My daughters and I all have thick hair that often gets tangled, snarly and we wake up with bed head, especially yours truly. It isn't a pretty site. We tend not to shower every single morning and even when we do, we need a little extra softening and supporting. Commercial products contain all sorts of harmful ingredients worth noting and avoiding, which can cause short term issues like headaches and eye irritation, or long term issues such as hormone disruption and contributing to long term toxic load.. I am not a huge DIYer, but times like this, I am. It is easy enough and kind of fun to make your own detangler spray at home, and it is a lot less this way too. 

Some of the ingredients to avoid in products like detanglers are: Parabens (such as Methylparaben, Propylparaben, etc) Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, SD Alcohol 40B, and Fragrance. These are just a few. 

Sadly, there is an impression that in the United States and Canada, that the government agencies (FDA in the US, Health Canada in Canada) are regulating products and ingredients on the market for safety. This is absolutely not true. This information can be found directly on the FDA website, it is not just an opinion. 

These are quotes directly from the FDA website:
​
"The FDA does not have the legal right to approve cosmetics before they go on the market"

"Cosmetic companies may use any ingredient they choose"

"Neither the law nor the FDA regulations require cosmetic companies to share their safety information with the FDA"

This is why we must look out for ourselves and learn to read labels, and seek out companies and products we truly trust. I have not found many, which is why I have switched as much as possible to Young Living, and why we use YL oils for most of our needs. There is no way I am putting products with ingredients like that on my children, and I don't want anything to do with those either. 

I have tried a few different recipes for detanglers, including some that included conditioners, but I found those to be heavy and clogged up the sprayers so much I had to replace the nozzles several times. This is my favorite and what I will be sticking with. 

You will need:

3 TBS Marshmallow root (I like Frontier brand, which can be found on Vitacost)
1  1/2 cups purified or distilled water
2-3 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar (as you can handle the smell)
1  1/2 tsp Jojoba or Olive OIl (I use jojoba) 
25-30+ drops of essential oils 

I personally double this recipe because we use a lot. The original recipe calls for 3 TBS apple cider vinegar so when I double I do not use 6. I love ACV and I know it works towards softening the hair, but my girls do complain about the smell, so I go on the low end and add more softening oils instead. If you don't mind the smell, you can go heavier. 

This is Marshmallow root. I order mine through Frontier or Vitacost, Frontier brand. I had never used it before I started making detangler nor have I ever used it for anything else,  It is pretty neat stuff though and is wonderful for hair, Doing a little research today I found out it can also be made into a tea for immune system support , to soothe sore throats, digestive issues and urinary tract issues. 

First step is to simmer the marshmallow root on the stove in the water for about 15-20 minutes. ​Use a lid to avoid the water all boiling away. I learned that lesson the hard way before! 

Remove from heat and let cool, then strain, squeezing the root to get out as much moisture as possible. Add the jojoba and ACV and essential oils and gently mix. 

Essential oil possibilities: For us, because we have thick, curly and frizzy hair, I use a combo of Lavender, Geranium and Ylang Ylang. This provides softening and taming as well as a nice scent to cover the ACV. I also add Tea Tree oil, aka Melaleuca Alternifolia, so the only thing they bring home from school with them is homework and leftover veggies they didn't eat at lunch, if you know what I mean. I do make  them eat those veggies when they get home, BTW. Ha! 

Other suggestions: 
For volume boost: Cedarwood, Lavender and Geranium
For strengthening: Lavender and Clary Sage and Wintergreen
For thickening: Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary, Cedarwood and Clary Sage
For oily hair: Lavender, Rosemary, Lemon*, Peppermint and Cypress

*use caution with Lemon as it can lighten hair if too much is used or you head out into the sun, but it smells amazing! 

This is what it looks like when it is all finished. Again, shake well before every use as the contents to tend to separate. 

​If you enjoy this recipe, let me know in the comments. Also, if you have any oily combinations to suggest, add those as well! Enjoy! 

Rose oil is heart opening, comforting and calming yet uplifting at the same time, euphoric. Wonderful for the skin. Helps bring balance and harmony. A little goes a long way. Rose also has the second highest frequency of any essential oils at 320 mhz. This can really help positively affect mood and outlook on life and self. 

Rose Oil is the most expensive oil Young Living carries, at $185.50 wholesale and $224.08 retail. WOW, why is it so much, you may wonder. Here are some interesting things to know. 

It takes about 60 roses to make one drop of pure Rose Essential Oil
It takes about 10,000 roses to make a 5ml bottle of pure Rose Essential Oil. 
Much like Lavender, much of the rose scent on the market is adulterated or synthetic. Real rose is unlike anything else you will ever experience.

Taken from Rosemagazine.com 
"The Egyptian rose, which was known for its many petals, was the one Cleopatra used to entice Mark Antony. Athenaeus, a writer of the times, records that Cleopatra covered the floors of her palace in fresh rose petals to a depth of half a meter. The sails of her royal barge were drenched in rose water. In her bedroom surrounding the bed itself, the floor was covered in a thick sultry layer of rose petals. Mark Antony fell to the seduction of the temptress; should we ask Cleopatra or the rose?" 

​Who will be taking advantage of this amazing deal? If you want a bottle, show this to your significant other or perhaps buy it for yourself this Valentine's day <3 

not a member? Message me at YoungLivingCheryl33@gmail.com

If you live in a cold climate like I do in New England, you are freezing your butt off right now, and you are likely to appreciate some extra respiratory support. Here is a fun tip for heading out in the cold. This would also work for Peppermint, Raven, Breathe Again, Ravintsara, and any Eucalyptus. If you can think of any others, let me know! Now go out and try it, and breathe deeply and clearly! 

                                 Thank you Mackenzie Auster for this awesome tip! 

Young Living has a luxurious line of hair and body care products. Yes, they cost more than the things you can find at the grocery store and pharmacy. There is a reason, and it can cost you your health, or help it. If you use Young Living hair and lotions, which do you love? 

Interested in getting your hands on some of these products? Want to learn more? Email me at Younglivingcheryl33@gmail.com right now!