Saving a Fortune and the Planet.
For the longest time, I have been using natural products for my hair and skin, but I've never been 100% happy with natural conditioners. I've gone using many different brands, but I often find them too heavy weighing my hair down, or making it greasy, to the other end of the spectrum, not silky enough and leaving my hair feeling tangled and dry.
At anything between £15 - £22 a 250ml bottle, I also feel a little aggrieved at paying so much to not find anything that is right for my hair. When you find out that around 85% of a conditioners properties is actually just distilled water, you do wonder why they cost so much.
So I decided to have a go at making my own and tweaking it to the perfect conditioner. My hair has never felt so good, or looked so healthy.
My hair type is fine, but I have a lot of it. It is coloured and wavy. (It's similar to the pic above.) I tend to get greasy roots, but I am finding I don't tend to need to wash so often now.
The great thing about making your own conditioner is that you can tweak it to suit your hair.
So to get all the ingredients you need to make 20 x 200ml bottles costs around £32 (massive savings!). You can spend more if you want to use organic or get larger size bottles which are better for the environment and better value.
I use this conditioner as a rinse off conditioner, but can also be used as a leave in.
Ingredients
You may have some ingredients already, but there are likely a couple you will need to get.
BTMS 25
This ingredient cannot be skipped (believe me I tried). BTMS is what gives your hair that soft silky feel and detangles. BTMS is natural and it is derived from Rapeseed oil.
In addition, BTMS (Behentrimonium Methosulfate & Cetearyl Alcohol) is an emulsifying wax. Emulsify means it helps water and oil to mix. It emulsifies oils and water very well and is a very commonly used ingredient in conditioners.
Vegetable Glycerin
Glycerin is used in most hair products, and helps to moisturise your locks. It helps with frizziness, dryness, split ends and dandruff.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is a great oil for your hair, it is inexpensive, light and non greasy. Many oils just sit on top of your hair making it lank and heavy. Avocado oil is light enough seep into your hair follicle so all the vitamins penetrate deeply into your hair for long-lasting nourishment.
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Preservative Eco
Or other natural preservative to give your conditioner a good shelf life.
Essential Oil for Scent and Shine
When looking for essential oils for shiny hair, look for those that are moisturising and help retain moisture in your strands to give your hair that natural sheen.
Avoid citrus and astringent oils as they have a tendency to make hair appear frizzy and textured, rather than glossy and silky. Below are the top 6 essential oils for shiny hair:
1. GERANIUM
2. LAVENDER
3. JASMINE
4. YLANG YLANG
5. SANDALWOOD
6. PALMA ROSA
Distilled Water
The main ingredient making up 85% of the conditioner.
Where to Buy (UK)
I found BTMS 25 at The Soapery £7.99 for 200 grams
All other ingredients can be found at Naissance UK. They have both organic and non organic options and various sizes available. Delivery is free over a £25.00 spend.
You can find distilled water from most supermarkets.
Equipment you need
A blender - hand held is fine - I use my nutri bullet.
A double boiler or bain marie (see below)
A hand soap pump bottle or squeezy bottle to put your conditioner into.
A funnel.
Recipe for 200ml Conditioner
170 ml Distilled Water
10 grams BTMS 25
10 grams Avocado Oil
10 grams Glycerin
10 drops Preservative Eco
20 drops Essential Oil
Instructions
Note: Add preservative and Essential Oil once the mixture has cooled
1. Heat 100ml of the water in the saucepan of your Bain Marie.
2. Measure out your Avocado oil, BTMS & Glycerin and add to the bowl of your Bain Marie
3. Mix the oils and BTMS together over the heat until the BTMS is fully melted.
4. Take everything off the heat.
5. Add the remaining 70ml of cool water to the hot water, then add the water to the oils and stir the mixture together.
6. Allow mixture to cool down so they are warm rather than hot, then add the preservative and essential oil and blend together. You will only need to blend for a few seconds, you will see the mixture go from a yellowing colour to a lovely creamy colour and texture.
7. Pour into bottle ready to use (easier with a funnel if you have one).
8. Enjoy!
Remember this recipe can be tweaked depending on your hair type, if you feel you need more moisturising add a little more glycerin and avocado oil. If you need more detangling add more BTMS.
I hope you enjoy your new conditioner - let me know how you get on in the comments below!
