When my hair is dull

My story

I live in the countryside, in a low-pollution environment, I’ve never colored my hair, never used conditioners or aggressive shampoos, I don’t use a hairdryer, I’m not iron-deficient and yet I regularly have dull hair… This lack of shine is more frequent when I’m tired or stressed, but I also notice it when I’m well and in good shape. I think it comes from the water, which is very hard at home. With ylangylang hydrosol, I’ve found a good ally in restoring a little shine to my hair.

My tip

To restore shine to my hair, I prepare a shampoo with ylang-ylang, which I use every time I wash my hair for 2-3 weeks. To do this, I use a neutral organic cleansing base2. I transfer 150 ml to an old shampoo bottle and add 10 ml vegetable oil and 30 ml ylang-ylang hydrosol. I remember to shake the bottle well before each use, to homogenize the phases. I massage the scalp well during shampooing to tone it. On days when I don’t shampoo, I rub the ylang-ylang hydrosol alone into the hair to tone it. You can also use a pump bottle to spray ylang-ylang hydrosol on your hair before styling.
Unlike most hydrosols, ylang-ylang has a relatively persistent, gourmand and sensual fragrance, though less heady than that of essential oils.

What does phytotherapy say?

Hair contains fibrous proteins that ensure elasticity and shine. Dull hair is caused by deterioration of the cuticles (the outer part of the hair shaft, made up of superimposed layers of cells arranged in scales). Healthy hair has smooth cuticles. Dull hair, on the other hand, has damaged cuticles that prevent light from shining through. Seasonal changes, stress, dieting, pollution, harsh shampoos and limescale can all cause hair to lose its shine.
Ylang-ylang has always been used for its stimulating and invigorating properties. In the Comoros and the Philippines, the flowers are used in maceration to coat the body to ward off infection and protect skin and hair from sun and sea water. In Aroma, ylang-ylang essential oil and floral water are recognized for giving strength and shine to the hair and revitalizing the skin.

Did you know?

Dull hair often results from excessive use of “beauty” products, mainly detanglers Intense exposure to the sun, improperly rinsed shampoos and limescale can also alter hair proteins, making it dull

I use hydrolats SAFELY

The tip presented with ylang-ylang hydrosol involves no particular contraindications, as it is a classic cosmetic use

CANANGA ODORATA Ylang-ylang

Ylang-ylang is a tree native to Asia, characteristic of the islands of the Indian Ocean, topped with large, beautiful yellow flowers with a bewitching fragrance. Meaning “flower of flowers”, ylang-ylang was mainly used in ancient times for its beneficial effects on the skin. Today, it is cultivated for its flowers, whose essential oil is widely used in perfumery for its tenacious, exotic, voluptuous aroma. In aroma, ylang-ylang is considered sedative, hypotensive and aphrodisiac. Less well known, the hydrolat is no less interesting. Highly aromatic, it is soothing and promotes positivity and a good mood. In cosmetics, it revitalizes and tones tired skin, stimulates the scalp and adds shine and vigor to hair.