Skip to main content

We tried the TikTok rice water trend, and this is how our hair reacted

If you spend any amount of time on TikTok, you are familiar with the tips and tricks given by the app’s users. One recent trend that’s been going around the HairTok group has to do with rice water and its magical properties for your mane. People are raving that rice water has made their hair thicker and shinier and has improved its overall appearance. To say it’s popular would be an understatement — if you look up “TikTok rice water” or the hashtag #ricewater, it’s been viewed over 150 million times!

Even pre-TikTok, rice water has been known for its hair-friendly properties because it contains natural proteins, vitamins, and minerals that improve hair strength and help hydrate your locks, resulting in a shinier appearance. According to scientific studies, rice water also increases the number of hair follicles, likening it with products like minoxidil (Rogaine) to help regrow hair. It also helps repair split ends and helps your hair not to break off, especially if you use ponytail holders.

Related Videos
Sofia Zhuravetc/Shutterstock

How to make rice water

The ingredients couldn’t be easier to find. All you need is white rice and water — that’s it. Take equal parts rice and water (try using one cup of each). Rinse and strain the rice so there aren’t any dirt or particles that get into the rinse. Next, mix the strained rice in a bowl with 1 cup of water until you notice the water becomes cloudy. Then, strain all the rice out and keep the water.

Let the water sit at room temperature for a day. This will let the water ferment and the nutrients come out. Simply put the water into a spray bottle and refrigerate it until you’re ready. Post-shampoo and conditioning, spray the water into your hair and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then rinse it out.

Guiyuan Chen/Shutterstock

Why does it work?

The studies above found that rice water contains inositol, a nutrient that repairs damaged hair from the inside out, which is prevalent if you use rice water over time. There are also other vitamins and minerals like amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins B and E. The best news is that you’ll see results after just one week of adding it to your hair care regime.

There are many hair care products that have rice water in them, but it is easier and cheaper to make it yourself. You also don’t have to do anything different (other than remember to bring it into the shower with you); it’s just one more step while you’re washing your hair.

The results are in

We tried this challenge several weeks ago, and it’s amazing the difference you can see (and feel) in such a short time. For one, you can actually feel it on your hair after the first use, almost like a protective layer on your hair. Within one week, we noticed our hair wasn’t breaking as much when we brushed through it and there were fewer flyaways as a result. It also seemed we were shedding less in the shower and during a blow-dry.

During the week, we washed out hair three times, and each time, it felt like our hair was thicker, fuller, and shinier. It was also much softer to the touch, which was an added bonus. One of our team members uses a straightening iron several times a week and noticed there were fewer breakages than in typical use. Overall, it got 5-stars from our team, which isn’t easy when you have different hair types, lengths, and thicknesses.

Women in Japan, China, and other parts of Southeast Asia have used rice water to improve the overall look and strength of their hair, dating back centuries. According to researchers, women in the “Heian period (794 to 1185 CE) in Japan had floor-length hair” and credited rice water as the reason why.

The longer you can leave it in, the better the results. If you have time, plan on keeping it in as long as possible (maybe give those legs a shave or read a book in the bathtub), massaging it into your hair and scalp over that time.

Editors' Recommendations

Why every makeup bag should have these 5 items
Makeup items exploding out of a makeup bag.

Take a look inside your makeup bag and you are likely to encounter a wealth of products: the good (your favorite lip color), the bad (a dried out bottle of nail polish), and maybe even the ugly (tangled dental floss…ew). Next time you find yourself sorting through your kit for the products you want, make sure you are fully stocked on the products you need—like these 5 essential tools everyone should have for their daily beauty routine. It is time to get rid of all those old Chapsticks at the bottom of your makeup case and make room in your grooming arsenal for the necessities!

No makeup or beauty bag is complete without these simple tools. While there will always be fun new eyeshadow palettes, trendy highlighter sticks, and bold lipsticks to play with, these essential items never go out of style and always come in handy. Get rid of your outdated or untouched products, and replace them with these makeup bag staples today. Your beauty routine will thank you!

Read more
To pluck or not to pluck: Is the Y2K skinny brow trend for you?
are y2k skinny brows for you

It's true. The thick and luscious brow may be moving out of style. The Y2K skinny brow is here and rumored to stick around for a while. Just like 90s trends of bell-bottom jeans, middle parts, and beaded jewelry, the signature thin brow has made a reappearance. Don't believe us? Stars like Bella Hadid and Rhianna are now spotted rocking the emerging trend. 

If you're curious about whether or not Y2K skinny brows are for you, there may be a few factors to consider. Below, we'll outline different styles of a slender brow, which face types may benefit from a thin brow, as well as the best way to style and achieve the Y2K skinny brow.

Read more
5 essential beauty tools for your self care routine
the best feminine wash

Practicing self care is an important part of encouraging health and wellness mentally, physically and even spiritually. A common way that many people exercise self care is through pampering themselves with a spa day at home. This can include lighting a scented candle, turning on some calming music or meditating in a warm, bubble bath. For many people, recreating a spa-like environment at home provides a calm, serene frame of mind without the hefty prices that you’d typically find at a beauty parlor. You can transform your living space into a sanctuary with the help of some essential beauty tools that are available on Amazon right now.
Here are five essential tools to use for your self care routine:

Indulging yourself with these five beauty products can help you turn a boring beauty regimen into an extravagant spa experience. Let's face it, from daily work commutes to heating up frozen dinners after a long day, our every day routines can sometimes become monotonous and lackluster. It's important that we take special care of our mental and physical wellbeing so that we can tackle the highs and lows of life. Something as small as treating yourself to a pretty, glass nail file or applying a nutrient-rich face mask can brighten your mood. Participating in self care has been shown to provide ample health benefits as well as reduce the risks and effects of anxiety and depression. Set aside some time to celebrate yourself with these purposeful beauty tools for the perfect self care day.
 
 
 

Read more