I’ve been experimenting with simple DIY hair care for about three years now. I’ve even done more research than I thought possible. I’ve had moments where buying store bought products gave me a much needed reprieve from trying different DIY formulations, yet also helped me understand more about ingredients and the results that those ingredients give hair care products.
The one thing that I’ve learned over the years is that you can have beautiful healthy hair with simple affordable all natural ingredients.
Most natural and organic skin and hair care lines contain synthetic ingredients such as cetyl alcohol, betremonium methosulfate, emusifying wax, and hydrolized wheat protein. Not all of these synthetic ingredients are considered toxic to the body, yet they do have a big impact on our water supply and the environment. The cosmetic industry has come a long way with becoming more conscious about the ingredients in products, yet there is so much more room for growth in order to really make a difference on the planet.
With internet access almost anyone can buy cosmetic chemicals and synthetic ingredients to create their own “natural” products from home. When you learn that synthetic ingredients are used in even the natural and organic lines, it can be frustrating when you desire to make healthy conscious choices for yourself and the earth. Just know that there are simple ingredients that you can use to maintain healthy hair, and also grow long beautiful hair if that is what you desire.
Deep Conditioners
Bananas
To my own surprise bananas are a ridiculously moisturizing and softening hair conditioner. I was blown away the first time I blended up a banana with coconut milk and applied it to my hair. It is extremely important that this blend is very smooth so that rinsing it out won’t be tedious. After one experience of rinsing my hair for what seemed like forever, I see why others have turned to organic banana baby food. Still I wasn’t able to truly see the results of adding a banana to my deep conditioner until my hair fully dried. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
There seriously is no need for any plastic bottled “natural” conditioners when such things like bananas exist.
Henna/Cassia
One of the greatest hair conditioners that I’ve used on my hair consistently for the past three years is body art quality henna. Nothing has created long lasting strength and shine for my hair like henna. The benefits of henna can’t be washed away from hair as the henna deposits into the hair cuticle. My favorite henna is Godrej Nupur Mehendi Henna.
I honestly believe that it has been my henna treatments that have allowed me to grow out my hair so well since cutting it all off a few years ago and starting over. Read all about how I use henna in my hair care regimen here. Henna does deposit a natural red dye to hair which does not show strongly on dark hair tones, yet should not be used for blonds or lighter hair colors that do not want red hair or highlights. On the other hand there is cassia which is referred to as “neutral henna” and can also be used for conditioning and strengthening treatments. Cassia will provide golden highlights to lighter hair and be completely neutral on darker hair.
Henna is my #1 natural long lasting conditioners to any deep conditioner on the market especially when mixed with coconut milk.
Know that henna, cassia, and indigo can be mixed to create various shades for different long lasting beautiful hair colors. So not only will you be able to dye or tint your hair in a healthy and safe alternative to traditional hair dyes, yet they make your hair so much stronger while doing it. These natural dyes will cover greys if you are curious, and I’ve turned both of my parents onto it. You can read more on natural hair dyes here. If you aren’t interested in creating your own cassia, henna, and indigo mixes, definitely check out premixed natural coloring and conditioning options created by Mountain Rose Herbs and Light Mountain Natural Hair Color.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is the base of my henna treatments. I’ve also used coconut milk as a deep conditioning treatment with ceramide oils such as hemp oil and wheat germ oil, and bananas which I mentioned earlier. For those with naturally oily hair, coconut milk alone may be too moisturizing, yet it is still inexpensive to try so can’t hurt. If you have normal to dry or damaged hair, you can use coconut milk with or without oil before or after cleansing hair based on preference and hair needs. I usually deep condition hair prior to washing it to help melt tangles away. I use organic canned coconut milk that I purchase from the grocery store. Learn more about coconut milk for hair conditioning here.
Hot Oil Treatments
Hot oil treatments are wonderful for deep conditioning prior to cleansing your hair. I believe one of the best carrier oils to use for hot oil treatments is coconut oil. Coconut oil does not change under high heat, and completely penetrates and conditions the hair cuticle. Another great oil to use is olive oil. Simply warm the oil on the stove top or in the microwave and apply to dry hair. Cover hair in a conditioning hair cap and/or a microfiber towel for warmth. Wash and style hair as usual.
Leave-Ins
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is amazing for sealing the hair cuticle, adding shine, reducing frizz, enhancing curl definition, and pH balancing hair. You can use aloe vera juice as a simple spritz for hair like in this simple conditioning spritz aka the DIY Leave-In Conditioner, or in a serum like the DIY Curl Conditioning Serum. Many of my DIY hair recipes include aloe vera to add more moisturizing properties as well as pH balance. You can read more about pure aloe vera here.
Aloe vera alone makes the perfect conditioning leave-in for fine and straight hair and can be added to other leave-ins ingredients for curly, coily, and coarse hair types.
Herbal Hair Rinses
Herbal rinses are as easy to create as making tea. You can use any hair loving herbs that you like. Herbal rinses can be used after cleansing hair to help with pH balance as well as gently conditioning hair without heavy oils that will weigh hair down. I make one of my favorite herbal hair rinses with catnip leaf and flower which contains a natural pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Catnip is extremely helpful with preventing split ends while conditioning hair. I usually spray my hair with this tea, yet some with longer hair soak their braids in catnip tea either before or after washing their hair. Catnip is all natural goodness with no synthetic panthenol here! Learn more about making a catnip hair rinse in this article.
I’ve also enjoyed catnip mixed with calendula flowers (a refreshing toner for skin too) and used other herbal rinses such as the one in this recipe. Another great conditioning rinse to consider is with hibiscus flowers. Herbal hair rinses are great curl refreshers especially when a humectant such as vegetable glycerin, honey, or agave nectar is added. Some solely use herbal hair rinses for simple cleansing and conditioning hair care.
Vinegar Rinses
Vinegar rinses have natural cleansing, conditioning, and detangling properties while pH balancing hair. A basic vinegar rinse is mixing 1 tablespoon of organic white or apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of distilled/purified water. The best vinegars to use are raw unfiltered organic white or apple cider vinegar that still contains the incredible “Mother of Vinegar” which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules.
If you’ve tried and loved vinegar hair rinses, why not infuse your vinegar with hair loving herbs? You can read all about it here!
Herbal Hair Gels with Mucilage Herbs & Seeds
I talked about mucilage herbs in Part 2–Herbal Hair Cleansers of this series and how wonderful they are for detangling the hair. Having a simple leave-in styler that also detangles the hair is a blessing for waves, curls, and coils which can form knots and tangles very easily. These herbs add much needed moisture to dry hair, and are wonderful for creating frizz-free definition to wavy, curly, and coily hair. There are a bunch of different mucilage herbs and seeds that can be infused in distilled or purified water to create a simple and very effective hair gel that give a soft to medium hold. Ingredients such as honey or pectin can be added to these gels for a stronger hold as well as aloe vera for extra moisture. Some mucilage herbs and seeds to consider as a leave-in are marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, fenugreek seeds, and flax seeds.
Flax seeds are one of the most popular ingredients to create a natural hair gel with, and can create a medium to hard hold depending on how concentrated your infusion is.
You can read more on mucilage herbs in Part 2 and learn how to make flax seed gel here. Flax seed gel has been a serious curl savor for my own hair when I’m at long dance auditions. When I haven’t used it, I’ve watched my hair balloon and frizz like crazy. For a simple and effective leave-in, try adding one of your favorite carrier oils or natural butters to your herbal extract for added moisture retention and to give the hair weight while preventing frizz and flyaways. It mainly depends on how much oil your hair likes to determine how much oil or butter to add to your leave-in styling gel. You can always start with 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of gel and decrease or increase the amount to see what you like.
Carrier Oils
No matter what your hair type is, a light oil can do wonders for your hair. Some of my favorite light oils are apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil. They provide your hair with major shine and don’t feel oily at all. Another amazing heavier hair oil is coconut oil which conditions the hair by fully penetrating the hair shaft. Coconut oil also helps to maintain the moisture levels in your hair versus only sitting on top of the strands. You really don’t have to put a lot of oil in your hair to make a difference if you are not using drying hair cleansers/shampoos.
A few other oils that have made a tremendous difference in my overall hair care are ceramide oils: wheat germ oil, hemp oil, and sunflower oil. Ceramide oils are loaded with linoleic acid that keep the hair cuticle flat and intact. Keeping the hair cuticle bonded and strong is one way we prevent hair damage. I’ve noticed that wheat germ oil makes my hair the softest, yet it also has the strongest scent of the three. I usually mix in a few drops of essential oils with every application to counterbalance the scent. Learn more about ceramide oils here.
Natural Butters
I’ve used mango butter, shea butter, and cocoa butter in my hair care regimen and have found that they help smooth the hair extremely well. I mainly use these natural butters when I feel that my hair is going through a big dry spell or for braid and twist outs. They also have the ability to weigh hair down, and should be used sparingly if you have fine hair which in that case may be best only for dry and damaged hair ends. For super curly, coily, and coarse strands, hair butters can make your hair love life again!
Mango butter is the lightest of the three and cocoa butter smells beyond yummy. You can mix your butter with your favorite carrier oils using the double boiler method. (A pyrex glass in a pot of boiling water works great.) Here is a recipe for a delicious vanilla hair and body body butter that is extremely easy to make.
I purchase most of my organic herbs, seeds, butters, and oils from Mountain Rose Herbs, yet you can also luck up on a few great organic finds at your local natural grocery store so keep your eyes open!
(Important Note: Any DIY recipe that contains water, aloe vera, or coconut milk needs to be refrigerated and used within a week or so. You can also freeze unused portions to use in the future as they do not contain preservatives. If you create oil and butter mixtures, no water, aloe or milk added, they do not need to be refrigerated and can last up to a year or more depending on the shelf life of the oils and butters used. Adding vitamin E, rosemary antioxidant extract, and other essential oils will help to extend the life of your DIY products, yet they are not full spectrum preservatives. Also if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions, please research the herbs and essential oils used in these recipes before trying any of them.)
I’d love to hear what natural ingredients are you using in your hair care and how do you incorporate them? Let’s keep the conversation going! Have a wonderful weekend!
No More Chemical Hair Care–Part 1
No More Chemical Hair Care–Part 2–Herbal Hair Cleansers
No More Chemical Hair Care–Part 4–Building a New Regimen
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Zaneen says
February 15, 2013 at 8:16 pmWow! Thanks for all of this info! I use oils and butters for my hair and love yucca root for washing my hair. I’m gonna try the curl conditioning serum this weekend.
Dawn Michelle says
February 18, 2013 at 12:36 pmHi Zaneen, Let me know what you think about the curl conditioning serum. If you use aloe vera juice it will be better as a hair spritz. If you use aloe vera gel the consistency will be more like a serum. Best wishes!
Luv says
February 17, 2013 at 10:35 amThank you sharing how to develop a eco-friendly routine with a conscience. You take eco chic to a whole new level. Looking forward to seeing how bananas work for my hair.
Dawn Michelle says
February 18, 2013 at 12:33 pmYou are so welcome Luv!
Mary says
February 17, 2013 at 10:43 pmHi,
I’ve been using shampoo without conditioner because I haven’t found a conditioner that doesn’t make me itch. instead of conditioner, I use ACV and seal with EVOO or argan oil. I have alot of splits and ssks. What should I do? And are conditioners necessary for curly hair?
Dawn Michelle says
February 18, 2013 at 12:33 pmHi Mary,
I would suggest not using shampoo and switching to a more conditioning type cleanser like yucca root. Shampoos can make hair dry and brittle. You can see a bunch of natural cleansing options using clays and herbs here. Conditioning hair help to maintain moisture in the hair and keeps it soft and pliable which in turn will help with split ends and single strand knots. Cassia and henna are strengthening conditioners and making a conditioning mask with bananas for example will soften your hair. Hope this helps.
Danielle says
February 20, 2013 at 8:42 amHi all! I’ve been no-poo for about a year now, and have tried what seems like a million different things to figure out what my hair likes. I have long almost black hair with lots of thin strands of hair, that are naturally wavy/curly. I have found that this blog is THE BEST resource I’ve yet encountered for DIY, all-natural hair care. I use baking soda and vinegar once every two weeks to cut through the oil build-up, and use a combination of clay, honey, marshmallow, and hibiscus to wash in between. I also use a simple gel made from flax seeds and water, with a little lavender EO, which leaves my curls looking great, even in a dry climate. I can definitely contest to the WONDERFUL effects of Henna on my hair; it cleanses it and leaves my hair incredibly soft, smooth, and frizz-free. I use henna about every 3-4 months (generally on the equinox and solstice). I’m looking forward to trying the bananas and coconut milk as a leave in! Thanks Dawn Michelle, for all your great research!
Dawn Michelle says
February 20, 2013 at 9:44 amHi Danielle! Wow this is awesome! I get so excited to hear more about ladies who are truly going chemical free for beauty, health, and the planet! Quick comment on the banana and coconut milk deep conditioner though… It’s great for deep conditioning, yet not a leave-in. I have a good feeling that may be a sticky situation. Have a beautiful day!
Alisha says
February 20, 2013 at 11:41 amHi Dawn Michelle!
First of all I just want to say I LOVE your blog. I myself am both a curly girl and a performer who is just trying to live a cleaner, simpler healthier lifestyle and as part of this quest am trying to eliminate all things processed and unhealthy for myself, my husband and two year old. I did have a question though concerning your beauty regimen I was curious as to the expense of the various products/product combos you have on there and also where you usually procure them. Do you have specific stores or do you usually order online. I have been washing my hair with a baking soda mixture “shampoo” (no suds obviously) and an apple cider “conditioner” which I mixed myself but am now finding my curly hair to be pretty dry and therefore frizzy 🙁 Still experimenting and I am aware it will be a bit of a process before I totally find the regimen that will work best but being that I wanted to experiment with some of the recommendations on your beauty regimen I wanted to be prepared coast wise.
Thanks!
Dawn Michelle says
February 20, 2013 at 10:14 pmThanks so much Alisha! I purchase most of my herbs and oils from Mountain Rose Herbs because everything is priced so well and organic. If I see an herb in the bulk section of the grocery store that I haven’t tried before and want to, I get a small amount then order a larger size from Mountain Rose if I like it.
I’ve experimented with a lot of herbs, yet you can keep things as simple as you like. I have a whole cabinet of herbs now in glass jars that I purchased from MRH or the Indian grocer. Even purchasing 4oz of an herb will last a long time. I could have purchased smaller sizes myself, but I’m stocked up instead. I don’t have to buy any cosmetics since I make almost all of my own for everything. Instead of spending $100 on three organic skin care items that last 1-2 months, I may spend that much over 4-5 months for hair and skin.
The pH of baking soda is very alkaline which can be drying a d damaging over time. I give a simple recipe for creating your own herbal hair cleanser in this article. You can try small sizes of the powdered herbs if you can’t find smaller sample sizes locally. You can find the Ayurvedic herbs such as shikakai and amla at an Indian grocer very inexpensively too. You can also purchase a gallon of aloe vera juice from Trader Joe’s for around $8.
Many of the natural supplies I use for both hair and skin. You don’t have to spend a lot to create a healthy beauty routine. Here is another article which shares a few examples of just that. Here is one more. I hope this helps you and your family.
Best Wishes!
flora says
February 26, 2013 at 12:56 amCan you use senna tea in place of cassia? What I mean is putting a senna teabag in boiling water for 30min, then pouring the tea on to hair and cover with shower cap for 30min-1hr. Is this effective?
Dawn Michelle says
February 26, 2013 at 10:00 amHi Flora, Senna and cassia are two completely different herbs although their names may seem similar. I’ve only known senna to be healthy for digestion. If you are looking for a simple herb that you can purchase for hair in the tea section of a store look for hibiscus tea. Hibiscus tea is a wonderful hair conditioner, yet may not be suitable for blonds since it is a red tea. Otherwise blonds can use chamomile tea which is another great hair rinse.
Trish says
January 3, 2014 at 5:34 pmHi Dawn
What products would you recommend for extremely dry, hard, yet protein-sensitive hair for people with sensitive scalps?
Products with protein in them like aloe vera, collegen and silk, whether hydrolysed or not, make my hair hard, and continued use makes then it start to ‘fuse’ together.
Other products like castor oil and coconut oil products act like protein in my hair. I read in’The Science of Black Hair Care’ that some oils, like coconut oil are relatively high in polarity which means they can absorbed by the hair and bind to hairs protein; do you think this is why coconut oil hardens my hair?
Dawn Michelle says
January 3, 2014 at 6:09 pmHi Trish,
For softening the hair both wheat germ oil and hemp oil are ceramide oils which I find really soften my hair. You can read a bit about ceramide oils here.
Wheat germ oil has a strong scent just so you know. Hemp oil has a nutty scent which I prefer yet I still LOVE wheat germ oil too. I also experience coconut oil making my hair feel hard. Coconut oil is one of the only oils to penetrate the hair shaft and be considered a moisturizing oil versus just sitting on top of the hair. It strengthens the hair which is why for some it makes the hair feel hair similar to a protein treatment.
Hope this helps some.
Kate says
April 22, 2014 at 5:32 amHi,
I swim 3x times a week . What type of hair regimen do you recommend. I already have most of these ingredients in my house. Due to the chemicals in the pool , I suffer fom frizzy curly hair.
Dawn Michelle says
April 22, 2014 at 4:02 pmHi Kate,
I replied to your question in the comment section of the other articles which you also asked this and wanted to share my answer here too so you can find it with ease. Let me know if you have any other questions.
“My best advice for swimming 3 times a week or even once a week in chlorine is to wear a rubber swimming cap. By wearing a swimming cap you are preventing all of your hair from soaking in very drying chlorine and you can also use this opportunity to deep condition your hair. I also suggest saturating your hair with oil before swimming to prevent your hair from absorbing any chlorine that may seep into the edges of your swimming cap. I wrote this article last year for about caring for your hair at the beach but some of the tips also apply here.
One of the best solutions for a happy and healthy scalp is to use apple cider vinegar diluted in water as a natural cleanser for hair and scalp. I like to infuse my apple cider vinegar with herbs then I add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of water. I do also enjoy the bentonite clay and coconut milk mix as a simple DIY Cleansing Conditioner, yet have recently been using herbal infused apple cider vinegar and a DIY banana conditioner.
Most importantly I feel that covering your hair with a swim cap is a crucial step for protecting your hair since you do swim so often in chlorinated water. Another reader also mentioned that she uses a swim cap to cover her hair when she does her henna treatments as an eco-friendly solution to using plastic caps or grocery bags. I thought that was an incredible idea! I hope this helps some and best wishes!”
Kate says
April 23, 2014 at 4:40 amYes , I do wear a swim cap. What is your advice on cleansing the hair with yucca root. Would the red Moroccan clay cleanse my hair as well?
Dawn Michelle says
April 23, 2014 at 7:40 pmHi Kate,
I describe the exact types of herbs to use and mix for hair cleansing here. This article shares all the details on how to choose the right herbs and how to mix them. In general you use one cleansing, conditioning, and mucilage herb. Yucca root is definitely one of my favorite cleansing herbs. Aritha/soap nuts is another favorite.
Also I’ve made the error in the past stating that rhassoul clay was red Moroccan clay yet they are two extremely different clays. Rhassoul clay is a sand color and red Moroccan clay is a brick red in color. When using these two different clays I found rhassoul to have more slip and red Moroccan clay to be more drying so I did not enjoy using this type of clay for my hair. Bentonite clay on the other had swells up in liquid more that both rhassoul and red Moroccan clay and is wonderful for detangling very tangled hair. In general bentonite and rhassoul clay are both great for hair.
Hope this helps and best wishes!
Kate says
April 23, 2014 at 4:53 amDo you have any recommendations for humidity resistant mixtures for the summertime ?
Dawn Michelle says
April 23, 2014 at 7:43 pmHi Kate,
I don’t live in a place with high humidity, yet if I was to visit one I would make flaxseed gel upon my arrival and probably already have some in my hair before I get there. I share how I make flaxseed gel here.
Best wishes!
ryuuko says
April 26, 2014 at 1:31 amHi,
Could you use rosemary tea (dried rosemary, water) as a spray for hair? How long would it last? Must it be refrigerated? Is it ok to use rosemary EO in water as well?
Dawn Michelle says
April 27, 2014 at 8:16 pmHi Ryuuko,
Yes you can use rosemary tea as a spray for hair. Anything that I make that contains water, aloe, or other food grade liquids must be refrigerated. I try to only make what I will use up in a week. It is also perfect to add essential oils to water as well. You can see an example of a spray leave-in that I made here. It is best to use distilled water with all of your beauty creations.
Best wishes!
GG says
April 27, 2014 at 1:04 pmHello Dawn Michelle,
I’m going to co-was with Trader Joe’s conditioner, and deep condition with DYI banana and coconut milk is the right?
Next,after blending banana w/ coconut milk how long do I let is sit covered, or should I use organic banana’s and mix coconut milk? If so, how long?
Have a great day:)
~GG
Dawn Michelle says
April 27, 2014 at 9:00 pmHi GG,
I’d say experiment to see what works best for you. I’ve never had success co-washing with conditioners and no longer use store bought conditioners at all. Instead for the hair cleansing process I use an herbal infused apple cider vinegar which I dilute 1 tablespoon of ACV in 1 cup of water. Outside of the shower I then spray on my scalp and hair with this mix adding the DIY banana conditioner on top before rinsing and detangling in the shower under running water.
I also use organic bananas which you can blend with water or coconut milk if you like. You can also use organic banana baby food if that is easier for you. If you make the DIY banana conditioner yourself it doesn’t need to sit any length of time before using. You can use it immediately.
Hope this helps!
GG says
April 29, 2014 at 6:58 pmThanks! I will try this weekend:) regarding DIY banana conditioner
Do I need to let the conditioner sit on my hair for a certain amount of time?
or just cleanse, apply DIY cond., detangle and rinse?
Have a great day:)
Dawn Michelle says
April 29, 2014 at 7:44 pmHi GG,
I first spritz my hair and scalp with the herbal infused ACV solution, then add the deep conditioner with bananas. I let it sit on my hair for about 20 minutes. Then I rinse and detangle in the shower and style as usual. Modify this as you feel best for your hair. Keep me posted how things work out for you to.
Have a beautiful day!
GG says
April 30, 2014 at 2:17 pmHey Dawn Michelle,
Thanks! I’m waiting for Mountain Rose to restock Rahassoul Clay:( Can’t wait to see how my hair responses. The few Indian stores near me didn’t have Nupur 9, so I will be ordering on line to do the henna treatment. While I’m waiting I will try these new techniques. I will def. keep you posted. Keep up the GREAT work!!!!:) BTW, will you ever do videos with your blogs?
Have a great day!
Dawn Michelle says
May 1, 2014 at 12:19 amHi GG,
Glad to help and I’ve thought about videos yet haven’t gotten there just yet. Have a beautiful day and please keep us posted <3
GG says
May 2, 2014 at 5:01 pmHello Dawn Michelle,
GIRRRRRL! smh…on a Friday beautiful night in Jersey. I decided to try the herbal cleanse w/ Braggs ACV & DYI banana conditioner… This was AMAZING!!! OMG::)) I’m sooo excited. This mixture made my hair soft, the curls popped like nobody’s busy, and it was so easy to detangle in the shower. Thank you for this AWESOME tip! How often can I do this? I’m doing the happy dance.
I’ve also tried the oil rinse with microfiber towel. Great results:)
Have a great day, or evening!
~GG
Dawn Michelle says
May 2, 2014 at 10:28 pmHi GG,
Your comment is awesome and hilarious! I’m so happy that this combo has been so amazing for you too. I like to keep it simple and this has been working well for me too. Have a beautiful day and thanks so much for sharing this!
GG says
May 3, 2014 at 8:39 amHey Dawn Michelle,
I’m a newbie transitioning since Jan. Sorry for asking many questions, I’m in search of a hair regiment. Your blog as been great! So here’s a few questions:
1st – after washing with ACV & DIY banana conditioner. I used Shea Moisturizing restorative conditioner as a leave in & sealed w/coconut oil. The following morning I took down my braid out. Loved the results:) At night how do I maintain?
2nd, wash day can I repeat cleansing w/ACV & DIY banana conditioner ect,? I have low porosity hair I’m concerned I might strip my hair.
Last, I received my Nupta 9 henna & Rahassoul clay when do I include in my weekly regiment? Or should I do biweekly or monthly
Thanks for all your quick responses and helpful advise:)
Have a great weekend!!
~GG
Dawn Michelle says
May 3, 2014 at 11:49 pmHi GG,
To maintain your braid out you can put your hair into a very high ponytail (also called a “pineapple”) to preserve your curls. Also I use the ACV and banana conditioner 1-2x a week. Deciding how often you wash your hair really depends on what your hair needs and how often you work out during the week.
Lastly try adding henna treatments 1-2x per month and see how your hair responds. If you love the results you can incorporate henna once a week if you like and have the time. I henna once a month, and sometimes have to wait a bit longer inbetween treatments if my schedule won’t allow. At one point I did weekly henna treatments.
Building a regimen will mainly be trial and error. Keep a journal so you can look back and see your progress as well as keep records of what works and what doesn’t. Have a great weekend!
GG says
May 4, 2014 at 10:42 amThanks! Will do. Have a good weekend:)
Krupa says
May 9, 2014 at 4:10 amHi, I am kinda new to your blog,,but I love it!! Its full of incredible info !! I have one question…..would you pls share some thoughts on , “mixing dr brammers pure liquid castile soap with EVOO, coconut oil, rosemary eo, neem seed oil and some caster oil. 50% castile soap + 50% oils. Washing hair with this and no conditioner. Please tell me if this will improve my hair quality or not. I used to have very healthy long curls. But I guess some stressful last few months took the toll and I am losing lots and lots of hair. Just had a hair cut to shoulder lenth. My hairs are very dry. So trying some natural solutions. And yes, I love henna too!!
Dawn Michelle says
May 9, 2014 at 4:51 pmHi Krupa,
Welcome! I’m not a fan of using castile soap on hair or skin because it is extremely alkaline. I speak more on pH in beauty in this article. This same reason relates with this article on baking soda and shampoo bars for hair. Lastly I shared my experience with extreme hair shedding from emotional stress in this article which also gives tips on exactly what I did to bring my hair back to health. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best wishes!
joyce says
May 25, 2014 at 5:33 pmhi,
would it be a good idea to mix a banana with the henna and coconut milk in order to get the strengthening and softening effect.
Dawn Michelle says
May 25, 2014 at 6:18 pmHi Joyce,
I’ve honestly never tried this combo. I’ve used both banana and henna with coconut milk individually, but not all together. Please let me know your results if you try this and I will do the same if I try it too. Have a great weekend!
Jen says
June 1, 2014 at 8:18 pmHi Dawn,
I’m considering using castor oil with agave and vegetable glycerine as a part of the deep conditioner for dry hair. What ratio would you recommend?
Thanks in advance!
Jen
Dawn Michelle says
June 1, 2014 at 8:43 pmHi Jen,
My favorite deep conditioner always uses coconut milk as a base. Also castor oil is one of the thickest carrier oils that I’ve ever used so I’ve never used it as the only oil for deep conditioning or an oil treatment. Castor oil used in large quantities will not wash off very easily if that is your goal following your deep conditioning treatment.
I’ve never personally used this combination so please keep this in mind with my recommendation. If I were to use the three ingredients you mentioned, I would use possibly 80% of the humectants combined (agave & vegetable glycerin) with 20% of castor oil. The agave and vegetable glycerin will wash off easily so definitely use more of them. Please also know that using large portions of humectants can feel very sticky. This deep conditioner would be best applied to soaking wet hair. Take notes on your ratios and your experience so that you can learn from what works and what doesn’t. Let me know how this works out for you.
Best wishes!
Jen says
June 3, 2014 at 7:10 amDawn,
Thank you for the tips! I found some new info. on sealing and penetrating oils too. So I’ll for sure be spraying a sealing oils like grape seed oil on my wet hair only. Or a penetrating oil like camellia oil when my long hair is dry.
I found a list of sealing and penetrating oils here…
http://adelinahair.blogspot.com/2012/09/oils-and-how-they-moisturizepenetrate.html
Hope you have a FANTASTIC day!
Dawn Michelle says
June 3, 2014 at 3:22 pmHi Jen,
Thanks for sharing! Ceramide oils also penetrate the hair too!
Cecil says
June 26, 2014 at 10:52 pmThank you so much for the banana/coconut idea Dawn! My hair loves this mixture combined with some avocado and to avoid all those hard to rinse out bits I use a rice strainer with the mixture after blending. The rice strainer nicely sorts out all those chunks and fibers that normally get stuck in my hair. Thank you again from me and my hair!
Dawn Michelle says
June 27, 2014 at 8:53 pmHi Cecil,
Thanks for sharing this! A blended banana with coconut milk is a divine combo. I’m so glad it worked so well for you. <3
Jo says
August 5, 2014 at 5:51 amThank you Dawn Michelle for your very generous blog, I also want to thank all you lovely people who leave suggestions.
It has really helped me to think ‘outside’ of the box as it were. My hair is very dehydrated and has been for years, so what I thought was my hair type I am beginning to see that I was just looking at my unhappy hair thinking mine doesn’t have a curl type more frizzy. So I discovered on my internet searching that I have very porous hair that dries almost immediately after washing (SLS and bad stuff free) to a straw like texture, despite this my hair grows. So tried protein treatments, bought and home made, and they have made not a lot of difference to my hair. I chanced upon Minimalist Beauty and saw the Henna and coconut milk combo and thought, maybe. Bad experience with henna in the 90’s aside, bought some BAQ Henna and Indigo, as I have some greys I was bored of, and flash forward 3 weeks later and I am due to my 3rd henna treatment later today. However I am stalling trying to think of a deep moisturising treatment I can leave in my hair afterward before I take the plunge. Last time I blended banana and coconut milk, but I didn’t sieve it…. took too long to rinse and still it didn’t feel that conditioned afterward. Sooo now I am thinking I have aloe-vera juice, JBCO, and an organic rosehip, cucumber and African melon seed oil mix I made for my skin a while ago (its apparently full of those ceremides I had no clue about). I also have some guar-gum for thickening…. mix them all up into a gel paste, smooth on my hair (it wont dry due to oil content) put a baggie on my head with scarf and leave overnight….. wish me luck.
Anyhoooooo, with my change of hair care direction I have given all of my bought synthetic chemical laden stuff to my friends and family ( at least they will be used and not just dumped, I did ask that they recycle…) I have decided to stop using ‘shampoo’ and use the stuffs I already have at home. The only things I have bought is the Henna and Indigo, which I haven’t used as I’m liking the deep red of the henna on my few greys as yet, and Reetha and Amla powders …I didn’t realise I had soo much stuff. Like Neem leaves! bought it on a health kick a while ago and that stuff tastes nasty, made a tea with that and some blue malva herbs mixed with rhassoul clay, Reetha and Amla, allowed to marinate then mixed a bit of Xanthan gum to make it into a paste and used to cleanse my hair with…. wow. I never knew. I am going to experiment a bit more then will use this stuff on my son’s hair (he is 6 and decided that he wants his own afro).
So a bit long winded, but I wanted to let you know of yet another life you have touched. Greatly appreciated.
Best wishes with all you do.
Jo x
Dawn Michelle says
August 5, 2014 at 12:57 pmHi Jo,
Thank you so much for sharing your story and your journey with us. It really is a “trial and error learn what works and what doesn’t” process. I have learned so much about my hair because I stopped relying on products to give me that information and finally turned to my hair itself for information. I love that your son wants his own afro. He sounds absolutely adorable. I wish you both the very best!
Jo says
August 5, 2014 at 6:52 amThank you Dawn Michelle for your very generous blog, I also want to thank all you lovely people who leave suggestions.
It has really helped me to think ‘outside’ of the box as it were. My hair is very dehydrated and has been for years, so what I thought was my hair type I am beginning to see that I was just looking at my unhappy hair thinking mine doesn’t have a curl type more frizzy. So I discovered on my internet searching that I have very porous hair that dries almost immediately after washing (SLS and bad stuff free) to a straw like texture, despite this my hair grows. So tried protein treatments, bought and home made, and they have made not a lot of difference to my hair. I chanced upon Minimalist Beauty and saw the Henna and coconut milk combo and thought, maybe. Bad experience with henna in the 90’s aside, bought some BAQ Henna and Indigo, as I have some greys I was bored of, and flash forward 3 weeks later and I am due to my 3rd henna treatment later today. However I am stalling trying to think of a deep moisturising treatment I can leave in my hair afterward before I take the plunge. Last time I blended banana and coconut milk, but I didn’t sieve it…. took too long to rinse and still it didn’t feel that conditioned afterward. Sooo now I am thinking I have aloe-vera juice, JBCO, and an organic rosehip, cucumber and African melon seed oil mix I made for my skin a while ago (its apparently full of those ceremides I had no clue about). I also have some guar-gum for thickening…. mix them all up into a gel paste, smooth on my hair (it wont dry due to oil content) put a baggie on my head with scarf and leave overnight….. wish me luck.
Anyhoooooo, with my change of hair care direction I have given all of my bought synthetic chemical laden stuff to my friends and family ( at least they will be used and not just dumped, I did ask that they recycle…) I have decided to stop using ‘shampoo’ and use the stuffs I already have at home. The only things I have bought is the Henna and Indigo, which I haven’t used as I’m liking the deep red of the henna on my few greys as yet, and Reetha and Amla powders …I didn’t realise I had soo much stuff. Like Neem leaves! bought it on a health kick a while ago and that stuff tastes nasty, made a tea with that and some blue malva herbs mixed with rhassoul clay, Reetha and Amla, allowed to marinate then mixed a bit of Xanthan gum to make it into a paste and used to cleanse my hair with…. wow. I never knew. I am going to experiment a bit more then will use this stuff on my son’s hair (he is 6 and decided that he wants his own afro).
So a bit long winded, but I wanted to let you know of yet another life you have touched. Greatly appreciated.
Best wishes with all you do.
Jo x
Jo says
August 5, 2014 at 6:53 amOops sorry for the multiple postings. I dont know what happened. My bad.
Dawn Michelle says
August 5, 2014 at 12:58 pmNo worries Jo!
Mckaela says
August 23, 2014 at 2:22 pmHi Dawn! First let me say this is my first time visiting your blog after a friend enlightened me about Terressentials mud wash and the difference in using this vs. commercial shampoos. I have very thick curly/wavy hair as well as a very dry itchy scalp and hair which is almost bra strap length (when stretched) March 2011 was my last relaxer and I transitioned for about a year, then I BC. I have used products from Original Moxie (which I loovvee) to Oyin Handmade to tressemme and Pantene but in the past year with money being tight I began to get cheap with my hair care using products like tressemme and Pantene and I started noticing that my hair looked and felt as though it needed the life pumped back into it. I thought that switching back to Original Moxie or Oyin would give my hair that bounce, manageability, definition, and shine that I feel my hair lacks but my friend had suggested that I try the terressentials or a DIY mud wash instead. After researching on several websites, reading reviews, and watching YouTube tutorials I started to understand more of the purpose of using a “mud cleanse” vs. commercial shampoo. So (I’m sorry I have so many questions! Forgive me lol)
1.) I’ve seen so many people use the mud cleanse in different ways, how do I know which option is best? Should I detox as I’m directed to for 7 days? Or is it enough after my hair begins to get brittle?
2.) While detoxing, should I apply an ACV rinse everytime before applying the mud cleanse or after?
3.) My main question. No conditioner? Being that my hair is so thick and curly it’s very hard to manage my hair unless it is sectioned and detangled by using some conditioner, is it really true that this mud will act as a cleanser/conditioner to whereas I will no longer have to use conditioner?
4.) Once completing the detox process would it be harmful to use the Original Moxie products that I like? Is it a safe regime for me to wash my hair once a month using the mud cleanse while co-washing weekly with a natural conditioner?
5.) I have read some of your posts on here about flaxseed gel, I’m curious and would love to try this but does it really hold? I’m finding out that the eco-styler leaves crazy residue on my hair so I switched to using JBCO instead and it gives great hold. Will the flaxseed do this as well?
6.) I hate hair typing but if I had to describe myself I have different textures and curl patterns all over my hair: bottom half of head 3c/top of head 4a/middle portion 4b (the section that has no curl -__- my question is will my hair change so that my curls are defined and visible even as my hair dries? Will the middle section of my hair see change and finally curl? Or is that just me having to accept that that part of my hair won’t curl?
7.) Finally, as I stated above I have very very dry hair and scalp and I have always had this “tender spot”on my scalp That I know most naturals say they deal with as well. It’s too the point where I just get some oil and massage it in that spot to soothe it but I still tend to feel the soreness the next day or so, is there something I should be worried about? Could it be my hair care regime causing this? Will converting to this mud cleanse and using all natural U.S.D.A. sealed products and oils change this problem? Will it help my itchy scalp?
I thank you so much for taking the time out to read and respond to me. I am a new reader but I already have found your site to be very resourceful and enlightening. I’ve been natural for over 2 years and within the past couple of days after reading up on detoxing your hair and the harmful ingredients in my everyday products Im like “where I been chile?!?” Lol I appreciate you educating others about the best way to take care of your hair, and that’s what I want to stay doing. I took the leap and jumped when I decided to go natural, now I want to really enjoy and carry out the maximum potential of my hair. Again thank you so much,
Blessings,
mCK.
Dawn Michelle says
August 23, 2014 at 9:19 pmHi Mckaela,
100% natural hair care can be trial and error but so rewarding. Clay washes are amazing too. They are great for detoxing the hair. Bentonite clay is really wonderful when mixed with apple cider vinegar (which is a perfect pH balance) or with coconut milk which I wrote about here.
You don’t need to do a seven day detox as I feel it is more gentle to detox the hair weekly then monthly or as needed, yet it really depends on your hair’s current condition. Bentonite clay is an incredible detangler as well. Flaxseed gel is amazing at defining curls and creates a wonderful hold for hair. When your hair is healthy and hydrated your curl pattern will improve no matter what the texture. Also it will take sometime to figure out your hair and scalp’s needs and going chemical free is a very healthy way.
Best wishes!
Anon says
October 24, 2014 at 10:55 amHi Dawn,
Soon I want to try the banana coconut milk DC, but how many bananas and how many cups/oz of coocnut milk do you use for a batch? How lang can you preserve it in the fridge/freezer?
And is it better to deep condition before or after washing, or is that just up to me? 😉
Dawn Michelle says
October 24, 2014 at 1:52 pmHi Anon,
I use one banana and enough coconut milk to make it creamy. I eye ball my measurements. It also depends on the length and thickness of your hair. Whatever is left over can be kept in the fridge for a week and freezing will prolong the shelflife of course. Use a deep conditioner in your regimen how you feel best works for your hair.
Sonia says
February 1, 2015 at 10:05 amHi Dawn Michelle,
I am so glad I found your blog. I love it–so much useful and interesting information! I have been looking for a natural and simple way to cleanse and condition my hair (as well as a way to cover my grays naturally).
I tried the banana and coconut milk conditioner but I could not rinse out all the banana bits! What can I do to fully rinse it out? If I use baby banana food, how much do i mix in with the coconut milk? I went to Whole Foods this morning and they didn’t have organic banana baby food. Thanks!
Dawn Michelle says
February 1, 2015 at 10:12 amHi Sonia,
You can blend a banana with coconut milk then strain it with a clean nylon to ensure that you don’t have any banana bits in your hair. I’ve dealt with that too before and it is beyond annoying. This DIY conditioning treatment has to blended thoroughly and/or strained. I’m so glad you have found the info here helpful too. Best wishes!
Megan says
March 10, 2015 at 6:35 amHi there, I apologise if this has been asked before but quite a while ago I put coconut oil in my hair overnight and then tried to wash it out with a no-poo type product and it took a couple of washes to come out. I have been put off using oils in my hair due to this experience – is there anything that can get it out naturally in one wash? I now use a clay mask in my hair, will that get it out? Thanks
Dawn Michelle says
March 10, 2015 at 11:38 amHi Megan,
What did you use to wash out the coconut oil? Also your hair may still be transistioning to using no poo hair care and you may also find that applying small amounts of coconut oil to your hair over a few days may work better than doing a heavy oiling and trying to wash it out immediately afterwards. You can see other examples of no poo hair cleansers here. Aritha is a great option too.
Ruth says
April 29, 2015 at 2:54 pmOh my lord! The banana was a nightmare to get out!!! I made a deep conditioner concoction with a blended small banana and coconut milk. I left in for 30 minutes. Then I rinsed for 7 minutes continuously. I thought I got all the banana out. Boy, was I wrong!!! It looked like I had the worst case of dandruff ever! I took a large bowl and filled it up with clean water and rinsed my hair in it over seven times and still banana pieces ALL OVER my hair! I had to leave the house, so I took a fine tooth comb to comb out some pieces. I spend some time doing that just enough so it didn’t look like it had snowed on my hair. Do you have this much difficulty getting banana out of your hair? Maybe I should just use coconut milk alone?
Dawn Michelle says
April 30, 2015 at 4:34 pmHi Ruth,
I have had this same experience so I have mentioned on the site to strain this mixture after blending it to perfection. I’m going to check the site for where I’ve written about the DIY coconut milk/banana conditioner to make sure that I am clear. I’ve also mentioned thst some use banana baby food because of this. I strain mine with a metal strainer before using. Coconut milk alone is also great too though. Have a great day!
LisaBeth says
June 7, 2015 at 4:38 amI have fine, wavy (2b/2c) hair with a scalp that tends to get dry. I started using the Made from Earth Peppermint Conditioner about a month ago, and my hair looks better than it’s ever looked: shiny and healthy with well-defined curls. The best part is that it’s been great for my scalp too! No flakes, dryness, or itching.
Dawn Michelle says
June 8, 2015 at 1:44 pmHi LisaBeth,
Thanks so much for sharing this! It is all about finding what works best for you! <3
Fei says
September 16, 2015 at 5:59 pmHi,
So let me start off by saying its nice to finally see natural hair care that doesn’t use baking soda or Dr. bronners. I live in a place with very hard and chlorinated water so this is a huge help to me. I’m also chemically sensitive and all forms of commercial soap, including baby soap, murder my skin. Shampoo and conditioner do more harm than good and using your listed herbs just TWICE this week has completely saved my scalp!!! I just have one question, after I was my hair I have small grains left from the herbal cleanser, is there anyway to get rid of this while I rinse? right now I just know when my hair is dry and I brush it, the grains are no longer a concern but is there a way to prevent this from happening?
besides that I love love love love this herbal hair cleanser!!!!!
Dawn Michelle says
September 17, 2015 at 12:13 pmHi Fei,
You could try using less powders or doing an herbal tea infusion with the powders to avoid the grainy feeling. I’m so glad that you love this recipe so much! Best wishes!
Nancy says
December 8, 2015 at 8:10 amHi Dawn! I am just beginning my natural hair care journey and have a few questions I’ve not yet been able to find the answers to. Many of the sites on natural hair care are by black women. I am white. Will the same things that work for a black woman’s hair work (in the same way) on a white person’s hair??? My hair is low porosity, medium textured and low to medium density best as I can tell. How do I tell if it has enough moisture IN the hair shaft as opposed to ON the hair shaft and does it matter? Lastly, where do I find the answers to my comment/post??? Will you please email me so I don’t miss it? I’m assuming that you likely reply beneath the comments most of the time as that is the way it appears, but how does one know when you’ve answered their comment, and where in the comment line-up to find it?
Thank you, thank you, for your time and blog!
Dawn Michelle says
December 8, 2015 at 4:03 pmHi Nancy,
Whenever you stray far away from commercial shampoos/conditioners you are stepping into trial and error territory no matter what you hair type is. In the fourth part of this hair series I share regimen ideas for all hair types. I hope that this will give you a general idea yet it will still be trial and error. I will say this though, the natural oils in which the scalp produces is a wonderful condition in substance for the hair and if you can use a wooden or boar bristle brush which helps to spread these oils without damaging your hair strands you are in luck. I hope that this info helps! Also as of now I don’t have a comment notifier, yet will definitely keep this in mind. Best wishes!
Samuel says
December 27, 2015 at 11:00 pmThanks for the wonderful Info Dawn. Could you let me know what brand/company apple cider vinegar you would suggest? Thanks again!
Dawn Michelle says
January 2, 2016 at 12:44 pmHi Samuel,
Organic apple cider vinegar with the mother in it is the best. Bragg’s is a great brand. Best wishes!
Lindsey says
January 20, 2016 at 2:40 pmI wish I had read other comments before trying this. I would really clarify that the banana needs to be blended with an actual blender because I made the coconut milk/banana mixture very smooth as I could manually, and I got small banana pieces stuck in my hair :'( So much of my hair ended up breaking off. This was around Christmas. I think now, just this week, I finally got all of it out. Now I’m just trying to leave my hair alone while it recovers and will definitely keep doing henna/coconut milk treatments more instead until I can get a real blender. Goodness, that was a nightmare!
Dawn Michelle says
January 22, 2016 at 2:38 pmHi Lindsey,
Been there done that! I’m so sorry that you experienced this. I have added a note in a few articles that the banana needed to be blended to perfection with a bit of water and actually strained to avoid the banana bits drama, yet I sometimes think it is missed or that it needs to be bolded or in caps. I guess I will do just that. Wishing your hair a quick recovery!
MS. T says
January 22, 2016 at 10:10 pmHOW LONG DO U LEAVE IN THE RECIPE FOR THE BANANA COCONUT CONDISH? TOO, DO YOU HAVE TO REFRIDGERATE ANY LEFTOVERS FROM THE RECIPE OF THE COCONUT/HEMP OR WHEATGERM OIL CONDISH.
Dawn Michelle says
January 24, 2016 at 11:46 amHi Ms T,
I always refrigerate DIY beauty treatments and usually keep them for 1-1.5 weeks. Sometimes two but it depends. I try to keep deep conditioners in my hair for at least 30 minutes. Also with using bananas, definitely blend it to perfection and strain it (I use a metal mesh strainer) to avoid getting banana bits in your hair. Hope this helps.
Ami says
January 24, 2016 at 9:35 amDear Dawn
I love your site and have been using your Henna recipe for over a year with lots of success! I usually do a henna first, then rinse with water and apply an indigo paste to cover my greys on my black hair. However, I would like to do a one-shot henna, with the pre-mixed henna from Mountain Rose. Do you know how effective the black is in covering greys?
Dawn Michelle says
January 24, 2016 at 12:08 pmHi Ami,
With Mountain Rose Herbs henna which I wrote about here, they give instructions on the best mixes for covering greys. I found their henna to be wonderful quality, yet I am not an avid indigo user, yet when I used MRH henna/indigo my hair was very black. I’ve been using my regular henna/coconut milk mix though since so my hair is more of a dark brown with red highlights again. You would know best which henna method you preferred after trying it though. Happy hennaing!
Kimberly Famolaro says
June 1, 2016 at 10:17 amI really enjoyed this post! I have been reading everything on how to care for and grow hair and your post and concern for the environment is inspiring. I learned so much! Thank you. I will be following you from now on;)
Dawn Michelle says
June 3, 2016 at 3:13 pmHi Kimberly Famolaro,
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and for your truly kind words! I really appreciate it. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Belusochi says
October 13, 2018 at 12:45 pmWhat’s your regimen for when your hair is in braids or twists for proper moisture and growth?
Also what do you use as shampoo then in order to avoid chemicals?
I have a lot of questions sorry 🙏
How can I tell of my hair is healthy?
Dawn Michelle says
October 19, 2018 at 5:21 pmHi Belusochi,
I rarely wear braids and twists anymore at all. When I did I rarely added extensions. To care for my hair in braids or twists I would either rinse with water for moisture or use diluted African black soap for shampoo. I would then follow up with an oil or shea butter or even a mix of the two.