The Aztec clay mask or the bentonite clay mask is nothing new, but do you know why people do them?
Me, myself had heard of this mask but I never tried it until now. And here's why.
I had no clue what it was for and thought it would be a complete waste of time. I assumed YouTubers were just doing it for fun because it looked cool. I initially thought it was difficult and would take a long time to do, soooo I was not about to take all that time doing something just because it looked cool. ( That's not my thing lol).
But boy was I wrong.
Before I jump into my thoughts and experience with this mask, let me tell you a few things about it first.
What is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite clay is aged volcanic ash. Yes, volcanic ash. I know this might sound kinda scary but it's actually not. This volcanic ash has some amazing benefits for both skin and hair, but this is about hair so I'll give you those benefits.
Bentonite clay absorbs particles like dirt, minerals, and oils. It attaches itself to those things and drags them away as it gets washed away. This makes it a great detoxifying agent.
When the mask is applied to hair, it can :
-improve definition & volume
-add shine
-and make the hair easier to detangle.
This hair mask is also made with apple cider vinegar. That apple cider vinegar turns this mask up and makes it the ultimate hair cleanse.
Why is Apple Cider Vinegar important?
Apple cider vinegar(ACV) is anti-inflammatory and acidic.
This is about to get sciency real quick but bare with me.
ACV has a ph range of 2-3. Very acidic.
Our scalp's natural ph is about 5.5. Neutral.
Some of the products we put in our hair are more basic( higher than 7) which throws off the ph of our scalps and hair strands.
This imbalance causes things like raised cuticles(high porosity) and then build-up sticks to those cuticles. And this is why ACV is the MVP in this mask. It can resolve and break down the residue on the scalp and hair strands and reset the scalp's ph.
The benefits and attributes of both the Bentonite Clay and ACV lead me right to the
3 reasons you should try this mask on your hair.
2.) It rebalances the scalp's ph.
3.) It allows you to access your hair from a clean slate.
Reason #3 is the best reason of all, and it's why I finally tried this mask.
Why I tried this Bentonite Clay Hair Mask
As someone who pays close attention to their hair, I can see and feel when my hair is acting weird or seems to be off. I noticed that my hair was feeling dull, getting tangled more frequently, and starting to get really complacent.
My first thought was maybe it needed protein because as someone with low porosity hair and protein-sensitive hair, I don't use much protein in my stape routine/regimen. So I went ahead and switched to some products that had a little more protein in them.
That didn't make a change in my hair, so I thought I needed maybe more protein and should do a protein treatment. I didn't do the protein treatment right away because I didn't want to risk getting protein overload. I've been through that and it's not a good time. Plus my hair wasn't really showing signs of protein-deficient hair.
Then a light went off. I should do a detox. I looked up hair detoxes. And low and behold. The bentonite mask popped up, and it had all the benefits that I needed.
My experience with the Bentonite Clay Hair Mask
I am so happy I didn't do a protein treatment.
Making the mask:
-only called for 4 ingredients.
Apply the mask was:
-not messy at all.
After rinsing the mask out:
-I noticed more shine.
-my hair was softer.
After washing, my hair:
-was easy to comb through.
-just felt healthy.
I'd definitely recommend this mask to others, hence why I'm writing this lol
Have you noticed a change in your hair and don't know what's wrong with it?
If this is you, doing this hair detox can help you determine if you have product build-up or something worse like protein overload or deficiency. Detoxing first can save you from causing more damage to your hair. Acting rashly and doing the wrong treatment can really set you back.
How to make a Bentonite Clay Mask for hair
-1/2 cup warm water
-1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar( Unfiltered)
-1 tablespoon Suesy Coils Hair Growth Oil
-Herbal Hair Detox Kit
Instructions
2.) Let the mixture sit and aerate for 20 seconds.
3.) Add in the water and stir well to get rid of any clumps. It should be a yogurt-like consistency.
How to apply a clay mask to hair and how long to leave a clay mask on hair
1.) Start on damp hair. Rinse out any old product.
2.) Go 1 Section at a time
3.) Detangle your hair
4.) Starting from the roots, apply the mask to your hair in sections until your whole head is coated.
5.) Cover your hair with a plastic cap or plastic bag and let sit for 20 minutes.
6.) Rinse out the mask with warm water.
7.) Shampoo and condition your hair as normal.
8.) Check your hair and see if you notice improvements.