strong aroma and are highly effective and hence should be used in minuscule quantity. It is due to this concentrated potency that they require to be diluted by carrier oils before they can be used for application. Essential oils have a lifetime shelf life, and their aroma is not just soothing to the senses but also have therapeutic effects. Just a few drops of any essential oil blended with an appropriate carrier oil can go a long way in treating skin and hair issues.
Let us look at a few recipes that you can promote to your clients as a sure shot solution to a bad hair day.
ARGAN oil is one of that fantastic carrier oil that has been used for centuries to take care of hair and skin. The good news is that since it is a carrier oil, it can be directly used without diluting and it’s filled with so much goodness that even a few drops of it make a visible difference. Argan oil is full of antioxidants that promote cell growth. It is full of vitamins that are great for a healthy scalp. It promotes hair growth but gifts you with thick healthy hair.
Here are a couple of easy ways to make use of this fabulous oil.
As a hair styling product:
Use it as a styling product by adding a few drops of argan oil to the palms of your hand. Rub your hands together and run your fingers through your hair to tame frizz and shine.
Leave-in hair conditioner:
Rub the oil thoroughly between your palms and then comb your hands and fingers thoroughly through damp or towel-dried hair. Make sure to massage into the scalp.
Another one of our favourites and we promise your clients will love this oil too. This oil helps give complete nourishment from the roots to the tips of the hair. It hydrates, moisturises and even has properties to prevent loss of moisture from the hair.
For beautiful hair:
For the ultimate deep conditioning treatment, combine 10 tablespoons of olive oil with 5 tablespoons of Argan Oil, which is one of the best compliments for this oil. Mix well and set it aside. Now pour a little of your favourite conditioner into a bowl and whip thoroughly. Heat the oil blend in your microwave, until very warm, but not so hot that it could burn you. Afterwards, whip it up some more. After shampooing, apply the mixture to the strands of your hair, especially onto the ends. Put your hair up into a shower cap or another covering and leave it on for 45 to 60 minutes. Jump Rinse well, then style as you usually would.
Apart from these, there is an entire array of oils for haircare that can entice your clients. From lemon oil to rose. And from patchouli to almond. It’s an exciting range of products. You can incorporate these oils into various treatments like hair massage, hair spa, hair fall treatment or split end solutions. The possibilities are endless with essential oils.
