shikakai and amla powder

[LadyLibra]

yes, i got sucked into the ayurvedic bandwagon...

i took the idea to make a tea out of the powders using my coffeemaker (1 teaspoon shikakai and 2 teaspoons amla, 4 cups water).  the first day i tried it i only used the tea rinse on my hair and scalp.  now the directions on the box of shikakai said to add water and use it as a paste... so a few days later i brewed up some more shik-amla tea and used the leftover paste on my scalp ONLY, and rinsed with the tea.

the first day was pretty good results, but using the paste on my scalp was AWESOME. it left a nice clean tingle like when you use shampoo but my hair didn't feel stripped (could also be partially due to using olive oil as a pre-poo).  i conditioned afterwards of course... i don't know if i can say my hair felt stronger or not but it was shiny as all get-out.

the shikakai has a stronger "earthy" smell than the amla.  i don't mind either one, and of course once you rinse and condition you can't really smell either anymore.  i washed my hair in braids and haven't had any issues with rinsing the paste out although i imagine it could be a problem if you use too much or don't wash in braids and need to brush it out?

i'd still say 5 stars.  a nice alternative to shampoo and baking soda.

[QCDIVA1980]

Where do you buy shikakai, amla powder and henna (off subject)?

[LadyLibra]

i bought the shikakai and amla from an Indian grocery store in town.  you can also buy them online too

[QCDIVA1980]

i bought the shikakai and amla from an Indian grocery store in town.  you can also buy them online too

I must have wen to an bootleg Indian grocery store bc they did not have no hair products... I mean the store was small but there was nothing worth purchasing for even a stray dog

[JustKiya]

oooh, I'm glad you like it!

I've actually stopped making a tea (lazy girl) and instead make a thin paste, and mix it in with my cowashing conditioner - and sometimes I'll mix it in with my DC conditioner, and do a ayurvedic DCw all at once - (for the reaalllllly lazy weekends, I'll do it on dry hair, overnight ) - My hair still loves it!

[lisa125]

I have both of these powders I haven't tried them yet. I gotta do that this weekend.

[QCDIVA1980]

Lisa is that you in that picture??

[lisa125]

I wish. That's Syesha from AI.

[LadyLibra]

oooh, I'm glad you like it!

I've actually stopped making a tea (lazy girl) and instead make a thin paste, and mix it in with my cowashing conditioner - and sometimes I'll mix it in with my DC conditioner, and do a ayurvedic DCw all at once - (for the reaalllllly lazy weekends, I'll do it on dry hair, overnight ) - My hair still loves it!

that's a neat idea, i might have to try that next!

[svrbrownsuga]

I have the oils, I dont have the powders but I love them. Next time I will have to search for the  powders. but yeah Im on the amla bandwagon. I like the vatika oil too

[LadyLibra]

^^^i am thinking about getting the vatika oil for SO (okay really for me but i will let him use it too )

[SRsuga]

I loooove using amla 2X/month to give my hair super shine and definition. 5/5

[jazzi]

I didn't even know there was a review here!  I tried Amla in 2007 and was loving it!  It left my hair so silky and my scalp felt refreshed.  The only reason I stopped using it was b/c I didn't feel like being bothered w the traffic on the far northside...But I plan to go and stock up real soon (it's only like 1.99 a box)! For my hair, this powder is superior to henna.

[LadyLibra]

^^^oh yeah!  i hear that some curlies add amla to their henna to help keep their curl definition.  now that i think about it, maybe that's why my recent henna application didn't stretch my curls out like the first time i tried it... i use amla on my hair every other day.