While I try not to be overly obsessed with my curls during the holiday season, I can’t help but think about which leftover ingredients I’ll be able to reuse in an at-home recipe once the guests are gone and the holiday has passed. 

Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is high in vitamins A, B6, C, D, and E while containing iron, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, niacin, and magnesium. It is a natural hair loss fighter and is also known to soften and deeply moisturize even the driest, thickest, and coarsest curly or coily hair.

Try this

  • Cook and mash up 1 large plain sweet potato
  • Combine the mashed potato with 3 tablespoons of honey and 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt in a bowl
  • Apply evenly to your entire head, saturating from roots to tips
  • Cover your head with a plastic cap and

Honey

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it helps your hair retain moisture for a prolonged period of time. It also smoothes down the outermost layer of your hair shaft, which makes it a great natural frizz-fighter. 

Try this

  • Combine honey and extra virgin olive oil in a small, microwaveable dish
  • Mix the 2 ingredients with a spoon and microwave for 15-30 seconds
  • Allow it to cool for 30 seconds, then distribute evenly through your entire head of hair
  • Massage it into your scalp, working from your roots to the tip of your hair
  • Cover your hair with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes

Cocoa Powder

Dry shampoo formulas should change depending on your hair color. Because it is a powder that you do not wash out, it will be visible if the color of the powder is too different from the color of your hair. Organic cocoa powder is a great DIY ingredient for making your own dry shampoo if you have a brunette or black shade of hair.

Try this

  • Combine 1/8 cup of cornstarch with 1/8 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/8 cup of cinnamon, and 4 drops of essential oil
  • Whisk the mixture well
  • Apply to your roots with a clean makeup brush
  • Using the pads of your fingers, gently massage the powder mix into your hair to make sure it is evenly distributed

Lemon

Lemon balm works to balance out the sebum (oil production”> in the scalp. Lemon balm has a high caffeic acid and ferulic acid concentration, which make for an intense antioxidant. The ingredient’s astringent properties make lemon oil, balm, and juice a go-to for clarifying a scalp full of dirt and product build-up.

Try this

  • Pour boiling water over 3 tablespoons dried lemon balm 
  • Steep for 8 hours or overnight
  • Strain herbs from the liquid
  • Pour over your entire head and massage gently into your scalp and hair
  • Do not rinse the mix out with water

Coconut Cream

Coconut cream is an emollient, meaning it lubricates curly or coily hair and gives it enough slip to detangle effectively without ripping out excess hair. Natural emollients are great for the skin and hair. They help nourish and seal in moisture so that the skin and hair will become less dry and softer.

Try this

  • Mix 1/2 tablespoon of coconut cream, 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin, 4 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a bowl
  • Apply to the length of your entire head of hair, especially the ends
  • Cover your head with a plastic cap and leave it on from 25 to 30 minutes
  • Rinse out with lukewarm water, and start finger detangling gently
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