Many naturals are looking for a do-it-yourself guide to creating natural hair recipes in the comfort of their homes. There are so many natural hair products available on store shelves that it’s often overwhelming.

Can you actually trust that the product manufacturer has your best interested at heart? Are you confused about which of the ingredients and chemicals included in these hair products are actually safe for your hair?

Maybe you’re interested in an authoritative database of natural hair recipes that you can easily make and use with household ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen cabinets. Our goal is to make a natural hair recipe guide that will take the guesswork out making your own products at home.

I recommend bookmarking this page (Ctrl+D!) for future reference and convenience. We will continue to add new recipes to this page and also improve the usability with more detailed information.

In order to make this guide easy to use, there are two ways to browse through the recipes. If you want to browse through the recipes by letter you can use the alphabetically navigation below by simply clicking on the letter that the recipe begins with and you will be taken to the group of recipes that begin with that letter.

If you know exactly which recipe you’re looking for, you can navigate to the recipe of your choice by using the list of included recipes. Simply click on the name of the recipe and you will be taken to the recipe of your choice.

Please note: The recipes and other information contained within this article are offered without warranty. The reader and end-user of these recipes assumes all risks associated with using this information. Natural Hair Community LLC, it’s authors and partners disclaim all liability from the your use of the information provided herein.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Making Natural Beauty Products

One more quick note for those looking to make natural beauty products at home. There is a book that’s pretty good called “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Making Natural Beauty Products” (co-authored by Sally W. Trew and Zonella B. Gould). It is currently  available in both Paperback and Kindle formats.

Ultimately, after reviewing this guide if you determine that you would rather purchase hair products, be sure to check out our hair product recommendations.

---

Table of Contents for this Guide

• Recipe Navigation by Letter
• List of Included Recipes
• Common Ingredients
• Weights and Measurements
• Carrier Oils
• Natural Hair Recipes

---

Recipe Navigation by Letter

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

---

List of Included Natural Hair Care Recipes

• Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
• Avocado Hair Mask
• Coffee Hair Rinse
• Deep Honey Treatment
• Detangler
• Dry Brittle End Treatment
• Hair Gelatin Spray Mist
• Henna Rinse
• Honey Gel
• Hot Oil Treatment
• Jael’s Jamila Henna Mix
• Jael’s Quick Henna Mix
• Moisturizing Protein Pack
• Molasses Hair
• Pre Poo
• Protein Treatment
• Tea Rinse

---

Common Ingredients

The recipes included on this page only use a fraction of the ingredients listed below. However, many people have asked if there are ways to substitute various ingredients. You can definitely substitute ingredients. What you have here is a basic outline of some commonly used ingredients and a basic categorization of how they can be used in your hair recipes.

Carrier Oils: There are quite a few carrier oils that are used in natural hair care recipes. This list provides some of the most commonly used carrier oils. Keep in mind that these oils can be used in the current form or incorporated into a multitude of natural hair recipes. Acai Berry Oil, Amla Oil, Argan Oil, Baobab Oil, Black Cumin Seed Oil, Brazil Nut Oil, Broccoli Seed Oil, Buriti Fruit Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Chilean Hazelnut Oil, Egg Oil, Green Coffee Oil, Jojoba, Natural, Manketti Oil, Marula Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Oat Oil, Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Passionfruit Seed Oil, Pequi Oil, Vegetable Squalene

Conditioners: Basil oil, Cherry bark, Lavender oil, Ragwort, Rosemary (oil and leaves)

Dandruff: Artichoke, Bergamot vinegar, Chamomile, Juniper leaves, Lemongrass, Lemon juice, Lemon oil, Mint vinegar, Nettle, Orange peel, Quassia chips, Rosemary, Soap root and Willow

Dryness: Acacia, Chamomile, Clover, Comfrey root, Cowslip, Elder, Orange flower, Peach flower

General care: Avacado oil, Almond oil, Beets, Blackcurrant, Brewer’s yeast, Burdock root, Dandelion, Dulse, Elder, Jaborandi, Kelp, Lemongrass, Lemon oil, Maidenhair fern, Nettle, Olive oil, Onion juice, Parsley, Pineapple juice, Rosemary, Southernwood, Vinegar, Walnut oil, Yarrow

Growth: American bearsfoot, basil oil, Jaborandi, Lady’s smock, Lavender oil, Lemon oil, Nettle, Onion juice, Rosemary leaves, Southernwood

Oiliness: Bergamot, Lemongrass, Lemon peel, Orris root, Peppermint oil, Quassia chips, Rosebuds, White willow bark, White hazel bark

Scalp Care: Birch bark, Horsetail, Rosemary (oil and leaves), Speedwell, Yarrow

Shine: Chamomile, Lemon Peel, Maidenhair fern, Marigold, Nettle, Raspberry, Rosemary, Sage

Split Ends: Almond oil, Basil oil, Lavender oil, Nutmeg oil, Olive oil, Peanut oil, Rosemary oil, Walnut oil

Note: The table of ingredients above comes from Riquette Hofstein, author of Grow Hair in 12 Weeks – The Natural Way to Save What You Have and Restore What You Don’t in Less Than 1 Hour a Week. Natural Hair Community LLC has no relationship with the author of this book nor do we endorse/guarantee her methods for growing longer hair.

---

Weights and Measurements

Teaspoon/Tablespoon

1 teaspoon = ⅓ tablespoon

1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = ½ ounce

2 tablespoons = 28 grams = 1 ounce

4 tablespoons = ¼ cup

16 tablespoons = 1 cup = 8 ounces

Ounce

1 ounce = 28 grams

16 ounces = 2 cups or 1 pint

32 ounces = 1¾ pounds or 4 cups

---

Natural Hair Recipes

A

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Ingredients:

3 cups of water

1 cap full of apple cider vinegar (ACV)

Directions: Mix into a bowl and pour over your hair. The smell usually fades within one hour.

Purchase Ingredients:
Apple Cider Vinegar 

Return to top of page

---

Avocado Hair Mask

Ingredients:

1/4 cup buttermilk

1 small avocado

2 1/2 tablespoons of molasses

1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Directions: Mix well and apply to hair. Let sit for 30 minutes, with or without heat, co-wash and style.

Return to top of page

---

C

Coffee Hair Rinse

Ingredients:

2-4 cups of fresh coffee grounds

1/2 gallon of water

Directions: Place fresh coffee grounds in about a gallon of warm water and allow it to steep overnight. The next morning, strain the coffee grounds out and use the liquid to rinse your hair. Then, co-wash and style. Coffee acts as a natural colorant and generally has a pH of between 4 – 5, however this can vary – especially with instant coffees which may contain additives that aren’t good for your hair. Be sure that you allow the coffee to cool off. Under no circumstance should you use hot coffee. You may seriously burn yourself or cause heat damage to your hair.

Purchase Ingredients:
Fresh Coffee Grounds
Gallon of Water

Return to top of page

---

D

Deep Honey Treatment

Ingredients:

1 cup of honey

2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Apply the mixture to wet hair. After saturating the hair with the mixture, place a plastic cap on the hair for 15-30 minutes. Then, co-wash and style.

Purchase Ingredients:
Honey
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Return to top of page

---

Detangler

Ingredients:

1 cup V05 Moisture Milk Conditioner

1/4 cup LouAna 100% Vegetable Oil (Cooking Oil)

1/2 cup 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Directions: Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Saturate the hair with the mixture. Put on plastic cap and allow the mixture to work for about 25-30 minutes. Section the hair into 4 sections. Comb the hair from the tip up to the root in each section. Use sub-sections, if necessary.

Purchase Ingredients:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Vegetable Oil

Return to top of page

---

Dry Brittle End Treatment

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 cup conditioner

Directions: In a bowl, stir mayonnaise and soy sauce together until completely mixed. Be sure to wet your hair before applying the dry brittle end treatment. Using a pastry brush, apply the mixture to the ends of your hair. Allow the mixture to work for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse the mixture out using warm water until water runs completely clear. Afterwards, use your favorite conditioner to co-wash your hair.

Return to top of page

---

H

Hair Gelatin Spray Mist

Ingredients:

1 packet or envelope unflavored gelatin (Note: This isn’t regular jello)

3 cups water

Directions: Dissolve 1 packet of unflavored gelatin into 3 cups of water. You can dilute the gelatin further if needed. Add the mixture to a spray bottle and apply before you wash as a protein treatment. Allow the hair gelatin to sit for 15 minutes before washing and conditioning as usual.

Return to top of page

---

Henna Rinse

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of Cassia Henna (commonly referred to as neutral henna)

or Jamila Henna (commonly referred to as body art quality henna)

1/2 gallon warm water

Directions: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of henna in 1/2 gallon of warm water. Depending of the length of your hair, you need more or less water. Once the henna has dissolved completely, pour the henna rinse on your hair. Co-wash and style as usual. If you’re hoping to add color tones, use Jamila Henna. Color will build up over time.

Return to top of page

---

Honey Gel

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of honey

2 capfuls of aloe vera gel

1 tablespoon of almond oil

Directions: Use sparingly – no more than a dime size amount of each hair section. Be sure to apply the honey gel mixture to wet hair. Apply to each section of your hair before two strand twists or bantu knots.

Return to top of page

---

Hot Oil Treatment

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup almond oil

1/4 cup avocado oil

Directions: If you have coconut oil in a solid state, you will need to melt it in the microwave for approximately 45 seconds. Mix the oils together in a bowl. Be sure to apply the hot oil treatment to wet hair. Pour the oil over your hair and cover your hair with a plastic bag. Sit your a heating cap for 30 minutes up to 1 hour. Afterwards, shampoo and condition your hair.

Return to top of page

---

J

Jael’s Jamila Henna Mix (also known as Natural Jael’s Jamila Henna Mix)

Ingredients:

2 boxes of Jamila Henna Mix

1 cup of apple cider vinegar (ACV)

1 can of Thai Coconut Milk

2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt

Water

Directions: Combine the ingredients. Add warm water until the mixture becomes creamy. Be sure to apply the henna mix to wet hair. Apply the mixture to your hair and cover your hair with a plastic shower cap. Next, wrap your head with a plastic wrap (like Saran wrap) securing the plastic shower cap. The next morning rinse the mixture out with cool water until the water is colorless. Henna stains, so please use clothes that you do not mind staining. If you choose not to leave it in overnight, we suggest leaving the mix in your hair for a minimum of 4 hours. Next, co-wash the hair with V05 Moisture Milk until the water is clear, which may require several washes. Deep condition the hair by applying Giovanni Smooth as Silk for 15 minutes. Wash out the conditioner and then use the apple cider vinegar recipe as your final rinse. Next, spritz the hair with a vegetable glycerin and mixture. Finally, style as usual.

Return to top of page

---

Jael’s Quick Henna Mix

Ingredients:

2 boxes of Jamila Henna Mix

1 cup of Tazo purple tea

1 can of Thai Coconut Milk

Directions: Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Apply the mixture to your hair and cover your hair with a plastic shower cap. Be sure to apply the henna mix to wet hair. Next, wrap your head with a plastic wrap (like Saran wrap), securing the plastic shower cap. The next morning rinse the mixture out with cool water until the water is clear. Henna stains, so please use clothes that you do not mind staining. If you choose not to leave it in overnight, we suggest leaving the mix in your hair for a minimum of 4 hours. Next, co-wash the hair with V05 Moisture Milk until the water is clear, which may require several washes. Apply Aubrey Organics Deep conditioner and leave it on for approximately 3 hours. Wash out the conditioner and then use the apple cider vinegar recipe as your final rinse. Next, spritz the hair with a vegetable glycerin and mixture. Finally, style as usual.

Return to top of page

---

M

Moisturizing Protein Pack

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon honey

2 egg whites

Directions: Mix honey and egg whites together in a glass bowl. This mixture should be applied to wet hair. Apply with a pastry brush and comb through hair. Leave on hair for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Co-wash and style as usual.

Return to top of page

---

Molasses Hair

Ingredients:

1/2 cup blackstrap molasses

1 tablespoon almond oil

1 cup of conditioner

Directions: Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix them together well and apply the mixture to your damp hair with a pastry brush. Massage the mixture into the hair using your fingertips. Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse with warm water until water runs clear. Then, co-wash your hair with your favorite conditioner.

Return to top of page

---

P

Pre Poo

Ingredients:

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/4 cup cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

Directions: Detangle your hair. Spritz your hair with water. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. If your coconut oil is a solid, you can melt it by putting it in the microwave for approximately 45 seconds. Next, apply the oil mixture to your hair and allow it to sit for roughly 15-20 minutes. Then, shampoo as you normally would.

Return to top of page

---

Protein Treatment

Ingredients:

2 egg whites

1 1/2 cup of greek style yougurt

Directions: Combine the ingredients together in a bowl. Pour the mixture on your hair and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Rinse the mixture out with warm water until the water runs clear and co-wash with your favorite conditioner.

Return to top of page

---

T

Tea Rinse

Ingredients:

2-4 tea bags of herbal tea

1/2 gallon of water

Directions: Using the herbal tea of your choice, place the tea bags in a large pot and allow them steep overnight in warm water. The kind of tea you use determines the color tone or deposits that you create for your hair. Remove the tea bags the next morning. Use the liquid to rinse your hair. Co-wash and style as usual. Tea acts as colorant naturally. Make sure you let the tea cool off before applying it to your hair. Using hot tea to rinse your hair may result in severe burns for your skin or scalp.

Return to top of page