After a full month of Curly Mixology you’re probably ready to mix your own curly recipes in the kitchen. Here are the basic items you will need on your shopping list to get started.
Curly Mixology Shopping List
Olive Oil
Olive Oil is one of the most commonly used ingredients in DIY hair recipes because of its moisturizing benefits. Whether used for a hair treatment or as a finishing sealer to add shine, it is a very versatile and effective ingredient.
Use it in: Lavender Hair Spray
MORE: How to Use Olive Oil for Hair
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a heavier oil that contains Vitamin E, which promotes growth and prevents breakage. It is the ideal ingredient to use as the base for a conditioner recipe.
Use it in: Creamy Supreme Conditioner
MORE: The Many Uses of Coconut Oil
Shea Butter
Shea butter has a thick consistency and is the perfect DIY ingredient for kinky hair products. It can be used as a reparative pre-shampoo treatment or as a hair butter to calm and define curls.
Use it in: Amazing Whipped Shea Butter Conditioner
MORE: 5 Best Hair Butters
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a lighter oil that is often included in skin and hair products for its oil balancing properties. It can be mixed into light hair spritzes or heavier hair treatments and serums to add shine and moisture.
Use it for: A Natural Blowout
MORE: 10 Best Oils for Curly Hair
Glycerin
Glycerin is a useful product that helps to define and separate curls. It can be used to give detanglers, cleansers, and conditioners a desirable consistency.
Use it in: DIY Pre-poo Recipe
MORE: What’s the Difference Between Glycerin and Vegetable Glycerin?
Castor Oil
Castor oil is often included in DIY products as a thickening agent. More or less of this ingredient can be used to adjust the level of moisture in a product such as a hair conditioning treatment.
Use it to: Create Bantu Knots with Castor Oil
MORE: Castor Oil and Its Derivatives
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an antiseptic oil that helps to prevent and treat dry scalp. It is a great addition to both cleansing and conditioning products, as well as second-day hair spritzes.
Use it to: Prevent Dry Scalp
MORE: 3 Hair Oils for Coily Hair
Baking Soda
Baking soda may seem like an unusual ingredient to add to hair products, but it actually can be very beneficial in reducing build-up and balancing the pH of hair. When added to cleansers, baking soda can make hair shinier and create a base for products used after.
Use it in: Stripping with Style Recipe
MORE: Baking Soda: How Does it Actually Work?
Lemon
Lemon is a fresh and natural ingredient that is often used to lighten the color of hair when in the sun. It is an excellent cleanser that makes hair bright and shiny!
Use it in: Lemon and Cucumber Shampoothie
MORE: Natural Hair Straightening Treatment with Lemon
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is a versatile ingredient that can give hair body and hold. It can be used in DIY gels, cleansers, and detanglers.
Use it in: DIY Homemade Aloe Vera Gel
MORE: The Science of Aloe Vera Gel
Honey
Honey is a great smelling and beneficial ingredient that has healing and health benefits for hair. When mixed into homemade products, it will add both moisture and shine!
Use it in: Citrus Shine Clarifying Shampoo
MORE: Manuka Honey Benefits for Hair and Skin
Whisk or Blender
When creating your own hair products, it is often necessary to blend ingredients together so that they form a nice consistency. A whisk or small blender can mix everything together to create a usable product.
Use it for: Banana Smoothie Hair Masque
Pot or Kettle
Some DIY recipes require heating for the ingredients to blend together. Invest in a pot or small kettle that will be perfect for this purpose.
Use it in: Green Tea and Honey Nurturing Hair Mist
Funnel
After your products are complete, you will want to put them in bottles or jars for storage. A funnel is perfect for transferring your ingredients without spilling anything.
Use it for: DIY Lavender Hair Spray
Spray Bottle
Hair sprays and second day spritzes are usually light in consistency and can be poured into spray bottles for easy application. A small spray bottle is great to fit in a purse for midday misting!
Use it for: Green Tea and Honey Nurturing Hair Mist
Jar
Thicker products such as pomades and masks need to be put into jars for safe storage. Mason jars are extremely popular for their sturdiness and appealing look.