Photo by Getty Images/Ekaterina Morozova
You can easily create a shampoo containing simple, natural ingredients that’ll give your hair added body, bounce, and luster. Yield: 8 ounces.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/2 teaspoon light natural oil (omit if you have very oily hair)
Directions
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- Mix together all ingredients listed at right.
- Pour the shampoo into a clean squeeze bottle or plastic container.
To use: Shampoo your hair as you would normally, and rinse well with cool water.
Shampoo Enhancers
For Normal Hair
- Beer. Place 1 cup of beer in a saucepan and boil until reduced to 1/4 cup. Add this to 1 cup of Basic Shampoo and stir well.
- Egg. Mix together 1 tablespoon of Basic Shampoo and 1 raw egg. Use this mixture to shampoo your hair.
For Oily Hair
- Lemon juice. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to 1 cup of Basic Shampoo and stir well.
- Aloe vera gel. Add 1⁄4 cup of aloe vera gel to 1 cup of Basic Shampoo and stir well.
For Dry Hair
- Honey. Mix together 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of Basic Shampoo.
- Jojoba oil. Add 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil and 1/2 cup of water to 1 cup of Basic Shampoo and stir well. Shampoo as usual, and rinse well with warm water. If hair seems too oily afterward, shampoo once more with 1 teaspoon of Basic Shampoo.
Also from Natural Beauty for All Seasons:
- Natural Care for Winter Skin and Hair
- Black-Eyed Pea Cleanser
- Pine Toner
- Greek Yogurt Mask
- Winter Moisturizer
- Dandruff Treatments
- Olive Oil Shaving Cream
- Herbal Sleep Pillow
Janice Cox is the author of Natural Beauty at Home and Natural Beauty from the Garden. She’s the beauty editor for Herb Quarterly magazine, a regular magazine contributor, and a frequent speaker at MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIRS. This excerpt is from her book Natural Beauty for All Seasons, available below.
At MOTHER EARTH NEWS for 50 years and counting, we are dedicated to conserving our planet's natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS for only $12.95 (USA only). 
Please share 3 examples of light natural oils. I love this simple recipe. Thank you for sharing.
I have a question: Is it possible to add essential oils to the recipe? I love a shampoo that also smells wonderful. It's like aromatherapy for your hair that you get to carry around with you!