I’m starting
out year 3 of my quest to be less chemical. The most recent quest…hair.
I am a girly girl. I crave fashion, makeup and ever changing
hair…or at least I did. In my 20’s there was a hair color change every month or
so…I didn’t think about all my hair falling out or the constant chemical
bombardment to my scalp and lungs. Weaning myself off the box wasn’t easy. I
could have quit cold turkey, alas the silver slowly sneaking into my dark
blonde hair was not very…well…pretty. I discovered what the term “mousey” meant when I looked at my
reflection. I tried the less chemical options and the natural ones from the
health food store. But they still dried the crap out of my hair and scalp. By
winter itchy dry scalp was out of control and I started applying Organic Virgin
Coconut oil as a scalp and hair mask every 4 days or so. My hair started
feeling thinker and shinier…hmmm.
Consulting the all knowing internet I searched for natural
ways to highlight my hair or blend the now darker roots to the lighter color of
my long hair. Lemon juice was the first experiment. Sure it works great in the
summertime…but the overcast skies of winter…not so much. Plus it made my hair
feel like straw. It needed moisture, not just highlights. Next concoction…Honey,
Cinnamon and lemon juice.
I squeezed one fresh lemon, 2 spoonfuls of raw wildflower
honey and a sprinkling of
Cinnamon. It smelled awesome, tasted great…..and eureka…it
lightened my hair.
I mix it together in a bowl and brush it on my hair with a
medium size paintbrush. I leave it on for an hour while I give myself a
manicure. I wash it out with gentle natural shampoo and a tad conditioner on
the ends. Shampoo isnt always needed but I'm a creature of habit.
It wasn’t drastic. But it was noticeably shiny, lighter and
softer than my hair has ever been. By the 4th application on week 2,
it was one shade lighter. Raw Honey and Cinnamon have a hydrogen peroxide in
them. Honey is also a moisturizer, and the honey and cinnamon are both
antibacterial. This concoction eliminated my dandruff…not a flake, not a dry
patch to be found. Frizz gone, dandruff gone, shiny hair, less obvious roots…what
more could I ask for? Would it do the same for my skin?
I started brushing the mixture on my face, neck and upper
chest as well when I did my hair. Hello! Sun spots, freckles, acne scars…all slowing
fading with every application. The honey makes it baby smooth. I apply a few
drops of Borage oil as an additional moisturizer for my cheeks which is also an
anti-inflammatory, and keeps my sensitive skin calm.
I’ve now done this for a month (about 3 times a week) and
dry itchy scalp has not returned. My hair remains very soft and shiny despite winter (and
my) attempt to destroy it.