My Mom's Recipe for Happy Healthy Hair

I always believed cosmetic hair care products are wayyyyy better than natural ones, as they produce fast results. But when some time ago I noticed a change in my mom's hair texture, I could not resist asking her, what did she do? And with what she replied, I went mum for a second.

She said she used a mixture of Mehndi (Henna), Amla (Gooseberry), Reetha (Sapindus) and Shikakai (Acacia Concinna). I asked her to prepare some for me. Although I was reluctant, still, noticing the change in my mom's hair kinda pushed me to try it myself. She prepared the mixture and I applied it in all of my hair, starting from the roots and left it for 4 hours straight. It doesn't look or smell very nice, like most herbal stuff, but my only focus was the benefits. I washed it out with water first and then shampooed my hair. Here's what I noticed during the week after use:

• It literally adds volume. I already have long thick hair, but the change is still noticeable. 
• My scalp secretes oil if I don't shampoo daily. After using this, my scalp was dry for 4 days straight. I could take a break from daily shampooing. 
• Balances color. I have stopped using hair color as henna and shikakai have that dye effect.
• Improved hair texture. I can touch my hair more often.
• Less hair fall. Thank goodness it reduces it. 

Natural Benefits:

Henna is known as a core ingredient for hair beauty. It cools the scalp and will produce a reddish color on the hair. Amla and Reetha have conditioning elements. Shikakai blackens the hair.

Here's the Recipe: 

First you need to prepare a solvent to which all the powders will be added. For that, take 2 table spoons of henna and mix with water. If you have black hair and want to sustain the color, add 3 table spoons of shikakai along. We want the paste to be watery as we'll need it to make the actual paste. You can prepare it fresh or store it for later use as well.

Paste: 

This is the quantity I use for my hair. You can change as per your preference and/or hair length.

1. Solvent                                                2 cups
2. Henna Powder                                    2 table spoons
3. Amla Powder                                      2 table spoons
4. Reetha Powder                                   2 table spoons
5. Shikakai Powder                                 3 table spoons

Mix and apply to hair using gloves or a brush if you like. Leave it in the hair for at least 3 hours. Wash off thoroughly with water and then shampoo. You'll have to put in some effort to wash it off as the granules aren't easy to get rid of. Use this mixture 2 times a week or even once if you don't have much time to spare.

Well, that's about it. I have used this stuff 3 times now and I am happy with my hair. I hope it works for you too. xoxo...

* Important: Ladies who are under skin treatment are advised to consult their dermatologist before using this.

Here's a closer look after preparation

You can use disposable gloves or latex ones. I bought these from Hyperstar, Karachi

Hand gloves are very handy. You wouldn't want your hands to turn all red.

Apply generously

Wrap your hair and let it work!