In this video, I'll be showing you an age old technique that can clean and "de-grease" hair without the need for water or shampoo. Instead, we will only be using wooden combs, a wooden brush, and some special historical hair powder to get my sister-in-law's hair from very oily (I literally doused it in hair oil first) to clean, fluffy, and voluminous. Because her hair was so oily to begin with, this particular style of hair combing and powdering is most similar to 18th century hair care, but this technique has been used since at least Medieval times to keep long hair clean by only using combs and brushes. If your hair has just an average level of oiliness, you can actually forgo the powder altogether and just use combs and brushes to get your hair clean.
What You Will Need
(Optional) Wooden Brush
(Optional) Boar Bristle Brush
If you're curious, this is the beautiful hand carved comb I used:
Optional Products
Apple Cider Vinegar Detangler Spray
2 cups filtered water
2-4 TBS raw apple cider vinegar
8 drops essential oils of your choice (optional)
Hair Powder
1/2 cup cornstarch, arrowroot, or wheat starch
4-6 TBS dutch processed cocoa powder (amount depends on your desired colour)
Several drops essential oils of your choice (optional - I used orange and lavender and rose)
In this video, Edyta's hair was VERY oily to begin with, as I had literally just applied a liberal amount of oil to her scalp and hair for the demonstration's purpose. If you are dealing with an average amount of natural scalp oil, you will not need to use as much powder as I did, and it will also take a shorter time than I took in this video.
By the way, if you have been wondering about the skin care products I like to use, I love everything just as natural as I do for my hair. My best friend Jessica recently started a skin care company selling products that are essentially the skin care equivalent of everything I recommend for hair care. Clay for cleansing the skin, oils and butters for conditioning the skin.
Natural non-toxic and waterless small batch skincare products made in Ontario, Canada with organic high quality ingredients. Cruelty free and free from preservatives, petroleum, phthalates, and parabens. Handcrafted to nourish your skin with nature's touch.
Customized skincare catering to different skin types
Automatic 5% discount when you purchase a skincare set
Buy 3 get 1 free for the lip balms
10% discount code for first order
Free shipping on orders over $125
Free samples with every order
If you found this information wildly helpful and informative and would like to thank me, consider "buying me a coffee" through one of the buttons throughout this article. Thanks! I appreciate it so much! Click here for the full list of sewing products I recommend. Click here for the full list of hair-care products I recommend. Click here for the full list of makeup and skincare products I recommend. I have personally used all of these products and can wholeheartedly recommend them to you. It also helps support this blog if you purchase anything through one of those links because I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Contact me at katherine@katherinesewing.com
Hi, Katherine! I love your videos and content. Can you please tell me about what to do after the cornstarch? How long can it stay in the hair before wash day? Does the clay get it out? Does it get gluey in your hair of your get it wet or sweat? Or does it fully have to be brushed out before washing? Thanks!