Beautiful, defined curls give us life and transforms our look instantly. Your hair needs to be healthy and strong to really be your “crowning glory”. A stressful lifestyle and pollution takes a toll on your tresses too, but there are ways to fight it. As you embrace your natural curls and hair extensions maintaining a healthy mane is crucial to fighting external harmful factors as well as unhealthy eating habits. But those bouncy, shining curls do not always come without effort.
The saying "beautiful inside out" explains that what you eat has an effect on the health of your hair, but did you know that you can also use some superfoods directly on your hair? There are nutritious foods that can work wonders on your tresses, and all you need to do is apply them in the right manner. Here is a list of such foods that can help you promote hair growth and keep your curls healthy and moisturized, the natural way:
I also share some natural leave-in conditioner recipes that you can make at home in my post, 14 Homemade Leave-In Conditioner Recipes.
Coconut Oil
Always wanted those shiny, soft ringlets that fall around your face and create an impish gorgeous look? What you need is deep conditioning that moisturizes your curls, and good old coconut oil is the way to go.
Use your fingers to rub this oil onto your scalp as well as the ends of the hair. This not only manages split ends, but also gives a heavy coating to the entire hair length. Leave it on overnight and shampoo for hair that immediately feels soft and manageable. Coconut oil is also a great sheen. If you find that your curls are a bit dull - consider adding a bit of sheen to them.
Honey
The goodness of honey can be used not only to deal with a cough or to get glowing skin, but for soft hair too. It can be used in combination with other foods like pumpkin or milk for a hydrating, natural hair mask that gives you well-conditioned tresses.
Honey is not as heavy as coconut oil, but can instantly make lifeless hair shine with its moisturizing properties. Massage approximately half a cup of honey into hair that is clean and damp, and rinse with lukewarm water after 20 minutes.
Avocado
Women who have used avocado hair masks cannot stop gushing over it, and for good reason. The simplest way to use this food is to mash some avocado, apply it from mid-shaft to the hair ends, and wait for 20 minutes. Use your regular shampoo and conditioner, and you will have super-shiny hair in no time.
The oils in avocado are light, which means you get moisturized hair without having to deal with heavy oils weighing down your curls – perfect for reducing frizzy and defining your curls.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise may not always help your hip size, but its power as a superfood for your curls in impressive. If dry, damaged hair is what you are dealing with, simply massage some mayo into your hair after shampooing. Put on a shower cap, wait for 20 minutes, and rinse off.
The oils in mayonnaise work towards making your curls softer and silkier. No more dry, lifeless curls. You can also mix mayo with olive oil for added moisture. Mayonnaise is made of eggs and eggs are packed with protein.
Eggs
Speaking of eggs - rich in protein, eggs are known to transform dry, brittle hair and promote the growth of strong, healthy hair naturally. Whip up 1-2 eggs in a bowl, apply to dry hair, and cover it with a towel or shower cap for 15-20 minutes. Wash out with shampoo and rinse well to strengthen and moisturize your curls without the heavy, greasy feeling.
Do not forget to use only lukewarm water, as steaming hot water can end up cooking the egg and create a mess in your hair. You'll also want to follow up with a conditioner.
Yogurt
Go for the natural, probiotic kind instead of sweetened yogurt, and you are ready to fight damaged, dry, and frizzy hair that naturalists have to deal with in humid conditions. In addition, it also reduces itchiness in your scalp, fights dandruff, and enhances hair growth with its lactic acid and zinc.
Every two weeks, massage plain yogurt into damp hair and rinse with warm water after 20 minutes. Shampoo as usual, and soon you will have healthy, bouncy, shiny hair that brings out the gorgeousness of your curls.
Olive Oil
If coconut oil feels too heavy for your hair, try olive oil. This natural conditioner can nourish dry and brittle hair and bring a healthy glow to your curls. Heat the oil slightly, apply to damp hair, and cover with a warm towel. Shampoo after 20 minutes to an hour for moisturized, stronger hair.
Olive oil can also be mixed with honey or used as a banana-olive oil mask if you want to deep condition your dry curls and soften stubborn, coarse strands.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Looking at a quick, lightweight solution to infuse new life into dull strands? Apple cider vinegar, a much-loved natural conditioner, has got you covered. This is so effective that applying it as a rinse even once a month can give you enhanced volume and shine so that your curls feel healthy and gorgeous at all times.
An apple cider vinegar rinse not only cleanses your tresses of dandruff and sticky residue from hair products, but has been found to add a natural volume. This means bringing the ‘pop’ back into your curls and enjoying bouncy, well-hydrated hair. Go ahead and use a cup of this vinegar on shampooed hair for glossy, healthy locks.
There are plenty of foods that are always lying around which can actually do wonders for your curls. Some easy kitchen fixes can indeed save the day for your curly hair and give you that healthy, moisturized bounce that comes from stronger hair. Chemical-laden and expensive products or styling tools are not the only ways to uplift your crowning glory after all. Try these simple superfoods on your hair to see what works best for you and complement it with a healthy lifestyle – you will see the results in no time at all!
