I recently discovered an amazing DIY protein, strengthening and repairing treatment called a rice water rinse. Far from a new “trend”, rice water rinses have been traditionally used for hundreds of years in China and Japan. Rice water is surprisingly beneficial to hair because it contains an impressive array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids – the building blocks of protein. If you’re struggling with protein moisture balance, make sure you read this post. Here’s my modified rice water rinse routine and my amazing results!
Rice Water Benefits
- Increases hair elasticity, and bounce
- Strengthens and thickens the hair
- Adds volume, softness, curl definition and shine
- Smooths hair cuticle
- Reduces dandruff
- Promotes and stimulates hair growth
- Dissolves hard water build up
- Reduces hair loss
- Relieves dry, irritated, itchy scalp
- Penetrates the hair shaft to repair the hair from within
- Continues to repair damage after use, shampoo and rinsing
- Moisturising, antioxidant and repairing properties
- Improves manageability
- Prevents hair from future damage
- Gentle, mild cleanser
- Improves overall condition of the hair
- Stimulates blood flow to the scalp
- Nourishes hair follicles at the root
Inositol is the key nutrient found in rice water, which strengthens and repairs the hair and increases hair elasticity, helping create a more defined curl pattern. Inositol stays inside the hair shaft, even after rinsing, offering continuing hair protection.
I spoke to Verna, aka @themestizamuse on Instagram. Verna will tell you she’s just a regular person like anyone else, who loves helping and inspiring others to reach their hair goals. But if you follow her on Instagram, you’ll know she’s a natural, curly hair oracle and a fairy curl mother to so many curlies, including myself! Anyway, I first heard of rice water rinses from Verna, so I wanted to get her thoughts on why this DIY treatment is so beneficial for the hair. I included many of the benefits she listed in the points above.
“Rice water is more than just a protein treatment. It’s a strengthening agent. It repairs damaged hair and improves elasticity. I love that it’s convenient and very affordable. No need to buy extra protein treatments unless my hair is in really bad shape. But this is a simple and great way to keep hair healthy, strong and maintained, as well as very beneficial to the scalp.
Rice water is an effective DIY protein treatment thanks to amino acids – the building blocks of protein. It strengthens hair, adds shine and smooths the cuticle, reduces surface friction and de-tangles.
Backed by Science
“I originally decided to do the rice water rinse out of a request from one of my followers. Upon my researching, I found many great benefits that are backed up with studies. So it’s not just another “trend” to try. This rinse has been around for many, many, many years. The study I found was according to the International Journal of Science which proved that the extracts from rice water were effective in maintaining the hair health. Another proven benefit is it’s ability to improve the hair’s elasticity and reduce friction. ” – Verna, @metstizamuse . I also found this study published in Journal of Cosmetic Chemists, which found that rice water applied to hair can reduce surface friction and improve hair elasticity.
Top Tip: This DIY protein, strengthening and repairing treatment is perfect if you are suffering from hygral fatigue, or your hair is over-moisturised, limp, unable to hold a curl and feeling quite soft and mushy.
My Modified Rice Water Rinse
Most people do a rice water rinse, using the creamy, cloudy rice water to repeatedly rinse through the hair. Using two bowls, one to pour the rice water on your hair, the other to catch the rice water so you can repeat as necessary. If you choose to do it this way, make sure to follow up with a good conditioner. If you leave the rinse in your hair for any period of time, longer than just rinsing it through, you need to follow up with a protein-free deep conditioner for at least 20 – 30 minutes. There are 3 ways: boil, soak and ferment, I boil my rice. There are potential side effects if you ferment due to potential bacteria, but it’s meant to be the most potent of the three and gives the most dramatic results. If you choose to ferment your rice, I wouldn’t recommend adding it to any deep conditioner.
I do things a little differently. The first time I did the rice water rinse and left it on my hair for 30 minutes, I didn’t deep condition for long enough afterwards, and my hair felt quite dry. Now I add a dollop of my favourite deep conditioner, Hairfinity’s Strengthening Amino Mask, and leave the modified mask on my hair for 45 minutes – 1 hour.
The Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Mask already contains protein/amino acids, but they’re not that high up the ingredients list. Its very much a protein/moisturising balancing mask, but when I add the thick rice water, I get much more noticeable improvements and results. This is what has worked best for me, but that doesn’t mean it will do the same for you. So please do your own test on both the rice water rinse on its own, and your usual deep conditioner on its own before you try – and test first – mixing the two.
I’m a single mum of two kids, I don’t have time for washing, multiple treatments and then my usual styling routine. So by adding a protein, strengthening and repairing shot – the thick rice water – to a deep conditioner, I’m killing two birds with one stone. And honestly, the results from doing it this way have been much better for my hair, as you’ll see from the pictures throughout this post. It’s incredibly soft, yet strong, and my curls are much more defined!
Ingredients & Method
- Using a pyrex jug, use half a pint of rice (organic, jasmine, basmati…) and rinse.
- Put the rinsed rice in a saucepan and add 2 pints of water – you can add some essential oils if you like.
- Bring to the boil, stirring to agitate the rice until you get a cloudy, creamy, thick consistency of water.
- Once the rice has absorbed most of the water and appears almost stodgy, push through a sieve to get the thick, creamy water out. If you are doing a simply rice water rinse, don’t let the rice go stodgy or the consistency will be too thick. I usually have to scrap the rice water ‘gloop’ off the bottom of the sieve.
- Add a tablespoon of your favourite deep conditioner – I used my Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Mask – and mix.
- Clarify your hair, or shampoo as normal, and apply your modified rice water rinse mask to your hair.
- Leave on your hair for 30 minutes to 1 hour – use a thermal heat cap for best results. I make and sell Curly Cailín Thermal Heat Caps, click here for more information, and to buy one.
- Rinse and style as normal.
My Results!
How often can you do a rice water rinse?
A weekly rinse should suffice. If your hair is more on the protein sensitive side, I highly recommend doing a patch test. Low porosity hair may want to use it once a month or every 6-8 weeks. I have low porosity hair but it’s over-moisturised and lacking protein at the moment, so I’m doing it every week or two until it’s balanced again. Only you know how well your hair responds to protein. Again, it’s all according to your hair’s needs and how it responds to it. Everyone’s hair, no matter what porosity type it is, is on an infinite spectrum.
Verna’s Rice Water Rinse Routine
“I have medium to high porosity hair and it thrives on protein, so once a week is perfect for my hair. I start by washing my hair, sometimes I’ll apply a conditioner to de-tangle my hair before applying the rinse. Then I grab two bowls, one to catch the rice water and one to pour over my scalp and hair. The extra bowl is to reapply the rinse to any area I may have missed with the first application. I make sure to cover every strand and massage it into my scalp and hair strands. After combing it through and massaging it well, I clip my hair up and put a plastic cap on anywhere from 5-10 mins. Then I always follow up with a protein-free moisturising deep conditioner for another 20 mins or so. You need balance. Sometimes I add a deep conditioner right on top of it to kill two birds with one stone.”
Rice Water Rinse v Olaplex No. 3
When I began researching the benefits of rice water rinses, I noticed many of the benefits were very similar to those of the much-loved, but expensive Olaplex No. 3. The rice water rinse seemed like the ultimate affordable dupe for the popular Olaplex treatment so I asked Verna what her thoughts were. “I noticed when I used the rice water I didn’t need to use Olaplex No. 3 and that was a big staple for me because I have balayage high lights. My hair has gotten so much healthier from the rice rinses these past 4 months.” – Verna, @themestizamuse
Dominique’s Rice Water Rinse Routine
The other person I learned about rice water rinses from was Dominique, aka @powerdomi on Instagram. She’s full of great tips and tricks, has the most amazing story and transformation and we have very similar curl types (which doesn’t really matter, read why here), and heritage. I’m Irish Italian, Dominique is Irish French.
“I do mine weekly, and I absolutely believe that it’s helped dramatically increase my hair’s shine and curl structure. My hair feels stronger to the touch. I have high porosity hair and it’s an absolute must for me. I think that giving it weekly ‘meals’ of protein instead of a monthly ‘feast’ is much better and I get all the protein and nutrients her hair needs from these weekly rice water rinses. I pour it over my hair and squeeze it in really well. I do that about 5 or 6 times. I put it in an empty Bouclème bottle for the first pour, just to get absolutely everywhere covered. Afterwards I condition with Bounce Curl Conditioner, working it in really well. I spend a solid 10 minutes working it in and de-tangling.”
So there you have it, my modified rice water rinse routine, amazing results and Verna and Dominique’s routines too. I’d like to say a special thank you to both Verna and Dominique for contributing to this post. If you would like to contribute or guest post, please fill in the contact form with a brief outline. Please subscribe here if you haven’t already, you can follow me on Instagram or like my Facebook page. Comment below if you’ve tried the rice water rinse and what your results were, or if you’re going to try it after reading this post.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, I know it was a really long post! Gabriella xoxo
If you’re struggling with the protein moisture balance; not sure if your hair is over moisturised or you’ve got protein overload and you want to re-balance your hair. Make sure you read this post, which also has a YouTube video on how I apply the Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment.
You might also like this post, my ultimate guide on Hair Porosity, featuring 4 tests and characteristics of each type.
*This post contains some affiliate links, which means I get paid {a very small} commission on products you purchase through my links. This in no way affects you, the price you pay or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. My content is not influenced by advertisers, affiliate partnerships, brands or PRs.
I really want to try this! What do I look out for in a deep conditioner to make sure it doesn’t have protein?
Anything that has the words protein in it, things like wheat, silk, amino or keratin. Hope that helps!
I’m not sure if aloe vera is considered to be a protein or if it can act like a protein, but it should be included in this list. Once my hair has decided it’s full on protein AV seems to overload it. Just something to be aware of.
I didn’t know aloe contained protein, or mimicked it. I know when I’ve tried to put aloe on my face or hair, it immediately dries it out! Both natural straight out of the leaf, and store bought aloe vera gel. Very interesting! I’ll look into it more, thank you x
I love it! I love your webby too Gabriella ypubdid such a pretty job I’m going to try it this way next time !!
Thanks so much Liz! I can’t wait to see your results, this is my favourite DIY treatment now!
Could I ask if the rice water mixture lasts in the fridge if you are just using one tablespoon a week? Or do you throw out the rest? TIA!
The rice water can last in the fridge for a few days, maybe up to a week is sealed tight. I get way more than 1 tablespoon of rice water gloop. I just add 1 tablespoon of my deep conditioner to the rice water to modify it and make it into a mask.
I wonder if you could freeze enough for each treatment? I assume that the nature would be unchanged when defrosted
Do you use the stuff still in the strainer? Or the water that has passed through the strainer?
You hair looks fantastic! I cannot wait to try this!
Hi Sarah, the stuff that you’ve pushed through the strainer and it’s come out the other side. You can eat the rice in the strainer x
I’m still confused about this. Is it just water that you’ve pushed through the strainer, are you trying to push the rice through the strainer (break it up) or both? My water is not nearly that thick. Help, please!
It’s just the water that I’m pushing through the strainer, not the rice. You’ve got to boil the rice for at least 20 – 30 minutes to get the water to thicken up enough into a creamy gloop, to then push through the strainer. A few grains of rice can sometimes fall through, but generally the rice is so stodgey that it doesn’t. Really hope that helps! xoxo
I have a couple questions. I mixed 4oz of rice water with my DC. I poured the rest on my hair after I washed and conditioned then rinsed. So the rice water that ended up in the collection bowl, should I throw it out since it ran through my hair or reuse it. My second question is can you do a rice rinse on dry hair. My hair was dripping like crazy and it was super annoying.
When I used it first time, I loved it my hair was smooth and managable but when I used 2nd and 3rd time my hair felt rough and lost all the definition. I’ve 2c/3a curls almost like u. Please help!
Oh dear, that’s not good! How often are you doing rice water treatments? Are you doing my modified method by combining it with a deep treatment? If so, which one. The cocktail might not be quite right, you may be doing them too often or your protein/moisture balance may be off. Let me know, so I can help!
Gabriella xoxo
I did the fermented one.
Hi dear ! Lovely article 🙂 I have low porosity hair and my hair doesnt like protein products much . But I feel this is great way to add protein once in a while, as the store bought DC s are too high on protein and doesnt suit my hair 🙂 In that case how often would you recommend this treatment ? Thank you 🙂
Aw thanks so much! I do it every week at the moment until I get the moisture protein balance right, then I’ll see how often my hair needs it. But weekly is fine. Gabriella xoxo
I’ve tried making the fermented rice water treatment and it was horrible. It smelled like mildew. I must have done it wrong. I won’t try that again
That’s y it’s called fermented rice water it is meant to smell when fermented…U can only add few tins to prevent such a very strong smell.tins lik lavender oil, green tea etc
I put a few orange peels before fermenting and smells great.
That sounds like it would smell amazing, but do be mindful of the acid from that in the mix.
Do i need to rinse the rice water?
If you do my modified method using a hair mask with the rice water gloop, then yes you need to rinse it out. If you use the rice water as a rinse, then no, I don’t believe you do. But if you would prefer to, then go ahead. It’s all about what works best for your hair, we are each different. Hope that helps xoxo
Hi Gabriella
I was wanting to try this with the Briogeo Don’t despair repair. Which has protein but quite far down on the ingredients. Do you think that it’s the wrong type of DC for this? Have you ever tried it with this one? ( as I noticed from a previous post you have used this mask)
Hi Anna, yes the protein in the Briogeo mask is pretty far down the list to make any real difference – in my opinion. I haven’t used it with my modified rice water treatment, but next time I purchase it I will. It is fine to mix it with the rice water, it will just up the protein content – similar to what it does with the Hairfinity mask I use with the rice water. Hope that helps, let me know how you get on xoxo
First of all I just want to say your site is a treasure and I have had so much fun reading your articles, thanks for making this whole curly method a lot easier to understand! I just got into it and hoping my own curls will come back from wherever they are hiding 🙂 I have a question about the rice rinse : would it be ok to add the Boucleme Intensive Moisture Treatment or will it clash with the wheat bran protein (not really sure how much there is of it in the treatment, it’s about halfway down the ingredients list), and also for how long do you cook the rice for – just an estimate as I want to try make this in my pressure/rice cooker? Again thanks for everything!
Hi Julia, thank you so so much for your kind sweet words! I’m glad you’ve found my content so helpful! I haven’t tried mixing the rice water with the Boucleme Intensive Moisture Treatment myself, but yes it should be fine. The protein in that is a very small amount, I use it with Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Mask and that has protein in it too. I cook my rice for about 25-30 mins to get the thick, creamy, gloopy consistency that coats the back of a spoon or the sides of the saucepan – that’s how I know it’s done. When the rice has almost absorbed all the water and I have to really push the rice into the sieve to get the gloop to squeeze out underneath. Hope that helps lovey! xoxo
Thanks for replying! You’re a star and by far the online source that has helped out the most with figuring all this out 🙂 And your heat caps are so cute, have spent all my money on products this month but the second I can afford one, the yellow one is on my wishlist! x
Can you use instant rice for this? It’s all I have. xx
I’m not too sure to be honest. Sorry!
How often can this be done? can you leave the dried mixture on all night?
Hi Jasmine, it depends on how your hair tolerates protein and how much it needs. I do mine once a week, other people two it once a fortnight or once a month, depending on what your hair needs. I wouldn’t leave any kind of DC or treatment on overnight as it can cause hygral fatigue which is just as bad as protein overload. Hope that helps xx
If using fermented rice water ive read some dilute with water so as to not overproteinize…is this true?? Or can i just use as is and rinse out before my DC or do rice wash leave in and put DC over it and leave for 20min??
I’ve not used fermented rice myself so can’t say. But the routine is to wash your hair, or clarify if you need to – I always get best results when I clarify first. Then either rinse your hair with rice water, or do my modified method of mixing it with your DC. Then I rinse it out and style as usual. If you just rinse with the rice water, you still need to DC afterwards. Hope that helps xx
I have a Cezanne Keratin treatment. Can this be used in addition to the keratin treatment once a month?
I’m not familiar with that keratin treatment I’m afraid, so I’m not sure. Sorry I can’t be of more help xoxo
Has anyone else made this? Mine still lumpy bits in like half grains of rice? Anyone else get this or just me?
That’s just due to how you’re straining it I imagine. You just want the creamy gloop from the rice, not the rice itself. Hope that helps.
I have low to medium porosity hair.
Do I shampoo my hair first before this treatmenton wet hair?
Then when rinsing cowash out?
Hi Liz, I prefer to cleanse my hair first, sometimes clarify – which usually gives me better results – then apply this treatment, then simply rinse out. You don’t need to co-wash it out. Although if your hair doesn’t feel smooth, hydrated and moisturised after rinsing the treatment out, either apply some conditioner, or some leave-in conditioner. Hope that helps xoxo
Hi,
Thank you so much for the reply.
I did this over the weekend, but the water wasn’t thick, but left standing it thickened up.
Hi! my hair loved this mask. I did it without the extra protein treatment, but it worked very well. Thank you so much for this tip!
Haydee Q
I’m really confused about how to know if my hair needs more protein, more moisture or both. I’m scared to death of getting it wrong and making it worse!
Thanks
I know what you mean, and I will be doing a post on that very subject shortly. The deep condition balances out the protein in the rice water, so this shouldn’t knock your hair out of the protein/moisture balance. But the best way to test it out on YOUR hair, is to leave it on for 10 mins, then 20 mins, 30 mins etc until you figure out what works best for you and your hair’s needs. Hope that helps xoxo
Love your blog and this post can’t wait to try it!! I have just restarted my curly journey an am so happy I came across your blog. I have fine, low porosity (I think) hair. Unfortunately it is very thin as I lost most of it due to health issues 🙁 I know I may never get my hair density back but I’m hoping to get the most out of the curls I do have! I have a couple of questions.
1) I started using a DC and keeping it in over night and rinsing it out in the morning, would this routine work after rinsing the rice water out.
Hi Liz, I’m so happy you’ve found my content helpful! I would not recommend sleeping overnight with a DC in your hair as this can lead to many problems, including hygral fatigue, which is a nightmare! Hope that helps and answers your question.
Im just staring my curly girl routine. Ive been doing it for about a month and still trying to figure things out. It can sometimes be very frustrating as i dont have a holy grail products yet!!! How do i know if im protien sensitve, lacking protein or over moisturized? Im not sure of how to test for each of these things?!?!?! I low poo, condition, squish to condish, mousee and gel. I have 2b/c, low porosity, medium density hair.
a post on the protein/moisture balance and how to know what your hair needs is coming soon. But in a nutshell, if your hair is dry, straw like, stringy and brittle, often snapping and breaking, that’s a sign that you’ve got too much protein in your hair. If you hair is lifeless, limp, unable to hold it’s curl pattern and feels incredibly soft, almost mushy – either wet or dry, then your hair has too much moisture and needs more protein. Hope that helps xoxo
Um, I did this and MY HAIR LOOKS AMAZING. I am just starting CG although I never straightened my hair growing up since I was on a swim team and in the pool everyday. There was no way I was going to add heat to that. But I have totally neglected my hair i.e. never getting proper haircuts, dry brushing, or doing anything to it at all besides washing it. I finally got a FOOT cut off and then fell down this CG rabbit hole.
My hair has never seen protein in its entire life. I used to have very curly hair that has turned into these limp, stringy waves and holy shit the volume after this treatment! This is the first time I’ve ever had volume last into 2nd day hair. I added it to the briogeo mask and used a thicker cloth shower cap with a winter hat on top per reallifecurlygirl lol. Left it on for 40 minutes. Obviously my hair doesn’t look like yours! but there is some LIFE in it now.
THANK YOU 🙂
oh my goodness Lindsey! You gave me the biggest fright! When I saw you said you got a FOOT cut off, I thought you meant your actual foot! ha ha. And I was like oh no, she’s been on the swim team and now she doesn’t have a foot, but oh I guess it’s okay coz she seems really pumped about her hair! ha ha ha. I’m such an eejit! Well, now that I realise you meant you got a foot of hair cut off, I feel much better and more relieved about the whole thing! I’m so so glad this treatment worked for you and you love it as much as I do. Keep it up, and the results will keep going from strength to strength!
Haha! I thought she meant her FOOT too!!
ha ha ha! Well at least I wasn’t the only one!
Hi. Question.. can I use rice water the day I color treat my hair? Will it hurt my color or should I wait a week?
It shouldn’t cause any issues with colouring, as far as I’m aware. I don’t colour my hair, but I know lots of people who do, and they use rice water rinses all the time. Hope that helps xoxo
hello Gabriella, first of all your blog is amazing and very helpful!! Thanks for your great job!!
I have low-medium porosity short hair and in transition since 2 month, I had a gorgeous curly hair but during my pregnancy since 4 months ago I straight them. I think my hair are over moisturised (I m using products with low proteins devacurl low poo and original condition, styling cream and ultra def.gel) so today i tried your rice recipe and it worked well but after 3 hours my curls were limp and lifless again….. why??? do you think it s only because my hair are still demaged?
thank you
Hi Georgia, yes. I suspect your hair is very over moisturised, and it’s going to take more than one rice water treatment to get your curls to bounce back and stay bouncy, instead of falling limp and lifeless again. Did you do my modified method, or the regular rice water rinse? I suggest doing my modified method, mixed with Hairfinity Mask, or Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! mask, every week until your hair starts to hold a curl again between wash days. Also, have you read my protein moisture balance post? That would be very helpful for you. x
Hi Gabriella! I have been following your blog for a few months since I started my CG journey and it is SO helpful! I think I may be gettting a handle on the protein/moisture balance, how to recognize what I need and when…and which products to use. I have been doing rice rinses for about month and first my hair had great curls BUT it felt stiff and gross…THEN I tried your modified rice rinse with the Hair Finity mask….PERFECT!
I took your advice and tried the Hair Finity mask alone, twice actually. I loved the way my hair looked but it left my hair feeling very airy, not sure how else to describe it. However, when I used it in combination with the rice rinse, my results were amazing! I was able to go 3 good days (with good curls!) before I started to frizz and needed to add moisture back in.
Thank you for your suggestions…keep up the good work!!
Aww that’s so great to hear! Thank you so much for letting me know. The Hairfinity mask is perfect if your hair gets easily weighed down, which may be why your hair felt quite “airy” as you described, but with the added punch of the rice water gloop, it truly is a power combo! So glad you like it, and you’ve found my content helpful! xoxo
Hey Curly Cailin! Can you get that Finity Mask only online?! Mucho appreciated! I wanna try it out with this rice water rinse!! ❤️
It’s currently sold out in a lot of places, but it’s still available in my Amazon shops – just click the UK or USA one, to bring you to your local territory. If not, you can always wait until they’re back in stock.
My rice goop had the consistency of mashed potatoes Haha. Did I do something wrong? The first time I made it I don’t think I cooked it right, it was more runny. The second time, after seeing your comments to others, I cooked the rice for about 20-25 min until most of the water was gone and pushed through seeve. Looked like your picture, added Giovanni reconstructor (1 tbsp) and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Maybe it was the olive oil?
Hi Megan, It’s not meant to be quite the consistency of mashed potato. If you’re on Instagram, I have a highlight on how I make my modified rice water, including the goop, so you can get a better idea of how it should look. I’m http://www.instagram.com/curlycailin.ie You should only use the gloopy, thick, creamy water from the rice, that you push through the sieve. If you get any of the rice in the gloop, then it will have a mashed potato consistency. Hope that helps. xoxo
Hiiiii! I’ve had short natural curly hair for the past 2 years but didn’t realize how much TLC it needed. I used any cheap shampoo/conditioner,
never clarified/chelated, never deep conditioned, NOTHING (shame on me!) I want to try growing it out and so I started researching on things i could do to keep my hair healthy and therefore encourage growth. That’s when I discovered your blog! I’d really like to say that I LOVE it. Your posts on CG techniques and developing a CG routine has helped my hair so much and in such short time. I saw differences immediately after trying some of your suggestions. Anyway! I’m running on. Sorry. Haha.. So about this rice water rinse, I’d really like to try it but I just wanted to ask first: I’ve been trying an ACV rinse for chelating (since I live in a hard water area) and it seems to be working so should I REPLACE the ACV rinse with rice water or just ADD rice water to my routine?
Hi Esther, Thank you so so much for your kind, sweet words. I’m so glad you’ve found my content helpful, it’s always such an honour for me to be a part of someone’s curly journey. You would need to add the rice water into your routine. Which I understand could be a lot of “rinsing” which may be a pain in the back, literally! So try my modified version instead which is easier, and also kills two birds with one stone, so to speak, as you’re combining it with your deep conditioner. Hope that helps! xoxo
It helps tremendously! Thank you so much for even taking time to respond to me. Hehe. And yeah it’s a lot of “rinsing” but whatever the curls meet after all this time. Poor things have been starving 🙁 but yeah I like your modified idea so much so I’ll work it into my routine with deep conditioning… Also wanted to say that I’ve tried doing this research before, look at other blogs and I just couldn’t. Apart from the fact that I didn’t think it was exactly necessary (dumb #facepalm), I’m also a very visual person so if something doesn’t make my brain happy to look at, I kinda lose interest. Where am I going with this? Your blog is so pleasing to my artistic senses! Of course, not in any way saying the actual content isn’t the cream of the crop here, but I thought it’d be nice for you to know that you also do an amazing job at organizing and I guess design is the word and that those things count too. At least for weirdos like me 🙂 Makes it so much easier for me to focus on the content. The photos are such a HUGE help too, especially on the technique post. And they all have the same mood and everything just flows so well and ANYWAY I’M RUNNING ON! Sorry. Haha. Just wanted to let you know that ALL the work you’ve put into this blog counts 🙂 even the parts that don’t seem so important, it all counts to at least one person (that one person being me ^_^)
P.S. sorry for the long comment!
So what is the ratio of rice stuff to conditioner, 1T of each?
Thanks
Jan
Hi Jan, umm….I don’t go by a ratio of the rice water gloop. I go by the ratio of rice and water that’s detailed in the post. So to that, I add about a tablespoon of my Hairfinity mask. Or if I need more protein, I’ll put half a tablespoon of DC in. Hope that helps xoxo
Can I use a leave in deep conditioner instead and just wash it out?
I’m not aware of any leave in deep conditioners…..If you’re asking if you can use a leave in INSTEAD of a deep conditioner I would say no. It’s not as moisturising as a conditioner or deep conditioner. But that’s just my opinion, do what works best for you and your hair.
Hi, just wondering if my hair needs protein & is over moisturized because of a deep conditioning treatment, should I just add a regular conditioner to your modified rice treatment?
Thk u!
Yes, hair can get over moisturised from a deep conditioner, especially if it’s a protein free one. You can add regular conditioner to my modified rice water treatment if you like, although I’ve never used it that way. I’ve tried a few different deep conditioners, and Olaplex, but prefer the Hairfinity Amino Mask. Hope that helps.
Hi, I really found your article helpful. I want to know how often do I need to deep condition. I wear crochet styles to keep from manipulation of my hair. So I wear the styles fir about s month at a time, then I deep condition and for the style again for another month. But I moisturize daily( very dry scalp) with As I am. Do I need to condition more often?
Hi Millie, thanks so much! How often you condition or deep condition really depends on your hair, and personal preference and routine. If your hair feels well balanced and hydrated, then keep doing what you’re doing. If it feels like your hair is getting dry, maybe decrease the amount of time between deep conditioning. Does that help? x
Hi!
When we’re using boiled rice water, does the heat denature the protein?
No, I don’t believe so.
Hey. If I do a hot oil treatment and then rinse that out wash my hair, do the rice treatment and deep condition after will I still get a good effect. Im not too sure if the hot oil treatment may create a barrier on my hair so maybe the rice water might not be able to penetrate aswell. I mean I know you wash the oil out but some does stay in the hair. I just dont want this to effect my results as I love to do hot oil treatments but want to add rice water to my routine. Thanks
Hi Sarah, I personally don’t recommend or use hot oil treatments, because I think it DOES create a barrier on the hair which prevents water and moisture from getting to the hair to hydrate it. Sorry if that’s not much help, as I know you said you love doing them. But that’s just my honest opinion and advice.
Hi. I’m a guy. I don’t really ever wash my hair with shampoo etc. I just use water when showering. I’ve heard not washing your hair is very good for it. Now as for the rice water… Do I need to wash and condition my hair before using the rice water, or can I just use it on my hair 40mins before showering?
Thanks.
Hi Sheldon, guys are welcome here just as much as girls! I wouldn’t say not washing your hair is good for it, there are ways to cleanse and condition your hair without damaging it, such as the curly girl method – which is why I love it so much. But to answer your question, you don’t need to wash or condition your hair before using the rice water. If you wanted to use it in the more traditional method that it’s been used as for thousands of years, simply switch out your shower water for rice water and use that to cleanse/condition your hair. My modified method is a deep conditioner. Hope that helps. x
Awesome info on rice rinses! I had no idea it removed hard water buildup and did all those things that he said it does benefits and etc! So it Moisturize, gives you protein etc!
Hi Gabriella, than you so much for all the information you give. I am a beginner, so to speak, and don’t fully understand how to know what my hair needs or doesn’t need protein-wise. Do your have a post in that?
Also, do you use white or whole grain rice?
Than you!!
Hi Delores, don’t worry, we were all beginners once. White, basmati or jasmine rice is best. Yes, I have a post on what your hair needs regarding protein moisture balance, you can click on this post to read it. https://curlycailin.ie/protein-moisture-balance/ Hope that helps x
Thank you!!! I will try it soon and let you know how it goes 🙂
Hi Gabrielle,
I’m just transitioning into my curly girl routine and i went from over protein to getting lots chopped off! Then my fear of protein the last month has lead me into moisture overload! It’s so so difficult :’) The last couple strand tests I did my hair was pretty set in the middle, a little part floated and a bit sank so yeah ended up bobbing in the middle, I also have fine hair but lots of it! I don’t think i’m in hydral fatigue it doesn’t seem that bad It was fine the day before I left a moisturising mask on for too long… but I still don’t know what is the best way to remedy this! Bit nervous to do a full protein treatment and tip back again.. is it okay to use just a shampoo with lots of protein in and see how that goes first? (no conditioners!) Also I had just done a clarifying shampoo before the moisturising mask so hesitant to do another one right away! I also own Opalex 3 so I could just do that maybe?
Many thanks,
Tabitha 🙂
Hi Tabitha, goodness it sounds like you’ve had a right time of it! Don’t mind the floating/water test – it’s not accurate at all. I suggest you check out this post, https://curlycailin.ie/protein-moisture-balance/ as it’s specifically about protein overload and moisture balance and how to bounce back from both. I’ve also got a YouTube video on it so you can really see how my hair is when it’s over moisturised and how to fix it. If your hair is over moisturised atm, then don’t be afraid to do back to back clarifying. Anyway, here’s the post, I think you’ll find it really helpful: https://curlycailin.ie/protein-moisture-balance/ Gabriella x
I might have missed it somewhere but can you tell me exactly how much rice to water you use?
Scroll up the post for Ingredients and I list it there. x
Hi Gabriella, another curly girl here. I’ve just started my curly journey and learnt a lot from you. I was just wondering if you could teach more DIY masks and deep conditioners using natural products like banana or honey or aloe vera and etc. thanks very much for your perfect blog and tips.
Hi Parivash, I think I responded to this same question on Instagram yesterday. The reason that there aren’t more DIY masks using food such as banana and honey is because they don’t actually do anything or have any benefits for the hair. The molecules are too big to penetrate the hair shaft, so you’re literally wasting your time, effort and money, with absolutely no benefit to the hair.
Hello!
After reading your article I found it interesting that inositol is one of the main factors that makes rise water rinses so effective. Can you just buy the inositol powder and make your own DIY mask instead of boiling the rice each time? Only reason I ask, is I’m not a huge rice eater and it feels wasteful to just throw it out each time. It’s not a money issue as rice is cheap, it’s just a guilt/wastefulness issue. I know purchasing the inositol powder is more expensive, but then there is no food waste for those of us who choose not to eat/don’t like rice.
Thanks in advance for any input you may have!
Hi Gabriella,
Your blog has literally been my lifesaver in my CG journey, thank you for being so clear and helpful. I have a question – I think I’m suffering from hard water build up, I get a really itchy scalp, and even when my hair is soaking wet in the shower and I’ve put through all my products, the clumps are still frizzy. It doesn’t necessarily feel dry though when it’s styled and no longer wet – it just doesn’t feel very light or bouncy though, I struggle with root volume and the curls frizz easily. I thought initially that I needed some more moisture so sometimes try the banana Garnier hair food on it, but that just makes my hair feel very weighed down and mushy. Would you recommend a chelating shampoo or this rice water rinse do you think? Or both – and if so in what order? Apologies for all the questions, I’m still quite new to this! Thank you x
Hi Olwen, thanks so much for your kind sweet words. I actually have a blog post all about clarifying and chelating, I’ll link it here as it answers all your questions: https://curlycailin.ie/why-when-you-should-clarify-your-hair/
Ooh, thank you for replying and directing me! I’m going to clarify with a chelating shampoo then try my first ever rice rinse with the Hairfinity deep condition you recommended. Really excited, fingers crossed it works!
That sounds like an excellent plan, and what I would do if it were me x
Oh Gabriella I need your help. I love reading your post and watching your videos.
I started the CG in July if 19 after hearing about you.
I used all Jessicurl products. Rocking ringlets, spirouleous, too Shea.
My hair eventually started to get back curl even in the sides. I would say I have 2c 3a hair,
very fine and thin.
But then it started just hanging and not looking curly so I started using Black Castor Olin strengthen and restore shampoo and either mom to bamboo conditioner or Hairfiniity blalance cond.
Giovanni leave in cond. Pantene moose and LA looks gel
My strands are loosing curl and my hair won’t even hold a cast.
I do not eat rice and no one else in My family does either. so making it to use once a
week would be a lot of wasted food.
If I need to use it I will but was hoping for other suggestions as well.
I looked at my hairfinity product and it had fetal alcohol as 4th ingredient. Mop top does as well.
Isn’t CG suppose to be without alcohol?
PLEASE HELP.
Hi Brittania, So the Black Castor Oil Strengthen product you mentioned, is that the Shea Moisture one? I don’t recommend any Shea Moisture, Cantu or Not Your Mother’s Nature products, for these exact reasons. If Jessicurl was working well for you, I would go back to that. I don’t recommend LA Looks Gel either, it’s not a good product. The amount of rice you need to do a rice water rinse is not a lot and it’s the most cheapest, affordable and effective way to treat hair that needs protein among other benefits that come from rice water. CG isn’t about being alcohol free, because not all alcohols are bad, many are moisturising. IT’s harsh drying alcohols that CG method doesn’t recommend. By the sounds of it, you need to clarify, stop using some of the products you currently have in your line up and do some regular deep conditioning with a protein deep conditioner. x
I am a breast cancer survivor since 2017. I had lost all hair and was told when it did start coming back, it would be curlier and a different color. All true. I went from fine but lots of it natural bigger brown curls to tight, very thin, gray poodle curls which I hate and am very sad over. Yes I am glad to have hair at all but ugh! I only wash my hair once a week and spritz to recurl daily as I was told daily washings weren’t good for hair. But by Friday, the curls become frizzy. Can this rice rinse help me? And if doing it once a week, should I start daily washings? I am so paranoid of losing what little hair I have. After 2 yrs, it just past shoulders…so slow! Sure appreciate feedback.
Hi Kristen, so sorry you had to go through that, but glad you’re still here! Yes, rice water will greatly help with the health of your hair and with growth. No, daily washing is not good for the hair, neither would I recommend it. I recommend washing your hair about twice a week, three times if absolutely necessary but it very rarely is. And then for one of those washes, use the rice water. Hope that helps x
Love your content!
I’ve been on this journey for 7 months and it was going well until I got it cut and highlighted AND the weather began changing. Here in South Texas the dew points are all over the place. So My 2b/2c curls are a mess with frizz. Anyway, I think I will try this rice water and start giving my hair some regular protein. Thank you!
Aww thanks so much! It sounds like it was a triple whammy for your hair, and it will just need some time to adjust and bounce back. Regular rice water and protein treatments will help, but definitely do some Olaplex No. 3 treatments as you had highlights. And maybe check out my post on Glycerin 101 post as that will help educate you on humectants and dew points, humidity etc. https://curlycailin.ie/glycerin-101-for-curly-hair/
ok so I tried this but I blended the rice with the water to make it into a cream and it worked great! I didnt have a strainer on hand but I definitely will try with one too!
I tried the rice water treatment and I literally could not believe my eyes. I was actually standing in the mirror mouth open staring for around 5 minutes once it was dry. I was in shock by my curl pattern! Ive had curly hair since I was 13 but ignored it, mistreated it most of that time. Only been looking up Curly girl methods in last 2 months, expecting it would take a year or so to start working but doing the rice water treatment seemed to be the magic bullet! Then I got greedy & did it again today, but with less conditioning, and its a frizzy mess. But anyways! I’m learning the balance & excited for next wash & getting it right. Thank you so much for all your help xxx
Help needed!
Right off the bat i want to say that i’m quite young and i started following the curly girl method only a few months ago, so i’m a total newbie in hair and life. I mostly need reassuring. Another thing is that product recommendations are a struggle: i live in northern Europe, so i can’t get my hands on any or only very few products that are listed on cg sites.
I’m pretty sure that i’m experiencing slight moisture overload, and i hope that a rice water rinse would do the trick. I have low porosity hair. Here are my questions:
Can i use full grain rice? We only have full grain and i’m hesitant to go shopping for hair purposes only, especially if i’d need to buy a whole box just for an occasional hair rinse.
How long does the rice need to boil for? Does a 10 minute boiling do the trick? Is it necessary to rinse the rice before boiling?
If i’m planning on just rinsing my hair, how long does it take? My bathroom time is sort of limited, i have a large-ish family. I feel like my normal hair routine takes ages already.
Do i need to do a deep conditioning after the rice water rinse, even if i’m experiencing moisture overload? If i do, would Garniers Fructis Banana Hair Food be fitting, it’s the only hair mask i have and it and a few other Garniers hair masks are one of the only ones you can find in my country.
How long do i have to keep the rice water in my hair? Can i just rinse and be done with it? I don’t own a shower cap and i frankly hate having wet, cold, slippery hair just sitting on my head. If i need to let it sit in my hair can i be in a sauna?
I have a lot more random hair related questions i can’t find answers to, but i won’t throw them at you because they are not related to rice water rinses and everyone is quite stressed already during these times. Thank you in advance for answering, i truly appreciate it!
Hi Jaana, goodness there’s a lot there and a lot of questions. Firstly, I’m in northern europe too, almost everything I link to is available in Europe, with free shipping. So don’t be discouraged on that front. You can use any rice you like, see my blog post on modified rice water rinse for the rest of those questions. If you’re experiencing moisture overload you can skip deep conditioning after the rice water treatment, but only if you’re doing my modified treatment, not the rinse. You’ll need some kind of conditioner after the rinse. Re the Garnier mask, I haven’t used it yet myself, but if that’s all you have – go with that. Again regarding my first point, there are lots of amazing products available in Europe you just need to shop online. Again, all the questions you have are in the Modified Rice Water Rinse post, I also have highlights on it on my Instagram page: https://www.curlycailin.ie/curlycailin.ie. I also do One on One Curl Clinic 30 minute sessions which I think you may benefit from. Fill in this form on my site if you’d like to know more and I’ll get back to you. https://www.curlycailin.ie/contact
Thank you so much for answering, you definitely helped so much! I’ll look into your Curl Clinic too, i think it might be just the thing for me.
I LOVE your curly hair, it’s absolutely gorge! I’ve been using rice water on my thin hair for about a year now, and it’s made such a difference. It feels much stronger, healthier, and it’s also growing quicker too. I have a different method of making it, but I want to try your way out too, so thank you for sharing!
Can I use brown rice for this?
Yes, any rice will do. So long as you wash it before hand. But personally, I find white rice works best.
I am so glad to have discovered you, you are a treasure island, I appreciate what you do and you are professional and give good advise. I am French and I try the best I can to understand, not easy too to find my way there, and I am a little lost on the texture of my hair, the porosity or if enough protein, or hydration but I’m learning, thank you, for all this precious time that you give us. I don’t have a lot of money, but what would be your favorite product when you have fine and easily weightdown hair ? I love mousse but did not find my holy grail. Did not find too shampoo conditioner or cream I really love. I stop following the CG method. I made rice water by rinsing the rice and keep the water, but did not boil or ferment. I’m going to try to boil now since I’m afraid that ferment will stink. Never think of boiling it thanks. Is a pint a cup?
I am trying to get out of anxiety depression and I trying to take care of my hair to help me and change my idea. Sorry.
Thank you for everything and your hair makes me dream, my goal xx
Sorry too long message
Hi Karine, for fine hair that’s easily weighed down – which is like my hair. I recommend the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo, it’s expensive but lasts about a year as it’s very concentrated so you only need a little. And then the Pantene Defined Curls Mousse is great, also available in France as far as I know. If your hair is fine and easily weighed down, I don’t recommend using a cream, unless you mean a conditioner…? Hope that helps.
Thanks so much for your help !
I will try your Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo sugestion
I am from Quebec in Canada
Thanks xx
Ohhh another question….
Just read that rice contain Inositol, and I have a natural Inositol supplement. Have you heard some where if we put inositol powder directly in a spray water bottle it can help to ?
My rice hair mask with DC is sitting on my head now hope it turn out well. I push my self to do it today with my really low energy and want to do nothing, but did it
My question is weird I know sorry, but we never know
Thanks Gabriella !!!
Can I use a protein hair mask instead of a deep conditioner in the modified rice treatment? I only have one that moisturizes and I don’t think it’ll work too well if I mixed it in
Hi Shakina, yes – that’s what I use, a deep conditioner with lots of protein, such as the Curl Junkie Repair Me or the Hairfinity Strenghtening Amino Masque.
Every time I try this I get big lumps of rice in the mixture even why I use a sieve. Any idea why? My hair seems to like it but it makes such a mess all over the floor
Hi Lana, I’ve no idea why. Maybe you’re not boiling it enough, you want it to be a really thick, creamy, gloop. Or try putting smaller amounts into the sieve and do it a little at a time.
Just trying this for the first time now after finding your blog. I was nervous to use the rice on its own, so it made sense to me to add the DC to the mix. I used Noughty moisture mask which doesn’t contain protein. Fingers crossed! Thank you for the guidance.x
I find my modified rice water treatment works best when combined with a protein rich deep conditioner/conditioner
Hi! I’m super excited to try out the rice rinse, because my hair has been a disaster for the past 2 years (I was a DevaCurl fanatic, but I can almost point to the date that it started to hurt my hair ☹️). Anyways, can you use brown rice for this treatment? We usually only have brown rice in our home, so I’d rather use that than white rice. Thanks for your detailed posts and all the information!
Hi Heather, you can use any rice. Have you checked out this post I wrote on the DevaCurl damage issue? https://curlycailin.ie/devacurl/