DIY ECO STYLER Curl Cream

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If you want something lighter (and less oily) than the DIY Eco Styler custard, just turn your fave Eco Styler Gel into a moisturizing hair cream or twist butter.

1. Place 2 TBSP raw, unrefined shea butter in a double boiler.
   • I like ivory shea butter best but, if you like, you can also use yellow shea butter. They both come from the nut of the Karite tree. However, yellow shea butter has Borututu tree roots (a medicinal plant) added during the milling process to give it a golden color and to make it slightly more firm.
   • NOTE: If your shea butter is pure white in color, it is refined. As someone who is 67% West African, in my family, buying refined shea butter is a cardinal sin! It’s just not done. Besides, the refinement process (i.e., bleaching, deodorizing, etc.) can leave harmful toxins in the final product. It also tends to remove most of the beneficial properties of shea butter, which pretty much defeats the purpose of buying shea butter in the first place.
2. Add 2 TBSP castor oil.
   • Once the shea butter and castor oil melt, remove from heat and let cool for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add 10 TBSP Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel (⅝ cup).
   • Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel is my favorite Eco Styler gel, but you can use any one you prefer.
4. Add 3 TBSP of rose water.
   • Whip with an electric hand mixer on medium speed.
   • I remove one beater (i.e., only use one beater) for this whole process to avoid overcrowding the bowl or having to use a vessel 10x larger than necessary.
5. Add ½ tsp vitamin e oil.
   • Vitamin E is an antioxidant that reduces scalp inflammation and helps to repair damage to hair follicles.
   • It also helps to extend shelf life. I like the Sundown Naturals brand.
6. OPTIONAL (but highly recommended): Add essential oils for fragrance and to extend shelf life.
   • 10 drops rose geranium: prevents dull, limp hair and strengthens hair follicles.
   • 10 drops bergamot: promotes hair growth and prevents scalp buildup.
7. Mix one final time to incorporate all ingredients.
8. Transfer to an 8 oz. container.
   • Product will continue to thicken as it comes to room temp. If you would like it to thicken more swiftly, place the finished product in the fridge for an hour and then remove.
   • NOTE: This DOES NOT have to be stored in the fridge! But, letting it chill in the fridge for an hour will thicken the cream at a faster rate.
   • Happy styling!

Super-moisturizing Lavender Hair Spritz

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1. Add ½ cup of aloe vera juice.
   • Aloe vera juice relieves itchy, dry scalps and acts as a conditioning agent that reduces frizz.
   • I buy the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Juice. It comes in a large 1 gallon jug and has a shelf life of 1 ½ – 2 years (when stored properly in the fridge).
2. Add ½ cup of rose water.
   • Rosewater helps to balance the pH of skin.
   • It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce and prevent irritated skin and clogged pores.
   • It’s antioxidant properties strengthens and regenerates skin cells.
   • Rose water also hydrates and refreshes hair, and helps with the retention of moisture.
   • I love the rose water by Heritage Store.
3. Add ½ cup of distilled (not tap) water.
   • If you live in a hard water area like I do, this is a CRUCIAL step.
   • It is imperative that you use distilled (or filtered) water. Don’t use tap water, especially if you are unsure of the water content (or if you have never tested your water)!
4. Add ⅓ cup of vegetable glycerin.
   • Glycerin is a natural humectant. It helps to attract and retain moisture to your hair’s follicles.
   • I adore the 100% pure version from NOW Solutions. It never fails to soften and moisturize my parched tresses!
5. Add ½ teaspoon of vitamin e oil.
   • Vitamin e oil has anti-aging properties that prevent damaging effects from the environment (e.g., free radicals).
   • This nutrient-rich oil heals and repairs skin and hair.
   • It is also an antioxidant that helps to keep the spritz fresh by extending the shelf life.
   • After trying several brands, I’ve locked onto Sundown Naturals vitamin e oil.
6. Add 20–30 drops of lavender essential oil.
   • I used lavender essential oil for its regenerative, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, you can use any essential oil you prefer (i.e., rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, etc).
   • The essential oil also helps to extend the shelf life of the spritz.
7. Shake vigorously to incorporate all ingredients, and enjoy!

After tinkering with the proportions for two months, this has become my go-to daily hair moisturizer. I use it on my twist-outs, wash ‘n gos, protective styles, everything! When nothing else will moisturize my hair, this will. Trust!

Follow-up with your fave oil. I normally gravitate to whipped shea butter but, this summer, I’ve been reaching for extra virgin olive oil more frequently. Just use what your hair loves.

 

DIY Multi-use Beauty Spritz Recipe

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1. Place 1 part pure vegetable glycerin into a spray bottle.
2. Add distilled (not tap) water.
   • Add 4 parts water for oily skin.
   • Add 3 parts water for combination skin.
   • Add 2 parts water for dry skin.
3. OPTIONAL:
   • Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil (i.e., tea tree, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, etc).
   • Substitute 1 part rose water for 1 part distilled water if you have extreme redness in your skin.
   • Substitute 1 part witch hazel for 1 part distilled water if the mixture is too “sticky” for your taste.
4. Shake vigorously until well mixed.
5. USES: 
   • Set your makeup. 
   • Moisturize your skin. 
   • Refresh your face after an intense workout session (esp. if you use lavender or peppermint essential oils). 
   • Moisturize and add shine to your hair.
6. Enjoy!

I use the recipe above for setting my makeup and as a skin refresher after an intense workout. For my daily hair moisturizer, I use 4 parts water to 1 part glycerin, add about a tablespoon of castor oil to the solution for additional hair health benefits, and complete the spritz with 10-15 drops of tea tree essential oil. This is my go-to DIY spritz.