Going au naturel with your hair care products is the best thing you can do for your curls. By eliminating pesky chemicals like sulphates and parabens, your curls will become smoother, softer and more defined. And if you want to take your natural hair care journey one step further, why not try whipping up your own homemade hair products? You’d be surprised at how many curl hero ingredients are knocking about in your kitchen cupboard!

We’ve gathered our favourite DIY recipes for curly and textured hair, tried and tested them ourselves and now we’re sharing them with you. Have fun and get your hands dirty!

Dry, dull or damaged hair? Try this banana, honey and olive oil hair mask.

Smoothies aren’t just for breakfast. If your curls are in need of some TLC, this kitchen cupboard concoction will put the shine back into your strands. Thanks to their high silica content, bananas can help fight any unwanted frizz while making your hair grow thicker and stronger. 

They also have antimicrobial properties, making them a natural remedy for dandruff and a dry scalp. Honey is rich in antioxidants as well as a natural humectant, sealing moisture into your hair. And olive oil is an amazing emollient packed full of fatty acids that will nourish your curls and promote growth.

Here’s how to give your curls a banana boost: 

• Mash up 1 small banana in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of organic extra virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon of honey (ideally Manuka but any high grade honey works). Mix well into a smoothie-like texture so you’re not left with chunks of banana in your hair. 

• Apply shampoo first to break down any product build-up (this will allow all the mask to penetrate into your hair).

• Rinse out the shampoo, then massage the mask into your scalp, working down to the ends. (If your roots tend to dry flat, avoid the scalp and just stick to the midshaft and ends). 

• Leave the mask in for 15 to 20 minutes.

• Rinse out thoroughly with lukewarm water before following up with conditioner to seal in all that goodness.

We recommend applying your homemade hair mask once a week if you have super dry or damaged hair. Otherwise you can apply it whenever your curls look like they need a boost.

Got buildup or dandruff? Try this super-cleansing coconut oil scalp scrub.

We exfoliate our skin, so why skip the scalp? A scalp scrub is perfect for removing any buildup, dead skin cells, dandruff and excess oil. If you’re after that squeaky clean feeling, add this homemade scalp scrub to your hair routine once a month for super soft and shiny locks.

With deep-conditioning coconut oil, antibacterial and pH-balancing apple cider vinegar and scalp-soothing Manuka honey, this really is the dream team of scalp scrub ingredients. Plus it’s a sugar-based scrub, which makes it more moisturising than a salt scrub so your curls can be soft as a baby’s bum. 

Here’s how to give your scalp a real deep clean:

• Mix together in a bowl ¼ cup of coconut oil, ¾ cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of Manuka honey, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 5 drops of your favourite essential oil (we love eucalyptus or peppermint for their rejuvenating scents). 

• Wet your hair, then massage a generous handful of the scrub into your scalp. Work the scrub into your roots and around the crown of your head and leave it in for a few minutes.

• Rinse it all out before applying shampoo to clear away any residue from the scrub.

• Follow up with a nourishing conditioner to restore and revive your curls. 

Remember that vinegar is very acidic, so it’s super important that you dilute it with water before you pour it over your hair. If you have a sensitive scalp then add less vinegar and more water – the high acidity could cause some irritation, so start with a small quantity of vinegar to test it out first.

Need a fast frizz fix? Try this smoothing apple cider vinegar rinse.

Frizz isn’t always a bad thing – we dig that big and beautiful look. But if you want smooth strands, you’ll need to care for your cuticles. These tiny scales layer on top of each other to create a moisture-locking shield around each hair strand. On a good day, they lie flat against the hair shaft, giving your hair a smooth and shiny appearance. 

But once heat and chemicals come into contact with your curls, these cuticles break apart and lift up, letting moisture escape and leaving the strands looking frizzy. This apple cider vinegar rinse will help to seal those cuticles and make your curls sparkle with shine.

Here’s how you smooth frizz and boost shine:

• Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water. You can add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil if you can’t handle the smell (but don’t worry, the vinegar smell doesn’t stay in your hair). 

• Wet your hair, then pour the vinegar rinse over your hair.

• Gently massage your scalp to remove any buildup, dandruff or excess oil, comb through with your fingers and leave it in for a few minutes. 

• Rinse well with cool water (this will give the cuticles an extra seal).

• Follow up with a silicone-free conditioner to remove any leftover vinegar and lock in moisture.

Again, if you have a super sensitive scalp then this rinse might not be for you – the high acidity could cause some irritation. Also be careful if you’ve had colour treatments done as the vinegar could make any colour in your hair fade if you use the vinegar rinse too often. We recommend using it no more than once every 2 weeks, or even once a month if you don’t tend to get too much buildup.

If you’re just starting out on your natural curl care journey, we’ve done the hard work for you and found the best natural ingredients for curly and textured hair. Find them here in all of our products!