Ayurvedic Hair Powders Review

In an earlier post I did I stated I purchased two ayurvedic powders.
1. Brahmi Powder
Description:
Ayurveda's most potent hair vitalizer
Has the following advantages: Cools the scalp, Controls dandruff, Makes hair long, dark, Dense & lustrous, Strengthens hair roots.

2. Shikakai Powder
Description:
Dirt Buster for your scalp
Has the following advantages: Provides new life to hair strands, Strengthens hair roots, Increases bounchiness and silkiness of hair, Clears dandruff, Keeps the scalp clean and cool.

I purchased a pack of each powder for about £1.50 each from Ebay- this included postage and packaging, so I was quite pleased. About three weeks ago I mixed about 2tsps of each powder with water in an empty pot. Yesterday when I looked at this pot, there were bits that had sunk to the bottom - literally clumps and the rest was of a liquid consistency. In order to make it thicker I added my conditioner (Tresemme Naturals) and just mixed until it got to the consistency I desired.

I planned to use this mix as a DC (deep conditioner) once a fortnight. As I am two weeks post-relaxer I chose to use it after my shampoo wash yesterday. I applied the conditioner to my hair with an applicator brush, it is a sloppy process, it took me no more than 5 minutes, I applied it to my hair in two halfs and then clipped up the hair in a kirby grip. Here is a picture:

I left for 40 minutes and then washed out with warm water. I had to comb my hair while I was washing it under the tap because some other reviewers have stated that they have found lumps in their hair from the powder and it took a few days to remove. It did take me a while to wash it out, what would happen is I would finish washing. Then run my hands through my scalp find a lump and wash again. This happened about three times. I then added my leave-in conditioner and wrapped and went to sleep.

This morning my hair felt like it had been clarified- a bit dry, I used my Elasta QP moisturiser and it feels like the moisture has been restored. I think the clarifiying effect was due to the Shikakai Powder which acts as a "scalp buster". I would definitely use it again, I want my hair to be stronger and also darker (remember I said my hair is going brown). I reckon this could be used instead of a clarifying shampoo 1x month.

Ayurvedic Hair Products/Regimen

These are natural hair products (originating in India- correct me if I am wrong) and are increasingly being used by both natural and relaxed women because they heed many benefits including thicker and stronger hair. Here are some of the benefits of Ayurdvedic hair powders as typed by Hairlista Ulanie:
"Hesh" Amla Powder (Conditioning)
Dark and Healthy Hair Naturally
Has the following advantages: Promotes hair growth, Controls hair fall, Cures scalp infection, Controls premature graying of hair.

"Hesh" Brahmi Powder (Conditioning)
Ayurveda's most potent hair vitalizer
Has the following advantages: Cools the scalp, Controls dandruff, Makes hair long, dark, Dense & lustrous, Strengthens hair roots.

"Hesh" Maka Powder (Cleansing)
Clean scalp
Has the following advantages: Removes scurf, Cures Alopecia, Makes hair dense and promotes hair growth.

"Hesh" Neem Leaves Powder (Cleansing)
The Trusted antibacterial & antidandruff powder
Has the following advantages: Clears dandruff, Powerful natural antiseptic, Cures skin disorders, Controls Natural oil balance of skin.

"Hesh" Shikakai Powder (Cleansing)
Dirt Buster for your scalp
Has the following advantages: Provides new life to hair strands, Strengthens hair roots, Increases bounchiness and silkiness of hair, Clears dandruff, Keeps the scalp clean and cool.

"Hesh" Tulsi Leaves Powder (moisturizing)
Cures Dandruff, protects your skin
Has the following advantages: Effective antibacterial quality, Protects and moisturizes the scalp, Helps to treat acute dandruff problems, A very effective anti pollution properties thus helps to protect the hair.

How I will incorporate Ayurvedic hair products in my regimen:
You can also buy some of these powders in oil form (vatika and amla). I personally plan to buy vatika oil (my mum already has some) and prepoo with this.

I have already ordered amla powder and shikakai powder from Ebay- bargain £4.62 ($7) including postage and packaging. I will create a deep conditioning mix using 5 tablespoons of each powder and adding hot water. I will use this deep conditioning mix prior to shampoo or co-washing bi-weekly.

I am sure many of you have heard of Henna which can be used to colour the hair. I am definitely not an expert on Henna all I know is that it can colour hair and if you are relaxed and order henna it must be of body art quality. I was tempted to order Indigo henna from Lush to darken my hair but I am scared because Henna is permanent!!

I am quite excited as this is a new thing for me to try (I will post reviews as my hair is still in a weave)! If you wish to try out these products or just want information about Ayurvedic hair products here is an excellent link from Moptop Maven:
http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-haircare-challenge-simple.html