As we enter fall many of us are gearing up for Halloween, colder weather, and the holidays. Before you know it we will be wrapping our bodies into sweaters, pants, and boots, and as fashionable as that can be it is forever a reminder that summer is leaving us behind. We must make changes and those changes are often welcomed because winter is just another excuse to snuggle, but it is also a reminder that our tresses need some snuggling too. Well, not actual snuggling…more like protecting.
Most naturals know the importance of protecting their tresses and just how beneficial a spray bottle is in their hair regimen; whether refreshing your hair for a second or third day or just rehydrating your coils, curls, and waves during night prep. Spray bottles are necessary year-round for naturals but different seasons warrant different concoctions. Your geographical location will also play a role in what you use, and as we see shorter days and colder nights many will want to keep their tresses protected and moisturized.
Here is a list of items that may need to be added to your spray bottle to ensure that the only dryness around you is the weather.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a humectant designed to bring moisture into your hair and retain it. Now, I know that in the past many have thought that this was necessary only during warmer weather but we now know that it is a real asset during the fall and winter as well. The Natural Haven has dispelled that bad rumor and showed just how great it is to use glycerin year-round. The biggest issue with using glycerin is it can be sticky if using too much, so use sparingly.
- It needs to be mixed with water, 1 part glycerin to 3 or 4 parts water.
- The moisture that glycerin attracts makes it amazing for preventing breakage when combing natural hair.
- It is highly soluble in water so you get great results when left in without concern for harsh removal.
Leave-in conditioner
A leave-in conditioner is necessary in the cooler months to help retain moisture with the LOC method. Leave-in conditioners are formulated differently than daily conditioners, as they are lighter and watery and typically contain humectants that will attract moisture to your tresses. Adding a leave-in to your spray bottle filled with water and glycerin will help soften your tresses even more than without.
Carrier oils
Carrier oils or base oils have more uses than just diluting potent essential oils. They play a pivotal role in your spray bottle to seal that moisture you obtain from the water in your mixture. Popular oils to use would be olive oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, or grapeseed oil but it is really up to you and what your hair prefers.
Essential oils
Essential oils are great for adding fragrance to your mixture and with most having therapeutic properties that will benefit your tresses, they are assets to your concoction. I love the scent of lavender and it is my signature oil in my spray bottle year-round. Only a few drops are needed to give amazing scents.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel or aloe vera juice are affordable and easy to find. This perennial succulent plant has several benefits for natural hair. Aloe is great for moisturizing, detangling, restoring hair’s proper pH level, and decreasing frizz. It just makes sense to add juice or gel to your spray bottle for all the reasons mentioned above.
By now you probably realized it is perfectly ok to have more than one bottle and more than one concoction since some may need to be refrigerated or you may find different combinations for different uses. Use one, two, three, or more of the items above to transform a simple spray bottle of distilled water with the vital components for surviving the driest fall and winter imaginable.
What do you put in your spray bottle for the fall?
