Science-y Hair Blog Recipes

The recipes on this page were not written by me.  They were written by WS who wrote the blog Science-y Hair Blog.  This blog no longer exists, but she generously allowed me to post her recipes here.  The recipes below were copied and pasted from her blog.  Please get permission from WS before reproducing these recipes anywhere. 

Recipes list in order they appear
Gelatin Protein Treatment for Hair
Flaxseed/Aloe Gel with Protein
Flaxseed Curl Cream
Aloe Hair Wash
Yucca Hair Wash
Clay Hair and Body Wash
Herbal Tea Hair Washes
Baking Soda Cleanser and Follow Up Rinse
Scalp and Skin Scrub
Super Smooth Flax Curl Cream
Easy Humectant Wave/Curl Boosting Jelly
Vegetarian Protein Treatment for Hair
Citric Acid Rinse




Gelatin Protein Treatment for Hair - recipe created late summer 2010

(aka IAGirl's protein treatment -  WS's username on NaturallyCurly.com)
* Note, some people with fine or shorter hair use half the gelatin - if you find this recipe too strong, try halving the gelatin content
1 packet of Knox unflavored gelatin powder (0.25 ounces, 7.2 grams, 2 1/2 teaspoons) If you cannot get Knox, look for gelatin(e) flakes or sheets or powder and use this weight - or crumble it well and use about as much as fills the cupped part of your cupped palm. It seems that 3-4 sheets of gelatine equal one packet of Knox gelatine. Use half the gelatin for a milder treatment or for shorter than shoulder-length hair
1/4 to 1/3 cup boiling water (60 to 75 ml)
1/4 teaspoon vinegar (just over 1 ml) or a pinch of citric acid (or "Fruit Fresh")
1-3 drops of oil
- Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, stirring constantly (you may want to soften the gelatin in a small amount of water first as suggested by NaturallyCurly.com user Wavymom - this eliminates lumps and I am so grateful to her for solving this problem)!
- Add the vinegar or citric acid and oil as it cools and add any other add-ins, mixing thoroughly (you can put it in a blender if you like)


Here is my new (June 2012), quick, microwave preparation method:
Mix gelatin and about 3/4 of the cold water you plan to use in a microwave-safe cup. Let it sit for about 30 seconds. Then microwave for 20-40 seconds. Long enough to dissolve the gelatin so there are no tiny gelatin grains visible. Add the remainder of the water to help cool down the mixture before adding other ingredients and applying.


Optional add-ins:
1 teaspoon honey
yogurt
2 to 3 teaspoons of conditioner
coconut milk
use herbal tea instead of plain water
more vinegar if you fancy
more oil - up to 2 tablespoons of olive or coconut oil for dry hair, grapeseed or apricot kernel oil for less-dry hair
1 tablespoon aloe vera juice or gel (not with banana)
1/4 pureed banana (in a blender) - note, banana can be unpredictable, don't add any vinegar or acid with banana. Banana baby food works well.
1/16 or 1/8 teaspoon magnesium sulfate


How to apply: Cool the mixture until it's cool enough to put your finger in (about 100 degrees F).
Apply to clean, damp hair (squeeze the excess water out). Pour some of the gelatin on the top, sides, and back of your hair. Work it in towards the scalp and from roots to ends. I'm suggesting time to leave it on, you can leave it on as long as you like. Your hair will bond with as much protein as it can and no more after that, no matter how long you leave it on.
How long to leave on:

• Option #1: (No fuss) Leave on hair for at least 3 minutes, then rinse and use conditioner if your hair feels tangly or rough.
• Option #2: (with heat, in the shower) Wrap your hair in a plastic bag or plastic wrap (or a shower cap, but it will get coated with gelatin) and keep your head under the shower (this is loud, try to keep your ears outside of the plastic) for several minutes, rinse well and condition if needed. Some people like to leave this treatment on for much longer periods of time, but don't start with a long treatment if you have not used it before!
• Option #3: (Blow-dry method - extra potent!) Do this outside of the shower. After saturating clean, damp hair with the gelatin mixture, blow-dry the hair without agitating it. Hair will become very stiff. Rinse very well afterwards and apply conditioner if needed. This uses a lot of heat, which may be drying to hair and skin, but works better for some people. If you like the PT, but don't feel it is giving you quite what you want, try this method.

Why gelatin and why protein? Hydrolyzed proteins bond especially well to the damaged parts of hair, but bonds to the cuticle of hair in general. For fine, porous, bleached or damaged hair, protein adds strength, shine, and body. For wavy and curly hair, protein can perk up limp waves and curls and protein does wonderful things for gray and white hair - dyed or not. Protein tends to make hair feel "stiffer" whereas oils and moisturizers in conditioners make hair feel softer.

• Gelatin is one of the few hydrolyzed proteins you can buy at nearly any grocery store, so it is accessible and inexpensive. Unmodified proteins like egg, yogurt, and mayonnaise have limited ability to add protein to the hair's structure and can carry harmful bacteria (raw eggs, for example).
• This protein treatment is always made fresh (don't store it in your fridge for more than a few days if you make extra) so there is no need for preservatives which might cause skin sensitivity. It is also a strong protein treatment. Used alone, it can make the rinsed hair feel a little stiff. Conditioner will usually resolve this feeling. You can always use half the amount of gelatin if it is too strong.
• This treatment is not vegetarian. Gelatin is hydrolyzed collagen which is a byproduct of meat manufacturing. 
• Why the vinegar/acid? It helps the protein bond to your hair.
• What if I'm not sure this will work for me? Then for goodness sake, don't apply it to your entire head if you have any worries. Make up the treatment and apply it to a small section of your hair and see how you like it. If it works, use the rest on all your hair the next day.

My Favorite Flaxseed Gel Recipe (#1)
Flaxseed/Aloe gel with protein: Good for fine hair, enhances curls for spring and definition - use alone for medium hold or under a harder-hold gel. Using honey or agave will give you more hold, but be sure to use enough oil in the recipe to control the "crunch."
(Please wipe down the bowl you'll strain into with rubbing alcohol and all your utensils as well)
Boil 2 to 3 tablespoons whole flax seed in 1 1/2 cup distilled water (almost 300 ml) for about 5-6 minutes (stir so they don't stick). If you lift a few seeds out, a thin string of gel should fall from whatever you are stirring with. If it's very thick and goopy now, you've probably boiled too long and it will be difficult to strain.
Strain through metal mesh strainer (or the foot of pantyhose for the very patient) right away.
The Magic Long Soak: If you soak your flaxseeds in the water for 4-6 hours or overnight, your gel will be thicker.
Thickeners:
Add thickener to 1 tablespoon of cool water and mix well, then pour this into hot, strained gel: 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum and stir/whisk in in a pan or double boiler over low to medium heat.
As gel cools add:
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (the edible kind - mash out the lumps first if there are any)
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon protein (Colorful Neutral Protein Filler, or another hydrolyzed protein)
1/16 to 1/4 teaspoon oil (or more if you have dry hair) - I like grapeseed oil or apricot kernel oil for fine, silky hair and coconut oil for kinky or dry hair
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon agave nectar or honey (optional, adds hold but can be crunchy)
Mix very well and refrigerate immediately.
Other thickeners:
Arrowroot starch or Cornstarch: After straining hot flaxseed gel, mix 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons arrowroot starch (flour) in a couple teaspoons water. Pour the gel and the arrowroot mixture back into the pan and bring to a boil, stirring for about 2 minutes.
Pectin: You need a pectin which will gel without sugar (they usually indicate this on the box). Add 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoons powdered pectin to strained flax gel in a pan, being to a boil and boil for about 2 minutes, then remove from heat and cool.
Other proteins: Unflavored gelatin(e) - put strained flax gel back into the pan, sprinkle 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (powder or crumbled flakes) over the gel and whisk madly while bringing to a boil. Heat until all the gelatin is dissolved.



Flaxseed Curl Cream:


Combine:
1 tablespoon thick, rich conditioner (use less for fine hair) - add a few drops of canola oil or whatever oil you like if the conditioner has no oil in it
2 tablespoons flaxseed gel (with protein added if your hair likes it - I used the recipe above)
1 tablespoon strong hold hair gel
4 drops honey or agave nectar ( or 1/8 teaspoon or more - this is meant to add more "hold")


Apply fairly liberally, style as you usually do.
This gives great curl definition and "clumps," controls frizz, enhances curls and feels soft in the hair. For the hair gel, use whatever feels like "strong hold" to you - whatever you have on hand. You can always use more honey or agave if you need more hold.


Cut the batch! (Trial size) Use 1 teaspoon of conditioner, 2 teaspoons of flaxseed gel, 1 teaspoon of strong hold hair gel, and 1-2 drops honey or agave.

More Recipes (allergy alternatives)

This page will be added to when I find or invent more recipes. If you have allergies to preservatives, nuts, seeds, fragrances or anything else in shampoos, conditioners and body washes, you're left with few choices and many of the "hypoallergenic" products are anything but - not to mention they cost a lot more and seem to be sold in smaller bottles. These recipes are great to have in your anti-allergy "toolbox" and, of course, lead to healthy, lustrous hair and skin.

None of these recipes replace the advice of a doctor and if you have severe allergies, you should check with a doctor first. You may wish to "patch test" any ingredients by placing a smear of the finished product in the inside of the elbow or behind an ear and leaving it in place for 24-48 hours. Better safe than sorry.

First off, let's re-think the purpose of soap and shampoo, cleansers and detergents. Skin and hair evolved without any of these. Dermatologists tell us to avoid soap, avoid hot water and so on. Why? Because skin needs it's protective "acid mantle" created by sebum, bacteria (yep) and other factors. This keeps the pH at a place in which nasty infections are kept in check, and forms a protective barrier for skin against wind, sun, water and whatever else it's up against. If you wash this off daily, your skin is left to hurry up and repair itself before the next cleaning. If you use hot water, the sebum rinses off more easily and the skin is left both unprotected and irritated by the heat of the water. In some sensitive people, heat-dialated blood vessels release histamine which is itchy. This aggravates everything from acne to rosacea to ezcema. Some people have sensitivities to detergents and other ingredients in shampoos and "anti-dandruff shampoos" (this is more common than you might think) and don't even realize it.

Daily washing with detergents for hair causes it to swell, creating the potential for dehydration and loss of protein. It strips hair of the sebum that traveled down the hair shaft, leaving it unprotected.

Consider your skin and hair as "delicates" and you'll find them becoming radiantly healthy.

Just give me some recipes already! Yes, we want to be clean, but you can get clean without detergent. Most of us can just rinse most of our bodies (save the detergents for the smelly areas), most of the time. Some of us have oily scalps (which is made worse by too much washing and with harsh detergents) and we don't want greasy hair. So what can you use when you can't use a lot of things?

Hair wash recipes:
Aloe hair wash: In a cup or bottle with a cap, whisk or shake 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel (the edible kind) with 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin. (Those with nut/seed allergies be wary, glycerin is made from nut and seed oils). Apply this mixture to the scalp and massage the scalp (under the hair) gently in small circles (don't scrub vigorously!). Comb the mixture through the length of your hair and gently squeeze the hair to distribute. Rinse well.
* Aloe has enzymes, acids, amino acids, saponins (saponin=soapy) and anti-inflammatory compounds which cleanse gently and moisturize the hair and scalp. Some aloe preparations are quite acidic. Acidic preparations are suitable for skin and scalp, but if it stings, dilute with half water.
* Glycerin can cause frizz for some people, but it helps moisturize and detangle. Leave it out if you don't like the results.

Yucca hair wash: Southwestern Native Americans used yucca root to wash their hair. This adds gloss and a little "weight" to the hair, but cleanses gently without stripping.
Use about 2 teaspoons yucca root powder (you can buy capsules and open them). Place this in a square of old t-shirt and tie it up well with a rubber band or string. Warm about 1 1/2 to 2 cups water and pour into a large bowl. Dunk the yucca root bag and swish and stir it around vigorously until the water is foamy. Set the bag aside and use this foamy water for a shampoo, using half for the scalp, then the other half for scalp and hair. Rinse well.
* Yucca root contains saponins (saponin=soapy) which foam and trap oils and dirt like a very gentle detergent.

Clay hair and body wash: Get ready to rinse the shower well! You need some good-quality clay. Clay is a super-gentle exfoliant, grabs dirt and excess oils for clean skin and hair. White cosmetic clay is gentle, so is bentonite clay. Green, red and yellow clays can be more astringent (skin-drying). Start with about a tablespoon clay (the amount will be up to you, how much hair you have, and whether you want a bodywash too). In a bowl, slowly mix in water (or herbal tea if you like, or a few drops of oil) until the clay is a thin, smooth mixture. The thinner it is, the easier to spread. Too watery will be difficult to apply. Dip your fingertips in the clay mixture and apply to scalp (go under the hair). Massage gently. Add more clay and comb (with fingers) through the length of hair and squeeze gently. Rinse and rinse again.
For a bodywash, use circular motions to spread the clay on your skin (out of the shower spray), then rinse well. Rinse the shower too or you'll be scrubbing it later on.

Herbal Tea hair washes: Good herbs for hair washes are lemongrass, nettle, rosemary (great shine), chamomile (shine and golden highlights), thyme and sage (mild antibacterial/antifungal), yarrow (astringent, good for oily scalp), calendula (soothing), bay leaf, lavender, horsetail, hops, even peppermint. If you have allergies, some of these herbs may cause itching, so use with caution. Herbs are full of all the nutrients in the plants and can help gently cleanse hair, and add body. Most of the vitamins and minerals will not be absorbed by your hair or skin, but the macronutrients - sugars and some of the proteins, will.
Use 2-3 teaspoons dried herbs in 1 cup boiling water. Allow the "tea" to steep for at least 15 minutes, strain the herbs out and cool before using. Use as a scalp and hair cleanser or a final rinse.
These give cleaner hair than you might expect, smell nice and add shine.

Baking soda cleanser and follow-up rinse:
Make a paste of 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and a little water. It should be thin, but not watery. Use the tips of your fingers to apply to wet scalp. Once applied to entire scalp, step under the shower spray (or pour some water over your hair) to re-wet, then gently massage the scalp. Add a little more water, then gently comb the mixture through the length of your hair. Rinse well. (You can also dissolve that amount of baking soda in a cup of warm water instead).
Baking soda has a high pH, so to help your hair and scalp return to their normal, lower pH, use an acidic rinse of 1 tablespoon vinegar in a cup of water OR 1/4 teaspoon citric acid in a cup of water OR 1/4 teaspoon "Fruit Fresh" brand canning additive (it contains citric acid and ascorbic acid) to a cup of water. Pour the mixture of your choice over hair and scalp and leave on for a minute, then rinse lightly and apply conditioner as needed.

This is a popular "natural" shampoo alternative. I don't like it. It tends to leave my hair feeling coated and can irritate my scalp. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is hardly an all-natural product.

My picks for oily scalp: Clay wash (unless your hair is very fine and too easily weighed down), yarrow herbal wash, peppermint or lavender herbal wash, or sage and thyme herbal wash, yucca root hair wash.
Dry scalp washes: Aloe vera wash, lemongrass or calendula herbal wash.


Scalp and skin scrub: Skin needs exfoliating. Even if you have a skin condition. Atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, ezcema - all cause an increase in skin turnover, meaning your irritated skin is producing and shedding skin cells faster than it otherwise would. All that dead skin accumulating with sebum is a perfect home for fungi and bacteria to grow more than you'd like and this adds to the itchy situation. The key to exfoliating sensitive skin is to know how gentle to be. Clay is the gentlest exfoliator because the particles are 1-5 microns in diameter.
Sugar scrub: Mix equal parts oil and white or brown sugar (it should be a little on the oily side) in a bowl. Olive oil is good, as is avocado oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, even canola oil. If you have nut or seed allergies, you might use mineral oil, olive oil, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, or jojoba oil.
Stand in the shower or over a towel! For your scalp, apply the scrub to the dry scalp in small sections, massage very, very gently. Leave this on for 10 to 20 minutes or so (wrap a towel around your head so you don't drop oily sugar blobs on the rug), then shampoo out.

For your body, apply liberally, massage in big circles, then shower.
If you like, you can add 5-10 drops of tea tree oil for it's mild antifungal and antibacterial effect (for the scalp), but do a patch test with diluted tea tree oil on your inner elbow or behind an ear a day in advance to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to this oil.

This scrub can transform flaky, scaly, itchy, ashy skin into smooth, supple skin. If you experience redness or sore skin, you probably scrubbed too hard or used something too abrasive for your skin.

Super Smooth Flax Curl Cream

If you have dry, wiry, coarse (hair that has a wide diameter and it's own "inner stiffness"), or kinky hair, you might like this recipe! It does wonders
for gray hair too. Defines, softens, de-frizzes, holds gently, adds shine and enhances your hair's natural texture.
Warning, Version #1 has one (okay, maybe 2) Uncommon Ingredients. Version #2 does not.
Ingredients for Super Smooth Flax Curl Cream:
- Flaxseeds
- Water (preferably distilled)
- Coconut oil
Version #1: BTMS flakes (BTMS contains Cetyl alcohol and Behentrimonium methosulfate, an ingredient used in formulating hair and skin
products. If you use this ingredient, make sure it does not contain ingredients other than the 2 mentioned - check with the manufacturer or supplier).
OR Version #2: A creamy, thick hair conditioner of your choice, thin or runny conditioners do not work as well.
- Hydrolyzed protein (optional, some hair types may feel too stiff or become dry and brittle with protein added) such as Colorful Neutral Protein
Filler
- *Add a pinch - about 1/16 of a teaspoon citric acid or "Fruit Fresh" to make a lower pH product, Ideal for porous, kinky or gray hair
Step 1: Make the Flax Base (Version 1 and 2)
Boil together 3 tablespoons (1/4 cup) flaxseeds and 1 1/2 cups distilled water, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes. The flax should be sinking
and the gel should be starting to look thick as it drips from your stirring spoon or fork. (Optional: soak the flaxseeds in the water for about 3-6 hours
before boiling for a stronger-textured gel).
Strain the seeds out of the gel with a colander or wire strainer.
You should have about 3/4 to 1 cup of gel (if not, use more water from the beginning next time and for now, put the gel back in a pan, add enough
water to equal 1 cup and re-heat and whisk).
Step 2, Version #1: Meanwhile, in a double boiler (such as a Pyrex measuring cup in a double boiler or in a pan on a rack) heat 1/2 teaspoon
coconut oil and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon BTMS (Cetyl alcohol and Behentrimonium methosulfate - a cationic, emulsifying conditioner) just until it melts,
lower the temperature and hold at 140° F (60°C) for 15 minutes (for example - while you boil the flax seeds).
Step 3: Add the flax gel and citric acid if using to the double-boiler in which you have melted the oil and conditioner. Blend well with a stick
(immersion) blender.
Step 2 and 3, Version #2: Directly to the strained flax gel add 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil so that it melts. Then let the gel cool until it's comfortable
to touch. When the gel is cool, add 2-3 tablespoons conditioner, citric acid if using and whisk well, use an immersion (stick) blender or an ordinary
blender to mix gel, oil and conditioner.
Optional protein step: When cool enough to touch, add 1/2 teaspoon hydrolyzed protein such as Colorful Neutral Protein Filler, or hydrolyzed protein
of your choice.
Step 4: Pour into a clean, sterilized bottle with a cap (it's still slimy, this is the best way to dispense it) and refrigerate - this should keep for 2 weeks.
You can freeze part of the gel with oil added, and add conditioner when it thaws.
Too thin and slippery? This recipe is rather thin and slimy. To thicken the gel and add a little more hold, do this before you add anything else to the
gel.
Mix any of these thickeners with 1 tablespoon cool water to dissolve or disperse:
1/2 teaspoon pectin - the kind for making jam and jelly without sugar
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum or guar gum
3/4 to 1 teaspoon arrowroot starch (flour) or cornstarch
Return the gel to a pan over medium heat (or in a double boiler) and add the thickener-water mixture. Heat the gel while whisking or stirring until the
thickener is dispersed and not lumpy - for the starches you want to see the gel get mostly clear and begin to thicken.
To use: Apply to damp or wet hair as you would any hair gel. Top with a stronger-hold gel if you prefer. The flaxseed gel and protein provide
moisturizing, shine and light hold. The conditioner adds softness and light hold as well as frizz control. The coconut oil provides softness, pliability
and shine and helps trap moisture near the hair.
Application tip: For the absolutely smoothest result, comb this gel (with a wide-tooth comb, or your fingers) into your hair or smooth it over small
sections, making sure all strands are well-saturated. Then scrunch if you like (slowly and gently let hair fall into your palm and press upwards
towards your head so that the hair can form it's waves and curls in the palm of your hand, then give a gentle squeeze for 3-5 seconds once it's all up
near your scalp. Just as slowly, release the hair). Blot out any excess moisture and air-dry or lightly diffuse-dry. 

Easy, Humectant Wave/Curl Boosting Jelly

For this recipe, I was trying to keep what I like about Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Gel and leave what I don't like about it
(the scent, too much glycerin and sorbitol, the silicate clay ingredient that is tricky to use).
A quick scan of the ingredients and I ruled out the things I didn't want to bother with and that aren't easy to get and
formulate with. You can find all these ingredients at drugstores or grocery stores. This recipe is extremely simple, and
very good for helping your hair form nice chunky waves and curls - it made mine less frizzy than usual. It has medium
hold on its own. If you want more hold, layer some strong-hold gel over it.
The ingredients:
Water: Solvent, dliutent
Xanthan gum: Creates a thick "gel," provides medium hold with humidity-resistance, may slow water loss.
Glycerin(e): Humectant, binds water, boosts curls (for some folks).
Acacia gum: Purely optional. Adds a bit of "crunch" for more hold.



I use a double boiler (see my beat-up double boiler at right - it's a metal bowl set in a saucepan with water in the pan up to
the level of the bowl).
The recipe:
• 1 cup water (plus an extra tablespoon or 2 which will evaporate as you heat).
• 1 1/4 heaping teaspoons xanthan gum (2% or 5g)
• 1/2 teaspoon glycerin - make this a scant half-teaspoon; more than 1/4 teaspoon, less than 1/2 teaspoon (1% or
2.5 g)
• a pinch (1/16 teaspoon) acacia gum (gum arabic), maybe a bit more - optional but good.
Put all ingredients in the double boiler over medium to high heat. When water boils, turn it down. Whisk the ingredients
well. The mixture will thicken within a few minutes. Whisk until no more xanthan gum powder is visible. Remove from
heat and cool.


Pour into a sterilized bottle and refrigerate immediately - or add preservative according to manufacturer specifications.
THAT'S IT! SO EASY.
 
What else can I add? I'm looking forward to trying any of these - I'll update if anything works well.
Magnesium sulfate (1/2 teaspoon) - this is also a humectant and curl enhancer - too many humectants and your hair will
never dry.
Grapeseed or coconut oil
Gelatine or hydrolyzed protein such as Colorful Neutral Protein Filler (1/2 teaspoon)
Perhaps replace some of the water with aloe vera juice
Wait! What else can I do with this gel?
Mix a tablespoon or 2 of this gel with a half-teaspoon of shampoo for a milder shampoo which spreads easily in the hair.

Vegetarian Protein Treatment for Hair 
One word. Beer.
I have been wracking my brain for a vegetarian protein treatment which would give "I want to see a change right now" results like my gelatin protein treatment recipe, and which you can find locally and easily. I tried commercial hydrolyzed proteins at varying levels, but they just did not pack the punch I was looking for. When I use a protein treatment, I want my hair to feel different - to be bouncier and shinier. I'm looking for instantaneous gratification!
Hydrolyzed protein, whether hydrolyzed by heating with acid or by fermentation, is the form of protein which is the most useful to your hair. Gelatin is hydrolyzed collagen, an animal protein. Soy sauce is hydrolyzed soy protein, but did not impress me much - though I admit fear of using it on my entire head because I have light-colored hair and don't like the smell very much except in cooking.
But beer has a wonderful effect on hair. I'm not a beer drinker, so I can't speak much about brands, but a strong, dark beer is best.
What's in it for you? All the carbohydrates from the grains beer from which the beer is made - probably mostly sugar by the time it has become beer - are humectants which moisturize the hair. Beer contains pectins, celluloses, lipids and hops. "Hops" is a vine and the flowers (used to flavor beer) themselves make a marvelous rinse for hair. There is a small amount of protein in beer - both from the grains and the yeasts. Because this protein has been subject to fermentation, Some of it should be useful to your hair. Protein is a humectant as well and the protein, sugars, and plant-based 
beer are much like the gelatin in that they both moisturize and form a subtle film around your hair, making it feel thicker, more substantial, less frizzy, shiny, and bouncy.
Beer also has a pH value which is lower than water - something your hair will like.How to use: Pour a glass of beer and leave it at room temperature to go flat (though it isn't necessary, you definitely want the foam incorporated into the beer because the foam contains the smaller proteins). You will probably need about 1/2 cup - so it is possible to freeze what you don't use. Cleanse your hair. Pour the beer over your hair, work it into the length and make sure all your hair is saturated. Don't rinse at all, or just duck your head into the shower spray to make
sure the beer is evenly distributed. If you are using a conditioner, condition first, or just use a leave-in conditioner after the beer rinse.
The beer smell evaporates almost completely - I do not like the smell of beer one bit, so I was surprised to find it went away without rinsing. The scent which remains is slightly "woodsy" or grainy/herbal and not at all like the floor of a baseball stadium after a big game. Like most protein treatments, this is one you do when the effects begin to wear off, or when your hair needs a boost. It's not cheap, but if you have leftover beer or if you use it as a once or twice per month treatment (freezing the extra) - it's not unreasonably priced, either.
Cheers!

Citric Acid Rinse 
This rinse will help remove hard water residue, helps remove chlorine odor and discoloration from swimming in chlorinated swimming pools, helps remove soap scum (better than a vinegar rinse with soap or shampoo bars in my opinion).

1/4 teaspoon citric acid (powder, crystals) per cup water - preferably distilled water. Pour on damp hair, leave on for at least a minute, then rinse.