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If you have thick, coarse, curly hair like I do, you probably understand the challenge of keeping it moisturized and frizz-free. My curls tend to run on the dry side, and if I don’t stay on top of caring for them, things can get a little wild—think full-on Rosanna Rosanna Danna hair!
This simple hair serum recipe has been part of my hair routine for over ten years. It helps my curls feel soft, hydrated, and much more manageable. It’s easy to make, smells wonderful, and uses simple natural ingredients.
If your curls are craving moisture and shine, this might be the blend you’ve been looking for.
To make it you’ll need:
5 drops rosemary essential oil (mountain rose herbs | far & wild | amazon)
5 drops lavender essential oil (mountain rose herbs | far & wild | amazon)
4 drops thyme essential oil (mountain rose herbs | far & wild | amazon)
4 drops cedarwood essential oil (mountain rose herbs | far & wild | amazon)
1 oz avocado oil (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
1 oz argan oil (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
2 oz dropper bottle
Note: Use code ELISA20 for your first far & wild order for extra savings.
Instructions
Add the essential oils to your bottle first. Then fill the remainder of the bottle with the avocado and argan oil blend. Secure the lid and gently shake to combine.
How to Use
After washing your hair, apply a small amount of the serum into your palms. Rub your hands together and work it through damp hair from scalp to ends, focusing on the driest areas. Style your hair as usual.
A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more if needed.
Benefits of the Ingredients
- Rosemary Essential Oil: Rosemary is often used in natural hair care to help stimulate the scalp and support healthy hair growth. It may also help improve circulation to hair follicles.
- Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender is known for its calming properties, but it’s also wonderful for scalp care. It can help soothe dryness and irritation while adding a soft herbal scent.
- Thyme Essential Oil: Thyme oil has traditionally been used to support scalp health and may help strengthen hair at the root.
- Cedarwood Essential Oil: Cedarwood can help balance the scalp’s natural oil production and may support thicker-looking hair over time.
- Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is deeply moisturizing and rich in vitamins and fatty acids. It penetrates the hair shaft easily, making it especially helpful for dry, coarse, or curly hair.
- Argan Oil: Argan oil is often called “liquid gold.” It is lighter than many oils but still very nourishing. It helps smooth frizz, add shine, and soften curls without making hair feel greasy.
Optional: Make an Herbal-Infused Oil
If you enjoy working with whole herbs, you can take this recipe a step further by using an herbal-infused avocado oil instead of plain avocado oil. Infusing dried rosemary, thyme, and lavender into the oil allows the plant properties to slowly release into the carrier oil, creating a deeply nourishing base for hair care.
How to Make an Herbal-Infused Oil
You’ll need:
½ cup dried rosemary (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
¼ cup dried thyme (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
¼ cup dried lavender (mountain rose herbs | amazon)
1–1½ cups avocado oil
A clean glass jar with lid
Fill a clean, dry glass jar about halfway with the dried herbs. Pour avocado oil over the herbs until they are completely covered and the jar is nearly full.
Seal the jar and place it in a warm, sunny window for 2–4 weeks, gently shaking it every day or two. This helps the herbs infuse into the oil.
After the infusion period, strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar or bottle. Store in a cool, dark place.
You can then use this herbal oil as the base for the hair serum or hair mask recipe in this post.
Prefer Something Ready-Made?
DIY recipes are a wonderful way to care for your hair naturally, and I love sharing simple blends you can make at home. But I also know that sometimes life gets busy and you may prefer something that’s already prepared and ready to use.
If you’d rather skip the mixing and measuring, I’ve created this nourishing hair care blend in my shop using the same plant-based ingredients and herbal inspiration I share here on the blog. These formulas are designed to support healthy hair and scalp while keeping things simple and natural.
And of course, if you enjoy creating your own herbal beauty products, I hope the recipe in this post inspires you to experiment and discover what works best for your hair.
Choosing the Best Carrier Oils for Your Hair Type
One of the benefits of making your own hair products is that you can customize them for your specific hair needs. While avocado oil works beautifully for dry curls, there are several carrier oils that can support healthy hair.
Avocado Oil – Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D, and E and deeply nourishes dry or coarse hair. It helps smooth the hair cuticle and improve softness and shine.
Argan Oil – Argan oil is lightweight but moisturizing. It’s excellent for frizz control and curl definition.
Jojoba Oil – Jojoba oil closely resembles the scalp’s natural oils, making it helpful for balancing moisture at the scalp.
Sweet Almond Oil – Sweet almond oil is a lighter oil that works well for fine to medium hair types that still need moisture.
Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is deeply conditioning and helps protect the hair from protein loss. It tends to work best for thick or very dry hair.
Many people find that blending oils works better than using just one. For example:
Avocado + Argan — great for thick curly hair
Argan + Jojoba — great for normal hair types
Jojoba + Sweet Almond — great for finer hair
5 Natural Ways to Reduce Frizz in Curly Hair
If you have curly hair, you already know that frizz can appear at the most inconvenient times. Humidity, dryness, and even the way you dry your hair can all affect how your curls behave. A few simple habits can make a big difference in keeping curls smooth and defined.
- Moisturize While Hair Is Damp – Curly hair tends to be drier because scalp oils have a harder time traveling down the curl pattern. Applying oils to damp hair helps seal moisture into the strands and reduces frizz.
- Avoid Overwashing – Washing your hair too frequently can strip away natural oils. Many people with curly hair find that washing two to three times per week works best.
- Use a Cotton T-Shirt Instead of a Towel – Traditional bath towels can rough up the hair cuticle and cause frizz. Drying your hair with a soft cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel is much gentler.
- Sleep on a Silk or Satin Pillowcase – Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture from the hair and create friction. Silk or satin pillowcases help curls stay smoother overnight.
- Nourish Your Hair with Natural Oils – Natural oils help protect the hair shaft and smooth the cuticle. Oils like avocado, argan, and jojoba are wonderful for keeping curls hydrated and healthy.
Making your own natural hair care products can be incredibly rewarding. Not only do you know exactly what ingredients you’re using, but you can tailor each blend to your own hair’s needs. With the right moisture and a little extra care, curly hair can become soft, defined, and beautifully manageable.
5 Herbs That Support Healthy Hair Growth
Herbal hair care has been used for centuries to nourish the scalp and support strong, healthy hair. Many herbs contain nutrients, antioxidants, and natural compounds that help improve circulation to the scalp and strengthen hair over time. You can grab all of these from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Here are a few herbs that are especially loved in natural hair care.
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the most well-known herbs for supporting healthy hair growth. It has traditionally been used to stimulate circulation in the scalp, which helps nourish hair follicles. Many people also use rosemary to help strengthen hair and improve shine.
It’s a wonderful herb to include in hair oils, herbal rinses, and scalp treatments.
Lavender
Lavender is not only calming for the mind but also soothing for the scalp. It can help reduce dryness and irritation while supporting overall scalp health. Lavender is often used in natural hair care blends because it pairs beautifully with other herbs and adds a gentle floral scent.
Nettle
Nettle leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals including iron, silica, and magnesium. These nutrients help support healthy hair from the root and can strengthen strands over time.
Nettle is often used in herbal hair rinses or infused oils.
Horsetail
Horsetail is naturally high in silica, a mineral that helps support strong hair and nails. It has been used in herbal traditions for centuries to help improve hair strength and resilience.
It’s commonly used in herbal hair tonics and infusions.
Calendula
Calendula is a gentle herb known for soothing the skin and scalp. It can help calm irritation and dryness while supporting a healthy scalp environment for hair growth.
Calendula-infused oil is often used in natural hair and scalp treatments.
Herbal hair care is a beautiful way to nourish your hair while connecting with the natural properties of plants. Whether used in oils, rinses, or scalp treatments, these herbs have long been valued for helping hair look and feel its best.
Don't have herbs? Shop from Mountain Rose Herbs. Want to learn more about herbalism? Come join me over at the Herbal Academy!
If you tried anything on the blog I would appreciate it so much if you would give it a star review and comment! Also be sure to snap a picture of your creation and share it with me on Instagram and tagging me @elisaingram.
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Love & Wellness,
Elisa
