My Beautiful #RedCarpetCurlsRoyalty,
This aloe vera pre-poo recipe is my all-time favorite quick and easy DIY to do for my hair and scalp health. Aloe vera is incredibly beneficial for both the hair and scalp.
So, today, I am going to share with you the benefits of the individual ingredients and how they impact the health of your hair and scalp. Remember the more you know, the better your choices for your hair will become.
Why Aloe Vera Gel?
Aloe vera has a PH level of 6, which is considered a weak acid and very close to the natural PH level of our skin (5). This characteristic allows for the penetration of the nutrients from the aloe, which will revitalize the hair follicle and hair bulb. The nutrients and enzymes from the aloe vera will strengthen and encourage new hair growth. (Basmatker)
Aloe vera contains many different vitamins and minerals including antioxidant vitamins A, C, and F. Vitamins B (thiamine), niacin, vitamin B2(riboflavin), Vitamin b12, choline, and folic acid. Compared to other vitamins for hair growth, almost all B vitamins are essential for stimulating healthier growth of hair. When there’s a B vitamin directly related to virtually all bodily growth functions, it’s B2. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin improves cell respiration and stimulates cell growth.
Why Manuka Honey?
Honey is mother nature’s answer for that pesky dandruff problem we all face. Honey’s a great antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. Fungus, skin inflammation, and bacteria are things that can all lead to dandruff. These are also things that expensive shampoos aim to eliminate. By utilizing manuka honey or even raw honey, you can save yourself a lot of money in expensive hair products! Honey is also a great moisturizer and will leave your hair nicely conditioned; its ability to fight oxidation will keep your hair and skin looking healthy and fresh. (Padmavathi 184). Manuka honey, however, is an even better source of nutrients and minerals than raw honey. These nutrients include calcium, amino acids, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and a variety of B-vitamins. Honey is also a natural humectant, which we know attracts moisture from the environment into the hair.
Essential Oils to Encourage Hair Growth
One thing I love about DIY (Do it Yourself) treatments like this are the versatility of the recipe. In this part of the recipe, you can use whichever essential oils and carrier oils you have around if you don’t have the ones I am listing below. Many people don’t like the scent of certain oils like lavender so you can always switch the oils out for a fragrance you prefer. For example, my favorite oil to aid for perfume is sweet orange essential oil since it is known to improve your mood.
Now the oils I list below are ones I have chosen based on their specified benefits for the hair and scalp. So let’s get into those benefits so you can make the decision for which oils to use for your mask.
- Avocado oil: In skincare, the two significant advantages of the avocado are it’s softening and soothing nature and its notable absorption. Compared with almond, corn, olive, and soybean oils, avocado oil had the highest skin penetration rate. Especially useful for dry, aged, or malnourished skin.
- Grapeseed oil: very light so easily absorbed by the skin and does not leave any residue.
- Vitamin E: known to soften the hair and moisturize the hair and scalp. Will help increase circulation to the scalp aiding in hair growth.
- Rosehip oil: moisturizing and hydrating for the scalp, rosehip oil is specifically useful for eliminating dandruff and dry patches in your scalp
- Clary Sage essential oil: believed to help stimulate hair growth. It can also assist in limiting the sebum produced in the scalp (for oily roots) and aid in treating dandruff.
- Sage essential oil: stimulates circulation to the scalp, strengthening hair roots and increasing hair growth.
- Rosemary essential oil: promotes hair growth and shine
- Cedarwood essential oil: great for dandruff and reversing hair loss
- Geranium essential oil: natural anti-bacterial perfect for removing dandruff, strengthens hair follicles for stronger hair and length retention
As I said before don’t be afraid to mix and match oils that you prefer, these are just my favorite oils to help keep my hair healthy, strong, and shiny.
Red Carpet Curls Aloe Vera Manuka Honey Prepoo Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup Aloe Vera Gel (the plant leaf is best and can be found in your local supermarket, but if not lily of the dessert is my go-to)
- Two teaspoons Manuka Honey (raw and unpasteurized is best since that is what contains all the nutrients and enzymes)
- Three drops Castor Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Avocado Oil (can be found in your local supermarket)
- 1/2 teaspoon Grapeseed Oil (can be found in your local supermarket)
- Four drops Vitamin E
- 3-4 pumps Rosehip Oil
- Three drops Clary Sage Essential Oil
- Three drops Sage Essential Oil
- Three drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- Three drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
- Three drops Geranium Essential Oil
You will also need supplies for the recipe:
- Whisk (or another utensil)
- Glass Bowl
- Funnel
- Applicator Bottle (can be found in your local beauty store)
Application of the Pre-poo
Before applying the pre-poo to my hair and scalp, I used my Qredew hair steamer to detangle my hair. The heat from the steam serves as the perfect gentle push for the hair cuticle to raise and allow the minerals and nutrients to penetrate the hair strand and the scalp.
After my hair is detangled, I use the applicator tip of the bottle to focus the mixture on my scalp. I pay attention to the scalp first because that is the place that needs hydration most. When you apply the mixture to the scalp and massage, you are stimulating blood circulation to the scalp, therefore, promoting hair growth. This is the perfect opportunity for the nutrients from the ingredients to penetrate and take effect.
After I have fully saturated my scalp, I then begin to apply the mixture to my hands and use the raking method to distribute the pre-poo from root to tip. Take your time to make sure all your hair and scalp is fully covered in the pre-poo.
I didn’t notice how dry my hair and scalp were until I began applying the mixture to my scalp first. It was a cool, refreshing cooling sensation. Similar to that first gulp of water on a hot day, it’s like my scalp and hair were dying for a bit of moisture.
After the mixture is applied, I prefer to sit under my hooded hair dryer on low heat, to allow the heat to help facilitate penetration to the strand and boost the benefits. Although, heat is not a requirement for this treatment it is more of a suggestion. You can simply put on a plastic showering cap (or even plastic shopping bag), or microwavable cap on your head after to insulate your natural body heat from your scalp.
From here you can use your regular sulfate-free cleanser and go about your normal wash day routine.
I always notice my hair is much more hydrated after this treatment. Therefore I don’t use as much styling product, and as a result, avoid build-up issues. Natural alternatives like aloe vera will always be the best option with the least risk because the scalp gets dry very quickly. The only solution is water or an all-natural moisturizer like aloe vera, otherwise, we experience lots of dandruff. Dry scalp leads to dry and brittle hair and the dreaded breakage.
This winter was one of the hardest on my hair, but because of this recipe, my beautiful mane has overcome the brutal conditions with gorgeous shine, strength, and added length!
You can’t lose with all-natural options! Feel free to tweak the recipe to your liking and let me know what you think in the comments below!
Results
Shiny, beautiful, soft curls
Day 2 perfection
Works Cited:
Amit, Gupta, et al. “Indian Medicinal Plants Used in Hair Care Cosmetics: A Short Review .” Phcog.Net, vol. 2, no. 10, June 2010.
Bergh, Bob. “The Avocado and Human Nutrition. I. Some Human Health Aspects of the Avocado .” Proc. of Second World Avocado Congress, 1992, pp. 25–35.
Basmatker, Gauri, et al. “Aloe Vera: A Valuable Multifunctional Cosmetic Ingredient.” International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, vol. 1, no. 3, 13 Nov. 2011, pp. 338–341.,
Joseph, Baby, and Justin S Raj. “PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ALOE VERA LINN –AN OVERVIEW .” International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review & Research, vol. 4, no. 2, Sept. 2010, p. 106.
Padmavathi, D. “‘Honey’: A Real Food for Life .” International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, vol. 3, no. 4, July 2018, pp. 182–185.
Sotiropoulou, Evangelia I, et al. “GRAPESEED OIL: FROM A WINERY WASTE TO A VALUE ADDED COSMETIC PRODUCT-A REVIEW .” Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants, 2012.
“Top 14 Benefits of Rosehip Oil for Your Skin, Hair, and Body.” Arbor Drops Essential Oils, 11 Nov. 2017,
“Clary Sage Oil May Be Pricey, but Its Benefits Are Priceless.” Mercola, 6 Oct. 2016.
