DIY: Rosemary Guinness Volumizing Hair Rinse

I love beer, but the idea of putting it on my hair has always weirded me out (and frankly, it felt like a waste when I could be drinking it instead). But in honor of the upcoming hops happy holiday, it seemed like a good time to test the effects of a beer hair rinse.

Beer is traditional rinse for thicker, shinier hair, said to work especially well for fine hair (that’s me). The yeast in beer plumps up the hair shaft while the hops and malt are said to nourish and stimulate the hair shaft. The result: shinier, more voluminous hair.

Why is rosemary good for hair?

Rosemary has long been used in hair care treatments. Rosemary oil is said to stimulate hair growth, reduce hair loss and slow down the graying of hair (hurrah!!). Massaging the the scalp with rosemary treats dandruff and dry scalp as well.

How to do a Beer Rinse for Hair

• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• 1 can of Guinness, or other strong ale or stout

Open beer and add rosemary oil. Let beer sit open overnight or longer because you want the beer to be flat. After shampooing, rinse hair with the beer. (I found it easier to bend over and pour forward over hair instead of freezing myself with cold beer down the back.) Let sit on hair for several minutes, massaging it into the roots of your hair. Rinse and style as usual.

Verdict?

I loved this hair rinse! After the rinse, I styled my hair without any hair product and my seriously fine hair was noticeably bouncier and fuller than usual. If I can pry another Guinness from my husband, I will definitely be doing this one again.