Shalini Passi says she doesn't colour her hair, uses ‘natural shampoo' made with these simple ingredients

Indian Express

6 hours ago

Shalini Passi's lifestyle tips are a rage. The Fabulous Lives vs. Bollywood Wives actor shared that her hair is all natural and she doesn't colour it. 'I shaved my hair in Tirupati four times. So, I don't colour it. This is my natural hair colour. I use reetha and amla to wash it,' Passi said.
She also detailed the steps to making the natural shampoo: 'You have to soak reetha (soapnut) and amla (Indian gooseberry) in water for 24 hours, and then you grind it. It becomes a natural shampoo. I use that.'
In the conversation with Pinkvilla, she also shared that she uses 'regular shampoo' only when she is travelling.
Taking a cue from her candid confession, let's understand if experts give this all-natural shampoo a thumbs-up.
Dr Karuna Malhotra, aesthetic physician and cosmetologist, Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, listed the potential benefits.
Gentle cleansing: Naturally removes grime without harsh surfactants.
Hair strength and shine: Amla is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants; reetha has saponins that cleanse and may seal the cuticle.
Natural oiliness control: Some find that reetha helps balance scalp oil.
According to Dr Malhotra, while natural, chemical-free cleansing is pertinent, it may cause dryness without follow-up oil/conditioner.
'Such remedies are gentle yet effective, but consistency and proper application matter. While they may not reverse greying, they do help maintain scalp health and natural shine when used regularly,' said Dr Malhotra.
A post shared by Pinkvilla (@pinkvilla)
What to note?
Patch test first: Although typically mild, everyone's skin reacts differently—test on a small area first, said Dr Malhotra.
Hygiene of the soak: Soaked materials can ferment. 'Use filtered water, refrigerate if soaking longer, and rinse thoroughly,' said Dr Malhotra.
Dryness risk: Since this doesn't contain synthetic conditioners, hair might feel dry or tangled. 'Follow with coconut oil or a light natural conditioner (like diluted aloe vera) advised Dr Malhotra.
Volume consistency: Unlike commercial shampoos, homemade batches can vary in strength—adjust ingredient ratios as needed.
Not proven anti-grey: While amla supports hair health, there's no scientific evidence that it prevents or reverses greying. 'Grey hair appears due to genetics and age,' said Dr Malhotra.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.