Rocking curls and natural hair styles is always in style. However, to keep your crown healthy and beautiful, you must keep it moisturized. If your curls are dry they may become brittle and break off. One of the most productive and easiest ways to moisturize your hair is by using the LOC method. The LOC method is an acronym for the Liquid, Oil, and Cream Method. The method focuses on adding moisture to your hair. It is best to use a water based leave-in conditioner, oil, and a cream.

Water based moisturizers maintain your hair's moisture. They also prove to seal the moisture into your hair throughout days and even weeks. Finding the right leave-in conditioner can be a long, tedious journey. It can be difficult to find one that is right for your hair texture and flatters your curl pattern. In our experience, it is sometimes even impossible!

At KinkyCurlyYaki, we have found that it is often easier (and more cost effective) to make  leave-in conditioner at home. As you learn more about your hair and ingredients you can tailor your moisturizer to your own hair’s needs and texture. Here are 9 of the best leave-in conditioner recipes. Remember that all these ingredients can be added or reduced according to your hair’s need.

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Liquid Leave-in Conditioner Recipes

Coconut Honey

If you have extra dry and brittle hair Coconut Honey is your saving grace. Every ingredient is designed to protect your hair from breakage. The amino acids in avocado sooth your scalp while the proteins work to rebuild your hair’s follicles naturally. Plus, these ingredients add shine to hair and prevent breakage.

• 1 oz. coconut oil
• 2 oz. aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp. avocado oil
• ⅓ cup water

Mix coconut and avocado oil in a small cup. Pour aloe vera gel and water in a small spray bottle. Then add your coconut and avocado mix to the spray bottle. Shake well prior to every application. Keep in mind that coconut oil is a solid at room temperature. Thus you may need to warm it slightly. 

Soothing Herbal Water

The base of this mixtures consists of olive oil and shea butter. They are heavy moisturizers that are ideal for thick or coarse hair textures. Rosemary and thyme are essential oils that are packed with antiseptic properties. They have been found to reduce dandruff, soothe inflamed scalp, and balance estrogen in the body, which promotes hair growth.   

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup aloe vera gel
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 1 tbsp. shea butter
• 1 tsp rosemary oil
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp thyme oil

Melt coconut oil. Mix water, coconut milk, and aloe vera gel in small spray bottle. Mix oils in a small bowl. Combine coconut oil and water mixture, and then add oils to spray bottle. Shake well prior to every application. If you find the fragrance to be to pungent, dilute solution with more water.

Jojoba Hydrator

Jojoba oil mimics your hair’s natural oil. It produces a natural shine while promoting strength, manageability, and softness. This leave-in is a lighter mixture that is ideal for fine or wavy hair textures. Jojoba oil prevents dandruff and flaking. Aloe vera juice is known to promote hair growth, reduce shedding, and restore the natural pH balance of your hair and scalp.

• 1 ½ cups aloe vera juice
• 2 cups coconut water
• 2 tsp. jojoba oil

Combine aloe vera juice, coconut water, and jojoba oil in a small spray bottle. Pour ingredients into a spray bottle and shake prior to each application.

Ylang-Ylang Anti-Breakage Formula

To promote softness, reduce breakage, and combat frizz try the Ylang-Ylang Anti-Breakage Formula. This solution prevents hair loss and promotes growth. Honey has been known to soothe split ends, promote healthy roots, and restore damaged hair shafts. Ylang-ylang is an essential oil derived from leaves of the Cananga tree. It is known for its antibacterial qualities and promoting hair growth.  

• 4 oz. water
• 6 drops essential oil of your choice (consider rosemary, thyme, or tea tree oil)
• 2 tsp. aloe vera juice
• 2 tsp. coconut oil
• 2 tsp. ylang-ylang oil
• 2 tsp. coconut water
• 2 tsp. honey

Combine aloe vera juice and coconut water in a small cup. Add water and honey. Mix well. Combine oils and mix. Add oils to the water solution. Shake well prior to each application and apply liberally. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, warm it to create your recipe.

Lavender Silk Leave-In

This leave-in is designed to aid in locking in moisture and style. It is ideal for use with heatless overnight styles such as braids, twists, or bantu knots. It is also recommended for wash-n-go styles. Lavender oil promotes hair growth, volume, and thickness. Its healing therapeutic properties are also ideal for calming inflamed scalps and relieving stress.

• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3 tsp. shea butter
• 2 tsp. jojoba oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Combine coconut milk and melted shea butter. Add oils. Pour mixture into a small spray bottle. Apply liberally. Warm prior to application as needed.

Creamy Leave-in Conditioner Recipes

Honey Butter Balm

Shea butter and coconut oil are renowned for their moisture providing properties. Each hydrates and restores your hair’s natural oils. Lavender oil promotes growth and stress relief when massaged into the scalp. Honey is an all natural emollient that promotes softness and manageability as well as restores damaged hair shafts.  

• 1 oz. shea butter
• 1 oz. coconut oil
• A few drops of essential lavender oil
• 1 tsp honey

Melt shea butter and coconut oil together. Mix well. Add honey and lavender oil. Mix them together and refrigerate until it is the consistency you desire.

Tea Tree Hair Pomade

This pomade is a medium weight conditioner that is ideal for reinforcing moisture and fighting scalp conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Tea tree oil has all natural antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. Thus, it promotes a healthy and clean scalp and also helps with hair strength and growth.

• 2 tsp. jojoba oil
• ½ cup shea butter
• 2 tbsp. aloe vera gel
• 2 tsp. tea tree oil
• ½ cup coconut milk

Melt shea butter. Add jojoba oil, aloe vera gel, tea tree oil, and coconut milk. Mix well and refrigerate until it is your desired consistency.

Healing Hibiscus Hair Cream

This moisturizing cream prevents hair loss and reduces dandruff and frizz. The hibiscus powder also helps to balance your hair’s pH. Hibiscus has also been proven to prevent dry and itchy scalp as well. Grapefruit seed extract is a natural immune system stimulator. It is also a natural preservative that relieves many skin and scalp conditions.

• 1 tbsp. hibiscus powder
• 4 oz. shea butter
• 8 oz. water
• 2 oz. aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp. lavender essential oil
• 1 tsp. grapefruit seed extract

Melt shea butter. Combine water, aloe vera gel, and melted shea butter. Add lavender and grapefruit see extract. Mix well. Sprinkly in hibiscus powder. Let stand or refrigerate until firm.

Avocado and Rosemary Hair Mask

This is a good conditioner if you need to return your scalp to a healthy condition. It is also recommended to stimulate hair growth. Avocado is full of natural proteins that promote healthy hair shafts. Rosemary is stimulant that promotes healthy scalp and reduces inflammation to aide in hair growth.  

• 1/2 cup raw shea butter
• 2 tsp. avocado oil
• 6 drops of rosemary essential oil

Melt shea butter. Mix avocado and rosemary oil. Combine ingredients. Refrigerate until firm. Apply liberally.

Finding a leave-in conditioner that enhances your curl pattern takes time and testing. Explore with various combinations of these ingredients or stick to the recipes themselves to discover the best leave-in conditioner for your curl pattern. If you need to leave your conditioner in overnight consider a protective style such as a natural hair style wig or extensions.