While I would love to go on about all its properties and what it does, I have no patience to type all that, I'm really sorry, I just want to get to the good stuff. If you'd like to read some more in depth information, you can check out everyone's favourite e-encyclopedia (aka Google) where I got these two lovely links :)
http://empoweredsustenance.com/bentonite-clay-uses/
http://bodyunburdened.com/bentonite-clay-what-is-it-and-how-to-use-it/
But in a nutshell, it's a detoxifier that can be used both internally and externally. I have yet to try the former, but on my hair? Linda honey listen, listen! It's the bees knees (do bees have knees though?)
Anyhoo, the instructions say to mix equal parts clay to Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or Water until you get a smooth paste. Some people use Aloe Vera Juice, or Rose Water. Some people add other ingredients like essential oils. It's really up to you what you want to brew. I prefer to keep this mixture simple and use as directed. Now, because it can be a bit drying on hair, I like to coat my hair with an oil like Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Grapeseed Oil or Sweet Almond Oil. To make the mixture a bit easier to apply, your hair should also be damp (something I neglected to do at the time).
Please take note: Do not, I repeat, DO NOT use metal utensils for any of this, no metal spoons, forks, sporks, sticks, bowls, tubs, NO METAL! The metal can leech into the clay, rendering it ineffective, since its purpose is to remove toxins. You've been warned!
This doesn't have to sit out or anything, once it's mixed to your liking, it's ready to use. I read that you're not supposed to let it dry on your hair, which was a bit difficult for me because it dries rather quickly. So to solve that, I applied in 4 sections, and after I was finished a section I would spray it with water and continue to do that throughout. When I was finished, my hair looked like this.
Then I spray one last time, cover with a grocery bag (no more shower caps for me) for about half hour, then proceed to rinse. If you went cray cray with the clay, it might be a bit tough to rinse out. But the easiest thing to do would be to jump in the shower and let the water pressure help you. Trust me, it works, plus you get less tangles that way. I rinse under the shower for about 5 minutes, then I use my Holy Grail Conditioner to rinse out any remaining clay. It is magic in a bottle I tell you. I'm so mad they stopped selling it in Trinidad. This is my LAST bottle *insert temper tantrum with flailing arms and legs here*
This is my hair after rinsing out the Tressemme conditioner. Clean but not squeaky, soft but not mushy, strong but not brittle, shiny and tangle free! (forgive that lone ranger of a hair strand, just some shed hair)
Then I deep conditioned with my Holy Grail deep conditioner from Shea Moisture, the Manuka and Mafura Masque and mixed the remnants of my AS I AM Hydration Elation Conditioner with it, along with some oils, which just up the moisture factor for me.
Deep conditioned with heat for half hour, rinse, and voila! Wash day complete!
Bentonite clay is very gentle on my hair, so it's a tame clarifying shampoo really, without the harshness. You can probably get it at any health food store, I ordered mine on Amazon. The ACV you can get in the grocery store, but the Bragg's brand is supposedly the best kind. I normally use it once a month, if I remember, and if you don't have Bentonite clay, you can also use Rhassoul Clay, which I also love, and some people prefer as it's not as drying on the hair as the Bentonite. I like them equally but the Bentonite is easier for me to source.
As an aside, I also use the clay on my face, mixed ACV and the contents of 2 charcoal capsules. Fantastic mask for deep cleaning your pores, I use the same recipe found here ----> http://diybeautydiva.com/recipe-items/diy-blackhead-busting-blackout-face-mask/
Amazing for those of us with oily skin!
And there you have it lovelies! More product reviews coming!
