Summertime is here, and along with the glorious sun, the heat and the beach activities we can also expect the insects like mosquitoes, bees, knats, and gigantic grasshoppers if you live in Texas.
We love our wash and gos and quick styles that involve smell-good products, especially natural (organic) products. These types of products can be quite beneficial for the hair, given that the ingredients are not chemically made with harsh substances.
Even some of the harsh products contain certified organic ingredients like extracts. A commonly added extract that is used is Japanese Flower Extract, which smells like heaven.
It is commonly used to add natural fragrance to the product instead of fragrance perfume. Some brands even add raw honey and nectar to their products. Bumble bee alert!! That’s right! Some of your products can and will definitely attract insects during your outside activities.
Going camping? Doing an activity that involves outside work? Gardening? Well here are ways to avoid bugs flying into or around your hair.
1. Avoid using these products in the spring or summer time
Yep! Just don’t use the products if you know you will be outdoors for an extended amount of time. Invest in some of the man made products because some of the chemicals that are used in those products can keep away the insects.
2. Check the ingredients label on the products
This step can save you if you just take 2 minutes to take a quick look on the back of your product. There is nothing worse than applying a gel or edge control, then going outside to be attacked by a bee within 30-90 seconds of being outdoors and realizing that this happens every time you use a certain product.
If you check the label, and if honey is the third ingredient being used then umm expect to become bff’s with a few insects. For example, the Shea Moisture* Coconut & Hibiscus* Gel Souffle’s number one ingredient is Agave Nectar followed by other sugars and organic ingredients.(wispers.. BFF)
Insects are attracted to sweet starches, sugar, or anything sweet smelling. If the product you choose has the bug’s favorite smells or food in them, do not use them!
3. Use products that contain “bug repellent” oils
Some essential oils* are great for repelling bugs naturally. Oils like castor, cedar, clove, citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint*, and tree tea. Not only do these oils fight off bugs, but they have other great benefits as well so get them in rotation during the summer months.
4. Invest in neem oil or products that contain neem oil
A really great oil that bugs HATE, is neem oil*. Products like Shea Moisture* Coconut and Hibiscus contain neem oil specifically to control frizz and add shine to your hair. Neem also solves hair lice problems and skin/scalp problems.
You can also add pure neem oil* to your shampoo or dilute the neem oil with a light carrier oil (olive, almond, coconut or jojoba). Also, do an intensive treatment massage with neem oil into your scalp and hair. Leave it in for thirty minutes (or overnight) and then wash your hair with the neem shampoo you have made.
