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Hair rinses have many purposes. They can soften, strengthen, cleanse or lighten hair, depending on the ingredients. Not everyone finds them necessary, but if your hair hasn’t been itself lately, try one of these hair rinses. All of these rinses are homemade, so you don’t have to break the bank to get the results you want. If you’ve never done a hair rinse before, here are some tips for getting maximum results.
Tips
- Shampoo and condition your hair before your hair rinse
- Pour the hair rinse over your hair and catch it in a bowl so you can repeat
- Let the rinse sit in your hair for about a minute
- Rinse out your hair one last time with cold water
Now that you’ve got the basics down on how to do a hair rinse, following are some easy recipes you can make at home.
For thin, weak hair
Are you shedding a little more than usual? Try a black tea hair rinse to thicken your hair and tighten your pores. The tannins found in caffeinated black tea are known to thicken the hair strands, giving you a fuller mane. Black tea also works to rid the pores of excess oils, which in turn makes your pores tighter, and blocks dirt from entering. Cleaner hair equals stronger hair. For a black tea hair rinse, you will need:
- 4 bags of black tea leaves
- cups of water
Steps: Bring the water to a boil. Take the water off the stove, and pour it into a bowl. Steep the four bags of tea for about an hour. When the water is lukewarm, pour the tea over your hair, then tie your hair up and cover with a shower cap. After another hour, rinse out the tea with cool water.
Read More:Do a Hair Rinse With Apple Cider & Vinegar
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For product buildup:
Having textured hair means having to maintain it with lots of products. Over time, the accumulation of these hair products can cause what we call “build-up.” You might have build-up if your hair is unusually dull, or if there’s an annoying residue on your scalp and hair. To remedy this, rinse your hair with an apple cider rinse. Simply combine the ingredients at room temperature, and pour them over your hair in the shower. You will need:
– 2 cups of water
– 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
Note: Do not use this rinse if you have colored hair. And don’t worry, the smell will go away once you rinse your hair, and you’ll be left with nothing but shiny, product-free hair. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, or if you don’t want to buy any, try this simple baking soda rinse.
– 1 tablespoon of baking soda
– 1 cup of water
You can increase the amount of rinse by doubling or tripling the recipe, but the basic idea is the same. Mix the ingredients and pour them over your head!
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For softer hair
If you need a basic hair rinse to add to your regimen, the chamomile tea rinse might be your best bet. The chamomile is one of the best conditioning herbs out there, and it’s gentle enough to use on your hair once a week. All you need is:
– 4 bags of chamomile tea
– 4 cups of water
Boil the water and set aside in a bowl. Steep the tea bags for an hour, and use when it has cooled to about room temperature. Pour it over your hair, and massage into your strands, repeating about three times. Rinse out the tea after about five minutes, and towel dry.
All of these hair rinses are versatile. No matter which one you choose, all of them can be used for softer, shinier hair. If you have a hair rinse that you swear by, let us know!
So, do your curls, coils or waves have a favorite hair rinse? Share with us in the comments below! And if you’d like further reading, check out Use Hair Rinses When Going Shampoo-Free or Lemongrass Hair Rinse Recipe.
This article was originally published in 2017 and has been updated.
