Photo by Yoppy on Flickr
Even since childhood, I have had nasty habit of not drinking nearly as much water as I should. I partly blame my mom for introducing me to lemonade-flavored Kool-Aid at a young age, (I was 10 before I realized that real lemonade came from actual lemons, water, and sugar) but I was always the kind of girl that preferred color, bubbles, and “taste” in her beverage. Now as an adult who’s in charge of her own liquid intake, I still find that I have to consciously stay away beverages that “snap, crackle, and pop” when you open them. No, water doesn’t have as much flavor as juice and no, it’s not as fun to pour because it won’t fizz in your glass, but there’s not denying how vital drinking water is to our complexion, health, and overall hydration. I found it funny then, how easily I could acknowledge the need to kick “flavor-enhanced” beverages in favor of the real thing, yet I was not applying the same principle when it came to my dry, thirsty, natural hair.
This hit me a while ago when I was drinking a glass of water (of course) and scouring YouTube yet again for recommendations on a hair moisturizer I could buy. I heard a lot of Carol’s Daughter this, and Karen’s Body Beautiful that, but I wasn’t sure if any of those products would achieve the most basic function that my dry hair (and scalp!) needed most—moisture. So then I thought, “Hmm…what is accessible to me today, inexpensive, and sure to work?”
Water!!!
Yes, plain ol’ (albeit filtered) water! I found a cheap spray bottle from Target, poured some water in it, added a few drops of essential oil for scent and…bam! An instant moisturizer I’ll never run out of. In fact, I’ve been using this solution for over 6 months now and I have yet to purchase an actual “moisturizer” product. I spray my hair and scalp with my water bottle whenever I feel it needs it and my hair is brought back to life on the spot. I use a little coconut oil to seal my ends and I’m truly good to go.
Now I say all of this not convince anyone to stop using a moisturizing product if they find that it is working for them. All I’m saying is, just like fizzy, fruity beverages are nothing more than a derivative of the true liquid our bodies need most, moisturizing products are simply formulated concoctions meant to do to your hair what water already does. So, if you’re in the market for a moisturizer for your hair, give plain water a try before you run out and spend money on something that might not be as effective. After all, when we are thirsty, it’s best to reach for a cold, tall glass of water. If your hair is thirsty, maybe you should give it the same thing.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
this is so true! i started simplifying my hair routine at the beginning of the year and my hair is doing great. I mostly use only water and conditioner on my hair and shea butter or coconut oil when i feel like it! all these products didn’t exist forever and women were doing just fine…nature is perfect…why hassle and add all this other stuff into the mix?!
great post! thanks!
My sentiments exactly! I cut out acidic drinks almost 8 years ago, around the same time I went natural. I only drink water, natural juices, tea (and occasionally coffee ’cause I really love it). But sodas and all those sugary drinks are not a part of my diet. Water is a whole body healer. Thanks for the post!
Preach! I wet my hair with water everyday while I shower. Afterwards I use Cantu leave in conditioner. I keep a bottle of oil (either Vitamin E or Jojoba) in my car to apply to my dry hair. Right before I go into the office I put a couple of drops in my hand and rub it through my hair!
I have been water spritzing my hair for some time now ever since I started serious penny pinching, it sooo works.
Yes! I usually have my hair in two-strand twists during the week and every other day, I just simply wet them in the shower…and then add my leave-in and some coconut oil to seal…lol it’s kind of funny how we would never think of the most simple things to take care of our hair.
I agree..I drink mainly water, but lately I was introduced to the joys of carbonated water! It’s lovely if you want bubbles, and maybe a muted lime/lemon taste — but still only water. Super refreshing.