The TRUTH About DIY Hair Products
Are DIY Hair Products Good?
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Many curly haired individuals turn to DIY hair care, believing that homemade, all-natural products are the best option for their curls. But are they truly beneficial, or could they be causing more harm than good? Today, I’m working with a new client who has been exclusively using DIY hair products, and we’ll explore whether they are helping or hurting her curls.
DIY Products and Product Buildup
A common issue with DIY products is excessive buildup. Ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and oils often sit on the hair rather than absorbing into the strands. This can lead to dull, greasy hair over time. A simple way to check for buildup is to run your hand through your hair—if your palm looks shiny and greasy, you likely have excess product sitting on your strands.
I used the TimelesslyCurly Volume Shampoo to ensure all previous buildup was removed before styling.
Reset your hair and scalp with our Volume Shampoo. This clarifying shampoo is powered with bentonite clay to gently pull out buildup, impurities, and excess oils — giving your scalp a “facial” while leaving your hair soft, clean, and hydrated. Unlike harsh clarifiers, it removes product residue without stripping your hair, making it the perfect first step for healthy, thriving strands.
Features:
Deeply cleanses scalp and hair to remove buildup and impurities
Infused with bentonite clay for a detoxifying yet moisturizing cleanse
Leaves hair light, fresh, and weightless — never dry or brittle
Creates the perfect foundation for blowouts, silk presses, or protective styles
Works beautifully on all textures, especially fine hair that gets weighed down easily
Benefits:
Your scalp feels refreshed and balanced, not tight or dry
Helps curls, blowouts, and silk presses last longer by starting on a clean base
Lightweight formula makes it safe for weekly use
Pairs perfectly with the Moisture Shampoo for the ultimate cleanse + hydration routine
Think of the Volume Shampoo as your reset button, the one step that ensures your hair is clean, healthy, and ready to shine.
What’s inside:
•QUINOA PROTEIN: penetrates the hair shaft plumping each strand to maximum fullness.
•BENTONITE CLAY: plumps, strengthens and protects hair.
How to Use:
SHAMPOO: Wet hair and lather from roots to ends. Rinse.
CONDITIONER: After cleansing with shampoo, apply evenly from roots to ends. Leave in for 3-5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
One common DIY practice is using African black soap or baking soda as shampoo, but these alternatives often have an imbalanced pH. Hair thrives at a pH level of 4.5 to 5.5, while African black soap has a pH level between 8 and 10. This can leave hair overly dry and prone to breakage.
That’s why professionally formulated shampoos, like the Moisture Shampoo, are key for maintaining hydration and scalp health. It properly cleanses her hair without stripping its natural moisture.
Bring your hair back to life with our Moisture Shampoo. This creamy, nourishing formula is designed to infuse your strands with long lasting hydration while keeping them light, bouncy, and full of movement. Unlike heavy moisturizing shampoos that can leave buildup behind, this one delivers the perfect balance: deep hydration without weighing your hair down.
Features:
Gently cleanses while replenishing moisture to dry hair
Creamy, rich formula leaves hair soft, hydrated, and manageable
Keeps hair weightless, making it perfect before blowouts or silk presses
Strengthens and nourishes from root to tip
Safe for all textures, including fine hair, extensions, and color-treated strands
Benefits:
Your hair feels hydrated, silky, and smooth after every wash
Perfect second step after the Volume Shampoo for a balanced cleanse
Preps your strands for styling by keeping them moisturized and pliable
Helps prevent dryness, frizz, and breakage between wash days
With Moisture Shampoo, every wash day leaves your hair hydrated, soft, and ready for whatever style you choose, whether it’s a blowout, silk press, or natural curls.
What’s inside:
SUNFLOWER SEED EXTRACT: provides UVA and UVB protection to preserve radiant color.
COCONUT MILK: creates a strong barrier around the hair shaft to prevent breakage.
RHODOCHROSITE: balances moisture levels.
How to Use:
SHAMPOO: wet hair and lather from roots to ends. Rinse well. Repeat if necessary.
CONDITIONER: after cleansing with shampoo, apply evenly from roots to ends. Leave in for 2-3 minutes and rinse well.
Are DIY Deep Conditioners Effective?
Many people make DIY deep conditioners using ingredients like raw eggs, avocado, or mayonnaise. While these ingredients contain beneficial nutrients, their molecular size is often too large to penetrate the hair shaft effectively. Professionally formulated deep conditioners contain humectants and emulsifiers that allow the ingredients to absorb into the hair, delivering lasting moisture and strength.
I used the Deep Repair Treatment to restore hydration and strengthen her hair.
Give your hair the ultimate reset with our Deep Repair Treatment. Formulated with the perfect balance of strength and hydration, this intensive mask revives dry, damaged strands while keeping them soft, defined, and healthy. Infused with keratin protein and rich moisturizers, it works from the inside out to repair, fortify, and restore your hair’s natural beauty.
Features:
Deeply hydrates while reinforcing strands with protein
Infuses keratin to strengthen and protect against breakage
Restores elasticity so curls clump, pop, and define
Improves softness, shine, and manageability
Ideal for hair that is heat styled, color treated, or prone to dryness
Benefits:
Hair feels instantly stronger and more moisturized
Visible results, curls spring back with bounce and definition
Keeps straight naturals and curly girls alike protected from heat and stress
Perfect for weekly deep treatments or paired with a steam treatment for maximum absorption
When your hair needs both moisture and strength, the Deep Repair Treatment delivers. It’s the key to keeping your strands resilient, hydrated, and full of life.
What’s inside:
SUNFLOWER OIL + MALACHITE: restore moisture, shine, and resilience while protecting hair from environmental stressors.
RHASSOUL: a mineral rich clay, makes this a great treatment for even finer textured hair.
How to Use:
Apply to clean towel dried hair and leave in for 5 to 15 minutes, then rinse. Tip: Focus on mid-lengths to ends to help prevent split ends.
The Risks of Spoilage
I recall a time when I used a DIY leave-in conditioner that required weekly mixing and refrigeration. One major downside of DIY products is their short shelf life. Without preservatives, they can spoil quickly, leading to mold and bacterial growth.
To prep my client’s hair for blow-drying, I used the Emergency Miracle Treatment Leave-In Conditioner, which contains silk protein to repair and protect hair.
Give your hair the hydration it craves with Emergency Miracle Treatment. This lightweight leave in conditioner penetrates deep into each strand, delivering lasting moisture without heaviness. Perfect as the foundation for any style, it preps and protects your hair so it stays hydrated, healthy, and manageable all week long.
Features:
Lightweight formula absorbs quickly to hydrate from the inside out
Provides lasting moisture retention between wash days
Strengthens and softens without buildup or heaviness
Ideal prep step before blow drying or heat styling
Safe for natural hair, relaxed styles, extensions, and fine strands
Benefits:
Keeps hair hydrated longer, even if you heat style weekly
Perfect balance of moisture and weightlessness
Leaves hair soft, manageable, and frizz-free
A must-have for straight naturals or wash and go girls who need moisture without reapplying product daily
With Emergency Miracle Treatment, you can enjoy long lasting hydration and strength without compromising your style, it’s the leave in that truly lives up to its name.
The Benefits:
• SILK PROTEIN: nourishes, repairs and protects hair.
• SERECITE MICA: smooths, seals hair color and provides radiant
shine.
• UV FILTERS: block sun damage.
How to Use:
Depending on the length and type of hair, apply desired amount to damp hair after washing.
Comb through roots to ends for even distribution.
Do not rinse out. Style as usual.
The Silk Press Process: Professional Products & Tools
After detoxing and treating my client’s hair, I proceeded with a silk press using salon-quality tools and products:
Blow Dry Prep: I applied Le Deux Blow Dry Cream, which contains magnesium to improve hair elasticity and prevent heat damage.
Heat Protection: I used Amethyst Oil, a multi-use oil that protects from heat, reduces frizz, and enhances shine.
Achieve salon smooth results at home with the Silky Smooth Bundle. This trio delivers the perfect combination of hydration, protection, and shine to keep your hair silky, frizz-free, and healthy, whether you’re blow drying, silk pressing, or wearing your hair straight.
What’s Inside:
Emergency Miracle Treatment – Lightweight leave-in conditioner that penetrates deep for long-lasting moisture and frizz control.
Le Deux – Moisture rich blow dry cream that smooths strands, eases detangling, and protects from heat while giving your blowouts body and softness.
Amethyst Oil – Lightweight finishing oil that seals in moisture, locks in shine, and provides extra heat protection without weighing hair down.
Benefits:
Creates a smooth, sleek foundation for blowouts and silk presses
Double layered heat protection keeps strands safe from hot tools
Locks in hydration so hair stays soft, shiny, and manageable
Works for all hair types, especially straight naturals and those who heat style regularly
With the Silky Smooth Bundle, you’ll have everything you need to create polished, frizz-free styles that last. All while keeping your hair healthy and hydrated.
Are DIY Products Convenient and Effective?
DIY hair care lacks consistency. If you’ve ever made flaxseed gel then you know, two batches rarely turn out the same. This inconsistency makes it difficult to achieve predictable results.
Additionally, some raw ingredients can cause unexpected sensitivities. For instance, my hair reacts poorly to raw coconut oil, leaving it brittle and stringy. Without proper formulation, DIY products may not always be compatible with your hair’s unique needs.
The Final Verdict: Are DIY Hair Products Worth It?
While DIY products may seem appealing, they come with risks such as pH imbalances, buildup, inconsistency, and spoilage. Professionally formulated products ensure optimal hair health, offering better absorption, protection, and long-term results.
Want to see the full process in action? Watch the video for an in-depth look at my client’s silk press transformation. And if you have questions, drop them in the comments—I’d love to help you find the best hair care routine for your curls!