Chemical Free, All Natural Hair Care

• chewing gum remover
  1/2 lemon
  
  Nothing can be more frustrating than a cumbersome wad of gum in your hair and on your clothes. While a dab of peanut butter remains a popular and effective remedy, it can also cause some stains in its own right due to its high fat content. Instead, try rubbing the cut side of a lemon on the gum to help it loosen its grip (squeeze gently as you go to release the juice). Just be sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid the bleaching effects lemons can have.

• hair-clarifying rinse
  1 gallon (4 liters) water
  1 cup (250ml) lemon juice
  1 cup (300g) Epsom salt
  
  If you use a lot of hairspray and gel products, it's a good idea to use this clarifying rinse from time to time to get rid of the buildup that can weigh down your tresses. Fill an empty gallon-size milk jug with water, leaving some room at the top. Add the lemon juice and Epsom salt. Cover and let sit for 24 hours. Pour entire mixture slowly onto dry hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Shampoo as normal.  

• hairbrush deep cleaner
  3 tablespoon (42g) baking soda
  3 tablespoons (45ml) vinegar
  warm water
  Hairbrushes and combs need a deep clean every now and then to remove the buildup of styling products and oil that can accumulate; otherwise, a dirty brush can make for dirtier hair as you inadvertently put small amounts of those materials back into your hair every time you use it! To get your beauty tools spic-and-span the all-natural way, start by placing them in the sink and sprinkling them with the baking soda. Pour the vinegar over them and let them bubble and fizz for a few minutes. Fill the sink with warm water and let the brushes soak for a few hours. Rinse thoroughly, taking care to remove any trapped hair, and allow to air-dry.

• blond highlights for hair
  juice of 2 or 3 lemons
  
  For hundreds of years people have turned to the natural bleaching power of lemons to lighten their hair. Nowadays, it's a cheap and natural alternative to commercial products that contain ammonia. Comb the juice of 2 or 3 lemons through all your locks for an overall effect, or apply to select areas fr a more sparing look. Sit outside in the sun or under a hair dryer until your hair is completely dry. Rinse out and style as usual. This simple approach will lighten all hair types, though darker hair may take on a brassy, versus blond, shade. 

• herbal hair rescue
  1 cup (250ml) vinegar
  1/2 cup (200g) fresh lavender
  2 cups (500ml) water
  
  Do you want soft, lustrous hair but cringe at the thought of dousing your head with vinegar? Then make your own herbal version instead. Combine the vinegar with the lavender flowers (or rose petals, or whatever fragrant flower is growing in your garden) in a glass jar. Let the mixture sit, covered, for about 2 weeks, and then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Add the water to dilute the vinegar and pour into a plastic bottle. Pour a handful over your hair after shampooing and rinse. Your locks will feel amazing. 

• dandruff and oily hair fighter
  1/2 cup (125 ml) lemon juice
  1 cup (250ml) warm water
  
  When a flaky scalp is caused by a buildup of dry skin, the gentle effects of lemon can be just the right antidote. To use, mix together the lemon juice and warm water. Shampoo and rinse as usual, then pour the lemon water over your freshly washed hair, rubbing gently into the scalp. Leave on for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat weekly as needed. If oily hair is the only problem, dilute the mixture with an extra cup of water. 

• Olive-Honey Hair Conditioner
  1/4 cup olive oil
  1/2 cup honey
  
  For lustrous, silky, healthy hair and scalp: combine honey and 1/4 cup olive oil. Massage scalp with this conditioner, then put on a shower cap for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse as usual. Good for hair revitalizing. 

• dandruff fighter
  1 handful baking soda
  
  For problem dandruff, especially the kind that accompanies an oily scalp, try using straight baking soda (without shampoo) as another means for cleaner hair. To use, wet hair thoroughly and then work in a small handful for baking soda as you would shampoo, taking care to rub delicately near the scalp. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. While hair may feel dry after the first few washes, it will eventually take on a lovely luster.    

• swimmer's hair prevention
  1 12-ounce (355ml) bottle spring water
  2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
  2 tablespoons (28g) baking soda
  
  Long summer days spent cooling off in a chlorinated pool can impart a slight green tint to blond hair, a condition aptly known as "swimmer's hair." To rid your hair of chlorine after a dip in the pool, add the lemon juice to a bottle of spring water (take a few sips of water to leave room for the juice). Then stash in your swim bag along with a small plastic bag with the baking soda. After swimming, add the baking soda to the lemon water and shake well. Apply to your freshly shampooed hair, then rinse thoroughly and towel dry. 

• Hair revitalizer
  3 tablespoons (24g) Epsom salt
  3 tablespoons (45ml) hair conditioner
  
  Epsom salt can help transform your regular hair conditioner into a once-a-month deep conditioning treatment that restores body and shine, as well as curls if you have permed your hair. To use, mix equal amounts of conditioner and Epsom salt in a small bowl. Heat the mixture in the microwave for 20 seconds, stirring well to combine. To apply, wash hair as usual and then work the warm mixture through your hair from scalp to ends. Leave on for 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.