30 Days Au Natural: My All Natural Haircare Regimen Challenge

It's September and with the 3rd being the anniversary of my 1st Big Chop some 14 years ago, I feel the need to treat my hair extra special. So I'm going all out for the entire month with an all natural care regimen. I'll be swapping out my typical go to cleansers, stylers and conditioners for some all natural alternative.

I'm actually pretty excited about this, lots of DIYs are in store 😆. Who's ready to join me?

I'll be sharing the items I use and recipes in detail here on my  blog if you want to follow along. I may even include a few diy videos so you can see what I came up with.

First things first, let's start of with a clean slate!

So before I get busy trying all these wonderful wholesome all natural hair treats, I have to detox. My curls won't be able to fully take in all the nutrients and vitamins from this regimen if they are still covered in and weighed down by my old hair products. My preferred way to remove product buildup? A good old fashioned clay mask; for me bentonite clay has been a staple in my regimen for years. More recently, I've decided to replace my usual poos and cleansers with a good clay washing instead.

What is Bentonite Clay, and what makes it such a great cleanser?

Calcium bentonite clay is an absorbent kind of clay that typically forms after volcanic ash ages. It’s named after Fort Benton, Wyoming, where the largest source of the clay can be found, but calcium bentonite clay is found all over the world

Bentonite clay is also antimicrobial and helps with irritated or flaking scalps, in addition to psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Bentonite clay contains a mixture of natural minerals that are beneficial for your hair and can encourage growth. It moisturizes, conditions, softens, and reduces frizz.

Below is my favorite way to use Bentonite clay to create a mask for super clean, soft and defined frizz free hair everytime!

How to make a Bentonite Clay Mask for your hair

1. Use a bentonite clay brand of your choice. You can find it at the grocery store, convenient store, or here.

2. Use a wooden, plastic, or ceramic bowl and spoon to mix together the ingredients. Don’t use metal. Metal can activate the clay before it reaches your hair, reducing its ability to detoxify your hair.

3. Start by diluting apple cider vinegar with water: 3 parts water to 1 part ACV.

4. Then, add bentonite clay and mix until you have a yogurt-like consistency. The amount of clay you'll need will depend on how much liquid you start with.

5. Finally, add small amounts of your favorite oils. I like to add Jamaican Black Castor oil to my mixture.

6. Apply the mixture to damp hair in sections, fully saturating your hair. Do not apply to dry hair- it will be hard to get out! You may notice the clay become dry and stiff as you work on other sections. If so, use a spray bottle to rehydrate it.

7. Cover your hair with a hair cap to prevent your hair from drying out, and wait about 30 minutes. Optional step during these 30 minutes: apply any leftover mask to your face! Bentonite clay has the same incredible detoxifying effects for your skin.

8. Use shampoo and conditioner to remove all the clay from your hair.

9. Bentonite clay can dry out your hair, so follow the treatment with a deep conditioner to replenish your hair with moisture. Check out my next post for a homemade avocado mask for deep conditioning bliss!

The video is also available for you to follow along on my YouTube channel. Happy watching!