DIY stands for do-it-yourself! When I first went natural this is where I started by making my own recipes. If you have ever checked out Naptural85’s Youtube channel then you will see that she uses a lot of homemade recipes to maintain her hair and she has documented her journey from big chop to now. Her hair is currently past middle back length I believe.

There is a benefit to using things all natural. Creating recipes at home in the kitchen is where many natural hair product lines started. For instance, look at Carol’s Daughter, Original Moxie, Naturalicious and various others. Many of these women and/or creators began researching the benefits of all natural ingredients, essential oils, etc.

When I first big chopped last year back in April 2012, I bought the Curly Girl Handbook, co-authored by Lorraine Massey who is also the creator of DevaCurl sold all around the country. This book has a huge section on curly girl recipes with various natural ingredients. There are home made deep conditioners, protein treatments, etc. Check it out if you haven’t already! You can get the book on your Kindle, from Google Play, or buy it on Amazon.com.

Below I share some of the recipes that I have used as well as some links to some additional recipes. Apple Cinder Vinegar rinses and the good ole mayo and egg recipe for a protein treatment are also tried and true. 

Shealoe Butter Mix

I’ve used the recipe below to do two strand twists which had lots of hold, shine, moisture retention and luster. I’ve used the recipe to twist on damp hair and dry hair. I’ve had beautiful twistouts with the recipe below. I even used on my skin and my children after baths and showers to retain the moisture in our skin.

• 2 parts shea butter
• 1 part aloe vera gel or juice
• 2 tbsp of your favorite oil (I use cocounut oil)
• Vitamin E as a preservative

Kimmaytube Leave In Conditioner

Kimmaytube is a Youtube Channel or rather one of the first natural hair channels created by Kim Love. She is a major self styler if you have caught any of her Youtube videos. She is known for her youtube tutorial regarding the Kimmaytube leave in conditioner. She recently launched Luv Naturals a complete natural hair care line with 4 steps. Go to http://www.luvnaturals.com for more info.

You can use the recipe below as a leave in and styler! Check out her youtube channel via http://www.youtube.com/user/kimmaytube to for more styling videos and to check out her line. You can also make larger versions of the recipe below. Also bear in mind that there are great conditioners on the market but the benefit of the recipe below is too not only save money but its a great way to use up conditioners that you have in the stash and didn’t necessarily like.

• 2 tbsp of conditioner
• 2 tbsp of Aloe Vera Juice
• 2 tbsp of Castor Oil
• 2 tbsp of Jojoba Oil

DIY Hair Mask

This recipe provides hydration, conditions and adds shine, softness, and manageability to the hair. Mix the items together, coat your hair strands and put on a shower cap or a heated hair cap and go about your business or sit under a hooded dryer or a steamer for 30 minutes.

• 1 banana
• 1 avocado
• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 2-3 tbsp of coconut or olive oil

Hair Mist and Refresher Spray

You can use this mist to refresh your hair with moisture throughout the week. Mix the contents together and put them in a bottle and shake. My sister shared this one with me and not sure where she got the recipe from.

• 1 cup rose water
• 1 tbsp conditioner
• 1 tsp EVOO
• Rosemary drops
• Vitamin E drops
• 1 tbsp honey (optional for warm months to attract moisture)
• 1 tbsp glycerin (optional for warm months to attract moisture)
• essential oil (for smell if you want a scent)

Scrub-Me-the-Right-Way Exfoliating Cleanser (original from the Curly Girl Handbook)

I love this! It’s so refreshing to my scalp. The original recipe is in the Curly Girl Handbook but you can add additional items. I like to add the tea tree to massage my scalp since it’s great for dermatitis. This exfoliates your scalp and leaves it so tingly!

• 1 part brown sugar
• 3 parts conditioner
• Tea Tree drops
• 2 tsp EVOO or jojoba oil

The good thing you can do is to save the recipes somewhere for easy reference. I have mine in a folder!

Sources and links for more info:

• http://urbanbushbabes.com/2011/12/shealoe-butter-diy-for-hair-and-skin/
• http://www.naturalhairrules.com/shealoe-shea-butter-aloe-vera-gel/
• http://www.youtube.com/user/kimmaytube
• http://www.amazon.com/Curly-Girl-Handbook-Michele-Bender/dp/076115678X
• http://fem-fatl.com/2011/kimmaytube-leave-in-conditioner-recipe-a-curly-girls-dream/
• http://www.naturallybeautifulhaircare.com/#!diy_natural_recipes_/c1jho