What is the caramel treatment for hair?

Shalon is a natural hair care enthusiast and researcher who loves to share her discoveries with others.

How I Discovered Caramel Hair Treatment

Before I fell In love with my curly hair, my foremost concern when I decided to go natural was that I would have to give up straight, sleek hair. At the time, the only method I knew to get a polished, silken look was to use a relaxer or to excessively dry my hair on high heat, essentially burning my hair. I can be rather lazy when it comes to doing my hair. The mere thought of blow-drying my hair leaves me winded.

One day, while reading through the comments of one of my favorite natural hair care blogs, I noticed some commenters raving about the benefits of using a caramel treatment on your hair. They went on and on about how soft and frizz-free it made their hair. I immediately began researching. I had to find out more about this caramel treatment everyone was talking about.

What Is Caramel Hair Treatment?

Caramel hair treatment is a mixture of caramel or molasses, bananas, raw honey, olive oil, almond oil, and apple cider vinegar. Honey acts as a humectant that retains moisture, and olive oil is used for lubrication while also keeping moisture in the hair. The apple cider vinegar gives the hair a beautiful high shine.

What It Does for Your Hair

A caramel treatment leaves your hair smooth and frizz-free after blow-drying and flat ironing. The caramel makes the hair so soft that it cuts down on styling time. Blow-drying doesn't require as much heat, and straightening your hair requires only a single pass-through with a flat iron. Another added benefit is that your hair will stay straight after flat-ironing until the next wash.

I was very excited about trying the caramel treatment. I saw a few recipes to make my own, but I didn’t want to go through the trouble of making it myself. So I began looking for store-bought products that had caramel in it. I came across a couple of Instagram videos with women who had beautiful, healthy-looking hair. Their hair was gorgeous, bouncy, shiny, and stick straight; as if they had a fresh relaxer. I kept seeing the hashtag E'Tae, which lead me to a page with even more impressive pictures and videos.

E'Tae Caramel Treatment

E'Tae Products

E'Tae is a natural hair care line catering to clients with hard-to-manage hair. The E'Tae Carmel Deep Reconstructing Treatment is its signature product, and what inspired me to try the line. Although it does not contain actual caramel, it does contain molasses, which gives it its caramel color. The line also includes Butter Shine, which makes hair glossy and gives it a sheen. They also make a deep penetrating shampoo and conditioner.

For children, there’s a shampoo bar that I use on my 2-year-old daughter’s hair. She has very tightly coiled, dry 4c hair, which can be difficult to style when it’s not properly moisturized. I love the shampoo bar because it doesn’t strip her hair of its natural oils or dry it out.

E'Tae Carmel Treatment Results

My Experiences With the E'Tae treatment

I chose not to buy the shampoo and conditioner because my budget didn’t allow it at the time. The E'tae Carmel Deep Reconstructing Treatment was $20 when I brought it in 2014. I have since seen it on sale for as low as $13.99 in some places. I appreciated the fact my order shipped the same day I placed it.

You don’t have to purchase the whole line to see immediate results. The E'tae Carmel Reconstruction Treatment is very effective on its own. I didn’t need to use a lot of the product, just a hand full. It's safe to use with every wash or just as a once-a-month treatment for your hair.

How to Use the E'tae Treatment

1. Wet your hair just enough to dampen it.
2. Smooth the treatment from the roots of your hair to the tips.
3. Put a plastic cap on your head for 20 minutes. (I did this before shampooing and conditioning my hair.)
4. Rinse out and shampoo and condition as usual.

Some people like to keep the treatment in their hair for a whole day or even overnight.

Blow-Drying Is Easy

Blow-drying, the thing I hated most about washing my hair, was so much easier after using the caramel treatment. My blow-dryer's comb attachment seemed to glide through my hair. The treatment was able to stretch out the natural curl pattern of my hair. I think women with relaxed hair will appreciate this because it will allow them to relax their hair every other month, as opposed to every month like some women feel they have to do.

One Press Flat Ironing

What Do You Think?

DIY Caramel Treatment Recipe

If you're into making your hair care products at home, you can make your own caramel treatment. The recipe is simple and easy to follow. Here's one I found on Genius Kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil, increase oil depending on coarseness of hair
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 cups banana baby food
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup shea butter or coconut oil

Instructions

1. Mix the shea butter or coconut oil with the bananas. Heat in the microwave for 10 seconds or until the oils are liquid.
2. Pour the almond oil and olive oil into a blender, then add the banana oil mixture from the microwave. Blend for two minutes.
3. Add the honey or molasses. Blend for 20 seconds.

How to Use

1. Brush your hair out.
2. Dampen hair.
3. Apply the mixture from the roots to the ends of the hair.
4. Cover hair with a plastic cap.
5. Leave on for two to three hours.
6. Shampoo and condition your hair as normal.

It Was Worth It

Although I was very excited about trying the caramel treatment for the first time, I was a bit skeptical about making another hair care purchase. I tend to obsess over anything new that excites me. I usually end up with tons of products that I never use, but I must say, the caramel treatment was not one of those abandoned purchases. It truly changed my hair and hair-care routine. What I once thought was hopeless, I now know is attainable. I don't have to fight with my hair or dread the detangling process. Now if I could just remember to order the darn stuff before I run out.

Which One Do You Prefer?

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

© 2018 The filled mind

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