Homemade Hair Product Makers. Can We Have An Honest Conversation?

Hey y'all.

Long story short, I have decided to stop using commercial products...as much as I realistically can anyway. My scalp just isn't having it anymore.


I have for years been using EO's, natural oils, henna cassia other Ayurvedic powders. Here's the problem I have never really found anything natural that really truly moisturizes and softens my hair. There are things like fenugreek that condition but it also acts like mild protein... Most things have a strengthening effect on my hair. So I still have a multitude of commercial DCs and leave-ins. But the time has come to give those up.

Can you ladies share anything natural that you have found that really softens and conditions your hair?

Just to give a a background, I'm transitioning but my natural hair is 4a, coarse, high porosity.

And yes, I'm aware that the market has exploded with commercially available handmade products, that are for the most part natural but I really would like to make my own.

I'm sure there are others like me that can benefit, and as I discover new things I plan to share here in this thread.

Our hair sound similar. Today I tried an old kitchen formula that I hadn't done in a while and am kicking myself for forgetting about it.
Co-wash
Then deep condition with mixture of egg yolks, coconut oil, honey and a dollop of fave deep conditioner. Soft hair will abound!!!
It's cheap and easy to try.

I dibble and dabble in making my own products. I'm not as advanced as some but I can share what I've learned about using mostly herbs and Ayurvedic powders.

When I'm thinking of what to use I try to keep in mind that powders and herbs are plants. All plant life contains protein so they will provide some type of strengthening to your hair. (At least from my experience).

So when I want mostly conditioning/softening power, I try to stick with these categories:

Fruit extracts/oils: apricot, avocado, Grapeseed etc

Humectants: glycerin, honey, agave nectar

Butters: my favorite is mango butter. I find it's the most moisturizing and conditioning out of all I've tried.

I'm not all DIY because I still use a commercial conditioner. (probably will never stop due to the length of my hair and the tangles that can happen) but I've eliminated the big stuff:

To color: henna/indigo
To cleanse: African black soap diluted with herbal tea infusion, oil, glycerin and aloe vera
To condition:* regular rinse out conditioner mixed with a DIY Ayurvedic herbal oil OR butter, oils and honey after a 2 step henna/indigo treatment.

*When choosing a commercial conditioner, my goal was to find one that was mostly plant/herbal based. I'm having success using Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle and just picked up a few by Live Clean that are working well so far.

When I used to DIY I deep conditioned every wash day with an overripe avocado blended with other conditioning ingredients.
I added aloe vera and olive oil, sometimes an egg yolk. I have also used an overripe banana and banana baby food as a base, and I liked the way my hair felt with both.
The only issue is they tend to leave pieces behind. Avocado has some weird red stringy things in it and the banana was prone to leaving chunks.

Have you tried mango butter? My hair loves that.

What about 50/ 50 aloe juice glycerin mix?

I'd just read up on a couple of recipe's I am thinking of trying I currently have store brought Aloe vera and will try that first AND BTW either of these may cause your hair to go through a "DETOX" for a few washings/days:

DIY pH balanced shampoo recipe
(very informative):
http://www.thankyourbody.com/ph-balanced-shampoo-recipe/

Homemade Aloe Vera and Honey Shampoo Recipe: http://blackhair101.com/hair-recipes/homemade-aloe-vera-and-honey-shampoo-recipe

Ladies thank you so much for your replies!

Ok lets list some common denominators:

Natural humectants: honey glycerin and agave

Mango butter

Fruit/fruit extracts

I'm not a DIYer, but I'm very excited about the potential of the DIY deep conditioner in the first video. It sounds extremely moisturizing.

She only lists the amounts for SOME of the ingredients she uses. I will try her version first to see what it does, then I might add rhassoul clay and/or nupur henna 9 (the henna with all those ayurvedic ingredients).

Here's what I plan to mix on the first try (I filled in amounts she didn't specify with either my guess at how much she MIGHT have used or how much I want to try at first):

Ingredients

• 1/2 an avocado
• (perhaps a teaspoon?) of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 banana or banana baby food
• 30 mL of aloe Vera juice
• 2 Tbs of fenugreek (methi) powder
• Honey (maybe 2 Tbs???)
• plain Greek yoghurt (however much is in that individual Chobani container)
• Mayonnaise (maybe 1/4 a cup???)

I will use organic banana baby food instead of a banana to avoid the chunks-getting-stuck-in-hair issue. And I will use Naptural85's tips in the second video below as far as methods (using a strainer, etc.).

lulu97 said:

I dibble and dabble in making my own products. I'm not as advanced as some but I can share what I've learned about using mostly herbs and Ayurvedic powders.

When I'm thinking of what to use I try to keep in mind that powders and herbs are plants. All plant life contains protein so they will provide some type of strengthening to your hair. (At least from my experience).

So when I want mostly conditioning/softening power, I try to stick with these categories:

Fruit extracts/oils: apricot, avocado, Grapeseed etc

Humectants: glycerin, honey, agave nectar

Butters: my favorite is mango butter. I find it's the most moisturizing and conditioning out of all I've tried.

I'm not all DIY because I still use a commercial conditioner. (probably will never stop due to the length of my hair and the tangles that can happen) but I've eliminated the big stuff:

To color: henna/indigo
To cleanse: African black soap diluted with herbal tea infusion, oil, glycerin and aloe vera
To condition:* regular rinse out conditioner mixed with a DIY Ayurvedic herbal oil OR butter, oils and honey after a 2 step henna/indigo treatment.

*When choosing a commercial conditioner, my goal was to find one that was mostly plant/herbal based. I'm having success using Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle and just picked up a few by Live Clean that are working well so far.

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Thanks so much for this. I will definitely try the mango butter. love a msngo butter leave in from elasta qp so why not just try making it myself.

Actually, I saw a mango butter mix from naptural85 that I might give a whirl.

Yes @ the blacksoap shmpoo! I made a diluted one yesterday and my scalp was like ahh.

And yes you're right plants have protein, because they are living...so its hard to find something that wont have some sort of strengthening effect.

I dont have trader joes near me but Ive known about that tea tree tingle through naptural85. Would you mind sharing which live clean conditioners you like?

Im trying as much as I can not to do the store bought thing, but you make a good point about tangles as the hair gets longer

sarumoki said:

Have you tried mango butter? My hair loves that.

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Thank you! Yes its on my list. I love EQP mango butter, Ill try making my own mix

classychic1908 said:

What about 50/ 50 aloe juice glycerin mix?

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I have recently discovered the wonders of AVJ, this sounds really good thank you.

YvetteWithJoy said:

I'm not a DIYer, but I'm very excited about the potential of the DIY deep conditioner in the first video. It sounds extremely moisturizing.

She only lists the amounts for SOME of the ingredients she uses. I will try her version first to see what it does, then I might add rhassoul clay and/or nupur henna 9 (the henna with all those ayurvedic ingredients).

Here's what I plan to mix on the first try (I filled in amounts she didn't specify with either my guess at how much she MIGHT have used or how much I want to try at first):

Ingredients

• 1/2 an avocado
• (perhaps a teaspoon?) of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 banana or banana baby food
• 30 mL of aloe Vera juice
• 2 Tbs of fenugreek (methi) powder
• Honey (maybe 2 Tbs???)
• plain Greek yoghurt (however much is in that individual Chobani container)
• Mayonnaise (maybe 1/4 a cup???)

I will use organic banana baby food instead of a banana to avoid the chunks-getting-stuck-in-hair issue. And I will use Naptural85's tips in the second video below as far as methods (using a strainer, etc.).

Click to expand...

@YvetteWithJoy girl this why I love you! You always come through with such good info! Thank you! watching now

Colocha said:

When I used to DIY I deep conditioned every wash day with an overripe avocado blended with other conditioning ingredients.
I added aloe vera and olive oil, sometimes an egg yolk. I have also used an overripe banana and banana baby food as a base, and I liked the way my hair felt with both.
The only issue is they tend to leave pieces behind. Avocado has some weird red stringy things in it and the banana was prone to leaving chunks.

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Yes Im bascically coming full circle cause when I joined 10 yrs ago I used to do the blended banana.

I hear you with the strings, Im thinking of straining with cheesecloth/nylons. Anyone ever tried straining banana with sucess?

Ok heres what I dabbled in yesterday.

Diluted black soap is a great cleanser. Clean but not crunchy hair. I diluted mine with just water but Ill add eo's avj and proably a humectant next time

Refined palm oil (sustainably sourced) is wonderful. Its white so there is no yellow to stain your clothes and its solid at room temp like coconut oil but its not strengthening at least not to me. I made a DC with palm oil, honey, evoo sliperry elm and peppermint EO.

Honestly its no joico. BUT my hair is soft enough to go through with a comb and the elm really added great slip. I know I can make this better.

If you have the time and are up for the challenge, making your own leave-in moisturizer can be very useful. You can find the oils that benefit your hair while getting the benefits of using a water-based product.

Calling @Sharpened @AbsyBlvd @mzteaze @Bibliophile @Saludable84

Into this Thread to help you!

@IDareT'sHair I was lurking. You know all I used 95% of the time is oil and water.

Looks like @halee_J already got some good advice.

I flip flop between DIY and commercial/handmade, but I've learned to make DIY and shelf stable conditioners. It's easier to start with what works on your hair and move from there. Since you are HiPo, it will work to also use stuff like AVJ previously suggested to close the cuticles, but probably more in a leave in.

You just gotta keep playing around.

Sharpened said:

@IDareT'sHair I was lurking. You know all I used 95% of the time is oil and water.

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I need more clarification on your oil rinses and how and when you do them. The last time I tried an oil rinse, it was a disaster and I said never again. At this point, I'm convinced I did it wrong.

Saludable84 said:

I need more clarification on your oil rinses and how and when you do them. The last time I tried an oil rinse, it was a disaster and I said never again. At this point, I'm convinced I did it wrong.

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What happened exactly?

@Sharpened
I Know

Girl....Oil & Wata' is Winning for You. ...

So I know there are several folks that may wanna hear about that as far as DIY.

But you also use Powders & Teas too.

I lurked here a little today and you all already gave some great advice. I'm all about a moisturising/cleansing DIY clay mix but I moved away from (read got lazy) creating my own conditioners. This thread will probably inspire me more than I can help @halee_J.

I love marsmallow root and hibiscus..even the marshmallow root will act a little protein-y on my hair if used too often.

Sharpened said:

What happened exactly?

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After rinsing conditioner, I poured the oil on my hair then ran my hair under water. My hair was hard and greasy. So I'm pretty sure it should not have felt like that.

I tried to chalk it up to LoPo hair, but I know that's just an excuse

@Sharpened do you mind sharing a bit more? I would LOVE to get to a point where all my hair needs is oil and water.

What your oil rinse method and what oils do you like? And like what was the evolution process? How did you realize that oil and water is all you needed?

@halee_J

There is an Oil Rinsing Thread out there too.

I try to do it basically either as a Pre-Treat or during my Final R/O to try to further remove sheds/tangles.

I try to do it with Warm Water and have used a variety of difference Oils.

@IDareT'sHair yes! right I forgot about that, let me get my read on what kinds of oils you like that make your hair feel buttery? You give good recs

@halee_J
I've used (in no particular order):
Ghee (clarified Buuter)
EVCO
EVOO
Palm
Avocado
Hemp Seed
Pumpkin Seed
Rice Bran
WEN Oil
Sweet Almond
Vitamin E
Apricot Kernel
Flax Seed
Wheat Germ
Fractionated Coco.nut Oil
Neem
Black Seed

Would be really interested in hearing what others are using?

ETA: I know quite a few use JBCO to rinse with. I refuse to waste my JBCO like that.

Saludable84 said:

After rinsing conditioner, I poured the oil on my hair then ran my hair under water. My hair was hard and greasy. So I'm pretty sure it should not have felt like that.

I tried to chalk it up to LoPo hair, but I know that's just an excuse

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Oh, you used it in the wrong order. Oil rinsing is between shampoo and conditioner, although some do it before shampooing or after conditioning. Conditioner can remove much of the excess (and so can hot water). The right oil will not leave you with hard or greasy hair as well.

Also, you used too much. I only use like 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per section and more drops directly on knots. That is why I use those nozzle bottles, so I can eliminate spillage, control the portions better and aim it right on the knots.

halee_J said:

@Sharpened do you mind sharing a bit more? I would LOVE to get to a point where all my hair needs is oil and water.

What your oil rinse method and what oils do you like? And like what was the evolution process? How did you realize that oil and water is all you needed?

Click to expand...

No problem! I thoroughly saturate my hair with running warm water, gently separating my hair as the coils relax and removing random sheds. This can take 5-10 minutes due to normal porosity. I ad the oil, 1/8-1/4 tsp at a time to each section (5) of my hair. I start finger detangling the easiest section first under running water and leave the hardest ones for last so those sections can adsorb more oil/water and hopefully loosen up. Sometimes, I will apply the oil, cover with plastic cap, and shower before detangling. That is mainly it.

Now, certain oils are very penetrating; in my case, that will be, from least to greatest, pumpkin seed, wheat germ, and babassu oil. Those really soften my hair and I can detangle with them, but I have to follow up with a sealing oil: castor (the king), hempseed (the prince), avocado, safflower, jojoba, rice bran, and grapeseed. If I don't, my hair fros quickly because water is evaporating. I am still trialing oils and posting results in the Oil Challenge thread.

I had thought my hair had hated oils until the Oil Rinsing thread hit. I was still mainly cowashing and clarifying with shampoo monthly. My coils never clumped until I started oil rinsing. I gradually by accident started doing more oil rinsing than cowashing, and exclusively oil rinsed during the TWA stage. In 2015, after I had buzzed it off again, I only did oil rinsing and never looked back. It was then I realized one of my issues, a flaky scalp (not dandruff) had disappeared. I am allergic to not only coconut oil, but the fatty alcohols derived from them.

I use JBCO or an oil mix for what turns out to be an oil rinse.

mzteaze said:

I use JBCO or an oil mix for what turns out to be an oil rinse.

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@mzteaze

This is a good idea.

Umm... I guess I can spare a drop or two of my precious in a mix with others.