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Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
There are many threads about indian herbs, oiling hair, and even growing hair fast, all of which are awesome and very informative! I'm hoping to get a thread started where those who are using indian herbs and oils for the purpose of growth can get together and post their methods and progress. I'll get started by sharing my first experiences with both this week and then I'll show a comparison picture because the condition of my hair after only 2 days is obviously different...in a good way!
I ordered some whole soapnuts from one company, and various Hesh Indian Herbs and oils from another. The first thing that came in was the soapnuts so they were my first experience. My hair was very soft, smooth, and full of static after using Mellie's foam technique with the soapnuts. It was a good experience, but my technique needed some tweeking.
The next day the other order came in and I immediatly did a heavy oiling with the Vatika Coconut Hair Oil and let it sit overnight in a satin sleep bonnet (cute). The next morning I washed with the soapnut liquid I made the day before, but after it dried there was still too much oil present so I mixed:
1 tb. Aritha Powder
1ts. Shikakai Powder
1ts. Amla Powder
4 dried Hibiscus Flowers
1 cup filtered water
simmered on the stove for about 15 minutes, cooled and strained a little. I put about an ounce in a squeeze bottle and shook to get a very nice foam that easily smoothed over my hair. I did this in a bath so I could do a mermaid rinse to get any grit out and it worked great. I let it sit on my head for probably 5-10 minutes. It's strange...while it is on your hair it is funky feeling, but as soon as you start rinsing your hair is so soft and smooth. I did a mermaid rinse and then rinsed again with a shower head just to be sure. Here is a before (about 2 weeks ago after a henna and blow dry), and after (today)...I was so shocked when I saw this picture!
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...084thHenna.jpg http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...to71/006-2.jpg
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Wow... Your hair looks so much better. Shiny, smooth and silky now. Beautiful!!!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Beautiful!
The traditional method with Indian washing herbs is to pre oil. And the hibiscus gives extra conditioning, along with the amla.
Gorgeous!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Wow, that is an amazing difference!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
wow, so shiny and natural. just today when i was doing my grocery shopping at indian store i bought 'nupur henna' which has heena +amla+ brahmi +bhringaraj , all these are very conditioning plus gives color
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Oh my goodness. Shine and body, beautiful!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Thanks so much everyone! I'm really shocked at how fast it happened. I hope it stays this good.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
serabelle
Oh my goodness. Shine and body, beautiful!
your own pics (avatar and right sig)show very nice shine too.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Your hair looks excellent!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Debra83
your own pics (avatar and right sig)show very nice shine too.
Thank you :) I give credit to CV shampoo bars and henna!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
WOW! What a phenomenal difference! In just two days! :bigeyes: I think I may look further into Indian Haircare methods. :wink: (By the way, I hope you don't mind my asking this, but, are you of East Indian or North (Native) American descent?
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
another member of the 'soapnuts appreciation society' checking in:wethree:
Your hair looks like a mirror and I am going to try your formula worked out very well for you. x:)
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
WOW! What a phenomenal difference! In just two days! I think I may look further into Indian Haircare methods. (By the way, I hope you don't mind my asking this, but, are you of East Indian or North (Native) American descent?
Thanks so much! I am close to half Cherokee, why do you ask? I've always thought part of my "frizz" was due to indian descent, because I saw it on my mom when her hair was long and straight. But I don't know anyone else that is Indian to find out if it's a common issue, or just a family trait.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
silkenblacksea
WOW! What a phenomenal difference! In just two days! :bigeyes: I think I may look further into Indian Haircare methods. :wink: (By the way, I hope you don't mind my asking this, but, are you of East Indian or North (Native) American descent?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ktani
Beautiful!
The traditional method with Indian washing herbs is to pre oil. And the hibiscus gives extra conditioning, along with the amla.
Gorgeous!
Thanks Ktani! Now the goal is to find the fine balance between pre-oiling, post-Oiling, and conditioning with the herbs. I'm still having a problem with my hair very quickly becoming lank, flat and stringy.
This time around I pre-oiled a little lighter and with the Jasmine Hair Oil. I'll use the same formula but mixed with the soapnut liquid I had made the other day. I just mixed them together last night to simplify storage. I'm going to try to see how it all dries without post oiling this time.
I have a question for others that pre-oil. Do I keep working to find a balance where my hair doesn't get flat and stringy within a day, or do I just get used to my hair being slightly oily, and wear it up more often?
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Hi eaglefeather, I too have been using Indian herbs for about 2 months now. I also do the Vatika pre-oil, and like you, have yet to find the perfect balance between the oil and the herbs. My hair still comes out with the oil in it, but it is so smooth and shiny that I don't really mind. Plus, it soaks in as the days pass. I usually wash my hair once a week. Also, I put a small amount of rice powder into my hair in between washes, it soaks up the excess oil just fine.
Since I am very lazy, my routine is to just mix the herb powder with water to make a paste and I use that for the wash. One of these days, I'll simmer the herbs and strain them and see if I like that better. But either way, this is the best routine for my hair by far!
By the way, I think perhaps you were asked if you were of Indian descent because of your hair. Since these herbs are traditionally used with the beautiful, thick dark Indian hair. My hair is completely the opposite, but they still work great.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lynnala
Hi eaglefeather, I too have been using Indian herbs for about 2 months now. I also do the Vatika pre-oil, and like you, have yet to find the perfect balance between the oil and the herbs. My hair still comes out with the oil in it, but it is so smooth and shiny that I don't really mind. Plus, it soaks in as the days pass. I usually wash my hair once a week. Also, I put a small amount of rice powder into my hair in between washes, it soaks up the excess oil just fine.
Since I am very lazy, my routine is to just mix the herb powder with water to make a paste and I use that for the wash. One of these days, I'll simmer the herbs and strain them and see if I like that better. But either way, this is the best routine for my hair by far!
By the way, I think perhaps you were asked if you were of Indian descent because of your hair. Since these herbs are traditionally used with the beautiful, thick dark Indian hair. My hair is completely the opposite, but they still work great.
Thanks for the detailed reply! I love hearing about everyone's routines, because I'm still (after a year) trying to find a routine and stick with it. Do you have issues getting the powders out of your hair doing it that way? Do you end up rinsing forever?
This last time, I pre-oiled with the Jasmine Oil, but didn't post oil while still damp like I usually do, in the hopes of cutting down on the oilyness. But now I have STATIC galore!
Does anyone else notice a lot of static while using Soapnuts or other Indian Herbs? Any natural ways of overcoming it? It's very irritating, especially with bangs and fringe. I have tried using a spray bottle with water and a tad of jasmne oil to see if that helps, which it does but only while still damp. As soon as I brush again I'm full of static. I know it would seem that the brushing is the cause, but I have always been a brusher and the static has only started since using the Soapnuts. Hmm.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Eaglefeather, I do have a bit of frizziness (not static though) when I brush after soapnuts. My hair definitely looks prettier and shinier if I don't brush it out, at least not until it's a few hours later.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mellie
Eaglefeather, I do have a bit of frizziness (not static though) when I brush after soapnuts. My hair definitely looks prettier and shinier if I don't brush it out, at least not until it's a few hours later.
Mine actually gets prettier and shinier when I do brush, but I always wait until its dry before brushing. I haven't had ANY frizz which is exactly why I am loving this so much! My hair tends to have frizz even when it is baby booty soft. Now it is smooth as silk :D. The static, as irritating as it is, will definetly not be a deal breaker for me, just something to overcome...
I have been blowdrying with cold air a little, I wonder if thats making the static worse? I'll not blowdry at all this next time to see.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Oh yes - I betcha it's the blowdrying!!
Really your hair is looking soooo beautiful!!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eaglefeather71
Thanks for the detailed reply! I love hearing about everyone's routines, because I'm still (after a year) trying to find a routine and stick with it. Do you have issues getting the powders out of your hair doing it that way? Do you end up rinsing forever?
This last time, I pre-oiled with the Jasmine Oil, but didn't post oil while still damp like I usually do, in the hopes of cutting down on the oilyness. But now I have STATIC galore!
Does anyone else notice a lot of static while using Soapnuts or other Indian Herbs? Any natural ways of overcoming it? It's very irritating, especially with bangs and fringe. I have tried using a spray bottle with water and a tad of jasmne oil to see if that helps, which it does but only while still damp. As soon as I brush again I'm full of static. I know it would seem that the brushing is the cause, but I have always been a brusher and the static has only started since using the Soapnuts. Hmm.
I have no trouble rinsing out the herbs, they wash right out. But my hair is very fine and thin, not much to stick to!
I haven't had any problem with static either, in fact, that's one of the reasons I like the routine so much, no static, no frizz. I think it has something to do with the pre-oil. It also probably has something to do with where you live and the weather.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eaglefeather71
Stunning! Can you explain to me what a mermaid rinse is?
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
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Originally Posted by
RetroKitten
Stunning! Can you explain to me what a mermaid rinse is?
I heard the term here on LHC and just sort of guessed...I think it is when you lay down in the bathtub water with your head in the water, kinda floating.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Mermaid rinses caused a urinary tract infection in one gal here - so be careful!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mellie
Mermaid rinses caused a urinary tract infection in one gal here - so be careful!
Hmmm...I wonder why? Maybe she didn't normally take baths at all. Is my idea of a mermaid rinse correct?
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
My sister-in-law said she got urinary traction because of taking BUBBLE bath all the time. Because soap is alkaline in general, it knocks our body PH out of balance. Some people are susceptible to urinary traction, others not. So if you keep getting recurring problems, then you might stay away from taking a bath. But personally, I have never had a problem. Besides, soapnuts, shikakai and amla being more acidic, I don't know if it will cause much trouble.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
If your body is in the water, then any little particles in your hair will get in the water, and could get into your urinary tract, or as Akiko said, it could change the pH balance of your body too.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Akiko
My sister-in-law said she got urinary traction because of taking BUBBLE bath all the time. Because soap is alkaline in general, it knocks our body PH out of balance. Some people are susceptible to urinary traction, others not. So if you keep getting recurring problems, then you might stay away from taking a bath. But personally, I have never had a problem. Besides, soapnuts, shikakai and amla being more acidic, I don't know if it will cause much trouble.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mellie
If your body is in the water, then any little particles in your hair will get in the water, and could get into your urinary tract, or as Akiko said, it could change the pH balance of your body too.
This all makes sense. Thanks for the info. The time I did the mermaid rinse, one of my piercings got irritated and I had to really rinse it well with water for it to stop hurting, so I can see the particles in the bathwater being an issue. I really just did that because I was scared the particles wouldn't come out of my hair enough, but I have since done a regular rinse and I think it turned out ok.
Tonight the night for me to wash again but with NO blowdrying to see if I can get the static under control...we'll see.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
I do mermaid rinse all the time. After henna, indigo or herb hair wash. In fact, I take bath all the time. Not really a shower person. I guess it's my cultural custom that I continue even in the US. I love how it relaxes me!
I hope your no blowdrying will work well for you. I am just so amazed how your hair looks wonderful after this herbal wash!! It's so exciting to see.:cheese:
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Wow! Eaglefeather71 your hair looks much improved with soapnuts! Absolutely gorgeous! Maybe when I *finish everything in the bathroom* I will give them a go!
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eaglefeather71
Tonight the night for me to wash again but with NO blowdrying to see if I can get the static under control...we'll see.
I ended up not washing till morning and took a headscarf to work with me because it felt like I might not have gotten all the oil out, which was true. I'm sure my hair doesn't mind :D, but my coworkers probably do, so my hair is hiding in a headscarf. Oh well, I'll rewash this evening.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Akiko
I do mermaid rinse all the time. After henna, indigo or herb hair wash. In fact, I take bath all the time. Not really a shower person. I guess it's my cultural custom that I continue even in the US. I love how it relaxes me!
I hope your no blowdrying will work well for you. I am just so amazed how your hair looks wonderful after this herbal wash!! It's so exciting to see.:cheese:
Thanks so much! I am very excited as well, but getting all the oils out has been a challenge. I may try the lemon juice added to see if it will cut the oil better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RavennaNight
Wow! Eaglefeather71 your hair looks much improved with soapnuts! Absolutely gorgeous! Maybe when I *finish everything in the bathroom* I will give them a go!
Thanks so much, it really is amazing. I had no idea my hair could look this way.:o When I get my larger stash of soapnuts, maybe I can send you a sample size for you to experiment with ;), I'll let you know when I get them in, it should be any day now.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
I hear ya on the oil thing - I can't get that stuff out of my hair for the life of me with soapnuts, I had to lather up 7 times with Dairy Whip to get it out!
I think maybe just infinitesmally (sp???) tiny amounts of oil are good, and maybe not on the roots at all?
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mellie
I hear ya on the oil thing - I can't get that stuff out of my hair for the life of me with soapnuts, I had to lather up 7 times with Dairy Whip to get it out!
I think maybe just infinitesmally (sp???) tiny amounts of oil are good, and maybe not on the roots at all?
I have been able to get it out before, so I'm going to keep trying because I think this is one of the things that is making my hair so soft and shiny. Plus the oil I am using is infused with the Indian Herbs for growth and ultimately that is my goal, the awesome shine is just the icing on the cake for me. It's a good thing I like to wear headscarves because its not so detrimental when I end up with oily hair, I can just cover it up.
I will figure this oil thing out if it kills me :mad:....not really Kill, but you get the picture :D
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eaglefeather71
Thanks so much! I am close to half Cherokee, why do you ask? I've always thought part of my "frizz" was due to indian descent, because I saw it on my mom when her hair was long and straight. But I don't know anyone else that is Indian to find out if it's a common issue, or just a family trait.
Oh my goodness! The frizz question is why I asked. My frizz that is, as well as the "common issue" question. I am of Cherokee heritage as well, and was wondering whether it had anything to do with my strange Texture. My hair tends to be frizzy even when relatively straight(2c/3a when handled). I had always wondered if your heritage was Native American.( though your name was a big clue:eyebrows: )
Anyway, when I saw the wonderful effects of your soapnuts & coconut oil treatment, I said, "that's it!, thats what I need!" Also, something in the way your hair sits and hangs looks like mine when I used to straighten it. I hope my rambling post answers your question. And thanks for answering mine!:D
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
silkenblacksea
Oh my goodness! The frizz question is why I asked. My frizz that is, as well as the "common issue" question. I am of Cherokee heritage as well, and was wondering whether it had anything to do with my strange Texture. My hair tends to be frizzy even when relatively straight(2c/3a when handled). I had always wondered if your heritage was Native American.( though your name was a big clue:eyebrows: )
Anyway, when I saw the wonderful effects of your soapnuts & coconut oil treatment, I said, "that's it!, thats what I need!" Also, something in the way your hair sits and hangs looks like mine when I used to straighten it. I hope my rambling post answers your question. And thanks for answering mine!:D
I'm so glad to finally hear that it may infact be my heritage that is the cause of the strange hair frizz issue. My hair can be as soft as a baby bottom, but still be frizzy. I really hope your able to try the indian herbs and oils! Please keep us posted on the results if you do.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
eaglefeather71
I'm so glad to finally hear that it may infact be my heritage that is the cause of the strange hair frizz issue. My hair can be as soft as a baby bottom, but still be frizzy. I really hope your able to try the indian herbs and oils! Please keep us posted on the results if you do.
I certainly will! Where do you order your oils and herbs? I intend to start investigating tonight!
(Ditto on the soft-yet-frizzy issue. :rolleyes:)
:cheer: Thank you for starting this thread!:flowers:
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
silkenblacksea
I certainly will! Where do you order your oils and herbs? I intend to start investigating tonight!
(Ditto on the soft-yet-frizzy issue. :rolleyes:)
:cheer: Thank you for starting this thread!:flowers:
http://www.buysoapnuts.com/store.html#anchor_118
For whole soapnuts
http://www.mehndiskinart.com/hair_powders.htm
for powders and oils
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
So I got home and did a VERY quick wash with the same solution and off to a meeting I went. OMG! I started breaking out in crazy bumps all around my temples on my scalp! And on top of that I still didn't get all the oil out, and I had dandruf everywhere and static galore, so...after the meeting I decided to try it with just the powders mixed with a little water to make a paste. I was so worried about not being able to get the perticles out, but I was determined to get the oil out this time!
I mixed the following, which actually ended up being enough for 2-3 applications:
1 Tb Aritha Powder
1 Tb Shikakai Powder
1/2 Tb Neem Powder (for my scalp issues)
I think I'm in love! My hair is even better then my after picture! So soft, smooth, full of body, and very shiny.
So, I wonder what freaked my scalp out so bad (instant dandruff, bumps on each side of my scalp that showed up in a matter of minutes) weird. I'll really have to keep an eye on which powders and oils I use to see what I'm so sensitive to.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Eaglefeather, so sorry about the scalp weirdness! I haven't had anything like that happen.
Just wanted to add here that I think the point of pre-oiling is that you DON'T want to wash all of the oil out. What I find is that my hair looks oily right after I wash it with the herbs, but I just pretend that I've used "product" in my hair and that it's supposed to look that way! By the third day, most of the oil has soaked in, but if it's really bugging me, I powder my hair with rice powder, which soaks it up. I've ordered some Orris root powder to see if I like that better. It supposedly has a nice scent.
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Re: Using Indian Herbs and Oils to grow, Grow, GROW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
lynnala
Eaglefeather, so sorry about the scalp weirdness! I haven't had anything like that happen.
Just wanted to add here that I think the point of pre-oiling is that you DON'T want to wash all of the oil out. What I find is that my hair looks oily right after I wash it with the herbs, but I just pretend that I've used "product" in my hair and that it's supposed to look that way! By the third day, most of the oil has soaked in, but if it's really bugging me, I powder my hair with rice powder, which soaks it up. I've ordered some Orris root powder to see if I like that better. It supposedly has a nice scent.
I'm ok with some oil being left behind for sheen, but I was flat lank and stringy...eew. I have a ljar of orris root mixed with corn startch and it works great to dry out the scalp oils, but my hair is so dark it really looks weird. The last time I used it, I remembered that I could use cheese cloth on my BBB to get it out, but I couldn't find any cheesecloth in my house so I looked kinda ghosty for a day before I washed again. The orris root I have has a slight , mild curry smell. At least that's what I think of when I smell it.