Cardi B’s cascade of waves looks luscious and royal, but how? Well, it’s all courtesy of an economical DIY using onions. Before you cringe, hear us out. The singer revealed on Instagram that she’s been washing her hair with boiled onion water (no kidding) — a hack the 29-year-old American Rapper asserts she swore by up until six years ago — and assuaged sceptical minds by confirming that the water is odorless, and endows her mane with an impeccable shine.
The before-after transformation just exemplifies the benefits of the I Like It singer’s healthy-hair remedy, and the post’s comment-section pulsates with fans testifying to the effectiveness of the hack — with many encouraging her to drop her own hair-care range — because, same. But is there any legitimacy to this hack, or is it just placebo? Let’s find out.
Cardi B’s Hair Has Never Looked Better, And It’s Because Of Onions
Is There Any Truth To The Hack?
There is some truth to this claim. Experts are of the opinion that the employment of onions — or onion-water — in your hair-care regimen can improve the health of your scalp and hair over time. Onions are packed with antibacterial properties. This characteristic lends to it the ability to protect the scalp from infections (remember that these infections are responsible for hair-fall in most cases), and promote growth. Thanks to the vegetable’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it soothes the mane, and enhances its health and appearance too. Concerns like dandruff and lice are very well addressed by the vegetable.
Since onions contain sulfur, they excel at battling thinning and breakage, nourishing the strands, and regenerating hair-follicles — consequently restoring your hair to their former volume-rich glory. They are packed with antioxidants that can combat premature greying caused by environmental stressors and aggressors, and since they contain an enzyme called catalase, they can rid your hair of Hydrogen Peroxide (notorious for damaging hair cells through oxidisation) — which is used in the bleaching and colouring of the hair. This can optimise the hair-growth cycle. They can also improve circulation in the scalp — the better the circulation, the healthier the follicles, and the more the growth.
More studies suggest that then use of onion-water can treat itchiness, moisturise, and even treat conditions like alopecia by promoting growth. If you think the vegetable is going to leave behind an odor, you can conclude by massaging your scalp with an essential oil of your choice, or rinse your hair with Apple Cider Vinegar too.
How Do You DIY It?
How do you make boiled onion-water for the hair anyway? According to Cardi B, all you have to do is boil a couple of onions for a bit, and use the water to rinse your hair. You can do it this way:
- Chop four or five onions finely, and boil them in about a liter of water.
- Set the resulting water aside for two hours before straining it.
- Transfer the onion-water to a jug or container.
- Proceed to shampoo and condition your hair.
- Once you’re done, apply the concoction to your hair and scalp.
- Rinse thoroughly and you’re done.
Repeat this twice or thrice every week.
Can Everyone Try This Out?
There are a couple of side-effects of applying onion juice on the hair. This hack isn’t for everyone. Onions are notorious for triggering sensitive scalps. You might want to stay away from the DIY if this is the case. Remember to always patch-test before applying anything to the scalp regardless. Don’t overdo it either. The high amounts of sulfur in onions can dry out your scalp, and lead to itching and irritation. This happens even when you haven’t rinsed the concoction out of your hair properly.
Thanks, Cardi B!
Featured Image: Instagram
