A leave-in hair treatment that is popular with many women for its effectiveness in making hair soft and silky, CHI Silk Infusion actually uses silk proteins to do its job. Just a dime-sized amount has been reported to work wonders for many women. It works by binding the silk restructuring complex to the hair, which strengthens and protects it. For this reason, it is also cited as a thermal protector. Another benefit of using CHI Silk Infusion is that it does not accumulate in the hair and can be used every day. The only negatives that some women tend to cite are that the scent is too strong or it smells like cheap men’s cologne, although most women don’t seem to have a problem with this. Overusing the product can leave hair looking greasy or oily, so stick with the dime-sized amount at first. The product is generally applied after washing the hair and left to work. The hair can also be blow-dried at this point.
Please note that while many have found this product to work, it is not 100% natural. Those with chemical sensitivities or those who prefer to use the gifts of nature to condition their hair have many other options. A yucca wash was used by natives living in the southwestern United States and was found to be very effective in cleaning and making hair shiny. Nowadays, you don’t have to dig up a cassava root and make your own hair wash from scratch, as there are many products that have cassava as the main ingredient. This treatment is reported to be effective, but requires regular use to show results.
Natural hair care products can be found in many cultures around the world, and India has some of the most complex hair care formulas using herbs and other plants. Henna is one of those treatments that dyes and makes hair shiny, but there are also formulas that use oils, including essential oils, to make hair thick and shiny. Sometimes they have a very strong odor and should not be worn.
Of course, it is possible to stay closer to home in terms of an herbal remedy that works well for you. European traditions used many herbs, some of which were used for hair. Birch washes and mutton quarters are two of those used in and around Ireland.