My favorite self-care activity is turning my home into a hair spa by treating my curls to vitamin-packed ingredients from my pantry in combination with Ouidad products. Light a candle, a palo santo, and play some of your favorite chill tunes while you mask away. Below are some of my go-to hair cocktails that are infused with all the hydration and love your curls have been craving.
Ouidad Ultra-Nourishing Intense Hydrating Treatment
This deep conditioning treatment will bring dry, damaged curls back to life and give your strands a burst of moisture. I use this DIY treatment about once a week to make sure I'm not over-treating my curls.
Ingredients:
- A dollop of the Ouidad Ultra-Nourishing Intense Hydrating Mask
- 1/2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- Plastic hair cap
- Hair steamer OR spray bottle with rose water
Step 1: Mix ingredients together in a bowl
Step 2: Apply on semi damp or steamed hair
Step 3: Part your hair into workable sections, applying the mask from the ends upward
Step 4: Once each section is saturated, create twists in the hair (twist braids); this technique encourages and trains the hair to curl in its natural state.
Step 5: When the entire head is twisted, apply a plastic cap and leave in for 30 minutes (or overnight for extra hydration)
Step 6: Rinse, shampoo and condition as normal and style
Mongongo Hot Oil Treatment
This hot oil treatment uses natural oils to protect and strengthen damaged hair with vitamins and nutrients. Ouidad's Mongongo Oil is a multi-use hair food oil that can be used in the shower as a treatment, a finishing oil spray, or a UV protectant. This is how I incorporate it into my hot oil treatment:
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 oz. of Castor Oil
- 1 oz. of Sweet Almond Oil
- 1 oz. of Jojoba Oil
- 1 oz. of Virgin Coconut Oil
- 20 drops of Argan Oil
- 10 drops of Peppermint Oil
- 1 full pump of the Ouidad Mongongo Oil Treatment
Supplies:
- Applicator bottle
- Spray bottle
- Plastic cap
Directions:
Step 1: Boil water and place into a separate bowl
Step 2: Place ingredients into the applicator bottle
Step 3: Place the bottle into the hot bowl so the oil warms up
Pro tip: Avoid placing the oils in the microwave as this can kill off a number of the benefits within the oil
Step 4: Part hair into 4 workable sections while the oil is heating up and place a towel over your shoulders
Step 5: Spray each section on damp hair, applying oil from roots to ends
*Be sure to test the oil on the outside of your hand before using to ensure temperature is to your liking.
Step 6: Massage into scalp for several minutes, going in circular and vertical motions to ensure entire head is saturated
Step 7: Place cap on and let it sit for 20 min
Pro tip: Add heat to amplify the effects
Step 8: Rinse, shampoo, conditioner and style
Bye-Bye Breakage Strengthening + Thickening Scalp Serum Treatment
If you're looking to strengthen, thicken and protect your hair from breakage, this serum is the ultimate treatment. Not only does it add nourishment and moisture to your curls, but balances your scalp's pH with its incredible ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, plant collagen and Irish moss. The eco-friendly micro beads within the serum are infused with vitamin A,C,and E, plus jojoba oil which dissolve into the scalp, helping deliver some serious rejuvenation to your curls.
Directions:
Step 1: Shampoo and condition curls
Step 2: Section hair and apply directly to the scalp
Step 3: Massage into the scalp for 5-10 minutes
I truly feel it's important you make your space one that makes you feel good. Before any of these treatments, I will take a bath and wrap a warm towel around my hair to help open up the cuticle. This really makes my home feel like a spa for the evening. I hope these at-home treatments bring you (and your curls) joy during this time of quarantine and you're able to find a bit of peace amongst the chaos.
Feel free to reach out with any curl questions on Instagram @hairinel and be sure to share your own at-home treatments tagging #Ouidad @Ouidad.