DIY Jo | Stripping your hair

I love products and I do not know a 'naturalista' who does not. But using a lot of products causes build-up, and that means our hair needs a proper cleanse to get rid of all that build-up.

For that, there is nothing better than apple cider vinegar with the mother, of course.

If there was ever anything that I am addicted to (besides food) it would be hair products. I love my hair feeling and looking a particular way especially when trying to achieve the perfect twist out. So apart from mixing - I use a little bit of this, a little bit of that - and even after finding a product that works, I have to find a back-up plan in case the one I love is hard to get, and then a back-up plan for that back-up plan. Mixing and matching products for the perfect concoction is also a must. So my hair gets a battering even though I do try to wash it weekly.

SULPHATE-FREE RULE

Now, if you follow the sulphate-free shampoo rule, which I most certainly do, you will realise that even though you wash your hair frequently, there comes a time where it looks dull and does not have that clean feel.

I am not here to tell you about the pH of your hair, because I am not a hair expert, and pH sounds like something in chemistry class. But I will tell you about a good cleanse. I heard about vinegar from a friend, and I thought that using any kind of vinegar in my hair was utter madness. However, I am a don't-knock-it-until-you-try-it kind of girl - so I tried it.

I bought a spray bottle and got Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother (that is the one that has been strongly recommended. I have not tried any other). I filled the spray bottle with half apple cider vinegar and half water. I fully saturated my hair, and the result was amazing. I am yet to find a shampoo that stripped my hair so clean. You will be happy if you try it, trust me.

You can repeat it if you are concerned that you can't get all the build-up off in one rinse. You can also detangle your hair with the apple cider vinegar in it. I tried it and it worked. My hair tangles very easily - I will say the strands are in love because they love to form knots, but the apple cider vinegar takes care of that.

DEEP CONDITION A MUST

You then rinse with water and deep condition. Since your hair will be completely stripped, deep conditioning is not a recommendation, it is a necessity. You do not use apple cider vinegar without deep conditioning, ever! If you do not have the time to deep condition, use a shampoo until you have the time.

I wash my hair weekly or every other week, but I use the apple cider vinegar once a month, or one every two months. You will feel when your hair needs it. I do not recommend you strip your hair every week because it can weaken your hair causing breakage. Too much of a good thing can be bad - everything in moderation.

• For tips and suggestions email jody-anne.lawrence@gleanerjm.com