Marigolds to Marshmallows

What is necessary in life? More and more of us are asking the question “What is it that I really need?” Of course, need is subjective—I don’t technically NEED my morning coffee, but above and beyond our basic needs, we also want the particular indulgences that make us feel like we are living fully. We intuitively partake in the ritual of daily personal renewal—so why not make the most of it and truly feed your body and soul?

The relationship between necessity and personal renewal is nowhere more apparent than in hair care. For years, the belief has been held that shampoo should have a thick and creamy feel, and the texture of shampoo itself somehow translates into how it will affect the texture of your hair. The fact is, many thickening agents used in modern shampoos are only for effect—they do nothing positive for your hair.

Modern shampoo, as it is known today, was introduced in the 1930s with the first synthetic (non-soap) shampoo. Deriving from the Hindi word chāmpo, the standard of shampooing soon drifted away from the therapeutic head massage, usually with some form of hair oil that was traditional in India, to a purely functional experience, simply cleaning the hair. Unfortunately, this “cleaning” often leaves remnants of soap and other build-up on both the hair and scalp, strips them both of healthy oils and does not provide the therapeutic and relaxing effect that chāmpo once did.

The time has come for the synthesis of science and nature—the best of both worlds. Think of your hair and scalp as a living part of your body, deserving of the same attention and nourishment.

One of the negative factors in shampoo is commonly used thickening agents. Completely unnecessary, these ingredients (ammonium xylenesulfonate, PEG-55 propylene glycol oleate, etc.) actually make rinsing out the product more difficult. A new hair care product line, Mada—made for hair developed a shampoo free of needless thickeners and delivers shampoo by spray. A spray-on shampoo is a unique experience in cleansing the hair—it might be weird the first few times, but soon you won’t want anything else.

Mada Reset Shampoo, used once weekly in concert with your daily shampoo, ensures that your daily shampoo works consistently. Reset uses water lily extract for its astringent, antiseptic, toning and restorative qualities to ensure your favorite shampoo never ceases being your favorite.

Other key ingredients in Reset are extracts of horse chestnut and marigold. Horse chestnut contains a soapy juice. Horse chestnut extract promotes healthy blood circulation to the scalp. Marigold, named for its association with the Virgin Mary (and meaning “Mary’s Gold”), is, ironically, incredibly healing for that not-so-virginal head of hair. Marigold extract is a gentle and nourishing botanical that heals and restores hair and scalp condition.

For soothing, moisturizing and protection, nutrient-rich plant extracts soothe the hair and scalp, as well as create the optimal environment for hair growth. As a leave-in with just a touch of hold, Mada Hydrating Serum is just like skin cream, but for the hair. It will absorb into the hair shaft, thanks to ingredients, including jojoba seed oil, green tea extract and meadowfoam seed oil.

Native to the coastal regions of western North America, meadowfoam grows in marshy habitats and puts off lovely yellow and white flowers, but the beauty is not only in the blooms. From the seeds comes emollient oil. Softening, soothing and high in fatty acids—meadowfoam prevents moisture loss.

To protect and increase the fullness of hair, giving straight and damaged hair a boost, sodium polystyrene sulfonate efficiently strips away cationic build-up on the surface of the hair. Ginkgo biloba extract, an antioxidant that protects from free-radical damage, serves an anti-inflammatory, increases circulation and regenerates the hair. And keratin amino acids strengthen the hair, as well as improving resiliency, volume, condition and shine. Mada offers a Protein Building Spray that lathers just like a shampoo as it cleans hair of extra build-up. The lather naturally dissipates, as hair is styled and the result is increased volume, body, gloss and manageability.

While nobody can deny the greatness of S’mores, try instead layering marshmallow extract with burdock root and macadamia seed oil, the delicious recipe that makes-up a daily conditioner. Marshmallow extract (from the leaves and root) calms and softens, and is a natural humectant that attracts and holds moisture. Burdock root extract increases the strength of hair, shine and body, while also helping to reverse scalp conditions such as dandruff. Macadamia seed oil (from the nut) is high in palmitoleic acid, vitamin-rich, emollient and soothing.

The foods and nutrients that support you internally and are good for your skin are often the same ingredients that can work wonders for your hair and scalp. For example, sunflower seed oil, used in Mada Hydrating Conditioner, contains large amounts of vitamin E, softening and protecting hair. Jasmine extract (from the flowers and leaves) provides soothing and moisturizing properties and improves hair elasticity. Green tea extract (from the plant leaf) works as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and also repairs and strengthens.

So why not treat your hair to the same quality ingredients that you use to nourish your insides, as well as your skin? Feed your hair, feed your body and feed your soul.

Thad Grace is the owner and founder of Grace Hair Salon in Portland, Ore., and in 2009 Grace launched Mada—made for hair. Grace graduated from Beau Monde College of Hair Design and in 1994, was chosen to be a part of American Team Y.E.S. to represent the International Beauty Show.

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