Why I Switched to Natural Hair Care—and Why You Might Want to Too
- Amani AbouAmmo
- Jun 8
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Let’s be honest—most commercial hair products look great on the shelf but often hide a cocktail of harsh chemicals behind their glossy labels. From sulfates that strip your scalp’s natural barrier, to silicones that coat hair strands in plastic-like buildup, conventional shampoos, conditioners, and hair dyes can disrupt the very foundation of your hair’s health: your scalp.
The scalp is living tissue—highly absorbent and directly connected to your bloodstream. What you apply on your scalp doesn’t just stay on the surface. That’s why using chemical-based products daily can contribute to long-term issues like hormonal imbalances, allergic reactions, and even chronic scalp inflammation.
Over time, these synthetic products damage the scalp microbiome, clog follicles, disrupt sebum flow, and ultimately lead to issues like dandruff, itchiness, sensitivity, and yes—hair loss. A shocking percentage of hair fall cases are actually rooted (pun intended) in poor scalp health caused by chemical buildup.
The Hair Products You Actually Need—But the Natural Way
Switching to natural doesn’t mean using nothing. It means using only what your hair needs—and making every ingredient count.
Here’s your simplified, holistic, organic-friendly routine that feeds your hair from root to tip:
🌿 Step-by-Step Natural Hair Care Ritual
1. Scalp Treatment (1–2x/week in case of hair fall)
A healthy scalp is the foundation. Use a dedicated scalp oil like Emmila’s Deep Root Therapy or Regrow Me to nourish follicles, balance sebum, and stimulate growth. Apply with dropper or fingertips, gently massage for 5 minutes, then let sit 30–60 minutes before wash.
✨ Tip: Massage with the tips of your fingers, not nails, to increase blood flow and loosen buildup.
2. Toner / Scalp Mist (Optional, for daily refresh)
Hydrosol-based mists or botanical toners can help soothe an irritated scalp between wash days. Roman chamomile, rosemary hydrosol, or aloe vera are fantastic choices.
3. Shampoo (2–3x/week)
Use an organic, sulfate-free shampoo that’s gentle but effective. Here’s how to apply it correctly to avoid over-drying or tangling:
Step 1: Separate your hair into two sections.
Step 2: Apply a small amount of shampoo along the scalp line from front to back.
Step 3: Add a little more on the sides near the ears and nape.
Step 4: Massage the scalp gently in circular motions for 2–3 minutes. Not only will this help clear out the build ups, but will also let the essential oils and botanicals find their way in!
Step 5: Rinse thoroughly.
Avoid piling hair on your head while shampooing—it causes knots and mid-shaft breakage.
4. Conditioner (Every wash day)
Conditioner should never touch your scalp. Always apply from mid-length to ends only to avoid greasiness or clogged follicles.
Leave in for 2–5 minutes before rinsing.
Use a wide-tooth comb during this time for detangling.
5. Leave-In Conditioner (Optional but powerful)
Think of this as your hair’s daily water bottle. Leave-ins lock in moisture, reduce frizz, and protect strands throughout the day. Mist lightly or smooth through ends.
Perfect for curly, dry, and high-porosity hair types.
6. Hair Oil (1–3x/week)
Finish with a few drops of hair oil on your palms, gently smoothing it over your ends. This seals in hydration and adds shine.
🌀 But My Hair Is Already Oily?
Unless you have very fine, pin-straight Asian hair, chances are your hair is actually drier than you think. Natural scalp oils have a hard time traveling down curls, waves, or textured strands. That’s why dryness is a common issue—and why synthetic conditioners don’t fix the root cause.
Explore Emmila’s organic hair care creations here
From Chemical Dyes to Henna: A Beautiful Shift
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—hair dye.
Chemical dyes are among the harshest offenders in your hair routine. Ammonia, peroxide, and resorcinol don’t just damage the strands—they inflame the scalp, open the cuticle excessively, and can lead to chronic irritation or sensitivity.
So what’s the alternative?
🌿 Henna: Nature’s Hair Dye
Henna is a plant-based, centuries-old method of coloring hair—and strengthening it in the process. Unlike traditional dyes, it doesn’t just sit on the hair or burn the cuticle open. It bonds with the hair shaft in a way that adds color, shine, and resilience.
Yes, it takes more time. Yes, the process is longer. But it’s fully natural. And if you source it organically, you’re literally giving your hair a mineral-rich mask every time you color.
Coloring Hair Naturally: The Power of Henna & Indigo
If you’re tired of synthetic hair dyes that burn your scalp and damage your hair over time, you’re not alone. Many Emmila customers (including myself!) have made the switch to plant-based coloring—specifically, the ancient art of using henna and indigo.
Henna and indigo are not just colorants—they’re treatments. They condition the hair, boost shine, and support scalp health. While the process is more involved than chemical dyes, the result is worth every minute: richly colored hair with no side effects, no toxins, and often… better hair than you started with.
The following method is designed to give you deep black hair using a 2-step method: Henna → Indigo.
Step-by-Step Ritual for Black Botanical Hair Color
Step 1: Henna Foundation (for Black Hair Dye)
Ingredient | Purpose |
Henna Powder – 100g | Strengthens strands, lays the color foundation (copper base) |
Amla Powder – 10g | Deepens tone, supports dye adhesion, scalp nourishment |
Aloe Vera Powder – 5g (optional) | Adds slip, soothes scalp, prevents drying |
Warm Water or Herbal Tea – as needed | Activates dye, creates smooth yogurt-like paste |
Empty the Henna packet into a bowl.
Add Amla powder and optional Aloe Vera.
Gradually mix in warm water or herbal tea until yogurt-like.
Cover and let sit 4–6 hours (room temperature).
Apply to clean, dry hair. Cover with plastic cap.
Leave in for 2–4 hours, rinse with water only.
Step 2: Indigo Transformation (for Black Hair Dye)
Ingredient | Purpose |
Indigo Powder – 100g | Deposits deep blue-black pigment to neutralize henna red |
Amla Powder – 10g | Improves dye binding, supports scalp health |
Brahmi Powder – 5g (optional) | Strengthens roots, soothes scalp |
Sea Salt – 1g | Enhances pigment bonding to hair |
Warm Water – as needed | Activates indigo, creates smooth paste |
How to Use:
In a separate non-metal bowl, mix indigo, amla, brahmi, and sea salt.
Slowly add warm water to form a smooth cake batter–like paste.
Do not let sit—indigo loses dye strength quickly.
Apply immediately to towel-dried hair (after rinsing out henna).
Cover hair with a plastic cap and wrap with a warm towel.
Leave on for 2–3 hours.
Rinse thoroughly with water—no shampoo for 48 hours.
🌟 Tips for Best Results:
Always do a strand test before full application.
Use clarifying shampoo a day before dyeing.
For stubborn grays, leave indigo longer.
Repeat full process every 6–8 weeks, or use our gloss for touch-ups.
💧 Suggested Aftercare:
Try Emmila’s Gloriously Clean shampoo and Gloriously Soft conditioner—sulfate-free and color-safe to prolong your botanical black.
🌑 Black Botanical Gloss: Tone Refresh Between Full Dyes
📍Place this immediately after the section above as an optional alternative or between-dye refresh.
Sometimes, you don’t need a full dye. You just want to boost the tone, refresh the richness, and pamper your hair—all without redoing the whole henna-indigo ritual.
That’s where the Black Botanical Gloss comes in: a one-step, plant-based glossing mask designed for already-hennaed hair that’s losing vibrance.
🌿 What It Is:
A ready-to-mix blend of henna + indigo, enriched with Ayurvedic botanicals like amla, brahmi, and fenugreek to nourish, calm the scalp, and enhance shine.
This is not a full dye—it’s a gloss overlay that gently enhances black tones and leaves hair luminous.
🍃 Ingredients:
Botanical | Purpose |
Henna – 25g | Gloss binder, copper base enhancer |
Indigo – 75g | Natural black pigment |
Amla Powder – 10g | Enhances dye binding, scalp health |
Brahmi Powder – 5g (optional) | Strengthens roots, soothes scalp |
Fenugreek Powder – 5g (optional) | Natural conditioner, softens hair |
Sea Salt – 1g | Enhances pigment bond to strands |
🧴 How to Use:
Mix entire contents with warm water to form a smooth, cake-batter consistency.
Apply immediately to clean, towel-dried hair.
Cover with plastic cap and wrap in warm towel.
Leave on for 1.5–2 hours.
Rinse thoroughly with water—do not shampoo for 24–48 hours.
🌟 Results:
Boosts black vibrance
Revives dull or fading color
Adds mirror-like natural shine
Deeply conditions and strengthens hair
🧼 Aftercare:
Once dry, apply Emmila’s Daily Reset toner to the scalp and smooth LumiLocks hair serum on your ends. This seals in hydration and keeps your natural black bold and glossy.
Save the below recipe guide for future reference 👇🏼
Want to know what to replace to achieve red, brown, or blonde hair naturally? Check this out 👇🏼
🌿 Final Thoughts: It’s More Than Hair
Choosing to switch to natural hair care isn’t just about better ingredients—it’s about reclaiming your health, your confidence, and your connection to nature.
What you put on your scalp doesn’t stop at the surface. Your skin absorbs it, your bloodstream carries it, and your body has to process it. Over time, the synthetic chemicals in conventional hair products can burden your system, leading to long-term imbalances—from chronic inflammation to sluggish liver function, a topic I explored in detail in this blog post.
By switching to botanical care, you’re not only giving your hair the moisture, strength, and glow it craves—you’re supporting your entire body in staying clear, vibrant, and thriving.
So whether you’re embracing henna rituals, nourishing your scalp with oils, or choosing sulfate-free shampoo, know this:
🌸 You’re not just caring for your hair.
🌿 You’re healing from the root.
Let Emmila walk that path with you—with organic, artisan, handmade creations that are as honest and effective as nature intended.
Opmerkingen