Venustas Essentials :Argan Oil Hair Masque

A hair masque is an ultra-conditioning treatment to add moisture, prevent frizz and breakage of the hair. Its consistency is generally much thicker than a deep conditioner, used once every week or two, hair masques nourish the scalp and hair roots, conceal damage, weakness, and other inconsistencies regarding the integrity of the hair. All natural handmade hair masques typically contain deeply conditioning and moisturizing ingredients including shea butter, avocado oil, botanical and fruit oils or extracts, and vitamins, among many others.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Venustas Essentials HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR PROPERTIES

• Coffee Grounds: Has exfoliating and stimulating effects on the scalp, caffeine in the coffee grounds can help stimulate new hair growth (1).

• Coffee Beans Infused Almond Oil: Reduces hair shedding and is said to reduce excessive hair loss because of the antioxidants present in caffeine, increases hair growth since caffeine is a vasodilator, which means it increases blood flow to the scalp promoting hair growth (2). Caffeine is known to darken the hair and slowdown the early onset of grey hair (with frequent and consistent use) adding shine and dimension to the hair due to the darkening effect of the oil.

• African Shea Butter: Has the ability to stimulate hair growth, rejuvenate the scalp and the hair follicles, and generate healthy, thick, lustrous, and fast-growing hair (3). Rich in vitamins A & E, shea butter soothes dryness, repairs breakage and mends split ends while providing  moisture to dry, damaged hair from root to tips (4). Non-comedogenic in nature, the butter is quickly absorbed by the skin and eliminates dry skin by replenishing lost and missing moisture from the skin cells and hair follicles promoting cell and follicle repair and regeneration thus stimulating hair growth (3). Its anti-inflammatory properties heal damaged scalp and clear infections (4).

• Argan Oil: Rich stores of essential fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, carotenes, sterols & phenolic antioxidants, argan oil supports the health and beauty of skin and hair . Repairs damaged hair, moisturizes instantly, and prevents split ends while restoring shine, increases hair growth and helps control, cure, and prevent dry and itchy scalp (5). Due to its anti-microbial properties, it keeps scalp healthy, free of dandruff and well nourished (5). It also keeps the roots of the hair hydrated, protected, and well nourished.

• Virgin Coconut Oil: The fatty acids in coconut oil penetrate human hair fibres, giving it more structural strength thereby protecting hair from damage, prevents hair damage from hygral fatigue, reduces/prevents protein loss from the hair fibre, helps retain moisture from inside the hair shaft, nourishes the scalp and helps treat dandruff and has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral due to the presence of medium chain fatty acids, notably lauric acid (6). Coconut oil is a rich source of nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin K and iron: these nutrients are essential for maintaining hair’s shine and softness.

• Jojoba Oil: Bringing about a purely natural moisturizing effect is just one of the many benefits of Jojoba Oil. The oil has the ability to cleanse the follicles of sebum  & remove residues present in the scalp promoting hair growth and protecting strands from breakage and drying up (7). Jojoba oil is capable of moisturizing the hair without leaving any residues. Jojoba oil is capable of moisturizing the follicles of hair and helping hair cells to reproduce themselves at a rapid pace (7).

• Organic Aloe Vera: Aloe contains certain enzymes that prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. The proteolitic enzymes help eradicate dead skin cells on the scalp while its keratolic action breaks down the sebum and dead scalp cells too (8). It's has alkalizing properties balance the pH level of the scalp and hair and helps lock in moisture to improve the smoothness of hair, it tends to also work well as a detangler, too (9). The gel in aloe vera leaves has chemical composition similar to the protein keratin that penetrates easily into the hair shaft deep conditioning it (8). The amino acids are responsible for the strength and luster. Aloe lotion may help treat seborrheic dermatitis when applied to the scalp (10).

• Lavender Essential Oil: It helps balance natural scalp oils, which makes it valuable for all hair types. With its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties, lavender oil is a good treatment for dry, flaky scalp (11). It soothes and nourishes the scalp, providing relief from inflammatory scalp conditions. Regular massage with lavender oil is said to reduce hair loss and make the hair soft and shiny (11).

• Peppermint Essential Oil: Extremely rich in essential fatty acids and essential ingredients that are going to stimulate the scalp’s health, help getting rid of yeast colonies and also help the scalp remain “clean” from dandruff and inflammations, also an excellent coolant keeping the scalp refreshed (12).

• Rosemary Essential Oil: Packed with antioxidants which help scavenge free radicals – that are responsible for greying as well as hair thinning (12). This wonderful oil stimulates blood flow to the scalp and promotes strong and healthy hair growth. Rosemary oil is also effective for treating dandruff, itchiness, scalp irritation and oily skin (12).

The hair masque comes in a 100 gm plastic container with an inner protective lid and a screw on top. 

Brown in color due to the coffee, the  masque is creamy in texture and thick cream like consistency and has a gorgeous aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

To use, take the required amount, massage it gently to the scalp and apply to hair ends and leave it on for an hour for optimal results, shampoo/condition as usual.  

My thick and curly hair has been subjected to several chemical treatments over this past year alone. Needless to say I am always on the lookout for products that provide deep nourishment for my dry, rebellious, over-processed hair. 

I have tasted sweet results with Venustas Essential's argan hair oil so I was real excited to try this argan oil variant, which Seema sent over as a gift. 

The first thing I noticed was the addition of coffee grounds which was both novel and intriguing. The coffee grounds act as a gentle yet effective scalp exfoliant getting rid of accumulated spent skin cells. The masque renders the hair soft to touch, tangle free and provides considerable frizz control. 

Definitely an intensive deep conditioner that revitalizes and repairs damaged hair from the inside out.

Juicy Chemistry : Argan & Mango Butter Masque

A hair masque is a deep conditioning treatment to add moisture, prevent frizz and breakage for the hair. Used once every week or two, hair masques contain deeply conditioning and moisturizing ingredients including shea butter, avocado oil, botanical and fruit oils or extracts, and vitamins, among many others.

ABOUT THE BRAND

To learn more about Juicy Chemistry CLICKHERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Mango Butter: Contains natural emollient qualities that help keep the skin moisturized, therefore when applied to the scalp it restores and maintains the moisture in the hair keeping it well nourished and promotes cell regeneration (1). This all contributes to a healthy scalp that in turn results in healthy hair growth.  Mango butter contains higher levels of fatty acid making it a more intensive moisturizer preventing breakage and ultimately hair loss (1).  Mango butter contains high levels of antioxidants and beneficial vitamins A, C, and E and vitamins A and C have a direct influence on hair growth making this ingredient a very important contributor to healthy hair (1). This natural butter also helps shield against harmful UV rays protecting both the hair and scalp from potential sun damage, making it an extremely effective sunscreen for the hair (1).

• Coffee Bean Infused Almond Oil: Reduces hair shedding and is said to reduce excessive hair loss because of the antioxidants present in caffeine, increases hair growth since caffeine is a vasodilator, which means it increases blood flow to the scalp promoting hair growth (2). Caffeine is known to darken the hair and slowdown the early onset of grey hair (with frequent and consistent use) adding shine and dimension to the hair due to the darkening effect of the oil.

• Argan Oil: Rich stores of essential fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, carotenes, sterols & phenolic antioxidants, argan oil supports the health and beauty of skin and hair (3). Repairs damaged hair, moisturizes instantly, and prevents split ends while restoring shine, increases hair growth and helps control, cure, and prevent dry and itchy scalp (3). Due to its anti-microbial properties, it keeps scalp healthy, free of dandruff and well nourished (3). It also keeps the roots of the hair hydrated, protected, and well nourished.

• Vitamin E: Provides Vitamin E to scalp which keeps the scalp skin healthy and well moisturized preventing dandruff (4). Vitamin E is a powerful anti tangle solution that makes the hair silky and adds luster to hair, making them look shiny (4).

• Castor Oil: Natural antibacterial and antifungal properties high in Vitamin E, minerals, proteins, Omega 6 and 9 beneficial fatty acids and unusually high ricinoleic acid ratio makes it beneficial to skin and hair (5). It’s antibacterial and anti fungal properties make it beneficial against follliculitus, dandruff and scalp infections and its ricinoleic acid content helps increase circulation to the scalp and improve hair growth (5). Ricinoleic acid is also said to help balance scalp pH which can also help replenish the scalp’s natural oils and undo some of the damage of harsh chemical hair products (5). The antioxidants in castor oil support the keratin in hair and help make hair stronger, smoother and less frizzy (5).

• Beeswax: Carries antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that are essential in fighting bacterial infections (6). Beeswax is also a natural treatment to stimulate hair growth, helps add volume to the hair while keeping it soft, shiny, and more manageable (6). The wax’s coating benefits and antioxidants help protect hair from harm and damage created from everyday styling and environmental factors. Additionally beeswax contains vitamin A which has been proven to rehydrate and reconstructing damaged skin cells in the scalp (6).

• Cedarwood Essential Oil: Stimulates the hair follicles and increase circulation to the scalp contributing to hair growth and slows hair loss (7). Its antifungal properties, helps reduce dry or flaky scalp and stimulates the scalp and increases circulation (7).

• German Chamomile Essential Oil:  An anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-itching and anti-allergenic, it helps treat dry scaly scalp, dandruff, eczema, and scalp acne (8). This wonderful oil adds beautiful golden highlights to blonde hair and a sheen to dark hair. It also conditions the hair and greatly improves its softness and luster (8).

• Rosemary Essential Oil: Packed with antioxidants which help scavenge free radicals – that are responsible for greying as well as hair thinning (8). This wonderful oil stimulates blood flow to the scalp and promotes strong and healthy hair growth. Rosemary oil is also effective for treating dandruff, itchiness, scalp irritation and oily skin (8).

• Peppermint Essential Oil: Extremely rich in essential fatty acids and essential ingredients that are going to stimulate the scalp’s health, help getting rid of yeast colonies and also help the scalp remain “clean” from dandruff and inflammations, also an excellent coolant keeping the scalp refreshed (9).

• Lavender Essential Oil: It helps balance natural scalp oils, which makes it valuable for all hair types. With its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties, lavender oil is a good treatment for dry, flaky scalp (8). It soothes and nourishes the scalp, providing relief from inflammatory scalp conditions. Regular massage with lavender oil is said to reduce hair loss and make the hair soft and shiny (8).

The argan and mango hair masque comes in a 75 gm signature Juicy Chemistry plastic container with an inner protective lid and screw on top. As with every JC product, the salient features of the masque are listed on the label.

The masque is of a buttery texture and could double as hair butter, has a strong minty fragrance much like a candy cane!!

To use, I scoop a substantial portion and massage it well into the scalp and apply the residual remnants from the hair root to ends. After about 30-45 mins I shampoo/condition as usual. I use this masque once a week.

I loved the concept of a hair masque/butter. Due to the mango butter and besswax, the masque is of a semi solid consistency. This along with the fact that the inner lid is well sealing, makes it a very ideal travel partner.

Packed with moisturizing properties, the oils penetrate deep into the hair shaft providing the tresses much needed TLC. I have noticed my usually dry, frizzy and color treated hair to be softer, hydrated and best of all tangle free. I haven't been using it long to comment on its effects on hair fall but with such stellar ingredients, over extended and regular usage, it would definitely have preventive and positive effects.