Essential oils are used to quell stress, reduce anxiety, boost happiness, improve concentration, relieve headaches, promote sleep, eliminate nausea, and even set the mood in a room. But did you know that they can also be used to promote hair growth, strength, and shine? These natural plant-based oils can do wonders for your hair in the form of a make-at-home leave-in conditioner or spray. We’ve even incorporated essential oils into some of our new Paris Claire Salon products, like our energizing shampoo!
In these times of high stress, anxiousness, restlessness, and closed salons, an essential oil hair elixir might be just what you need to freshen up those lockdown locks, as well as calm some of your nerves and encapsulate you in a peaceful bubble of heavenly smells.
How to Properly (and Safely) Use Essential Oils for Your Hair
Before we share with you our favorites, it’s important to take note of how to properly use essential oils. The first rule of thumb when topically using essential oils is that they must be mixed with a carrier oil or added to a shampoo or conditioner. Applying any essential oil directly to your skin or hair is generally advised against.
Carrier Oils and Bases to Use with Essential Oils
Coconut Oil
Almond Oil
Jojoba Oil
Olive Oil
How to make a leave-in conditioner with essential oil
Try this simple recipe from One Good Thing by Jillee
Mix one part your favorite conditioner with three parts distilled water in a spray bottle
Add one teaspoon of carrier oil (see recommendations above)
Add six drops of your favorite essential oil(s)
Shake and spray!
How to make a spray-in treatment with essential oils
For hair that is reminiscent of those tropical, easy-breezy summer days at the beach, try this spray recipe from Young Living.
10 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops cedarwood essential oil
1-ounce witch hazel
Water
4-ounce spray better
Mix oils and witch hazel and then fill the rest of the bottle up with water. Shake and spray!
Or, if you’d like a moisturizing hair perfume, try this recipe from dōTERRA:
1/3 cup rose water
One teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Five drops ylang-ylang oil
Four drops rosemary oil
Five drops sandalwood oil
Three drops lavender oil
Four drops grapefruit oil
Add everything to a 12-ounce or bigger spray bottle. Shake and spray!
How to add essential oils to your shampoo or conditioner
Add 10-15 drops of essential oils to your favorite shampoo or conditioner and shake up to mix before using.
4 Fantastic Smelling Essential Oils to Freshen Up Your Quarantine Hair
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is an invigorating and happiness-promoting essential oil. It also promotes circulation and hair growth.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is a particularly good choice if you have thin hair that you want to add volume to. Rosemary is also a hair growth promoter.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial, and deep cleansing essential oil. This is an excellent essential oil if you have oily hair.
Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage is a fresh and earthy essential oil that can help strengthen your locks and prevent breakage.
Other great scents include lavender, orange, geranium, lemongrass, ylang-ylang, and cedarwood.
You can also play around with mixing different oils depending on your preferred scent and haircare needs.
Amazing combinations include orange and peppermint, tea tree and lavender, clary sage and geranium, and rosemary and lemongrass.
Aside from improving the strength and shine of your hair, these essential oils also have a therapeutic effect, which we can all appreciate during these challenging times!
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