Greetings Daizies,
When I first went natural 4 years ago, it seemed like creating a regimen for my hair would cost me a grip. And as a college student, buying a shampoo and conditioner for $25 total was not always fiscally responsible (lol). So I often turned to DIY products and found that having natural hair doesn’t have to be expensive and it can even be fun to make my own products that catered to my hair needs. You might even have some of the best ingredients in your kitchen day. So I will imagine that I’m starting from a freshly grocery shopped kitchen, and make a full natural hair regimen that won’t break your bank.
Shampoo
Apple Cider Vinegar
I rave about Apple Cider Vinegar rinses for hair so much because it is absolutely amazing for cleansing the scalp. If you struggle with having a dry, itchy scalp, an ACV rinse for your hair would be very beneficial. ACV can be found in the vinegar and sugar/salt isles at most grocery stores. The most popular brand is called “Bragg” but I’ve used vinegar for Heinz and if Great Value had a vinegar brand I’d probably use that too. Either way, all you need for this shampoo is apple cider vinegar and water.
- Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 3/4 cup fo water into a cup or spray bottle
- Apply mixture throughout hair and be sure to massage scalp
- Leave on hair for at least 5 minutes and follow with a conditioner
Baking Soda
Baking soda I got baking soda! No but for real, I was kind of shocked too to find that the orange box of baking soda I seemingly always had could be used for my hair. Baking soda works to cleanse the scalp and revive your hair. It is effective in removing product buildup and relieving itchiness. In a scientific sense “baking soda has a high pH of 9, making it an effective acid-neutralizer and cleanse.” A very important tip I learned about baking soda through more research is that since baking soda starts with a pH of 9, it is best to use apple cider vinegar afterwards to get your hair back to it’s natural pH level of about 4-5. Rising the pH of the hair would cause all of the moisture to seep in but not be retained. So baking soda is more of a precursor shampoo but still valuable considering most people already have it in their households.
- Mix 1 t teaspoon of baking soda per 1 water bottles (16 oz)
- Rinse through hair and leave on for about 3 to 5 minutes
Protein Treatment
Egg+ Mayonnaise+ Olive Oil
This is great as a natural protein treatment. Protein treatments help strengthen your hair and avoid breakage. Making your own is an easy way to ensure protein is in your regimen. Eggs are already high in protein and mayonnaise contains helpful ingredients like oil, fatty acids and eggs as well. So mixed together you have a powerful protein treatment for damaged or dry hair.
- Start with wet hair
- Crack 2 eggs into a bowl
- Use 5-6large scoops of mayonnaise(or more as needed)
- If olive oil is available, apply a few drops to the mixture
- Wrap hair in a plastic bag and let sit for 15-20 minutes
- Rinse out
Hair Masks
Honey + Olive Oil
Honey is full of antioxidants which aid in having a healthy scalp necessary for hair growth. Olive oil easily penetrates the hair shaft and nourishes your hair. Combined, this mask can help replenish hair and add shine. I tried this mask a few years ago and really liked it. You can find my Youtube video here. It can get a little messy, so be sure to have a towel draped around your neck.
- Mix 1/2 cup of honey and 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Apply to wet hair in sections
- Cover with plastic bag and let sit for 20-30 minutes
- Rinse hair (can use shampoo to make sure the mask is completely out)
Avocado+Coconut Oil+Honey
I dislike avocados as a food but for my hair, I’m all in! Blended avocados have a thick and creamy consistency that my course hair craves! As far as nutrients, they are high in “monounsaturated fatty acids” which are good fats that keep hair moisturized. We are all about moisture as naturalistas! The properties in avocado, honey, and coconut oil will hopefully leave your hair feeling smooth, moisturized and lively.
- Blend 1 avocado with an ample amount of coconut oil and honey
- Apply to wet hair
- Leave on for about 30 minutes
- Wrap with plastic cap and/or deep conditioning cap
- Rinse out of hair
Yogurt+Banana
This combination helps rejuvenate dry and brittle hair. Bananas are full of vitamins like biotin which help strengthen your hair. A dose of biotin can help hair and skin grow. Yogurt is full of protein and is a thick substance to fully coat hair strands. This works best using a blender because the tiny little pieces of banana can be hard to get out of natural hair. I tried it with just mushing the banana and I was picking banana flakes out of my hair for the next few days! So mix well with a blender:
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons of Organic Greek Yogurt
- Apply to wet hair in sections
- Cover with cap and let sit for 30 minutes
Coconut Milk+Honey
If I saw a hair product with these ingredients I would be immediately interested. So why not make your own with just these ingredients? Coconut milk naturally conditions hair and helps restore it. It aids in helping with split ends and promotes hair growth. Honey’s antibacterial products can help soothe a dry and itchy scalp. This mixture will be more watery, just by the nature of coconut milk, so for easy application use an old shampoo bottle or spray bottle once the mixture is created.
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 3-4 teaspoons of honey
- Apply to wet hair in sections
- Cover with cap and let sit for 25-35 minutes
There are a plethora of DIY natural hair mixtures to try, these are just a few. You can mix and match these ingredients in so many different ways. And you can always add your favorite oils to them to spice things up. I’m looking forward to trying the things I haven’t and resisting the mixtures I’ve loved.
As always,
