When it comes to hair care, there are nearly a million different products readily available that claim to provide miraculous results. But there’s little that as effective as the truly amazing rice water wash that has had hundreds of years of experience, science, AND a world record to its credit too.
The magic treatment that we’re referring to is a rice water hair rinse that has been used by women in China and Japan for centuries. There’s even a village in China, Huangluo, known as the land of Rapunzels because it holds the Guinness World Record as the ‘world’s longest hair village.’
HOW TO MAKE RICE WATER
Here are the two ways through which you too can make your own rice water hair rinse:
1. Take half a cup of rice, give it a rinse, then soak it in two cups of water. Leave it to soak for at least 30 mins, or even overnight (this will give more time for the water to absorb the nutrients and vitamins from the rice). Once the water is cloudy, squeeze the rice in the water a little, then strain the rice so you’re left with only the water.
2. To ferment the rice water, leave it out for a day or two at room temperature (the warmer the room, the quicker it ferments). This will make the formula more potent, so once the rice has fermented, add a cup of water to dilute it slightly, and store the mix in the fridge for up to one week.
HOW TO USE
You can either use this as a rinse for your hair after shampooing and conditioning, or you can put it into a spray bottle (preferably glass) and store it in the fridge for up to a week, and use it as a ‘leave-in conditioner.’
For curly hair: we find using it as a leave-in treatment post-washing (by spritzing into wet hair) works best for curly and coily hair, and really helps to detangle, define and boost curls.
For straight hair: use it as a rinse post-shampoo and conditioner. Let the rice water sit for 10 to 20 minutes depending on the thickness of your hair (the thicker your hair, the longer you can leave it), then rinse the hair.
ADVANTAGES
- Rice water is literally bursting with natural proteins, vitamins, and minerals that help restore and hydrate your hair. Firstly, it contains inositol, a carbohydrate that replenishes dry, damaged hair by strengthening and rebuilding the elasticity of the hair, which prevents it from becoming brittle and split ends from forming.
- Even after the rice water is rinsed off, it’ll continue to seal in moisture, shielding your hair from damage. It’s also packed with proteins and amino acids that hydrate and restore the hair strand so that it’s less likely to frizz. Plus, it’s a rich source of vitamins including B, C, and E, which can help boost growth while adding shine.
