The Kitchen-Tician Strikes Again!

This recession is really forcing me to become uber creative to get the things that I need and want.

I really wanted to order the African Formula Styling Gel and the Afro Detangler this week but my pockets are looking at the prices (and the shipping costs) for them, my funds and the budget I laid out and looking at me like, I KNOW you aren't serious. So, what to do? Become a kitchen-tician and make products that give similar or the same results for a lower cost, that's what.

I studied the ingredients of both and brainstormed how I could make something similar. First up was the Afro Detangler. Afro Detangler is basically a conditioner that you can use as a detangler, DC, leave-in or all three. Since I wanted to use it primarily for detangling, my homemade version has to have the bomb slip.

What gives something good slip? I know oils do. So here's what I came up with for an afro detangler, AGCM style:

* Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle conditioner
* EVOO
* Avocado oil
* Coconut oil
* Honey (creamed)

All these ingredients, I have in my home right now. Swell, right?

Next up is the African Formula Styling Gel. I liked that this gel was described as having a strong yet flexible hold at the same time. I also liked that it didn't stink (*cough* like B5 Design Gel *cough*). LOL.

So I combed the internet for natural hair gel recipes to get ideas for what ingredients I would want to have in mine. Here's what I came up with:

* Gelatin or flaxseeds (then boiled w/ water to create a gel)
* Aloe vera gel
* EVOO
* Honey

I have all the ingredients for this in my home right now except for the gelatin or flax seeds. Swell again!

I take my braids out next week so let the experimentation begin! I'll update if any of the ingredients changed and what my results are.

I'm also using henna for the very first time next week. I'm going to do a henna gloss so I will share more details on that next week as well.

Lots of updates coming next week! Stay tuned!