Category Archives: DIY Hair Moisturizing Spray

3 Simple DIY Moisturizing Sprays

5 Replies

Hello Maicurlies,

Today I have 3 DIY’s! 

dsc00499

All of the three differ in ingredients but provide the same end result: moisturized curls/kinks/coils! 

So I decided to throw together three recipes in one post/video because I frequently get questions about using different ingredients and writing a post/making a video of a mix with alternative ingredients so this way I hope there is something for everyone. 

The main focus of change in the mixes is the use of humectants since they can be a hit or miss for many of us. For those that are unfamiliar with humectants, (putting it simple) they are ingredients and or chemicals that help to attract moisture in the air (e.g. humidity) to the hair. While this sounds awesome, it is important to note that the weather can play a huge role in whether our hair likes the use of them or not. You need to find a balance of “optimal” humidity because if you live in an area with high humidity this can cause the hair strands to swell up since they become over moisturized. This can cause frizz, can make the cuticle of the hair raise which can cause friction and thus cause tangles. On the other hand if you live in an area with low humidity, this can cause the opposite effect. The use of humectants would draw moisturize in the hair outwards and can cause dryness!

If you are unsure of whether or not your hair appreciates humectant based products check the back of your staple products to see if they include any humectants towards the top of the list. Here are examples of different humectants:

Honey, Agave nectar, Aloe Vera Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Sorbitol, Hydrolyzed silk protein, Fructose, Sodium PCA, Panthenol.

Ingredients/Tools:

  • Clean & disinfected spray bottle
  • Spoon
  • Container
  • Gloves (optional)

Recipe 1 – Humectant Free

Humectant Free

  • 2 oz Plain Water
  • 1 oz Rose Water
  • 0.5 oz Leave In Conditioner
  • 0.5 oz Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (any Oil)
  • (Optional) 2 Drops Lavender Essential Oil (any oil)
  • 3 Capsules Vitamin E Oil (roughly 0.15 oz)

Recipe 2 – 1 Humectant

1 Humectant Recipe

  • 2 oz Plain Water
  • 0.5 oz Raw/Organic Honey
  • 0.5 oz Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (any oil)
  • 3 Capsules Vitamin E Oil (roughly 0.15 oz)
  • (Optional) 2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (any oil)

Recipe 3 – 2 Humectants

2 Humectants Recipe

  • 2 oz Plain Water
  • 1 oz Fresh Aloe Vera Juice
  • 0.7 oz Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (use any)
  • 0.5 oz Glycerin
  • 3 Capsules Vitamin E Oil (roughly 0.15 oz)
  • (Optional) 2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (any oil)

Mixing Instructions:

You basically just have to add all the ingredient together in a bowl and stir really well (using a whisk can help) and then pour into your spray bottle.

Application/Use:

I like to use the spray to remoisturize my hair at night when I want to “reset” a style. E.g. if my hair was in a braid out for a few days and feels a little dry with the curls loosing shape and gaining frizz, I spray my hair with the spray and re-braid for the night. The next morning i take down my hair and voila, a new looking braid out! I choose not to use a styling product again because I feel like the spray helps to “reactivate” the styling/holding product (but this is a personal choice). Make sure to shake the bottle each time really well to ensure all the ingredients are stirred together. 

Storage:

You MUST store the mixes in the fridge, regardless of which recipe you choose you have to store it in the fridge (maximum 2 weeks). I suggest making small amounts and remixing since each individual recipe is easy to make, this way you are not wasting anything with the mix going off before being used up. 

NOTE: In the examples I used Virgin Coconut Oil; Coconut Oil solidifies in cold temperatures therefore if you use Coconut Oil and notice white lumpy blocks of solidified oil this is normal. My suggestion is to either take the mix out of the fridge beforehand so that the coconut oil melts (if your house is warm enough) otherwise hold the mix (while in the spray bottle) in a cup of warm water for a few minutes so the oils melts. 

I have a compilation of benefits of each of the ingredients used in the recipes here. 

Thanks!

Maicurls

Maicurls

Medium Pin Curls on Fine Natural Hair

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Hello Maicurlies,

So today I wanted to share my current obsession (actually I have yet another new one already) Pin Curls! 

Medium Pin Curls

Let me tell you, I LOVE pin curls!!!! 

What do I love about Pin Curls? 

EVERYTHING! Since I have fine natural hair I tend to look for styles to helps to give me volume and the illusion of more density and pin curls give me that….they give me life! Generally I normally like to style on dry hair or slightly damp hair because I get more volume if my hair is not really wet but with pin curls regardless of whether I start on freshly washed hair or dry hair I adore the results! In my demo I did medium sized pin curls on freshly washed hair which gave me medium curls with bounce but they can be made smaller for tighter results or bigger for looser curls. 

Products/Tools Used:

My styling process (especially when I start on wet hair) is to 

  1. Set the Pin Curls
  2. Allow them to air dry 
  3. Cover with a silk/satin scarf overnight
  4. Take down the bobby pins, separate the curls and style my hair (the following day)
Pin curled hair
Curls taken down, fluffed and styled

However, there are times when I have to go out after setting my hair (example on the day when I recorded my video) so on those days I do my faux huge headwrap.

Faux huge Headwrap

No one knows my hair is curled up, pinned down and not in a big bun underneath and I don’t have to go out looking a little peculiar 😉 Then the following day I take down my hair and voila! 

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Here is my video of the process:

I would love to hear what you think! Do you do pin curls, would you try them? 

Thanks

Maicurls

Maicurls

How To: Turning an old Twist-out to Braid & Curl Low Manipulation Style

3 Replies

Hello Maicurlies,

Today I wanted to share one of the methods I use to remoisturize old hair & how I style my hair in a low manipulation style (when I went camping for 2 nights). 

wrap up braid-out

So I was off to a beach camping trip for 2 nights and my hair was a MESS! I had it in a twist out that turned into a messy bun. The curls were tangled, dry and just not in a good way! Since I was camping I knew I didn’t want to do anything “drastic” especially since I would be washing my hair once I got back. I also knew I wanted my hair tucked away since sand and my hair just don’t play nice at all so I figured I would remoisturize, bring back some texture but still keep my hair tucked away.

My remoisturizing method was simple, the L.O.C method (Leave-in/liquid, Oil, Cream/Whipped butter) I also used permrods and that was it. I did not use a comb to get through my hair since I wanted low manipulation and to protect my hair during the trip I used a scarf to keep my hair up and away from my shoulders and presto. 

Braid and Perm Rod Set
Braid and curl
Braid and curl after separating
Braid and curl

Products/Tools Used:

Method:

I parted my hair into sections (roughly 15 – 18 in total), spritzed my hair with my DIY Spray Leave-In Conditioner followed by my oil. I then gently, carefully and slowly detangled my hair and get rid of shed hair. I braided my hair but left my ends unbraided. I added a little extra spray leave-in on the ends, smoothed on some whipped butter before wrapping them around the perm rods and then rolling up to my roots.

wrapped up braid out
wrapped up braid out
wrapped up braid out
wrapped up braid out

Once I was done I covered my hair at night (I kept it uncovered right until I went to bed). The following morning I took down the perm rods and using a little oil on my fingertips I undid the braids. Now if you want to have definition then take the braids down carefully to keep the integrity of the curl pattern (since I just wanted a little texture, a little volume and was going to cover my hair it didn’t really matter for me). After I took down the braids I separated my hair a tiny bit and covered my hair with the scarf, leaving a swooped bang at the front (the ends tucked away) and pinned the rest of my hair upwards. Presto: happy moisturized and protected hair ready for camping! 

I have a video of the whole process:

P.s. In case you were wondering, here is a peak at the spot where we camped. 

What is your go to method to remoisturize “old hair” mid-week/before washing your hair?

Thanks

Maicurls

Maicurls

DIY Curl Refreshing & Activating Spray

13 Replies

Hey Maicurlies,

Today I have another really quick DIY spray to share. I think your hair will LOVE it! My hair drinks this up and is super soft afterwards, moisturized, shiny and it actually helps to refresh my curls too!

DIY Moisturizing & Curl Activating Spray

DIY Moisturizing & Curl Activating Spray

I use this spray in different ways (you can apply this on your scalp and face too btw, who doesn’t love a good 3 in 1 product right)?!

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz plain water (I use bottled water)
  • 0.4 oz Rose Water
  • 0.1 oz Glycerin (optional Ingredient that can be replaced with honey or agave nectar)
  • 0.3 oz Fresh Aloe Vera Juice (you can use store bought)
  • 2 capsules Vitamin E Oil (roughly 0.15 oz)
  • 1 – 2 drops Essential Oil (optional – I LOVE the scent of rose water so I skip this)

Benefits of each ingredient:

Water – the ingredient of life right? H2o is a naturals best friend as it hydrates the hair, restores lost moisture, provides elasticity to the hair, helps prevent breakage, honestly water should be our closest buddy. 

Rose Water (apart from smelling AMAZING) – it is known to help revitalize the quality of your hair due to Its natural moisturizing and nourishing properties. It helps ease scalp irritations or dandruff, it leaves the scalp feeling fresh, is said to help reduce hair loss due to the fact that it helps stimulate hair follicles, provides shine and helps restore the natural pH of the skin and hair. 

Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ)* (Fresh or store bought) – promotes hair growth, stop hair loss, treats scalp problems e.g. dry/itchy scalp. It restores moisture to both the hair and scalp, helps simulate hair growth since it contains enzyme that stimulates hair follicles and can help reduce buildup since it has astringent properties.

*If you are using AVJ directly from the plant (completely pure and untreated) it is best to do a skin patch test to see if you are allergic to it first since people can develop an allergic reaction to it.

Vitamin E Oil – a commonly used oil to help extend homemade products shelf life (however only extends products for a little bit). It rejuvenates and offers protection for the scalp and skin by nourishing both and is said to help sooth scalp issues such as psoriasis*. The oil helps to condition the hair resulting in healthier and shinier hair. 

*Should you suffer from psoriasis it is best to consult a medical professional e.g. a dermatologist or your personal doctor as this is NOT a cure for psoriasis. 

Essential Oil (EO) – depending on the EO you use you can get different benefits my suggestion is peppermint, tea tree or rosemary but you can use any EO of choice. (I prefer to skip this because I LOVE the scent of Rose Water).

DIY Moisturizing & Curl Activating Spray

Moisturizing & Curl Activating Spray

How I use it:

Depending on how my hair is styled, I will either use it to freshen up my curls in the morning, spritz it on an old wash and go or even to remoisturize my hair at night before putting in twists (after sealing with a little oil).

What I love about this is that the mix is really light weight so even if you spray this on “old hair” it will not weigh down your curls, it is super moisturizing thanks to the ingredients and of course it is all natural!

Storage:

The recipe is simple to do so it won’t take you long to remake it. I do suggest making small batches to ensure it stays fresh since there are no preservatives added. I do recommend storing it in the fridge just to make sure it doesn’t go off too quickly and since it is easy to make it won’t take you any time at all!

I would love to hear what you think about this mix! 

Thanks

Maicurls

Maicurls