My Beautiful #RedCarpetCurlsRoyalty,
Let’s face it, some days our hair just doesn’t want to cooperate with us. In my case, it’s the day after some of my best hair days. All of a sudden, I wake up with halo frizz. Or worse, life gets the best of you, and as a result, your hair takes the hit. Leaving you with dull-looking curls. Searching for the perfect curly girl method routine can be overwhelming and tedious. The best thing about the curly girl method is that it is individualized. You simply modify the method to fit your individual needs. It doesn’t have to be an excessively complicated wash day. It doesn’t have to be ten billion products all around you. Whether you’re trying to catch the morning train to work in the middle of rush hour, a busy mom, a student, or an entrepreneur, I think the one thing we can all agree on is the fact that we don’t have any time to waste! That’s why I try to simplify my routine in the best ways I know-how. One of my favorite all-in-one DIY solutions is my Aloe Vera Juice Revitalizer!
Why Aloe Vera Juice?
Aloe vera is considered the miracle plant. According to the Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, The Aloe plant and its’ derivative products have played a role in medicine and health care dating as far back as the 4th century B.C. when ancient Greek doctors obtained aloe from the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean.
There are also many romantic tales about it, suggesting that the Egyptian Queens Nefertiti (1353 BCE) advertised as “the most beautiful woman who ever lived” and Queen Cleopatra VII (69-30 BCE) used it as part of their regular beauty regimes and medicines. Supposedly Alexander the Great in 333 B.C. was persuaded by his mentor Aristotle to capture the Island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean for its famed Aloe supplies, needed to treat his wounded soldiers. The ancient Nile Valley civilization of Kemet (“Land of the blacks” now referred to as ancient Egypt which derived from Greek name Aigyptos later Latinized under Roman rule to Aegyptus which derived from the name “Hekaptah” which means “Lands of the temple of Ptah”) used Aloe for medical treatments, beauty care, and embalming.
Our ancestors had it right by turning to nature for their medical and cosmetic needs. I mean, who am I to argue with the “most beautiful woman who ever lived?”
What Goes into the Refresh Spray?
The best thing about this recipe is how simple and easy it is to customize to your needs! All you will need is:
- A spray bottle
- Organic Aloe Vera Juice
- Pure Water
- Vitamin E Oil
Our hair is like a plant, it needs moisture every day. If my curls have held up well, I normally just use steam from my Q-redew hair steamer. If my hair needs a bit more TLC I grab a spray bottle and re-wet my hair using this mixture. In my opinion, when it comes to using a spray bottle for your hair, a florisol bottle is much easier. Florisol bottles are simply a different kind of spray bottle that provides a prolonged/continuous spray. One Spray duration: 1.2 seconds per compression.
I normally take my florisol bottle and fill half with organic aloe vera juice and the other half with bottled water. I like to use Vitamin E oil as a natural preservative. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps repair and build tissue. When you apply vitamin E to your scalp, it helps reduce inflammation and repair damage to the follicles, and healthy follicles encourage hair growth.
Once you saturate your hair and scalp with the mixture, your curls will begin to come alive. The water and aloe will serve to hydrate the hair and scalp. The aloe vera juice will seal the cuticle producing a nice shine and the vitamin e oil will preserve the mixture and repair hair follicles.
This mixture is very light and can be used as a stand-alone refresh spray or leave-in conditioner for fine or wavy hair. You can also pair this with a gel or another styling product. Just remember less is more! Using the spray alone normally gives me a “cast” feeling that needs to be scrunched out once dry.
Does This Spray Have to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, aloe vera juice once opened should be refrigerated to keep the mixture preserved for longer periods of time and ensure the potency of the aloe.
Why is Aloe Vera Juice the Cure to Your Hair and Skin Issues?
In order to produce healthy hair, you need a healthy scalp. That is why scalp care is so important. If your hair and scalp are properly hydrated then they will have the elasticity and pliability to curl and hold its curl.
Frizz is normally a result of a lack of hydration. Your hair reaches up into the atmosphere looking for moisture. Aloe vera juice the best form of hydration besides water. Aloe vera has a natural water-holding capacity, containing 99.3% water. Aloe is absorbed by the skin and scalp up to four times quicker than water. Aloe helps the scalp pores and hair follicles open to receive the moisture they need. to continue to produce healthy hair.
When you apply aloe vera gel to the scalp, the gel stimulates the fibroblasts – the skin cells responsible for wound healing and the manufacture of collagen – the protein that controls the aging process of the skin. Yes, your hair follicles age and can stop producing the adequate nutrients they need for hair growth. Aloe vera contains over 75 nutrients and minerals to help the restoration of damaged skin, and proper hair growth.
Aloe Vera is used widely in Dermatology, as it acts as an astringent, moisturizer, humidifier and cleanser. It softens the skin, diminishes wrinkles and cures acne, herpes, red spots, psoriasis, eczema, mycosis, fever blisters, skin irritation and provides protection to the skin against pollution. Also, it is ideal for sunburns, fragile skin, and for removal and repair of dead skin and cells. Making this spray perfect for your daily skincare routine as well!
According to the Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Aloe vera juice “contains several substances and a particular characteristic which makes it very useful in the treatment of hair loss. The helpful characteristic here is its pH level. Aloe vera’s natural pH level is 6, which is a weak acid and very close to your skin’s natural pH, which is 5. This characteristic facilitates the penetration of the nutrients to revitalize the hair bulb, strengthen it and promote its re-growth.” This is also the characteristic that helps aloe vera juice seal your cuticle. After properly hydrating the hair strands, aloe vera is a natural sealant, it has the ability to close the scales on the cuticle layer of your hair. This helps keep moisture in hair for longer periods of time. The proper closing of the hair cuticle helps add shine to the hair as well since shine is really your cuticle layer being closed and able to reflect the light molecules.
If you suffer from scalp issues such as psoriasis, dandruff, eczema, etc, aloe is also a natural anti-inflammatory and astringent. The penetrating power of Aloe allows water and other moisturizers to sink deep into the skin, restoring lost fluids and replacing the fatty layer of the skin that acts as a barrier to protect it from bacteria such as dandruff from spreading. Aloe allows deeper penetration in the hair and scalp to allow the astringent properties to keep your scalp hydrated and healthy.
With all these benefits in one ingredient, it’s no wonder why one spray works so well!
Final Thoughts From Queen Monroe
If you are a fan of keeping the method simple and natural, aloe vera is the perfect alternative to expensive products on the market. You can click the hyperlink above to see how I even use aloe vera gel as a pre-poo on washdays! I normally do and pick up two or 3 aloe vera leaves from your local supermarket. You can normally find it in the produce section. I also find my aloe vera gel or juice in health stores like Vitamin Shoppe and GNC.
Aloe vera is the perfect ingredient to improve your cosmetic concerns. I even cut up aloe vera leaves and apply the gel directly to my skin to help me remove years of cystic acne. If you interested in seeing how I incorporate aloe vera gel into my skincare routine, please click here.
Aloe vera has honestly been my saving grace and I know it can be yours as well. If you have any further questions about the spray or aloe vera, in general, make sure to comment them below!
Here’s to happy healthy curls thanks to aloe vera!
*Disclaimer* Please remember to factor in your own allergies, not everyone can tolerate aloe vera well. For some, it may cause flash drying. If that is the case please use another moisturizer instead of shampoo. The rate of allergy to botanical skin products is low. Yet, irritation reactions to them are widespread. Know your needs and reactions.
