Today I'm feeling, and hopefully justifiably, proud of my hair. Sure, its got its issues, but still, it's softy and silky and typically I consider it one of my crowning glories. (Until, of course, those days I want to rip it all out and punish whoever made it the horrible, troublesome pain that it is.)

Heidi & John - Graduation Day

So, anyway, I thought that today I would share different ways to make your hair beautiful, soft, and silky smooth using ingredients that can be found around your hair. Who knew that produce and some of the things in your pantry could be used in order to enhance your hair??

Heidi - Wedding Hair

Horseradish Hair Treatment

¼ cup freshly grated horseradish root
¼ cup plain yogurt
Yield: 1 treatment
Mix together to form a smooth paste. Massage into hair and scalp. Wrap hair in plastic wrap or use a plastic shower cap; leave on for 15 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.

Honey Hair Pack
½ cup honey or molasses (Use molasses if you have darker hair)
Yield: 4 ounces, 1 hair pack
Massage the honey into hair and leave on for 20 – 30 minutes. Cover hair if necessary. Wash and condition as usual.

Rock Melon Hair Conditioner

½ cup mashed cantaloupe
Yield: 1 treatment
Massage into hair before or after shampooing. Leave in for 10 minutes. Rinse well with warm to cool water.

Roaring Twenties Conditioner
1 packet unflavored gelatin
¼ cup warm water
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Yield: 3 ounces, 1 application
Dissolve the gelatin in the warm water, stirring well. Add egg and lemon juice into mixture. Shampoo hair as usual. Rub conditioner into hair and leave on for 1 – 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then finish with cool water rinse.

Caribbean Rum Conditioner

3 tablespoons rum
1 egg
Yield: 3 ounces, 1 application
Mix ingredients and stir well. After shampooing, pour into hair and leave in for 1 – 2 minutes. Rinse well with cold water.

Banana Hair Conditioner

1 mashed banana
1 tablespoon honey
Yield: 2 – 3 ounces, 1 treatment
Mix together the banana and honey until smooth and creamy. Wet hair with warm water and massage the conditioner into hair and scalp. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap or use a towel around your head, and let the mixture condition your hair for 20 minutes. Rinse your hair well and shampoo and condition as usual. Hair will be noticeably thicker.

Maple Syrup Moisturizer
Pure 100% maple syrup provides the best results and holds in the most moisture. Pour ½ cup of pure maple sugar onto clean, dry hair and massage into the scalp and ends. Wrap hair in a plastic wrap or use a plastic shower cap. Cover the plastic with a towel and leave the syrup on your hair for 20-30 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.

Egg Hair Shine Shampoo
Add an egg to shampoo in order to give hair extra shine. Try not to wash hair with extremely hot water as it may lead to “scrambled eggs” in your hair.

**Note: I've used this and gotten compliments on how shiny my hair looked after it. You can also just shampoo with an egg for additional shine as well.

Avocado Hair Conditioner

Make an excellent moisturizer for dry hair. Use it as a hair conditioner once a week by mashing it.

Coconut Uses

Coconut milk is an excellent addition to hair conditioners while Coconut oil preserves the hair by providing a protective layer that locks in natural moisture. Great for use right after the shower.

Here's to happy and healthy hair!