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This pre shampoo clay conditioning pack is designed to deep clean and hydrate hair. It will work on most types, textures and conditions of hair with special benefits for dry, damaged or brittle strands.

The clay will cling to dirt and product residue from the hair shaft while providing enrichment for the scalp.

Although there are many types of clay used for a variety of beauty treatments, white clay known as kaolin (kaolinite) is the most gentle. Black, green or red clay can be too harsh for tresses.

When white clay is combined with rich nourishing oils like coconut and jojoba the result is a perfect pre-shampoo hair mask which deep cleans while moisturizing the cuticles and the scalp.

While the white clays pulls dirt, debris and product build-up from the hair the coconut and jojoba oil creates a thin layer on top of the hair sealing in needed moisture.

Ingredients

1/2 jojoba oil (organic if possible)
3 tablespoons of coconut oil (organic if possible)
4 tablespoons of powdered white clay (kaolin)
1 cup of distilled water

Optional – 4-6 drops of rosemary*, lavender, ylang ylang or vanilla essential oil
*Do not use if pregnant or suffering from high blood pressure.

How To Mix

In a small saucepan placed on a low heat flame (not the microwave) heat the oils until melted.  Remove from heat and allow to slightly cool for use on the head. With a separate clean bowl pour the 4 tablespoons of white clay.

Slowly add a small amount of water to the clay until it forms a paste. You may not need to use all of the water. Stop adding water after a thick paste is formed.

Drizzle the oil slowly into the paste until all of the oil has been completely added.

Apply To Scalp And Hair

Apply a quarter sized glob of the newly created paste to de-tangled damp hair starting at the scalp.  Massage gently into the scalp with pads of clean fingers, being careful not to use the fingernails which can create tiny tears in the scalp or cause other damages.

Be sure to only use the pads of the finger and never the fingernails. Do not attempt the massage if you have ragged or rough skin or nails which can damage the scalp.

After gently massaging the mask into your scalp, apply any leftover mask to dry or damaged sections of tresses.

Before applying this mask to your entire head of hair, try it first on the scalp and on isolated sections of the strands. If the mask works well for your hair then experiment with doubling the recipe and applying it more liberally to all of your strands.

Cover With Plastic Cap Or Wrap

After gently massaging the mask into the scalp and part of the hair, cover with a clean plastic shower cap or plastic wrap. Allow the mask to remain on hair for 15-30 minutes.

Rinse, Cleanse, Detangle, Towel Blot

Rinse the mask from the hair in the shower with lukewarm water.  After mask has been removed proceed with your desired hair cleansing system such as Diluted Shampoo (DS), Conditioner Only Wash (CoWash), Water Only (WO), Low Poo or full shampoo.

Enhance the value of the pre-shampoo treatment by making sure to apply a rinse-out conditioner after the cleanse/shampoo and rinse cycles. Apply rinse-out conditioner from ears down to the ends. Separate hair into horizontal sections and detangle from the ends to the roots with fingers or a wide tooth comb. Rinse well.  Finish with a cool water rinse.

Towel blot to remove excess moisture. Apply any desired leave-in detanglers, conditioners, styling creams or defrisant products. When possible either air dry without heat or set hair in pin curls or traditional rollers. Dry under a hood or bonnet dryer. If preferred you may wish to braid or wet bun hair for creation of natural waves.

Note:  This hair mask was derived from a similar recipe provided in Secrets of the Spas:  Pamper & Vitalize Yourself At Home by Catherine Bardey – Copyright 1999.