Memories Of Robert Hallowell's Best Hair Recipes

I first met Robert Hallowell in early 2003 when his press agent set up an interview for me.   He had just released Prawduct, his first hair care line.

We clicked from the first minute of our phone conversation when we started cracking jokes.

It was hard to believe he was a big-name celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist.

He behaved more like my best friend from grade school than a new acquaintance.

The Beginning Of A 12 Year Friendship

That first phone call began one of the most amazing 12-year-long friendships I had the privilege of experiencing.

During those years, we connected daily via phone, voice mail, text, or private message (PM).

Since 2003, I have written many articles and tips about him, his hair care line, and how he was lovingly referred to as The Kitchen Beautician.  He received that moniker because he constantly whipped up new hair care and beauty recipes in his kitchen.

Everyone seemed to have a pet name for the hair superstar.  I usually called him Robert or Roberto, which always made him giggle.

The Sudden Passing Of A Beloved Hair Guru

On November 22, 2015, the much-loved hair guru suddenly passed away at 55. His death shocked his adoring family, friends, celebrity clients, and the hair industry.

The outpouring of love and adoration on Robert's Facebook page was heartbreaking and inspirational.

His life was a never-ending series of thoughtful gestures. Whether he shared a kind word, a dazzling smile, or presented a delightful gift, his actions were always designed to spread joy and love.

Robert always had time to give his unconditional kindness and thoughtfulness.

Robert Hallowell's Best Hair Recipes

After Robert's passing, I reviewed my notes from our many interactions.

I discovered so many amazing hair and beauty gems I wrote this article.

Robert developed many do-it-yourself (DIY) hair recipes.

He regularly used his custom formulas on his celebrity hair care clients to supplement his amazing Prawduct Hair Care Line. Unfortunately, Robert's haircare line ceased production after his death.

I have tried all his DIY hair remedies over the years.  They don't always work for everyone, but they do for my naturally wavy/curly hair below the waist.

After years of whipping them up in my kitchen, they still work on my hair.

Below are some of Robert's signature recipes he whipped up in his special kitchen.

At-Home Hair-Saver Formula

Robert's miraculous, easy-to-do hair-saver recipe was designed to instantly revive lackluster and brittle locks.

The orange peel and vodka will create tons of shine.

The avocado and olive oil will make dry hair feel silky.  It may not work for hair that tends to be oily or if it's fine or thin.

Ingredients

1 orange peel, finely chopped

1/2 avocado, mashed

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 tablespoon vodka

How To

Boil 1 cup of water, add orange peel, and remove from heat.  Allow the mixture to cool for 30 minutes.

Pour the water into the blender, add the other ingredients, and blend on high until the mixture becomes a sauce.

Work through freshly shampooed and towel-dried hair, then cover your head with a shower cap.

Leave on hair for 25 minutes.  Rinse with lukewarm (not hot) water, then shampoo using a very gentle formula.

If you wish, add a rinse-out conditioner, perform the final rinse, and then complete with a cool or cold water rinse.

Shine Booster For Your Hair

Robert told me that winter was the most damaging season for most hair types.

He said, "Hair takes a beating all winter long due to daily heat styling (since it's too cold to go out with wet hair) and overheated indoor air (which saps all the moisture out of your strands)."

Robert's advice?

He suggested "Mixing one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons" of my regular shampoo "to make your locks soft and shine again."

Why?  Robert explained, "The baking soda changes the pH of the shampoo, so it becomes super deep-cleaning."

After applying the baking soda-enhanced shampoo to wet hair, Robert suggested: "Gently massage the scalp using a soft-bristled brush."

He told me a new soft toothbrush could be used in a pinch.

Once the shampoo is completely rinsed out of hair, he suggested applying an "Apple cider vinegar final rinse" to add an instant pop of shine."

Robert was also a big advocate of always performing a final cold water rinse.

Blasting Hair Product Buildup

Another benefit of baking soda?

Robert explained, "It will naturally remove product build-up" and act "as a glue remover."

He suggested increasing the baking soda mix from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon for hair with excessive styling product buildup.

If you don't use styling products or when in doubt, use 1 teaspoon. You can always add more, but less is always best.

Robert stressed the importance of completely shaking the shampoo for the best results.

Potential Silicone Buildup On Strands

He recommended using styling sprays with minimal silicone to minimize hair product build-up.

Yes, hair serums add shine, but at what cost?

Silicone won't easily wash away, causing long-term build-up, dullness, and possible damage.

Robert's motto was always "Less is more."

He believed in using products with very light natural silicone.  It can help to penetrate the cuticle and fill in tears, rips, and holes.  This results in hair "reflecting maximum shine."

His Love That Shine Spray contained very light natural silicone and it added great shine without build-up.

Clean & Shine Honey Mask

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vodka

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 avocado, mashed

1 egg yolk (separated from the white)

How To

Mash ingredients together in a glass bowl with a fork until creamy. Apply mixture to freshly shampooed, towel-dried hair and leave on for 30 minutes.

Rinse well with warm water. Shampoo and condition lightly, then style as usual.

Vodka removes the buildup of scalp oils or styling products. Honey and avocado moisturize. Egg yolk smooths and conditions the hair shaft and scalp.

Baby Your Hair

Since Robert worked on a dizzying array of movie and TV sets, he had to guarantee "perfect hair" when the lights hit it.

One of his secrets was "Using a baby toothbrush prepped with a dab of styling cream to smooth fly-a-ways or other hair sins."

His favorite hair cream was his own Prawduct Dream Cream. When he couldn't use his Dream Cream, he would reach for products with minimal silicone and alcohol in a pinch.

A Heady Hair Brightening Brew

Robert loved to play with various fresh herbs and essential oils.

As a result, his Prawduct hair care line utilized an array of essential oils.

Those included orange and basil.

It also included organic honey, apples, and a custom fruit complex.

Fresh Chamomile Herbs

My friend loved fresh chamomile herbs, which, he explained, "Added highlights and shine to blonde to medium-brown hair and soothe irritated scalps."

Another favorite of his was lavender oil mixed with yogurt to add gorgeous shine. Robert also loved to use fresh organic lavender herbs since the aroma was heavenly.

He used his custom brightened recipe to enhance the blonde locks of many famous celebrities.

Robert applied the formula to my hair on one of my visits to his home salon.  My locks were noticeably brighter.

Ingredients

6 chamomile tea bags

1/2 cup plain yogurt

5 drops lavender oil (available online or at many health-food stores)

1 cup water

Note:  Use organic when possible or lose fresh herbs equivalent to 6 tea bags.

How To

Boil water in a glass saucepan.  Turn off the heat, add tea bags, and let steep for 20 minutes.

Remove bags and dispose.  Add yogurt and lavender oil.  Mix well.  Shampoo hair and towel dry to remove excess moisture.

Apply the mixture to hair and scalp; cover hair in plastic wrap or put on a shower cap. Let sit for 20 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water.  Lightly shampoo.

This recipe can be used twice weekly to alleviate dryness and 3-4 times a week to lighten color.

Store any excess formula in a clean glass container with a tight lid.

Refrigerate in between use.

Summary - Robert Hallowell's Best Hair Recipes

Robert Hallowell had an amazing knowledge of hair and all-natural skin care.

Over the 12+ years, we were friends, he graciously shared many of his hair, skin, and beauty recipes with me. I will cherish them forever.

Dedication—This article is dedicated to Robert Hallowell.

He was an amazing human being.  The world will never be the same without him.

DMCA Notice

Protection: All original content on Hairboutique.com is created by the website owner.

This includes but is not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs, and videos.

The content is considered the website owner's intellectual property, whether copyrighted or not, and is protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3).

Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Part of the US Copyright Law. The DMCA addresses penalties for copyright infringement on the Internet and protects content creators by "establishing procedures for proper notification" to OSPs when copyright infringement is identified online.

Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act, Title II of the DMCA, "adds a new section 512 to the Copyright Act to create four new limitations on liability for copyright infringement by online service providers."

These procedures allow content creators or their designated agents to file proper DMCA Takedown notices to the OSP if infringed material is detected on their servers.

Save

Save

Save