Home Care Recipes: The More You Know, the More You Grow

 

Black women have a deep connection to their hair. That’s why the beauty supply stores they frequent are lined with countless hair care products. Long before these products appeared, Black women had already mastered their own routines—mixing familiar ingredients with commercial items to create personalized recipes. They are true hair care experts who understand dryness, damage, and maintenance better than anyone. The pandemic revived this tradition. What began as a preference for ready-made products has evolved into a home care culture of crafting treatments by hand. Knowledge once shared within families now spreads through social media, connecting generations and driving a new beauty movement. For beauty supply professionals, understanding the ingredients and tools Black women use is essential. If you’ve only stocked these items because customers ask for them, let this article help you understand the key ingredients and methods they value.

 

Home Care Recipes Fall into Two Key Categories

① 100% Natural Ingredient Care
This method uses pure ingredients like avocado, banana, honey, and olive oil. Free from artificial additives, it deeply nourishes and softens dry, frizzy hair. Among Black women, the saying “What my hair needs is in the kitchen” reflects how common kitchen-based care is. Rapper Cardi B popularized this trend by sharing her “Cardi B Hair Mask”—a mix of avocado, honey, egg, castor oil, and coconut oil—which she also uses on her daughter. The hashtag #cardibhairmask has over 25 million views on TikTok.

② Boosting Store Products with Natural Ingredients
This method uses store-bought products as a base, then boosts their effects by adding natural ingredients. For example, mixing apple cider vinegar into a hair mask helps balance the scalp, while adding aloe vera gel to conditioner increases moisture. It’s simpler and more dependable than full DIY, making it the most practical home care option for today’s consumers. The idea of enhancing base products with natural ingredients has also inspired many clean beauty brands. Beyoncé developed this approach in her haircare line Cécred, transforming her childhood memories of using rice water and rose water at her mother’s salon into modern, science-based formulas.

Trending Now: 5 Viral Recipes

 [Recipe 1] Budget Conditioner Upgrade—Transform a Budget Conditioner into Luxury Care

 If you thought “budget conditioner” was just for saving money, think again. The YouTube and TikTok trend “How to upgrade cheap conditioner” is taking off. Mixing it with honey, olive oil, and jojoba oil transforms it into a viral “deep conditioner” that rivals salon products.

 [Sales Tip] This trend works especially well when paired with informational displays. Try adding POP cards with simple “usage tips” next to budget conditioners. When shoppers discover new ways to use a product, they start seeing the same item as something fresh and worth buying.

[Recipe 2] Black Soap Shampoo—Deep Clean & Scalp Detox

 This recipe is loved by those dealing with product buildup from frequent styling. Simply crush black soap into small pieces or dissolve it in hot water to make a liquid base. Add jojoba oil and glycerin for moisture, then finish with tea tree and peppermint oils for a refreshing touch. Users rave, “It clarifies my scalp so well,” but always emphasize, “You MUST add oils so it’s not stripping.” The cleansing power is undeniable—balanced hydration makes it perfect.

[Sales Tip] Offer a DIY Black Soap Shampoo Starter Kit featuring black soap, glycerin, and tea tree oil. It gives customers the satisfaction of making it themselves and the confidence of using familiar, scalp-friendly ingredients.

[Recipe 3] Pre-Poo—Protect & Strengthen Hair Before Shampooing

 As the name suggests, pre-poo is a pre-wash treatment that coats the hair with coconut or olive oil before shampooing. This protective layer prevents moisture loss—like a shield for your strands. On TikTok, “pre-poo for 4C hair” has millions of views, with countless users saying, “My hair breakage dropped so much after pre-poo!” Popular DIY blends include coconut oil, shea butter, honey, and aloe gel. Apply evenly, leave for 10–20 minutes, then shampoo as usual.

 [Sales Tip] Add POP signage near natural oils with a message like “Don’t skip your pre-poo care!” to spark shopper curiosity and boost impulse sales.

 [Recipe 4] Daily Refresh Spray—Moisture, Curl Revival & Detangling

 Fill a spray bottle with a hydrating base such as distilled or rose water, then mix in a little store-bought conditioner. Add a few drops of a light oil like jojoba or argan oil to finish. Spray onto dry hair on days two or three to revive moisture, refresh curls, or gently detangle. The “DIY Hair Moisturizing Spray” trend continues to thrive on TikTok and Reels, where users praise the simple water + conditioner + oil formula as a “must-have for easy moisture replenishment.”

[Sales Tip] Place POP signage reading “Water + Conditioner + Oil: 3-Step Combination” near displays of conditioners, rose water, and similar items. This helps customers instantly recognize the recipe, encouraging impulse purchases.

[Recipe 5] Avocado Hair Mask—Deep Nourishment for Dry or Damaged Hair

 Avocado has long been a trusted hair care ingredient in the Black community. Its rich fats and vitamin E coat brittle hair, restoring softness and shine. Blend a ripe avocado with honey and olive (or jojoba) oil, then apply it as a nourishing mask. On TikTok and YouTube, the “Avocado Hair Mask” remains a favorite with users claiming, “My hair texture changed after just one use.”

[Sales Tip] Add a “DIY Hair Mask” POP card near natural ingredient shelves. Using visuals—like fresh avocados—draws attention and naturally promotes cross-selling of natural oils.

The Key to Effective DIY Displays: Intuitive Information Drives Sales

Featuring celebrity-inspired stories such as “Cardi B’s Hair Mask Recipe” or “Beyoncé’s Rice Water Treatment Routine” alongside related products instantly captures attention—without feeling pushy or overly promotional. Adding small POP cards near products or offering ready-to-go DIY Starter Kits in clear vinyl bags or mini baskets makes the shopping experience engaging.

 

One Thing to Keep in Mind

 When selling home care recipe products, the most important thing for store owners is to stay within the role of recommendation. While natural ingredients and DIY kits may look friendly and approachable, customer reactions can differ depending on scalp and hair condition. Instead of suggesting exact blends or measurements like a professional, offer light, reassuring guidance such as “This combination is popular” or “This one’s gentle enough for beginners.” The goal is to show that your store understands each customer’s needs and preferences. Adding a simple reminder like “Try a small amount first” shows responsibility, builds trust, and naturally encourages repeat visits and stronger sales.

 

[POP Card 1. Conditioner Section]
[POP Card 2. Black Soap Display]
[POP Card 3. Natural Oil Display]
[POP Card 4. Conditioner & Oil Displays]
[POP Card 5. Natural Oil Display]

DOWNLOAD PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [DIY Deep Conditioner Starter Kit (Place next to Conditioner Display)]
●    1 Bottle of Conditioner Any Brand
●    10 Disposable Hair Cap
●    1 Plastic Bottle

[DIY Black Soap Shampoo Starter Kit (Place next to Black Soap Display)]
●    1 Bar of African Black Soap
●    1 Small Bottle of Vegetable Glycerin
●    1 Small Bottle of Tea Tree Oil
●    1 Plastic Pump Bottle

[DIY Pre-Poo Starter Kit (Place near Natural Oil Display)]
●    1 Jar of Coconut Oil (or Castor Oil)
●    1 Squeeze Bottle
●    1 Aluminum Foil Heat Hair Cap

[DIY Daily Refresh Spray Starter Kit (Place near Rose Water & Conditioner Display)]
●    1 Fine Mist Sprayer
●    1 Bottle of Rose Water (or Distilled Water)
●    1 Bottle of Conditioner Any Brand

 [DIY Avocado Hair Mask Starter Kit (Place near Natural Ingredient Display)]
●    1 Pack of Dried Avocado Powder
●    1 Small Bottle of Honey
●    1 Small Bottle of Jojoba Oil (or Olive Oil)
●    1 Set of Plastic Mixing Bowl & Spatula

COVER STORY By BNB Magazine
BNB 매거진 2025년 12월호 ©bnbmag.com