Introducing: Our New Henna Hair Dye!

In the ever-ongoing effort to improve our products, we've made a big switch in the way we do henna hair dye.

What's New?

Previously, our henna hair dye came as a pre-mixed combination of henna leaf powder, indigo leaf powder or cassia. We have discovered that by keeping the ingredients separate until the time of application we can achieve truer, more effective color results. If you have ordered henna from us in the last few days, then you may have already noticed that we made the switch from jars to bags in order to save plastic and reduce waste. Starting next week, our henna will be sold in separate bags of henna, indigo and cassia. Additionally, we have moved the henna manufacturing process into our San Luis Obispo facility where we can hand mix the products and better control the quality of our henna.

So What Can I Expect?

Better color and longer-lasting results! For those of you who prefer our previous way of doing henna, simply pre-mix the powders. You'll just be getting higher-quality henna hair dye in more economical packaging. For those of you who are ready for the magic of our new henna, we've completely revamped our henna instructions so that you can be ready when it arrives.

Happy (Natural) Coloring!

4 Tips for Treating Scalp Acne

Scalp acne functions the same and is caused by the same factors as traditional face or body acne. Your scalp naturally produces a protective layer of oil known as sebum. And when dead skin cells, excess oils or chemicals build up on the scalp, pores become clogged and acne forms. Fortunately, scalp acne is much less visible than traditional acne. It may go undiscovered for some time until you run a comb through your hair and notice tender or sensitive spot. Severe scalp acne can even be painful.

1. Avoid Oily or Chemical-Based Shampoos

The majority of shampoos contain heavy, oily or chemical ingredients that clog pores and contribute to scalp acne. Avoid shampoos that contain ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate or any type of fragrance. Instead, choose a mild, light shampoo or a dandruff shampoo that will remove flakes and dandruff while gently cleansing pores. (Tip: if your shampoo is too oily, try diluting it with water.)

2. Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and lukewarm water and pour it onto your scalp, light massaging the mixture through your hair. Rinse after about five minutes. Apple cider vinegar helps disinfect the scalp and restore scalp pH levels. As an added bonuses, your may find that your hair is softer and sleeker. Shampoos containing apple cider vinegar will also have the same effect.

3. Only Condition Your Ends

Conditioners are formulated to soften hair and provide extra moisture. But all that moisture may be too much for your scalp to handle if you're noticing acne. Try conditioning only the ends of your hair if needed and avoid using any conditioner on the scalp.  

4. Brush!

The best oils for your hair are the ones produced naturally by your scalp. However, hats or certain hair styles can cause this natural oil to buildup in certain areas, thereby clogging the pores. Regular brushing with a boar bristle brush will spread this concentrated oil to the rest of your hair, removing buildup and naturally improving the health of your hair. Our recommendation is to brush your once a day, more or less depending on your hair type.

Have you dealt with scalp acne before? What remedies or tips worked for you?

3 Home Habits to Treat Scalp Eczema

One of the most common places for eczema to develop is the scalp. It often manifests as inflamed, itchy or dry skin and goes by many names, including, most commonly, seborrheic dermatitis. Many people simply call it dandruff. And while there are many over-the-counter remedies for eczema, these three home habits can actually go a long way in alleviating some of the symptoms.

1. Change Up Your Shampoo Routine

Consider only wetting your scalp every other day. Now, this may seem counter intuitive, but the daily habit of rinsing your scalp may actually dry out the skin even further and aggravate your symptoms.

2. Take Short, Lukewarm Showers

This may be a tough one to do. We all love long, hot showers, but our scalps definitely do not. Not only will hot water irritate the scalp, but prolonged exposure to water will result in increased dryness and worsening symptoms.

3. Relax!

Stress is an often overlooked agitator of eczema symptoms. During times of stress, your skin automatically inflames as a way to protect itself. There are many ways to reduce stress: getting enough sleep, exercising, practicing meditation. Not only will this reduce eczema symptoms, but you may find your days a little bit brighter and happier.

Have any home treatments of your own? Let us know in the comments.

DIY Herbal Tea Rinses for Hair

What do you think about a herbal remedy that strengthens hair and promotes healthy hair growth? What if I told you that you probably already have this herbal remedy in your kitchen cabinet?

The three step process:

Tea rinses are a simple way of supplementing your natural hair care routine. Start by brewing two cups of strong tea in a bowl or pitcher. Then, after shampooing, slowly rinse your hair with the tea (you can even use a spray bottle, if you prefer). Follow with a deep conditioner as tea can often have drying properties.

How do tea rinses work?

Most teas contain trace amounts of caffeine that penetrate hair strands and promote hair growth by increasing blood flow. Teas are also rich in antioxidants and amino acids that naturally soften hair, increase manageability and restore luster and shine. Certain teas also contain vitamins and cleansing properties that protect against chemical damage, repair split ends and exfoliate the scalp.

What kind of teas should I use?

There are MANY types of tea that can be used as a tea rinse:

• Green tea - reduces shedding, stimulates hair growth and exfoliates dry flakes and dandruff
• Black tea - strengthens and thickens hair, adds luster and naturally darkens hair
• Nettle - helps with dandruff and strengthens hair strands
• Rosemary - stimulates hair follicles for hair growth

Have you ever used tea rinses before? What were your experiences?

MM Ingredient: Horsetail Extract for Hair Growth

Every now and then we like to highlight an ingredient found in our products. Horsetail extract is found in our Heavenly Chi Shampoo and our Chi Instant Hair Conditioner. As you probably guessed, horsetail got its name for having the appearance of a horse's tail growing from the earth. Horsetail is often called a "living fossil" because it has been around since the Paleozoic era. And for hundreds of years, this fern plant has been used as a natural treatment for hair loss. The reason is because horsetail is dense with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects that actively improve the health and vitality of the scalp. Horsetail has also been linked to improved scalp circulation which in turn stimulates the hair follicles and helps prevent continued hair loss. On top of that, horsetail rejuvenates the hair by adding  a layer of sheen and strengthening the hair shafts. The herb also contains appreciable amounts of selenium and cysteine which are known to prevent hair loss and promote hair regrowth. These active agents contribute to health hair follicle cells and prevent free radicals from damaging these cells.

MM Growing Pains: Our Henna

Remember when we called for testers of our new blonde mix? That was just the start; we are actually changing the way we do henna hair dye!

Changes to Henna Hair Color

[caption id="attachment_9592" align="alignright" width="200"] less plastic = more eco-friendly packaging[/caption] First change is our packaging! We switched from plastic jars to bags, which is a more eco-friendly alternative. Second change is the henna itself. Before, our henna supplier premixed all the colors. For those who don't know,  Brown Henna and Black Henna are a mix of true henna (Lawsonia inermis) and Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) at different ratios. This was great, until we noticed a quality change in the product. Now, to improve quality, we're moving manufacturing to our headquarters in San Luis Obispo. We decided to go back to the basics. We found a new direct supplier of henna, indigo, and cassia and are hand-measuring and packaging the henna in house. We are no longer mixing henna and indigo into a single powder, but separating it out for maximum effect.

But I liked the old stuff...

No worries! You can replicate the old way henna was made very easily, so your previous recipes and techniques will still work. You just get higher quality ingredients and more economical packaging.

Blow Out Henna Sale!

The new henna is not ready for sale yet, but expect it in the coming months! Until then, we are having a sale on our Henna Hair Color right now, while supplies last. We ran out of jars, but we still have lots of the original henna hair color not packaged. Which means you guys are getting it packaged in the newer bags! This is a transitional packaging without the finalized art labels, so bear with us please.

Our Natural Summer Skin Care Guide

This summer, you can put your best face forward with Morrocco Method! If you haven't already heard, our hair care products have a variety of uses, including natural summer skin care. This time of year, your skin is vulnerable to sun, sweat and sand. Here's how to give it some all-natural summer love:

Cleanse

You may already be a fan of our Feng Shea Facial Scrub, but did you know that you can also wash your face with any of the Morrocco Method Shampoos? We particularly recommend the Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo with its antibacterial properties and the Earth Essence Shampoo for oily skin types.

Condition and Detox

Your face needs a vacation too. If you are a fan of facial mud masks (or want to give one a try!), you can apply the Zen Detox to your face.  Simply mix with water to get the same yogurt-like consistency you would if you were going to apply it to your hair. Apply evenly to the face and leave it for 15-30 minutes. Relax with a smoothie or cool drink, enjoy and rinse completely.

Moisturize and Tone

If you like, you can use a few drops of the Euro Oil as a moisturizer by massaging it in gently upwards and outwards. The Diamond Crystal Mist and Sapphire Volumizer Mist can both be used as facial toners. Simply spritz and go! Need to stay cool? On warm days, take your mist with you and spritz it lightly on the face throughout the day for instant refreshing effects. It's a great way to beat the heat and improve your mood.

Shave

Did you know that our Pearl Essence Creme Rinse makes a great shave gel for the face and legs? Here's our guide to getting a smooth shave with Morrocco Method if you're looking for smooth skin for summer. Skincare expert Hilton Tobin suggests using the Euro oil as an after-shave moisturizer in this Morrocco Method guest blog.

After-sun Care

Too much sun? Check out our recent post on using the Blood of the Dragon styling gel as a sunburn soother.