HIBISCUS HAIR CONDITIONER
Ingredients | Process, Usage & Storage | FAQs
We’re fed with the flawed idea of indulging inexpensive products of capitalism for self-care and this recipe contests just that.
A race for savouring convenience has introduced us to a lot of useful things. But the catch of such innovation rather lies in our behaviour of not questioning who it might be useful for and jumping on the bandwagon of turning it into a necessity.
That being said, walking out of a convenience store feels almost cathartic when I haven’t spent a fortune on basic skin care products. Moisturiser, Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner - If I were to mention just these four basic products off the top of my head, they’re enough to make me feel like I’m paying through the nose each time I make a purchase.
But did you know that free hair conditioners are growing all around us in nature?
Let me introduce you to this DIY hibiscus hair conditioner that checks all categories of being: sustainable, zero waste, frugal, and carbon free. Self care has never been easier (and affordable) with this recipe which promises natural soft hair.
As a bonus, the flower is rich in vitamin C and amino acids and is known to improve blood circulation, if that’s something that interests you. Let’s now get into the process of making it!
Ingredients
- 1 hibiscus flower
- 4-5 hibiscus leaves
- 2 cups of water
Let me insert the phrase “Less is more.”
Process, Usage & Storage
After assembling the aforementioned ingredients, put them in a vessel and bring it to boil. We recommend keeping a lid partially closed on the vessel so the water doesn’t evaporate while letting it simmer for 20 minutes.
Next step involves separating the boiled liquid through a strainer into another vessel. While doing so, press and squeeze the boiled flower and leaves as much as possible.
The slimy-ness that you feel while doing this is exactly what conditions the hair so don’t hesitate while squeezing the pulp. You can rub the slime into your hair if you wish to dry your fingers in this process.
We prefer to freeze the leftover pulp in small airtight packets and add later in our next batch. We reuse old plastic packets to store the leftovers and it works just fine. This way you only need one new flower every batch, without the need for excessive plucking.
And now… drum rolls, our natural hair conditioner is ready for usage!
It’s a leave-in softener that doesn’t require another rinse after being massaged into wet or dried shampooed hair.
We recommend this process where you: shampoo & rinse > apply hibiscus water on damp or dried hair > let it sit till it dries > Comb & run your fingers through the softest hair you’ll ever feel.
Apply and massage with this softening agent whenever your hair feels rough. One batch can be used up to 5-6 times (depends on how much your hair requires) and it is very potent. So you don’t need to finish the entire batch in one day!
Remember to not over pluck as one flower is enough for each batch. We recommend storing this magical concoction in the fridge which would increase its shelf life upto over a month's time.
DO NOT store it at room temperature for more than a day. Immediately store it in the fridge to keep it fresh for a good month.
An alternative for those with limited or no access to hibiscus flowers, is diluted Apple Cider Vinegar wash. Mix 2-3 small bottle caps-full of ACV with a large mug of water and give your hair a final rinse once you’re finished with shampoo cleansing. That’s it! You can feel your fingers running smoothly through your hair.
We were also told beer works as a great conditioner but that option might not be as frugal as the hibiscus conditioner and ACV wash. But if you have leftover beer, you know what to do!
FAQs
-
Can any color hibiscus be used?
Yes as far as we have observed, this recipe works with most colored hibiscus. The resulting color does not determine the quality of the conditioner. -
Do we need to rinse after using the conditioner?
It’s optional, you can rinse if you wish to. But if you want your hair extra soft, you can let it dry naturally like a leave-in conditioner. -
How do we store the remaining pulp?
Freeze it so it doesn’t rot away in your fridge! That good slime is still present in the pulp and can still be used ! If you don’t wish to store it, you can even blend it to paste and massage it into your scalp. We find it a bit annoying to remove the pulp out of our hair. But this tip works better for anyone with short hair.
-
Is it applied on hair including scalp or just the length?
Apply across the length of your hair and rub it into your scalp too. We dip our hair tips directly into the container, and let it catch as much of the hibiscus juice as it needs. Then we take it out, and rub the hair tips onto our scalp like a massage to ensure the liquid reaches all parts of our head.
-
Is it alright if the liquid changes color?
Absolutely! Natural anything changes color all the time. It doesn’t determine the efficacy of the product. Just ensure you didn’t leave it outdoors. It must be stored in the fridge. We sometimes get a light brown liquid, or a deep maroon liquid. It doesn’t matter.
Related Recipes
ZEROWASTE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Don’t throw those apple cores, coz we’re about to turn it into magic.
Apple Cider Vinegar is one...
Zero-waste Tofu
If we had a dollar for each time a person mentioned how expensive and inaccessible plant based pr...
QUICK CHEESY CASHEW DIP RECIPE
Do not skyrocket your expectations of this recipe as a replacement if you’re a dairy cheese lover...
HOMEMADE KOKUM BODY BUTTER RECIPE
The internet will leave you spoilt for choice if you do a quick search on ‘DIY body butter’. Unf...