Take Charge of Your Hair
by Barb Held
Hair is one of the defining statements about your style. It is how you feel about your own hair that matters more than anything, but it shouldn’t become your life’s work. There is no mystery to having great hair and there is no magic cure-all to make it do tricks, but you can take charge of your tresses by simply knowing your hair type. Hair texture changes throughout your life due to hormonal shifts, pregnancy, illness, eating disorders, aging and even the weather. For all types of hair, for all types of seasons, Lakewinds' health and body care department offers a wide variety of high quality, botanical-based products to help you maintain a healthy mane.
Dry, Fine or Treated
If your scalp gets dry, consider a scalp treatment to add nourishment such as Paul Pender’s Holy Basil Conditioning Toner. It contains a high concentration of holy basil, an antibacterial plant extract that helps clear out impurities and light dandruff without making the hair heavy. Pender's product philosophy entails the use of “LevenEssentie™”, which refers to a concentrated herbal mixture of 23 wild and organically grown herbs such as arnica, chamomile, honeysuckle, rosemary and yarrow. Still made in small batches in the European tradition of quality, Penders uses the purest, cleanest and most effective ingredients on the market and his products are cruelty-free. His product line is quite effective. For chemically treated hair, try the Walnut Oil shampoo. To add volume but not weight to fine, limp hair, try Jasmine shampoo with sea alginate minerals for a gentle coating. Use the Rosemary shampoo for a non-irritating and natural wash for normal hair, followed by a Lemon Perfecting Rinse, which works well for all hair types as a daily conditioner.
Oily
A little oil in your hair is normal, in fact you need it to keep your locks in good condition. Make a point to clean your hair every other day. You may be tempted to wash your hair frequently, but the oil glands on your scalp are actually stimulated by massage so the more you wash your hair, the greasier your scalp becomes. If both your hair and scalp are oily, you don't want to use a shampoo or conditioner that is too heavy or will strip your hair. Giovanni’s Golden Wheat Shampoo is ideal for removing excess oils without over stripping the hair shaft. It is formulated with a small amount of menthol that reduces oil from the hair and scalp naturally. Menthol is a natural and safe alternative. The Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo and Conditioner, also from Giovanni®, increase scalp circulation with organic peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree botanicals extracts-a truly invigorating treat. Many companies adjust the pH or use a chemical in their products to reduce oil, which often strips the hair of nutrients and color. Giovanni’s hair care products all are pH balanced, made from a pure vegetable protein base, cruelty free and won’t strip hair color.
Adding Color
If you do color your hair, be gentle with Mother Nature. When done in excess, these processes can cause dry, brittle ends. Try a permanent herbal based gel hair color from Naturcolor™ or Naturtint™. They are both peroxide based with no ammonia or resornical (a harsh chemical used in printing textiles and in the manufacturing of resin). Offering a wide array of colors, herbal based hair colors can be used to complement your natural color, cover grey, or add subtle but radiant highlights. Henna is another option for color. Made of plants and herbs, henna works by literally baking the color into your hair and because it’s made of natural ingredients, you can’t really control the results you’re going to get from it. Light Mountain® Henna is 100% pure botanical, free of peroxide and ammonia, and offers rainbow of color selections from light brown to mahogany plus neutral for conditioning.
Protect from the Elements
Too many coloring jobs can weaken your hair structure and cause damage, and so can excessive exposure to harsh heating elements. Try an ultra moisturizing conditioner such as DRUIDE’s® Nourishing, EO®’s Rose and Chamomile, Giovanni’s Smooth as Silk or Aubrey Organics® GPB (Glycogen Protein Balancer). Being out in the sun or swimming in a chlorinated pool can also deplete hair of its life. Aubrey Organics® Swimmers Shampoo and Conditioner are the ideal choice to restore your hair to its natural texture with organic shea butter. If your hair is dry and curly, it typically lacks a natural sheen. To remedy this problem, try using a clarifying shampoo, like Aubrey Organics Aloe Essence, to remove product build up. Rinse your hair with cold water to seal the surface and to help hair reflect light better.
Also remember to be kind to yourself and treat your hair and scalp to a regimen of tender loving care. Feed them with “good food” by using hair care products contain botanical ingredients. They may cost a little bit more then some of their conventional counterparts, but it’s your hair and the results will be worth it!