Are you on a low budget but need to properly care for your hair? This week’s edition of Under the Dryer highlights inexpensive ways to treat your hair using natural oils you may already have at home.

Lead In: Good shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers and days at the salon can put a strain on your pocket. Why spend ‘loads’ of money on expensive hair products when items in your home can be just as effective? CurlyNikki.com gives tips on how to give your natural hair that salon glow without spending a fortune. Your hair will love it but your pocket will love it even more!

Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil has the fatty acids necessary for strengthening the hair and keeping it nourished and lubricated. It contains vitamin E that conditions and nourishes, while the proteins in avocado oil can fortify your hair.

How to Use it: Apply avocado oil directly into your hair from roots to ends and massage in a circular motion.

Used to treat conditions such as dandruff or scalp psoriasis and helps to protect your hair and scalp from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is a light oil that locks moisture inside the skin. It can be used to nourish the scalp and hair without leaving the build-up of other oils that weigh the hair down.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Jamaican Black Castor Oil has traditionally been known as an all-purpose healing oil. As an unrefined form of castor oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil is very rich in nutritive properties.

Many people turn to Jamaican Black Castor Oil to aid in hair growth because it increases the blood flow to the scalp while also supplying nutrition to the hair follicles.

It is also excellent for treating damaged, dry and brittle hair by providing intense nourishment to the hair and scalp.

Tips: Jamaican Black Castor Oil can treat and prevent dandruff and dissolves any build-up from hair products or from other sources that has accumulated in the pores of the scalp. In its all natural form, it is also safe to use on eyebrow and eyelashes to thicken their volume as well.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has been proven to be a fantastic conditioner for hair, but there are many other things about this essential oil that make it so much better. Olive oil is one of the top moisturisers; it can be used to improve the elasticity and strength of your hair far better than other essential oils as the penetration level is higher.

Things you don’t know about olive oil: It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that promote scalp health and prevent dandruff.

It contains an antioxidant important for hair growth.

It is not known to cause an allergic reaction, which makes it easier on sensitive skin and hair.

Side Bar: Olive Oil Treatments -Try it yourself

Here’s a cheap and simple olive oil treatment you can try for achieving beautiful hair at home.

1. Warm about a half a cup of olive oil in a microwaveable bowl or cup. The olive oil should be warm but not hot to the touch. If you have fine hair or prefer a lighter treatment, add coconut, sweet almond or jojoba oil.

2. Pour one tablespoon of the olive oil mixture into the palm of your hands.

3. Starting with your scalp, massage the oil into your hair in a circular motion using your fingertips. Finish by massaging the tips of your hair.

4. Place your oil-drenched hair into a shower cap or wrap it with plastic wrap.

5. Let the olive oil sit for between 30-45 minutes, then rinse and shampoo as usual.