Hair and Beauty India Style

I'd be interested in knowing a little about hair care and makeup from a traditional Indian perspective.

I'm sure a lot of Indian women would now use regular shampoos, conditioners and beauty products, but what are the more natural alternatives that are still available.

For instance I've heard that some people will use oils to keep there hair in a good condition .... does anybody have anything to volunteer?


btw I wasn't sure which forum to put this in ... maybe we need to make a Style Section

i think coconut oil is used as a hair conditioner pretty regularly

Coconut oil is a big one, and women use henna for conditioning as well as for the colour. Some very enthusiastic people put egg yolk on their hair, leave it on for a bit, then wash it off-you need tons of water for this (I tried this once, was great for my hair but a pain to wash off).
There's also an evil-smelling oil called Tampcol (oil with lots of herbal stuff) that I swear by, but it made me very unpopular at home since it stank the place out.

I bought some brown henna from India and use it regularly. It gives a beautiful colour. The egg yolk should be put in the draining water. Alto the head massage oils are good. I will put it before shower, leave it for 5-10 minuts and then wash. With oil the hairs stays where you want it.

You have to rinse raw egg out of your hair with cool water. Hot water can cook the egg in your hair and that is difficult to get out.

Thanks for the info guys ... the idea of using fragrant oils on my hari conjures up all sorts of exotic images in my head. Probably a consequence of reading too many elaborate fantasy novels as a child ... Desert Princesses and such.

I think i will definetely try at least coconut oil on my hair while I stay in India ... when in rome and all that


What about natural makeup, what natural substances are used for pigment in make-ups?

shampoo, shikakai is also a natural shampoo. pods of the plants are ground and mixed with water are used as hair shampoo. Usually after applying oil on the hair.

look it up on the web.

Don't do straitening it can damage your hair

In the villages they have a special kind of mud or soil to clean the hair instead of shampoo, also they know a kind of plant to use as soap and shampoo.

Mom used to crush Hibiscus leaves with juice from a freshly cut Aloe Vera stem for washing hair when we were young. Used to be such a sticky yucky paste!

Soapnut and Shikakai are the most commonly used in India.

Soapnut is a cleanser while Shikakai is a conditioner.

But I think it must smell nice

Very few natural beauty/health potions smell nice. Most have an icky feel and smell.