DIY Gel - My Recipe & Review

So, I tried the DIY conditioner recipe, but of course I personalized it and confused the amounts of guar gum and xanthan gum, lol, so I made a gel, OOPS. Here's what I did and FYI I was being totally lazy and didn't do all that formulating so bare with me, lol.

Recipe:

• 4oz Distilled Water
• 2 tsp Shea Oil
• 1tsp Castor Oil
• 1tsp DL Panthenol  conditioner
• 1 tsp Sodium Lactate humectant
• 1/4 tsp Guar Gum
• 1/4 tsp Extraordinary XG

First I want to explain the Extraordinary XG, this is a derivative of Xanthan Gum (XG) and I had some so I decided to use it( I don't like to waste), but it gave the mixture a jelly like consistency.  I also used more oils, since my hair is very dry.

Instructions:

1. Mixed liquid ingredients in pyrex measuring cup
2. Add Oil(s)
3. Pour Liquid into blender
4. Start mixing liquid phase of recipe, while slowly adding in Guar Gum and/or XG( this will help w/ hydration of GG and XG and avoiding flakes)
5. Mix
6. Let sit for 2 minutes and blended some more (allows guar gum and XG time to hydrate)
7. Let sit for 5 minutes and blended some more
8. Poured into 4 oz plastic jar.
9. Refrigerate

There was some left overs so I used that to test the PH and twist my hair for a twist out.  PH=7/7.5 ( these PH strips are not easy to read, ugh)

My Review and Recommendation:

• Store mixture in a bottle with dispensable top to help reduce contamination since I used no preservatives( eliminates hand in jar)
• Pour mixture into bottle before it fully thickens( makes transfer less messy and avoid contamination) or use the baggy method to transfer mixture
• Eliminate the Extraordinary XG, makes mixture gel like instead of creamy leave-in
• I personally would store in the refrigerator no more than a week and definitely not past 2 weeks because I use no preservatives, but you can add your own preservative to be safe. 
• It felt gooey too, kinda like Kinky Curly Custard , but it dries better on the hair ( no gooey sticky residue)
• Add Guar Gum and/or Xg slowly,, don't just dump it in water phase

I tried this recipe for a twist out.  I only dampened the hair with water for detangling and then applied the mixture.  I must say this is more like a moisturizing gel.  The hold is great and my twist out is very defined and moisturized.    The only thing I would be aware of is applying too much( I can get heavy handed).    It will flake up a little, but not very bad.( the flakes may also be due to my not following step 4 and just dumping GG and XG in still water, thus allowing it to clump a little)

I'm going to try using this mixture this weekend for my mini twists and as a base for a deep conditioner(I'll add more water, EVOO, Coconut Oil and maybe an egg).  I might also try this for shingling style.

Update:  I used this for both the deep conditioner and my mini twists.  I liked the hold and as a moisturizer for my mini twist, but it caused flakes later own.  As a base for a deep conditioner, not so much.

Enjoy!