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Curly Nikki

Alternatives to Costly Hair Treatments

By January 27th, 202128 Comments

Alternatives to Costly Hair Treatments
Lydia writes:

I WANT A HUETIFUL HAIR STEAMER!!!
However, it’s not something I can afford. So I started thinking about ways that I could get the same stellar results for a fraction of the cost. As I made my way to the gym I started thinking… Heutiful Hair Steamer… Steam room… Hummm, I wonder… Since I already pay for the gym membership I might as well take advantage of all it has to offer. It wasn’t long before I started doing steam treatments after my workout sessions. I would wash and condition my hair while in the shower and then sit in the steam room for an amazing salon experience.

In the wake of such difficult economic times, what are some inexpensive alternatives to costly hair, health and beauty treatments that you have tried?

Was it a success or a failure?

CN Says:
I read that Tracee Ellis Ross uses a gym steam room for her hair treatments too!
I found these links to help you gals out with the do it yourself hair steamer treatments:

Make Your Own Hair Steamer
DIY Hair Steamer

Now weigh in with your genius ideas!

28 Comments

  • Anonymous says:

    Can't speak for anyone else but doing a henna treatment at the spa seems to be a bit extreme. I can see conditioning while steaming in the sauna though…def have to do that one.

  • Anonymous says:

    I have a steamer and I regularly use it to do DC treatments. I also do henna but recently I decided that I'll do my next henna treatment at the day spa where I can use their steam room, and all the hot water I'll need without having to give thought to the clean up and hike in water bill later. I've also considered going to the day spa on a weekly basis to do my day long wash, condition and twist marathon since I have to spend hours in the shower with the water constantly running and I usually run out of hot water because it takes so long.

  • Anonymous says:

    By Mary from Md

    Take a look at the website www.realqueens.com. I had been doing something similar to their greenhouse method for a few months before I came upon their website. The results posted by Meeka helped me see I was on the right track. Check it out.

  • Anonymous says:

    OMG! One of my friends told me I was ghetto for using the steam room to do my steam treatments. I don't see why (LOL). I figure, just like others, that the steam room is there… I sit in it anyway… so why not wash my hair, throw on some conditioner and give my hair a treat along with the rest of my body! I mean, it's not like I'm throwing on the plastic cap and walking around the gym with it. Whew… so glad to know I'm not on this boat alone =)

  • Ms. Sassy says:

    I was just having this convo via Twitter! I was a little skeptic my first time, so I put conditioner on my head before I worked out then sat in…now I just bring it with me…no shame!

  • Anonymous says:

    lol @ the watcher. but I did see a woman in my steam room using a comb and body scrub. THAT I do not condone. It's very different to put product in your hair, wrap it up and sit there. It's down right gross to be detangling your hair, exfoliating, clipping nails in a space/venue that other strangers have to share.

  • Anonymous says:

    to katherinelovescurls– you have to hit the steam room [wet sauna] not the dry sauna.

  • Basic Woman says:

    I own a Huetiful steamer and have been very happy with the results. That said, I used plastic caps and my dryer for years before that with great results. I do like to use my steamer for a mid-week burst of moisture in addition to my DC. Also, to those using the gym steam room, be aware that your hair may also absorb some of the chlorine from the steam there.

  • Anonymous says:

    love this post, thanks for the tips!

  • Anonymous says:

    lol at the watcher.

  • Anonymous says:

    I'm sure those bringing up the price are NOT the same people splurging on Miss Jessies or whatever else so it may very well be because of the cost who are you to say that's not a valid issue or concern for some people?

  • Anonymous says:

    No hair steamer here! i just put on a deep conditioner or olive oil with glycerin with two plastic caps and sit under my heating cap and dream of the day I can purchase a Huetiful from Wal Mart!

  • Anonymous says:

    When I don't want to sit under the dryer when deep conditioning I will put a plastic cap over my hair and put a moist towel in the microwave for a few seconds and carefully wrap it around my hair with a larger towel around that to hold in the heat.

  • Unknown says:

    I use the steam room all the time all though I did get a side eye once when i was detangling my hair in the steam room lol

  • Anonymous says:

    I wouldn't spend time about of money me personally, unless it was received as a gift. MJ products well those are expensive, but you can easily exchange those or get your money back with no problem. Not sure if you can do that with the steamer machine. Plus steam from showers or just under the hooded dryer with a cap on does the same thing with the same results.

  • Jess says:

    Maybe Im confused, but isn't this similar to sitting under a soft bonnet with a plastic bag for a heated deep treatment? Why would this method not work just the same?
    Jess

  • Vetsnatural says:

    People are stating how expensive the Steamers are yet they spend more than the $110 on a bunch of Miss Jessie's, Jane Carter…etc. Just say its not for you right now but dont say its because of the cost. Most people will spend much more than that in product purchases, essential oils, shea butter…etc.

  • Anonymous says:

    how about using a garmet steamer on low heat. lol

  • Anonymous says:

    I'm guilty of this too 🙂 !!! I get fantastic results.

  • NefratitiUK says:

    After washing my hair in the shower, I sit in my bath, adding my conditioner to each section of hair and then put a plastic shower cap over it. I then cover my head with a heat wrap, cover the heat wrap with an old hat and sit in the bath with the heat and steam giving me the condtions for a nice deep conditioner treatment. Keeping the bathroom door closed also gives me sauna-like conditions, for free.

  • Jeannette says:

    I know that technically taking hot showers is not good but I LOVE 'em and have no intentions of stopping LOL. Therefore, because I take hot showers, it's easy for me to get the steam from the shower. Also, sometimes I put a plastic cap on my hair, then place a hot towel on my hair.

  • BreukelensFinest says:

    i love the suggestions so far! because i am definitely broke as all hell! (i secretly wish money would fall from the sky so i can buy that steamer!!!!)

    I recently got over the phase of buying a lot of products so my cheap alternative is using things I find in the kitchen. Bananas, honey, olive oil anything. I only spend money on styling products, but I rarely buy deep conditioner.

    missdeeplyrooted.blogspot.com

  • Breanna says:

    I know that people really love that steamer, however that is alot of money to spend. Also cant you get the same effect when showing and the steam from that can do the same thing. Hum the gym thing is something to try as well, but I would be afraid it of getting to hot, or it putting me to sleep from it being so relaxing. But I guess do what makes you feel happy, and all of that will benefit your hair.

  • Anonymous says:

    Best DC treatment:

    Use a decent DC (Ojon, Palmer's Coconut Oil Deep treatment, etc) or a cheapie conditioner and add olive oil,sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, argan oil, shea butter and/or coconut oil (any combination of these). Apply to your hair, wrap with a plastic shower cap then saran wrap, Place a turby towel on top and keep on overnight. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. It's cheap and works better than any steam treatment. Results last for a week.

    Quickie DC:
    Do all of the above. but use a microturban for 30 min to 1 hr. Results aren't as good, but this is an effetive DC for 2-3 well moisturized hair.

    Cheap lip gloss:
    shea butter, coconut oil (both fragrance free)-melt, swirl and put in a lip gloss tin. Some people add a little beewswax, but its not necessary. A drop of vanilla can be added for flavor.
    This can also be used on hair and skin- minus the beewswax.

    Facial to help with Darkspots:
    Combine oatmeal, almond milk and lemon juice to make a paste. Apply to face and lean over a pot of hot water with head covered with a towel for 20 min. Wash off and apply moisturizer.

  • KC says:

    Thanks to a couple of Youtube vids, I was able to do my own fluffy twists! This was my first time putting in extensions, so it took about 9 hours (yes I did it in one sitting), but I'm very happy with the results. I got a great protective style for $30 (compared to $150 in a braiding salon).

  • katherinelovescurls says:

    I'm so happy this was brought up! I actually have tried to use the sauna with my weekly DC. My hair actually seems to prefer my soft-bonnet attachment. When ever I come out of the sauna my hair just feels hot (duh) and dry and sticky. I've tried spraying it with water while inside,and it doesn't seem to help it at all. Next I suppose I'll try adding more steam but I'm afraid I'll be passed on the ground before I notice any positive results. Any thoughts/suggestions?

  • b, says:

    I've used an electric tea pot for facials. Fill it with water and plug it up on a low table. Use a towel to capture the steam. The nice thing is, the pot shuts off after a determined amount of time so you won't overdo it. I suppose a similar technique can be used by reclining in a chair with the electric pot behind you.

    I was considering just today using a travel steamer (at arm's length, of course). We'll see…

  • Anonymous says:

    Yes, I am the first one to post :)! Well I have been steaming my hair in the shower. I let the shower run for about five minutes (gotta watch that water bill) on hot water only. All the windows and door is closed. Then I turn the water down and clean my hair, condish, etc. After I rinse off I take the shower cap off and sit in the bathroom for another five minutes. Total time is thirty minutes but I am sure my hubby will say forty five. I have notice my hair really likes steam and its extremely soft. I also use this method for second day hair.

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