DIY treatments for natural hair

Being natural for 9 years, I’ve tried a lot of products and techniques. Only two have been my fro’s friends, from Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA) to awkward length to bra-strap length and now shoulder length.

Whenever I’m asked about the products I use on my natural hair, it depends on the length of my hair. I know some people don’t like the idea of making their own products but I promise, it’s much easier than you think.

Your hair will thank you for it – mine definitely has. I might drift from them every once in awhile but I always go back to, and recommend, these two:

Homemade daily spritz for natural hair

Put the below ingredients into a bowl and stir until it’s properly mixed. Pour the mix into a small spray bottle about 300ml in capacity or more. The below mix gives me approximately 250ml worth of spritz and, depending on my hair length, it can last a week or two in the fridge.

• 60 ml boiled water
• 60 ml conditioner (not a deep conditioner)
• 60 ml Aloe Vera juice (I like Nature’s Choice, available at Dischem)
• 30 ml glycerin
• 1 tsp castor oil
• 1 tsp avocado oil

What it does

• Moisturises my hair
• Gives it elasticity
• Reduces itching and dandruff

I swear by this product. My fro has never stopped liking it, no matter how long or short it is. In winter, I add a bit more oil, and less conditioner in summer. If the mix is too oily for you, lessen the oil you put into it.

If the conditioner you use is too heavy, switch conditioners. I find that the lighter and cheaper conditioners are the best for a daily spritz. I spritz this on my hair every day. Once in the morning, once in the evening.

To reduce shrinkage, don’t drench your hair with it, just spritz it. I also spritz it on before I take down my style to avoid major shrinkage.

If I want the shrunken fro look, I spritz it on with my hair free. I do this a lot when my hair is long to make it look more voluminous.

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Homemade natural hair butter

Heat the below ingredients in a pot and let it cool. Pour the mix into a heat-resistant container. Some people like thicker butters than others so I always suggest playing with the ratios until you get a consistency you like.

• Shea butter
• Coconut oil
• 1 tbsp olive oil

What it does

• Seals in moisture (use the spritz first, then put in this butter)
• Adds shine
• Lessens breakage

I use this every other day, depending on the style I want to achieve. At the moment I apply this on my hair as my ‘C’ in the LOC method after I wash it so I can seal in moisture.

A little really goes a long way with this, especially when you use the unrefined version of shea butter. Bonus: you can use it on your skin too.

And that’s it. My go-to, must-have, absolutely-need-it-for-my-hair products, that you can easily make yourself at home.