5 DIY Hair Care Products

This week, to help shrink my waste, I started looking for low-waste hair care products. I made a list of 10 sustainable brands that are both plastic-free and made with environmentally friendly ingredients. But I also found a few great DIY recipes from fellow bloggers that I want to share.

These are all extremely easy and a great option for anyone looking to spend less on their hair care routine.

Liquid Shampoo - Nurtured Homes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Liquid Castile soap
• 1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Add liquid Castile soap and raw apple cider vinegar to a bowl and stir to combine.
2. Pour the mixture into a bottle and close tightly with stopper.
3. Shake the bottle before each use.

Dry Shampoo - A Clean Bee

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder
• Sugar shaker or empty baby powder bottle
• 2-5 drops Essential Oil (optional, but highly recommended if your hair gets stinky between showers!)
• Brown Hair: 2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• Red Hair: 2 tbsp Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients.
2. Put mixture in sugar shaker or empty baby powder bottle.
3. Sprinkle mixture on oily roots and brush.

Conditioner - Alluring Soul

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shea butter
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin e oil
• Optional: 30 drops rosemary essential oils

Instructions:

1. Make a double boiler by adding a few inches of water in a large saucepan. Heat the pan on low flame.
2. In a glass bowl, combine the olive oil, shea butter and place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan. Stir occasionally until everything is melted and combined.
3. Now, let this mixture cool until it’s room temperature. It should look creamy, thick and opaque, but don’t let it get solid. Optional: You can place the blender in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to speed up the process.
4. Add vitamin E oil and whip the mixture using your blender when the mixture is at room temperature for a couple of minutes until you get a creamy texture.
5. Add essential oil into the creamy olive oil hair conditioner and mix well. Transfer to an airtight jar. Store in a clean and dry place.
6. Scoop cream with your fingers and apply to hair. Rinse or use as live-in conditioner.

Hairspray - Whole New Mom

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups distilled or filtered water
• 4 tsp sugar (more if you'd like a firmer hold)
• Spray bottle
• Optional: 8 drops essential oils

Instructions:

1. Heat water in a small saucepan to boiling.
2. Add sugar and stir to dissolve.
3. Allow to cool. Add essential oils (if using).
4. Place in spray bottle. A funnel comes in handy here.
5. Spray normally and store in refrigerator.

Hair Gel - Hair Buddha

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup flaxseeds
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

1. Place flaxseeds and water in a pot and bring to a boil. You will notice white froth on the top.
2. Now reduce the flame and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. During this time, you need to stir it constantly. While you are doing this, you will see the water turn to a gel-like consistency.
3. The best way to check if your gel is ready is to do a spoon test. Dip the spoon into the cooking gel and watch it drop back into the pan. If it drops too quickly, it needs some more cooking. When the gel starts to run off the spoon in a string form, then it’s done.
4. Strain with a steel strainer while it’s still hot (use the back of a spoon to press the gel out of the seeds as best as you can). The gel will get thicker as it cools down.