Hoppy Hair: Why Beer is Good For Your Hair
Go ahead, grab another cold one—for your hair that is. Your tired hair is begging for a brewski. No joke. That popular yeasty brew, beer, can add both strength and shine to dull, limp hair. Unfortunately, you don’t actually need to drink the beer to get the benefits. You just need to drench your hair in it.
You know that feeling after you use a new shampoo for the first time? Your hair feels all bouncy and luscious and glossy? Everyone’s saying how great your hair looks that day and asking if you got a haircut? Well, rinsing your hair with beer can give your mane that same glamorous sensation.
The malt and hops found in your beer are loaded with protein, which nourishes and strengthens hair. The nutrients found in beer can even help repair dried out damaged hair to its former lusciousness. The protein binds to hair dehydrated from blow drying, straightening and harsh weather, and restores strength and body to it. Plus, the alcohol in the beer contains B vitamins that load up your hair with shine. (They actually tighten the hair’s cuticles, which makes light bounce off of your hair. Hence shiner. But, that’s all scientific and such.)
If you want to get beer-enhanced locks, it’s easy to do it yourself. You can simply pop in the shower with a bottle and saturate your hair with beer as a final rinse. For a less extreme approach, try this beer and apple cider hair rinse. For the best results, and fewer chemicals and unnecessary additives, use an organic beer. Keep in mind that you may want to use a lukewarm brew as opposed to one straight out of the fridge. Chilly!
Beer & Apple Cider Hair Rinse
The beer in this rinse will help remove buildup in your hair from shampoos, conditioners and other hair products, while also boosting volume. A splash of apple cider vinegar cuts the beer smell and will help add shine and smoothness.
¼ cup water
¼ cup beer (preferably organic)
2 tablespoons organic apple cider vinegar
Mix all of the ingredients together in a container that’s easy to pour, such as a measuring cup with a spout. Head to the shower with your concoction. After you’ve finished with your usual shampooing and conditioning, pour the beer rinse over your hair. Work it in with your fingers or a comb, and let it sit for a few minutes. (This will give you time to soap off any leftover beer from your shoulders or arms.) Then, rinse thoroughly.
While the beer smell shouldn’t linger, you may not want to use this beauty treatment right before you need to head to work or an event, just in case. Apply this beer rinse once or twice a month, or whenever you feel like your hair could use a beauty boost.
Follow Kirsten on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest.
image: Kevin H.
