It’s no doubt that we as naturalistas can always get caught up in the newest hair trends, and I’m sure many curlies, (myself included) have experimented at home, researched ingredients and come up with your own home remedies. But lately, there have been a wave of beauty trends sweeping across social media with many ingredients that can be found in our kitchens.

Here are a few trending hair myths that you may have heard of, but may not have tried.

1. Onion Juice

Did you know that onion juice is good for hair growth? Because I didn't.

Filled with vitamins and minerals, onion juice is good for the hair and scalp. Some of these nutrients include vitamin C, folic acid, iron, calcium, antioxidants and quercetin (which is a flavonoid that contains antioxidants) as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

Feeding your hair follicles, triggering hair growth and also helping to maintain length retention, onion juice is able to do all three things - quite well I might add.

When ingested, onions on a regular basis can do everything from lower your cholesterol and regulate your blood sugar and combat a cold. This vegetable is full of sulphur, which is known to stimulate collagen production in the hair, and in turn, increasing healthy cell production in your scalp to strengthening your roots. And since our hair is made up mostly of the keratin protein (the majority of what makes up keratin is sulphur), you can see why using onion juice can be a major plus to our beauty regimes.

Did you know that since onions are an antifungal food, they are very effective when it comes to keeping dandruff at bay (which comes from a fungus).

2. Beer Rinse

An alcoholic beverage yes, but rinsing your curls in beer, well this is something different. 

Key ingredients to your typical beer are yeast, barley, water, and hops. There are essential oils in hops that are rich in antioxidants which can fortify and strengthen the hair.

Beer also contains B-vitamins and proteins which are great for conditioning. Maltose and sucrose sugars in beer help to swell and tighten the cuticle which can add body as well as shine.

Hair can be softer, shinier and feel fuller to the touch even before it dries some say. Creating body to your hair is usually difficult to achieve with finer hair textures. Beer rinsing is also said to improve elasticity and this helps to revitalise the curls after having any heat damage. So, if this is an area that you are looking to fix, give beer rinsing a try.

3. Rice Water

No just an enjoyable dish, the rice water trend has everyone wanting to try this popular hair growth hack. Formulated into products you see on the shelves, Rice water is filled with vitamins B and E, antioxidants, amino and minerals and is known for:

• Increasing hair growth
• Strengthening hair due to its protein properties
• Increases shine
• Detangles

Even Cardi B has added rice water to her DIY conditioning hair mask.

Originating from ancient times, Chinese women introduced the water soaked in rice and applied it to their hair and beauty routines. More specifically, the Yao women from Huangluo village in the province of Guangxi use fermented rice water to wash their long hair. 

Incorporating rice water into your hair routine hair has never been easier with just two simple ingredients. Rice and water—that’s it.

Hair tip: Since rice water already contains protein, try to avoid using another protein or strengthening treatment, and follow up with something moisturising. We would hate for you to have a case of protein overload.

4. Okra

One of the most disliked vegetables for its slimy texture and unique taste, Okra is trending for all the rights reasons and has many of us fellow curlies running to the nearest market to try out this trending hair growth ingredient.

Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, Okra is enriched with calcium, potassium, and many other minerals and nutrients such as iron, zinc and magnesium, that are all great for hair growth and moisturising a dry scalp.

Not only does Okra have many health benefits, but it also promotes:

• Shine
• Softness and moisturising properties when applied to the hair
• Getting rid of dandruff
• Promotes a healthy scalp
• Curl definition when used as a gel 

Now that you know the amazing benefits, who’s up for making their own DIY Okra hair moisturiser and reap the benefits?

5. No Oils and Butters

If you’ve watched or seen anything on social media lately, then you would have noticed the ‘No Oils and Butter’ trend. It has somewhat become a movement within the natural hair community.

If you haven’t heard, this highly popular trend discontinues the use of oils and butters on natural hair. It should be simple, right? Well, others may say otherwise. There are some that say water is unable to successfully penetrate the hair shaft due to the amount of oils and butters that coat the hair strand. 

Curly hair, especially type 4 curls, tend to be drier as the natural oils take longer to run down the hair shaft, so our curls do need the extra moisture. The key is to use the right amount of product that you need for your hair.

If hydration is the name of the game for you and you want to keep your hair moisturised, try using water and water based products to quench your curls.

6. Is Hair Grease Good for Your Hair?

Do you remember the days growing up when your mum would grease your scalp with Dax or Blue Magic? These popular hair greases were a staple in most black households and are making a trending comeback. Sometimes we can forget that our scalp is also made up of skin, just like the skin on our body your scalp needs some TLC too. Greasing your scalp was, and sometimes is still a way people provide relief to your scalp.

Overtime, people have become more aware of certain ingredients and are ditching the grease for oils instead. Commonly made with mineral oil and petrolatum, many naturals believe that greasing your scalp will create a moisture barrier. It may give the appearance that flakes have disappeared, but in reality, the grease can clog hair follicles, create build up on the scalp, and smooth flakes, thus giving a temporary solution. Not to mention the refinement of petrolatum is not regulated in the United States, compared to the regulation of strict beauty laws within the European Union.

On the other hand, many naturals have gone back to using a childhood favourite, as they feel it moisturises, aids in softness and gives a lot of shine to their curls. 

The truth is, do what you feel is right for you. Only you know what is right for you and your curls, so whether you rinse your hair in rice water before deep conditioning or skip out on oils and butters for the next few weeks, then go for it girl. You know best, and your curls are the most happiest when they are thriving and cared for with whatever method you choose and you put on them.

Have you tried any of these hair trends and seen any benefits? We’d love to hear your natural hair tales.