There are so many brands of hair moisturizers, creams, hydrators, conditioners, spray oils, hair grease, and the list goes on. If treating dry locks is a part of your hair routine, get to know some simpler recipes that are free of harsh chemicals. I’ve found that experimenting with creating my own products from raw ingredients has allowed me to get to know what works my hair. I have also learned which manufactured products my hair likes versus which of my own products is preferred. If you’re like me and have gotten tired of those mediocre products that aren’t helping you reach your hair goals, a few of our favorite DIY products for natural hair might be worth testing out.
Bonus: They’re all cost-efficient!
1. Ultimate Moisturizing Butter Cream
This heavy mixture is a moisture-lasting cream that is best tried on clean hair, preferably with a wash and go. To achieve the best results, I recommend misting your hair with water until it is damp. Though the ingredients are few, this cream prides itself on concentration. A little goes a long way.
What you’ll need:
- Butter
- Oil(s)
- Essential oil
- Hand blender
1. Grab your preferred whipped butter — raw African shea butter and mango butter are both vastly spreadable. For a two week supply, I start with 1 simple cup/8 oz. Then, add to blender, melter, or a heat resistant container if using stove top.
2. Add your favorite oils. I like to use 1/4 cup of jojoba oil. Some alternative options are olive oil and coconut oil. Other oils can be added but keep in mind the thicker the oil, the thicker the consistency. It may be hard to use oils like castor with an already rigid butter, but you can mix it with lighter oils to loosen it.
3. Add a few drops of essential oil. This part is 100% experimental. Start with a 4 to 6 drops. You can always add more to get the preferred scent that’s tolerable for long-wear. I use about 20 drops of lavender or peppermint.
4. Blend or melt the mixture until it is smooth. You will need a blender, hand blender works best since you can use in the container you want to store in it. You can even melt down the contents in pot sitting in boiling water or a wax melter.
Since this product contains no water, it has great shelf life with no preservatives. It should expire at the length of it’s ingredients use by dates. Check the labels of your oils and butters used. Note: Other essential oils are possible to use but since some are more potent than others, you’d have to follow label instructions specific for cosmetic care. You should have a thick cream after cooling down the melted mixture.
2. The Hydrator
Keeping it simple. This isn’t intended for the most definition, it’s more like a leave in to soften dry hair.
What you’ll need:
- Honey or glycerin
- Carrier oil
- Spray bottle
1. Add 1 drop of honey (preferably organic), or glycerin to a 2 oz spray bottle with water. These are humectants which draw moisture from the environment, and not surprisingly, can get sticky if going beyond the recipe.
2. Add 2 drops of a carrier oil, such as olive, coconut, or almond.
3. Shake the mixture. The solution should blend a bit since there are humectants present.
4. Store in the refrigerator or use within 3 days. Since this mixture contains no preservatives, smaller portions are recommended.
3. Moisturizing and Defining Jelly
This is a little more of process but well worth it.
What you’ll need:
- Marshmallow root
- Flax seeds
- Cheesecloth or a nylon sotcking
- Carrier oil
- Essential oil
- Gather 1 cup of marshmallow root and 1 cup of whole flax seeds. Pour both into a small cooking pot.
- Boil the root and seeds in water for up to 20 mins.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Spoon the root and seed into stocking or cloth.
- Squeeze the contents so the jelly liquid will seep through the cloth.
- After getting as much material as possible, you could store the used root and seed in the refrigerator for another batch in an air tight container.
- Add 1 tbs of carrier oil with 3 drops of an essential oil of your choice. Again, I suggest a testing a drop of essential oil at a time to refrain.
- Blend the contents until the scent and oils are blended well.
- Store in the refrigerator after each use.
Remember these ingredients can be modified to your preferences and hair dryness. You could even blend the jelly with a melted butter for a great twist out. With so many raw ingredients that are beneficial to hair, you could really step up your natural hair care game with a few DIY product experiments.