Simple at home DIY hair treatments that can be whizzed together using kitchen cupboard staples has become a self-care must-do for millennials and Gen-Z. From slathering avocado onto tresses to rinsing strands in apple cider vinegar, whipping up spa-like treatments has become the budget-friendly way of showing limp locks some much-needed love.
And if you’re looking for hair to grow faster, feel stronger and look healthier - rice water is the latest TikTok-approved secret making waves in the viral world. The notable before and after videos are pretty compelling, with content creators boasting enviable results in a matter of weeks. But is this just another social media fad or the ultimate beauty hack?
What exactly is rice water?
Rice water is the cloudy liquid that’s leftover after rinsing the starch out of rice. Using the milky residue to remedy hair woes is actually a beauty practice that’s been used for centuries. It was first made popular in Asian countries including China and Japan to help nourish the scalp and hair follicles. ‘Rice water has gained massive popularity on TikTok as an underrated beauty hack, but is has been used for centuries across different cultures,’ confirms Miriam Ahmad, founder of Rice Water Haircare brand Miriam’s Collection (miriamscollection.co.uk).
The benefits are largely thanks to the vitamins and amino acids (protein building blocks) that the starchy water contains. ‘These nutrients nourish the hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage, allowing it to grow faster and thicker,’ continues Ahmad.
A haircare expert’s five-step guide to making rice water
Miriam Ahmad shares her quick go-to recipe
1 Add rice to a pan (rinse your rice 4 times to remove dirt) with water (as if you were cooking rice - To avoid wasting the rice, add excess water so you can allow it to cook properly afterwards).
2 Bring it to the boil and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3 Drain half of the rice water into another container or pan.
4 Close the lid or cover the pan (a towel is fine).
5 Leave the sealed container at room temperature for 24-48 hours, allowing the rice water to ferment. Fermented rice water has the most benefits, but you can also use it straight away without it fermenting.
How to get the most out of rice water
Social media videos instructing users how to use rice water have racked up millions of views, and there are lots of different ways to tap into the trend. If you’re short on time but want to max up results you can simply rinse hair in rice water either before or after shampooing once per week. To strengthen weak hair, allowing strands to soak up the starchy elixir for around 20 minutes before washing off is thought to intensify results. ‘You could also add in rosemary oil or castor oil or get creative and mix in honey or avocado etc for a more robust hair mask,’ recommends Ahmad.
There aren’t any major downsides to trying out rice water, apart from it won’t keep for long. ‘Making your own version can be fiddly, with the water going off quickly. The smell can also be a problem for some. Fresh rice smells lovely, but fermented may not suit everyone's nose.a way around this is to add a few peppermint oil drops or an essence,’ shares Ahmad.
Using a scalp massager or gentle circular motions with your fingertips before applying the water can also help to supercharge results by increasing circulation to the area which will allow the active ingredients tor work their magic. ‘Massaging helps to send blood carrying nutrients to the hair follicle, which promotes growth and also makes them more receptive to topical applicants like oils and rice water,’ adds Ahmad.
3 rice water haircare products
1 Miriam’s Collection Rice Water Shampoo & Conditioner
Perfect for all hair types, this duo helps to maintain moisture balance whilst strengthening your mane. £37.99 for the duo, miriamscollection.co.uk
2 Odylique Reviving Rosemary Shampoo & Conditioner
This sulphate-free rice water shampoo and conditioner contains seaweed and aloe amino acids to optimise growth and damage repair. Shampoo priced at £14.50 and conditioner priced at £17.50, odylique.co.uk
3 Kitsch Rice Water Protein Shampoo Bar
This pH balanced shampoo bar cleanses locks whilst reducing single-use plastic.
£15, mykitsch.co.uk
