Taking care of your hair can be quite a challenge, especially for those who are not blessed with the strongest, shiniest, and most bountiful of manes. Hair is constantly at the mercy of the state of our internal terrain – allergies, heredity, hormonal imbalances, stress, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies – and the external elements, such as humidity, wind, dry weather, and so on. But there may be a way to help: essential oils.

Essential oils provide a clean (and fragrant) solution to many everyday hair woes. The following five essential oils are simple and pure elixirs whose inherent qualities make them great for boosting hair appearance and health.

How to Use Essential Oils for Beautiful Hair

One of the biggest critiques of essential oils for skin health (and by extension, scalp/hair health) is that they can be reactive. That is, when they are exposed to the sun or heat, they may cause an unsavory experience for the user, resulting in a rash or burning sensation. This is particularly true for citrus essential oils. It always helps to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil like jojoba, almond, or argan, or add it into your regular shampoo.  Let the mixture sit in your hair for five to 10 minutes before rinsing clean.

If you are known to have sensitive skin, test a patch of skin with whatever essential oil you plan to add to your hair care regimen. Wait a few hours to see how your skin reacts.

5 Essential Oils for Beautiful Hair

1. Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil is best for improving hair thickness and inducing hair growth. In one study, participants were randomly assigned either rosemary oil or 2% minoxidil, the first FDA-approved hair loss treatment that has been proven to work. Subjects applied either treatment twice daily. After six months, both groups experienced a significant increase in hair count, with no difference in growth between the groups; that is, rosemary was just as effective as a clinical treatment. The difference, however, was that those using rosemary oil experienced significantly less itching.

2. Peppermint Oil

Commonly used to stimulate the digestive system and act as the primary aroma in toothpaste, peppermint’s use extends to promoting beautiful hair as well. In fact, peppermint oil’s hair growth effects are nothing less than remarkable. In one study, researchers found peppermint oil to easily penetrate the skin and both induce rapid hair growth as well as very thick hair after just four weeks of topical application. The researchers concluded that peppermint oil is able to conserve the vascularization of hair dermal papilla (where all hair follicles are nourished and supplied with oxygen).

3. Lemongrass Oil

If dandruff is a concern, lemongrass oil is your best bet! Lemongrass oil has shown to significantly reduce dandruff in one to two weeks of topical treatment.

4. Lavender Oil

Speed up hair growth with lavender oil. The essential oil is commonly known and proven to be effective in treating fatigue, reducing stress, the promoting cell growth, reproducing skin, and treated alopecia. In one study, lavender oil demonstrated the ability to promote hair growth. Researchers tested lavender oil on the hair of mice, and they observed a significant growth in hair.

5. Clary Sage Oil

Clary sage oil hastens hair growth and improves hair strength. It contains linalyl acetate, a compound that is also found in lavender oil, giving clary sage much of lavender oil’s hair-growing properties.

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Despite all the effort you put into washing and conditioning your hair, you might not be doing enough if you’re not exfoliating the home in which your strands take residence: your scalp.

Scalp exfoliators, which function pretty much like their facial counterparts, work by deeply cleansing, dissolving, or sloughing off dead skin cells to provide the optimal environment conducive to shiny, bouncy, and healthy locks.

Think of your scalp as your face, and your hair follicles as your pores. Now think of how much exfoliating makes a difference to your face after a single session (so smooth! so bright!)—and the fact that you see all those beautiful effects even though you already cleanse your face with direct contact every day. So imagine how much gunk accumulates on your scalp (a.k.a. the extension of your face covered in hair and therefore hard to reach). Yikes! Oh, and you can multiply that if you tend to layer on dry shampoo or wash infrequently.

Your scalp is also vulnerable to excess oil, acne, clogging, and dead skin buildup, all of which might cause flat, lifeless strands, hair thinning, or in extreme cases, bald spots. And of course there’s dandruff and even fungus or yeast. By giving your scalp some exfoliating action, your scalp will be purified and fresh, your dead skin cells will make way for the healthy ones, and your follicles will be in their best state to grow a prettier mane. Plus, you put your head in prime shape to absorb all the other wonderful foamy nutrients you add as you suds up.

If you’re curious about how much more potential your hair has to reach peak Blake Lively status, try these natural scalp exfoliators:

1. Intelligent Nutrients PurePlenty Exfoliating Shampoo

If you don’t feel like adding another step to your shower routine, use this herbal-scented shampoo once or twice a week to infuse your scalp with nettle, which helps clear the follicles, as well as ajuga plant stem cells and saw palmetto, which are known to inhibit DHT (a type of hormone linked to hair loss). This delicious formula also contains plant-based oils with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, like the almighty black cumin. Oh, and the bottle comes equipped with a pointy applicator so you can get the good stuff directly on your scalp where the ingredients need to be. This formula brings a whole new meaning to clear-headedness.

2. John Masters Deep Scalp Follicle Treatment Volumizer

Clean scalp and shiny volumized hair? Uh, yes. This treatment contains a blend of 17 certified-organic herbs and essential oils to clear out the debris on your scalp, dissolve oil buildup in the hair roots, and pave way for beautiful hair. This formula features the ever-so-stimulating thyme, Irish moss to detoxify, and soy proteins to help strengthen hair. Just wash and condition as usual, then spray this on your head while your strands are still damp.

3. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment

This leave-in treatment harnesses the power of Japanese Binchotan charcoal to naturally draw out follicle-clogging impurities and sweep away the debris from your scalp, clearing the path for the powerful hair vitamin biotin to help your tresses grow fuller and healthier. If you’re feeling itchy, this formula soothes you with its super-refreshing peppermint, tea tree, and spearmint oils while witch hazel helps control an overflow of oil production. And don’t be afraid of being too squeaky clean—the sodium hyaluronate and aloe vera add a good amount of balanced hydration. You can use this after your shower (and go about your day delighted knowing your scalp is getting clean!).

2 DIY Ingredients to Make Your Own Scalp Exfoliator

If you prefer to alchemize your own scalp exfoliator, add these ingredients prized for their gunk-eliminating properties to your regular shampoo and make sure your directly massage the concoction into your scalp:

Activated Charcoal

Wellness folks are still going nuts over activated charcoal’s near-mystical ability to pull dirt, grime, and excess oil out of skin (without damaging the fresh, young-looking skin we prefer to stay intact). Add a teaspoon to your ‘poo and don’t be scared of your shower turning black for sec — the stuff comes right off with a splash of water. Try this one from Starwest Botanicals.

Organic White Willow Bark Extract

A common ingredient in acne treatments, white willow bark extract is also found in scalp exfoliators thanks to its ability to penetrate skin and clear it out. Unfortunately, many formulas with willow bark also contain other chemicals like PEGs, so your best bet is to nab your own (like this one from Mountain Rose Herbs) and add a few drops to your scalp prior to washing.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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The post 3 Natural Scalp Exfoliators to Unclog Your Way to Fuller, Stronger Hair appeared first on EcoSalon.

A few months ago, I discovered the “no poo” method. That is, washing hair sans shampoo.

Washing your hair isn’t exactly rocket science, but could you be doing it smarter? Or, rather, are you doing it wrong?  Discover just how the no-poo method can transform your hair’s health and appearance and a completely doable guide on how to go no poo yourself.

The No Poo Method, Explained

After learning more about what shampoo does to your scalp and hence, your hair, I decided to give the remarkably fuss-free approach to scalp and hair health a try.

Shampoo’s essential function is to cleanse the scalp and hair, stripping them of them of debris and sebum, the natural oils produced by hair follicles. However, the scalp’s sebaceous oil glands work in overdrive and produce excess sebum when they sense that the scalp is dry. Shampooing regularly may be the reason your hair gets so greasy so quickly, even if it offers an immediate, albeit temporary, solution to oily hair.

It’s a vicious cycle. But, you can break it! By shampooing less often, your scalp naturally reduces its production of sebum and leaves your locks looking buoyant and lush for longer.

No Poo Method: Step-By-Step

The no poo method instructs that you instead wash hair with a gentle alternative to shampoo, such as baking soda and apple cider vinegar, or just water alone.

Before you try the no poo method yourself, keep in mind that it will take between two and six weeks to see results – a small price to pay for a lifetime of luxurious locks. One of my main concerns was what I should do after a tough workout, from which I often emerge drenched in sweat. A rinse with water just didn’t seem like it would cut it. The addition of apple cider vinegar, however, worked surprisingly well. And don’t worry – the apple cider vinegar does not leave behind a scent once your hair dries.

Your hair will feel strange when you first embark on your no poo journey. It won’t feel as glossy and “cleansed” directly after a wash, but that’s a good thing. Over time, your hair will strengthen and look better than it ever has.

Trust me, and take the plunge:

The No Poo Method

1. Put one tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of water. Stir until dissolved and set aside and within reaching distance from the shower.
2. Pour one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into one cup of water. Feel free to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or a tablespoon of honey, but they are optional. Stir and set aside, also within reaching distance from the shower.
3. In the shower, apply the baking soda mixture to your hair, focusing on the roots. Use fingers to distribute the mixture to the rest of your hair. Rinse.
4. Delicately pour the apple cider vinegar mixture over hair and use fingers to massage the mixture into the scalp and down toward the ends of your hair. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Repeat this process once every two to three days. I work out almost everyday, so I find it necessary to wash my hair daily. But if you skip the gym, try to skip a day here and there.
6. Aim for washing your hair only three to four times per week.

That’s all there is to it!

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The post The No Poo Method: Is Nixing Shampoo the Key to Your Best Hair? appeared first on EcoSalon.

No time for shampooing? No problem. Here are some cute and easy styles (plus the products to get you there) that look even better on second day hair.

Woke up late, winter is drying out your hair, simply don’t feel like doing the whole blow dry thing…we get it! Sometimes (okay, lots of times) we just need a break from fixing our hair.

Enter, sweet second day hair looks for every length and style. These beauties are fast, simple, and look way hotter on slightly dirty hair.

Added bonus to second day hair? You don’t need as much product to get that been there look. Still, a few essentials will help propel you toward that Kate Moss feel.

7 Looks + Products for Perfect Second Day Hair

1. Dry shampoo: Whether you are feeling greasy or not, a touch of dry shampoo gives just enough texture to hold hair in place. Revive your blowout for a second day (or even third) with Lulu Organics Jasmine Hair Powder.

2. Shine cream: A pony always looks classic and professional. Try leaving a small amount of hair out of underside of pony, then secure around elastic. Glide a small amount of Rahua Finishing Treatment over hair to keep the look sleek.

3. Mousse: A topknot is cute on everyone. To get that oomph going, apply a dollop of Yarok Feed Your Roots Volume Enhancing Mousse to roots. A quick hit of the blowdryer or even air drying for a few minutes will add volume.

4. Gel: Tend to get frizzy? A bit of gel calms fuzz and brings hair back under control. Try Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Styling Gel.

5. Styling cream: A side knot can double as a day or night time style. Run a dab of styling cream through strands to wrangle strays first. Josh Rosebrook Styling Cream works like a charm.

6. Texturizing spray: Braids are the perfect way to deal with second day hair. Josh Rosebrook Lift Hair Texture & Volume will give strands holding power without being stiff or sticky.

7. Salt spray: Twice as nice on day two, use Herbivore Botanicals Sea Mist Hair and Body Spray to enhance natural waves or curls. Almost as good as a day at the beach.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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top knot hair image via Shutterstock

The post 7 Easy Second Day Hair Looks and (How to Get Them) for Girls on the Go appeared first on EcoSalon.

EcoSalon’s Made In America Box features items that are made right here in the U.S.A! July is an all-around patriotic month here in the states, so join your fellow eco-friendly patriots with a box of products worth $494.85, for just $129 + free shipping!

Sold Out!

You see it everywhere: The words “Made in America” are proudly-displayed symbols of the self-made American spirit. With this edition of The Box, you’ll be sporting your (ethically dyed) reds, whites, and blues especially proudly – and consciously – as your skin glows and your hair shines. With everything from beautiful hand-crafted jewelry to the perfect makeup, you’ll be ready to shine as brightly as the stars and stripes themselves.

There are only 40 Boxes available.

Beginning on Friday, July 24th, we will reveal between three and four of our fabulous participating brands per day. The Box will go on sale Monday, July 27th, at 8 o’clock AM Pacific Time. So set your timers and mark your calendars–these will sell out fast! Check back daily to see the latest reveals, and read on to discover today’s products!

Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Lip Glaze + Gift

Did you know that your skin absorbs 60 percent of anything that is applied to it? That includes those products made with petroleum, artificial colors, toxic chemicals and harmful preservatives. What’s the result? Clogged pores and aged skin! Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques has a solution to this dilemma, creating products from natural and certified organic plant oils and extracts, flower essences and minerals from the earth. This makeup is the kind that your skin craves. Filled with vitamins and nutrients for moisturizing and anti-aging, it leaves the skin rejuvenated and soft. With makeup that can do all that, AND give us the confidence that comes from that perfect shade of lip gloss, sign us up!

$50 gift card redeemable Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Products

ColourFusion Lip Glaze: $9

Total value: $59

Nurture My Body Luscious Duo

Get ready for your best body – instantly – with these two nourishing products. Improved elasticity and skin revitalization comes from Nurture My Body’s Wild Eucalyptus Body Wash, while proactive repair and broad spectrum protection is provided by their Organic Sunscreen (SPF 32). Both products are made with organic ingredients that help keep your skin healthy and protected. While the invigorating scent of Wild Eucalyptus will make your shower energizing and fun, the fragrance-free sunscreen is made without nano-sized particles, which can get into the bloodstream. This nutrient-packed combo will give your skin everything it needs to stay safe and good-lookin’ for the rest of the summer.

BONUS: Just catching The Box after it’s sold out? Nurture My Body is offering 15% off to all EcoSalon readers, even after all 40 Made In America Boxes have been purchases. Just use the coupon code ECOSALON to redeem this great offer!

Organic Sunscreen: $29.99

Wild Eucalyptus Body Wash: $26.95

Total Value: $56.94

Tyramin Succulent Stud Earrings

These beautiful earrings are made by socially-conscious Tyramin (only the most sustainable materials are used whenever possible, with jewelry crafted in small batches), whose unique designs are sold in high-end boutiques, museums, and fine art galleries. These earrings are especially unique; they are cast from real succulent plants in pewter. From everyday to special occasion, these fun studs will catch you compliments no matter where you go.

Value: $53

Osmia Organics Facial Calibration Serum

This serum is everything but the (all-natural) kitchen sink. Not only does it nourish the skin, but also, it helps your cherished epidermis balance and become even and smooth, helping oily and combination skin learn to behave itself over time. Plus, your skin will get a blast of antioxidants and vitamins from acai and organic black seed oil. It even smells heavenly. This super powered serum checks every box on our skin-needs list, and it’s made in the U.S.A.

Value: $50

Good Karma Skincare Lux 7 Age Defying Four-in-One Face Cream

Let’s be honest: We don’t always have the energy to apply all of the products we know they should use, day-in and night-out. Well, Good Karma Skincare doesn’t believe you should have to. Cynthia Ransom created Good Karma to address the needs of real women, including the need for a simplified system. This revolutionary face cream acts as a daily moisturizer, skin refining serum, eye cream, and night cream, all in one. Made to make skin glow, this detoxifying cream will leave your skin smooth and radiant. As a bonus, a portion of every sale goes to feeding animals in shelters.

Value: $48

Sprayology Hair + Nail Tonic

Did you ever get an awful haircut, and wish you could grow your locks back faster to recover from the hacking? With Sprayology’s Hair +Nail Tonic you can do that, and more. This homeopathic oral spray contains 17 ingredients that will also give you healthier nails and heal a dry scalp, which means you’ll see a reduction in hair shedding. The best part of this magic potion? You’ll never find anything easier to ingest. Simply spray twice under your tongue, and be on your merry way.

Value: $29

Raw Materials Skin Grit

This top-selling exfoliator is a true wonder. It can be used both by women and men, and is versatile enough to handle your face and body. Your skin will be fine tuned and softened by this antioxidant-packed exfoliant. Using everything from jojoba beads (which gently soften skin and slowly melt to release natural moisturizing components) to finely crushed walnuts (to boost up the cleansing experience by unclogging pores and removing dead, dull skin), your pores will be clear, and your body will be happy.

Value: $27.95

Divining Oil Designs Personalized Healing Bracelet

Treat yourself to a beautiful, uniquely healing bracelet with a $25 gift card from Divining Oil Designs. These beautiful, customized pieces are intended to provide holistic healing to the mind, body and soul. Each bracelet’s beads slowly diffuse oils over time, with a bead composition personalized to fit your needs. The wonderfully scented bracelets can also be refreshed as they begin to fade, simply by adding another drop of the desired oil to the beads. Take your favorite scented oils with you, everywhere you go, and enjoy the healing that they provide.

Gift Card Value: $25 (with free shipping!)

Good Clean Love Oils Rollerball Gift Set

These nourishing oils are good for your skin, and good for your love life. These love oils have aphrodisiac qualities that work with the brain’s chemistry to smell unique to everyone that uses them. How many products are in your beauty supply stock that can actually enhance a kiss? These oils send a clear message, and will excite your foreplay…only in the safest, vegan, and most edible manner possible.

Value: $23.99

Au Naturale Organic Creme Eyeshadow

We won’t say that Au Naturale’s creme eye shadow is the best thing since sliced bread, but it’s pretty close! This stuff is dripping in gorgeous color, and can be blended, used as an eyeshadow, eyeliner, or brow polisher. Not only will these eyeshadows leave you looking sultry and sexy, but they’re also free of nano-particles, sulfates, and additives. “Good for you” looks good on you.

Value: $20

Aura Sensory Hair Care Set

The problem with using shampoos and conditioners that aren’t natural, is that the chemicals will actually strip your hair of its natural moisture. That can make hair look damaged and frizzy, but have no fear: Aura Sensory’s sulfate-free Shine Enhancing Shampoo and Deep Hydration conditioner are here. These products work together with a promise to bring life back your hair, thanks to the natural vitamins, oils and amino acids that are packed into the duo. Your scalp will be healthy, and your hair will be safe with these top-selling miracle workers.

Value: $20

Beautiphyed Age Defense Antioxidant Mist

The truth is, we could all benefit from some more antioxidants in our skincare regimen. This age-defying face mist, which also doubles as a toner, makes the task easy and fun; only a couple of quick squirts will protect your face from environmental toxins with hydrated, protected skin. The spray also works to fight aging and irritation, without any funky stuff; as dictated on Beautiphyed’s website, “Good nutritional advice tells you: ‘If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it!’ It’s no different for your skin.”

Value: $20

Rejuva Minerals Mega Lash Mascara

If you came here looking for makeup that made you look like a movie star, you came to the right place. Rejuva Minerals’ Mega Lash Mascara is a clump-free top seller used by celebrities and their makeup artists alike! In fact, every single Grammy nominee and VIP guest received this incredible gift at the 2015 Grammy nomination ceremony. What makes this mascara star-worthy? It actually conditions your lashes with organic cotton flower extract and avocado, as well as lengthening and thickening them.

Value: $20

Sona Organics Custom Soap (made exclusively for Ecosalon!) and Natural Deodorant

Yes, you read that correctly: Sona Organics is including an organic soap in that’s only available in THIS Box, made exclusively for the fabulous readers of EcoSalon! On top of the exciting exclusivity of this gift, Sona is also providing its awesome, all-natural, vegan deodorant to keep you smelling sweet and fresh all day. The formula is so good, it only takes a maximum of two swipes for this product application to have maximum effectiveness. Body odor is fun for no one, but this product works on everyone!

Custom Natural Soap Exclusively For EcoSalon Readers: $3

Vegan Natural Deodorant: $12

Total Value: $15

Hello Products Toothpaste Mint Medley

An all-natural toothpaste that tastes so good, it actually makes you want to brush? It’s the truth! While most toothpastes are packed with sweeteners, triclosan, artificial dyes and microbeads, which can get stuck under the gums, Hello toothpaste is free of all of those offenders, and leaves out polyethylene and microplastics found in many oral care brands. Not to mention, these great toothpaste flavors also deliver cavity and enamel protection for your pearly whites. Hello products have reached major chains like Target and Walgreens, but with our Box, you get to try three awesome flavors, including the latest flavor, peach mango mint, and decide which one you like best.

Peach Mango Mint Toothpaste: $4.99

Supermint Toothpaste: $4.99

Mojito Mint Toothpaste: $4.99

Total Value: $14.97

All Beauty Water Beauty Bundle

What if you could enjoy a drink that not only made you more beautiful, but also tasted good? Now you can, with All Beauty Water’s nutrient-enhanced water that works to make you more beautiful from the inside-out. With All Beauty Water’s patented combination of “SkinVitamins®” and “SkinNutrients®,” your skin will get everything that it needs that it can’t get from regular water, like minerals, antioxidants and electrolytes. This product is a great tasting alternative to skin-harming soda and other sugary drinks. Each box comes with four bottles of water, with delicious flavors that include Pomegranate Rose, Strawberry Açaí, and Cucumber Aloe.

Value: $3 per bottle

Total value: $12 (for 4 bottles)

Total Value for the Made In America Box: $494.85

Sale Price: $129 + free shipping! That’s a 74 percent savings. It’s our salute to you, and your loyalty to an eco-fabulous lifestyle!

Sold Out!

The Box will go on sale Monday, July 27th, at 8 o’clock AM Pacific Time. So set your timers and mark your calendars–these will sell out fast (the last one sold out in under one hour)!

Note! We recommend purchasing The Box from a desktop device vs a mobile device (while we dial in mobile purchases).

Offer good anywhere in the continental U.S. International shipping is not available at this time. Buy, one, two, or three boxes! Please allow up to three weeks for delivery. All sales are final. Due to the nature of this exclusive one-time sale, we cannot accept any returns or exchanges. Any inquiries or concerns regarding purchased Boxes must be submitted via Customer Service within 30 days from date of purchase.

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The post A Salute! With EcoSalon’s The Box: Made In America appeared first on EcoSalon.