The last few years have proven to be an interesting time for the beauty industry. With the rise of influencers and the accessibility of online portals, there are so many ways to not only find the right products for your hair type, but also real user reviews to help you make better hair care choices. One of the top trends that has held favour with men and women around the world is essential oils, and when it comes to growing longer, more luscious hair, there are blends to suit every need that are fully natural and worth adding to your routine.
What to know about essential oils
The first thing to understand about essential oils is that these are highly concentrated compounds that are often distilled from plant sources, including leaves, stems, flowers and even seeds. These have a host of applications as they typically smell amazing – but they also bring a safer, chemical-free approach to everything from beauty products to room sprays. It can be important to select a brand that prioritises nothing short of the most natural ingredients and processes to ensure you get the best hair care products, such as Mudbrick Herb Cottage.
Essential oils in haircare
As the majority of hair products, from shampoos to conditioners, contain harmful chemicals like parabens and sulfates, many cause more harm than good. Plenty of individuals find that certain brands lead them to have scalp issues, hair breakage and even increased hair fall. With this in mind, more natural products will certainly be favourable, but essential oils have the additional capabilities to actually boost hair, scalp and follicle health, alongside nourishing strands from root to tip. There’s certainly no better choice for growing longer, more luscious hair.
How to use essential oils for longer, stronger, thicker hair
There are a wealth of benefits to be enjoyed when adding essential oils to your hair care routine, but you may want to get to grips with how to use them properly to maximise the overall benefits. What many of us don’t know is that hair actually grows in cycles and if you improve the longevity of the growth phase (over the transition or resting phases), you will see a general boost in the quality of your hair whether you’re hoping to treat scalp issues or just generally enhance shine. The good news is that essential oils have the ability to not only prolong the right cycle, but also stimulate hair growth in the most natural way.
When it comes to adding these to your beauty routine, certain types or blends will have different advantages and how you apply them for top results can vary. In general, here are the best practices to keep in mind:
Dilute your chosen oil
For many, essential oils can be too concentrated and can lead to irritation if not diluted. While not everyone will suffer from using these neat, it’s an advised rule of thumb to always dilute to be on the safe side. All you’ll need to do is mix a few drops with a carrier oil and then apply them directly to your scalp. As you can tailor the blend to meet your needs, there are no specific ratios to keep in mind.
Perform a patch test
Everybody’s skin will react differently to essential oils, just as with any product you apply topically, so it can be imperative to perform a patch test. Select a small area of skin, apply a dab of the oil and check for any adverse reactions or signs of allergy before applying to your scalp and hair.
Always rinse thoroughly
For optimum results, essential oils often work best when left to penetrate the hair for at least 30 minutes (but overnight will maximise nourishment and stimulation). As oils are thick and viscous, leftover residue can make your hair look greasy and can weigh strands down – and this could defeat the object of wanting more luscious, beautiful hair. This means that proper rinsing can be especially important.
Aside from these tips, be sure to choose whether to use your oils as a hair mask or as a shampoo and conditioner boost. In the first instance, you will want to mix a few drops with a natural hair mask base and apply with a focus on the roots and scalp. In the latter case, simply add a few drops of essential oil to your favourite shampoo and conditioner and go about your daily routine for ongoing benefits.
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