Thanksgiving Hair Recipes for Healthy Curls

Apple Cider for Oily Hair

Apple cider vinegar is known to remove oil from the scalp, so if you have a particularly oily scalp, try utilizing apple cider vinegar. This apple cider rinse is easy to make and easy to rinse out.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp honey
• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of water
• ½ cup of mint leaves

1. In a medium size saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a boil. Allow the mint leaves to steep into the apple cider mix, and be sure the honey has completely dissolved.
2. Strain the liquid, and allow it to cool before applying to your head. Pour the cider over your hair and massage it into your scalp. Allow your hair to dry naturally. Do not rinse out the apple cider mix.

MORE: Apple Cider Vinegar as Hair Cleanser

Pumpkin Pie Hair Mask

Pumpkins are full of anti-oxidants and vitamins that are beneficial not only for your body, but for your hair. This Thanksgiving, try whipping up a deep conditioning pumpkin mask.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup 100 percent pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt

1. When using pumpkin puree in your hair, it’s important to make sure the puree is as smooth as possible. If you are using sugar pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin, I recommend pureeing the fresh pumpkin in a blender. This will make the application much easier. Once your pumpkin puree is as smooth as possible, blend it with egg and yogurt.
2. After washing your hair, divide your hair into three sections (or more, depending on your hair’s thickness.) Apply the pumpkin mask to the top of your head and comb through each section with a wide tooth comb, spreading the mask over your hair. Be sure to cover your hair from top to bottom, allowing your hair’s cuticle to soak up the moisture
3. Pile your hair on top of your head and cover with a shower cap. Let your hair sit for 15-30 minutes. The more damaged or dry your hair is, the longer you want to leave the deep conditioner in. After 30 minutes or so, rinse out the deep conditioner completely with cool water.

MORE: Pump Up Your Hair With Pumpkins

Cranberry Juice for Shine

Cranberry juice has been known to increase shine in brunettes, but if you use the store bought kind, your hair is less likely to shine, and more likely to end up a sticky mess. Try making your own cranberry juice at home by following this very simple hair recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb of fresh cranberries
• 2 1/2 cups of water

1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium sized saucepan. Add the cranberries and allow them to cook until they burst. Once they burst, lower the heat and allow the cranberries to release as much juice as possible.
2. Strain the cranberries and let the juice cool before applying to your hair. You can save the cranberries for a homemade cranberry sauce!
3. Once the juice has cooled, pour the juice into your hair and massage it into your scalp. This is best performed over a bath tub. Rub the cranberry juice into all sections of your hair. Rinse it out with cool water for extra shine, and allow it to dry naturally.

WARNING: This cranberry rinse is not recommended for blondes, as the cranberry could affect the color of your locks.

Tip: If you have very oily hair, try squeezing the juice of one lemon into the cranberry juice. Lemon is known to remove excess oil from the scalp.

MORE: Fall Flavors for Your Curls

Carrots for Natural Hair

While carrots are a common item found on the Thanksgiving dinner table, did you know that they are also a very valuable item to have in your hair regimen? The vitamins in carrots, such as vitamin A, C, E and K, are known to help hair growth, increase shine, and moisturize your parched locks. You can find carrot oil manufactured especially for hair at your local drug store or beauty supply store.

MORE: Fruits and Veggies Your Curls Can’t Live Without