How to Make a Moisturizing Conditioner for African American Hair

Some conditioner has ingredients to help your hair retain moisture and enhance shine.

African American hair is often dry and fragile, and regular conditioning is a must. Whether you are looking to develop a conditioner tailored to your hair's needs, reduce the use of synthetic conditioners or simply save money, homemade conditioners can meet your hair's needs without breaking your bank. Some recipes involve ingredients that can stick to curly hair, such as banana, or are not commonly available. But you don't need to spend hours searching for ingredients or rinsing them from your hair. You can make a moisturizing conditioner with ingredients found in most grocery stores.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Full-fat mayonnaise
• Glass bowl
• Olive oil
• Lavender or rosemary essential oil (optional)
• Spatula
• Whole milk yogurt
• Conditioning cap
• Shampoo

Instructions

1. Measure 1/3 cup of mayonnaise into the bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil. Stir until well blended with a spatula.

2. Add 2/3 cup of yogurt to the bowl. Stir until well blended.

3. Apply the mixture to damp hair at least once a month, but no more often than once a week. Cover with the conditioning cap. Leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse out.

4. Shampoo your hair and style as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• This recipe should cover up to four inches of hair, but if your hair is longer or very thick, double the specified amounts.

• This hair conditioner will keep in the refrigerator for approximately one week. Discard if the smell changes.

• Do not use this conditioner in place of shampoo to clean your hair, a practice known as co-washing.

References

• Curly Nikki: How to Do a Mayonnaise Hair Treatment
• Naturally Curly: Mayonnaise Hair Treatment
• Curly Nikki:Yogurt for Stronger, Moisturized Natural Hair!
• The kitchen beautician; Lonnice Brittenum Bonner; 1997