Are you finding store-bought products aren’t doing much for you? Or maybe you’d just rather take a much more natural approach to hair care. Either way, here are some DIY hair recipes to whip up right in your kitchen!

Cleansing/Clarifying

Constant use of butters, oils and creams can clog your pores and make your hair look dull over time. These clarifying recipes will get rid of that nasty residue products can leave behind without stripping the hair of its natural oils. They’re great to use when wearing protective styles like braids or twists and you can’t cleanse your scalp the way you normally would.

1. Baking Soda Rinse

• spray bottle
• 1 tbsp. baking soda
• 1.5 cups of warm water

All you have to do is place the ingredients in your spray bottle and shake it up well. If you have really thick or long hair, feel free to double the ingredients. Just don’t add more baking soda unless you add more water. The mixture should be fluid, not grainy. Spray onto the scalp and hair, massage it in, leave on for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Rinse

• 8 oz applicator bottle
• 2-3 oz of ACV 
• 5-6 oz warm water
• essential oil(s)- Optional

Fill the bottle with the ACV, the rest with water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils like Rosemary Oil which assists in the removal of dandruff and stimulates growth or Tea Tree Oil which aids in treating scalp conditions and also soothes the scalp, leaving it feeling refreshed. Shake to mix it up and massage it into your scalp. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and rinse well with cool water. Don’t worry about the smell… that’ll go away once your hair dries.

PLUS- Apple Cider Vinegar helps close the hair cuticle which means smoother, shinier looking hair. It also helps balance the pH of the hair and scalp.

Pre-Poo

Pre-poo treatments are done mainly to keep the hair from being too stripped when shampooed and often include oils, conditioners or a combo of the two. It’s totally up to the individual’s preference, their hair needs and what it responds to.

3. Honey & Olive Oil

This is great for really dry, brittle hair that has been exposed to and beaten up by the elements, restoring it to beautiful shiny and soft hair.

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Mix together and work into the hair a little at a time. Cover with a plastic cap and leave on for about 30 minutes. FOllow up with your shampoo as normal.

Deep Conditioning

4. Banana Deep Conditioning Mask

You will need:

• 1 ripe banana
• 2 tbsp Coconut milk
• 2 tbsp Coconut oil
• 2 tbsp Honey

Cut a banana into pieces and place them in a bowl. Add your coconut milk, coconut oil and honey. Mix or blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and there are no chunks. Apply the mixture to damp hair, massage and cover with a plastic cap for 30 minutes.

5. Protein Conditioner

Try this recipe to strengthen damaged hair and restore moisture.

• 1 egg yolk
• 6 tbsp plain yogurt

Wisk the ingredients together well. Coat your hair and leave for 15-20 min with a shower cap. Rinse with cool water to make sure you don’t cook the egg in your hair. Shampoo and condition with a moisturizing conditioner to follow.

Treatments

6. Dandruff Treatment

A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair. For those of you who suffer from a flaky, oily scalp, try this concoction prior to shampooing to make it easier for the dandruff to be removed.

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp water (distilled if you can)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Mix ingredients well and massage into the scalp. Leave on for about 20 minutes then shampoo.

*For dry and flaky scalp, blend 2 tbsp jojoba with 1/4 tbsp tea tree oil. Massage into wet hair. Shampoo after 10 minutes.

7. Honey Rinse

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it’s great as a conditioner and moisturizer because of its ability to attract and retain water. It’s also a natural emollient. Try this simple recipe as a final rinse to restore shine and body to your hair and leave it feeling softer.

• 1 tsp of honey
• 4 cups of warm water

You can warm up the honey a bit so it’ll be easier to pour and mix into the water. Mix well. As the final step in your normal wash routine, pour the rinse onto your hair or apply with a spray bottle and do not rinse out. Dry & style as usual.

Styling

Not only will these assist when styling and help your do look cute but the ingredients help nourish and protect which leads to healthy hair that thrives!

8. Flaxseed Hair Gel

If you can’t seem to find the right gel for those wash & gos or just wanna save some money, this is an great natural and economical alternative.

• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp flaxseed
• essential oil(s)
• vitamin E
• cheesecloth or pantyhose (for straining)
• wide-mouth jar with cover

Add your flaxseed to the water and bring to a boil, stir occasionally. The water will begin to thicken. Remove from the heat and use your cheesecloth or pantyhose to carefully strain the gel into the jar. Add a few drops of Vitamin E and your essential oil(s) of choice. Stir together. The gel will continue to thicken as it cools. Use as you would any other gel.

*Be sure to store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. The oils will help preserve the gel.

9. Whipped Shea Butter

I love shea butter for sealing in moisture and to add a little shine to my hair. Whipped shea butter is especially good because, at this consistency, a little goes a long way and it’s a lot easier to apply when styling. I don’t have to worry about my twist-outs being too weighed down or overly greasy. Here’s a simple way to make your own!

• 4 oz unrefined shea butter
• 1/8 cup castor oil (or Jamaican black castor oil)
• 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
• Vitamin E oil
• essential oils
• mixer

Beat shea butter with a mixer until it has a soft, buttery consistency or melt the shea butter and then add your castor and sweet almond oils (you can use coconut and/or jojoba oil in place of these) and allow it to cool. Add Vitamin E. Beat on a low setting until the mixture is fluffy. Add essential oils for fragrance and to add a boost for hair health.

Growth Stimulating

10. Scalp Massage Oil

Massaging is great for stimulating your scalp, allowing the blood to carry nutrients to the follicles which promotes growth. Here’s an easy breezy mix to try.

• 1/4 cup castor oil
• rosemary essential oil
• tea tree essential oil
• peppermint essential oil
• 1/4 cup Vitamin E oil

Blend 5-10 drops of each essential oil with your castor and Vitamin E oils. Apply a small amount directly to your scalp and any “problem areas” like your temples. Massage gently for 5-10 minutes. Do this a few times a week for best results.

Do you currently use any of these recipes? What DIY hair recipes do YOU like to whip up?