We are hair to be different! An SMD writer's curly hair gets a boost

Prerna Bhutani uses herbs and kitchen ingredients to concoct the cleansers, gels, conditioners and serums; the products need to be refrigerated, just like food. Pic/Nishad Alam

Sure, curls fetch you compliments, but ask anybody blessed with them and they'll tell you that hydrating, detangling and styling them is no cinch. While straight hair follicles are symmetrical, curls have them asymmetrical. Which is essentially a way of saying that different hair textures have different needs.

Enter Zeme, a homegrown label, that customises hair wash and conditioner to requirements. Prerna Bhutani uses natural ingredients to concoct the cleansers, gels, conditioners and serums.

The ingredients typically consist of methi seeds (beneficial against hairfall, dandruff), bhringraj (fights greying), neem leaves (anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties), shikakai (adds natural shine), amla (adds volume) and green tea (prevents hair loss and dryness). "I have been a proponent of natural, chemical-free products. It comes from my mother, who still doesn't use any chemicals on her face. At 62, her skin is soft and healthy," she says.

As a child, Bhutani's hair was washed using a concoction of reetha, shikakai, all freshly made by soaking them in an iron kadhai the night before. "And I remember how healthy my skin and hair were at that time." She noticed a distinct difference in hair quality once she began using commercial shampoos.

It reached a point where she started hating her hair and wouldn't like leaving it loose. "For occasions, I would always straighten or blow dry it, because I couldn't imagine looking good with my natural hair."

That a chemical-free care routine was possible is something she learnt after a year of research on natural ingredients that go into hair wash. For Zemé, the former venture capitalist and marketer, has dipped into traditional Indian hair care recipes.

"We customise the products to suit individual hair needs, and home deliver them. The products are made from herbs, kitchen ingredients, and since we don't add preservatives, they need to be refrigerated, just like fresh food," she says.

mid-day's experience with Zeme
Because no-one-size-fits-all, we are given a questionnaire to help Bhutani understand our concerns, goals and lifestyle. The survey includes questions around the hair length, scalp type, whether the texture isthick or fine, if we've done any chemical treatments in the past, and details about the hair products we use currently. I typically wash my hair three times a week, because excessive sweat from workouts makes the scalp oily and, hair frizzy. Mumbai's muggy weather doesn't help either, flattening my curls like a road roller.

What we order - cleanser, conditioner and serum - arrive within 10 days in tightly sealed packs and tubes. We are told that the cleanser works well with the natural oils of the scalp. So, if you oil your hair before washing, it may not wash off all the added oil. The cleanser has only natural cleaning agents so it doesn't lather like a commercial shampoo. Squeeze it in your palm, and use your fingers to apply the product starting at the scalp and crown. It may take some time for you to figure the ideal quantity. Our hair took time to settle into the no-chemical routine. After the first wash, it felt heavier, but after subsequent trials, we noticed a visible difference. The hair looked shiny, bouncy and less dry.

What: Zeme hair cleanser
Where: 9321180525
Price: Rs 500 onwards