Tame Flyaways, Add Texture And Channel . . .
A little vintage Hollywood glam with this easy DIY sculpting pomade featuring beeswax, shea butter, jojoba and essential oils. Or – if it’s not your thing – whip up a jar for the hipster guy in your life. Yep, it’s okay if he’s two.
This formula is light/medium hold, husband approved, and super easy. Ready to give it a try?
Homemade Hair Pomade (Sculpting Wax)
(All amounts are by weight)
Ingredients
- 1 ounce organic beeswax (where to buy beeswax)
- 1.5 ounces shea butter (where to buy shea butter)
- 2 ounces jojoba oil – This is a “dry” oil that keeps the formula from being too greasy. (where to buy jojoba oil)
- 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon essential oil
A Few Essential Oil Options
- Lime essential oils smells amazing, and is helpful for balancing oily hair. In a more concentrated form it may also lighten hair. (where to buy lime essential oil)
- Peppermint and rosemary essential oils stimulate hair growth and add shine. Great for normal hair. (where to buy peppermint essential oil, where to buy rosemary essential oil)
- Basil, thyme, patchouli, tea tree and lemongrass have astringent properties which are beneficial for oily hair
- Chamomile, lavender, sandalwood and rosemary are helpful for dry hair. (Sandalwood also makes amazing solid perfume with mixed with vanilla.)
- Clary sage, tea tree, eucalyptus, and patchouli are helpful for dandruff
To Make
- Melt beeswax in a double boiler over low heat
- When the beeswax is melted, add in shea butter
- When the mixture is melted, add jojoba and stir until just melted
- Pour mixture into a container and allow to cool slightly, then add essential oil
To Use
Rub a small amount between your fingertips until there are no lumps, then work through hair and style.
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Another recipe that I have been wanting to try 🙂 Thanks!
I do have your DIY book, do we get the updates send too as a new version?? Thanks 🙂
Yes, I will be sending out the updated version 🙂
Yay!! Thanks Heather 🙂
Hi Heather, when will you send the revised version?? I am just a bit worried that i am not recieving it 🙂 Sorry for me not being patient B)
Hi Michelle! My laptop had to be sent in for repair last week so I am a little behind, but it will go out soon:)
Hi Heather,
Great site! I am definitely going to try this recipe. Question for you on fluid ounce vs. weight measurement. All the online shops I’ve searched list Jojoba Oil by the fluid oz. Most sell in containers that are 4 fl oz. Is that enough for this recipe? I plan on weighing out my oil when I get it. I just want to make sure I purchase enough Jojoba Oil for this recipe.
I don’t currently have jojoba oil on hand to check, but I believe so.
Do you have a waxless recipe?
I don’t, sorry!
If you don’t have jojoba, is there something else you can use instead?
Olive oil would probably work, but it might have a more oily finish 🙂
Greetings from Manila! I did use extra virgin olive, sweet almond and canola oils instead of jojoba when I did a batch yesterday . So far so good. Hubby is delighted to be using pomade again after months of waiting for a non-chemical recipe. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your recipes with us. ?
Hi zisa, where in manila did you buy the ingredients?
Can we use coconut oil instead?
Yes, your hair will be a bit more oily looking though.
Thank you! I have been looking to make our own styling product. We were using a sticky (liquidy taffy texture) product by Bed Head (Manipulator). Any chance you know of a DIY recipe for that?
Hi Rae! Unfortunately, it doesn’t. I have one lip tint, a few lip balms, and a bronzer but that’s it.
How long is it good for? A week? Month?
Does it need to be refrigerated or just kept in a cool dry place?
Shelf life equals the shoetest shelf life of the oils used. Jojoba is about 2 years.
Hi Rae,
Saw your comment and thought I’d help you out, since I’ve found some lovely tutorials for eyeliner, mascara, and powder! Gotta help a girl out 🙂 Unfortunately, I haven’t tried them yet but they seem well-received from comments and are ultimately simple and natural.
Eyeliner: http://herbsandoilshub.com/homemade-natural-eyeliner-eyeshadow/
Mascara: http://www.ablossominglife.com/2013/07/homemade-natural-mascara.html
Translucent powder: http://www.ablossominglife.com/2013/06/diy-natural-powder-foundation.html
A Blossoming Life also has a natural blush recipe if you’re into that!
Is there a way to make this strong hold? Great idea!
Not that I am aware of, sorry! Adding any more beeswax made the pomade very difficult to work through hair 🙁
Increase the beeswax as you decrease the jojoba oil in equal amts.
I’m wondering the same thing. I made this a week ago and it isn’t really holding up as conventional pomade consistency for me. 🙁 It gets really soft almost liquid at room temp so I have to keep it in my fridge. I’m going to try to add a little more wax.
Thanks for the feedback, CJ! I’m wondering, did you measure the ingredients by weight?
I was wondering if the jojoba oil measurement is by volume (fluid ounces) or also by weight.
All amounts are by weight 🙂
HEAVY HOLD INGREDIENTS
3 Tbsp. beeswax
2 Tbsp. Shea butter (you can substitute this with unrefined coconut oil if you like, but shea butter is less greasy)
2 Tbsp. jojoba oil (you can use almost any other carrier oil here, such as olive, almond, apricot kernel, or even coconut oil.)
1 Tbsp. arrowroot powder or non-gmo corn starch (optional, takes some of the grease out from the oils. If you like a little bit of glossy shine then don’t worry about this option, I left this out and the Hippy Husband loves it.)
2 vitamin E pills (optional)
I’ve got to try this one!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I recently cut my very long hair into a pixie and I was clueless how to style it. I would wake up in the morning with my short hair sticking out every direction but this pomade is AMAZING!
So glad you like it!
Hey do you know what tools or equipment you need to make a hair wax
A double boiler, a fork to mix, and a container to store.
I don’t have any way to weigh these ingredients- is there a way to make it with another type of measuring?
Thank you so much for this recipe! I’m anxious to try it! Where do you purchase your ingredients? I’m not sure what companies I can trust.
Diana–I order most of my bulk ingredients at mountainroseherbs.com. They seem to do a great job of sourcing good quality materials for a decent price. Good luck!
I haven’t seen anyone post a review yet, so I guess I will! I really enjoyed this, hair feels great and looks just the same as store bought….minus the chemical additives. Thank you for sharing.
Do you use refined or unrefined shea butter? And what do you use to measure out your ingredients?
Thanks!
Would this be ok for my little one, 4 years old, her hair never stays???
I wouldn’t use eucalyptus or peppermint oils on a 4 year old yet but this recipe looks good to me for children otherwise.
Oh I so need this – thanks 🙂
Linda Franco Parra- I saw on a post once people use 100% pure aloe Vera for hair gel, so I put just a little if that in my daughters (3) hair to control fly aways.
Where do you get your Shea butter?
Meadow, the recipe includes links to purchase on amazon. They also sell it at whole foods and fruitful yeild and many other natural health stores.
I am making a few of your recipes for gifts. Thank you 🙂
Yeah, thank you! I am going to make this…Now I just need to find a sweet little glass dish!
Linda Franco Parra – I use it on my 5 year old 🙂
What can I sub for shea butter?
I’m wondering the same. I might try a little coconut oil in its place.
Try mango or avacado butter. Also conduct a search for Shea butter alternatives.
Mona Bradley Goodwin – I have not tested it with anything other than shea, but you might be able to use mango butter.
Unfortunately, our son has a nut allergy and mango is in the cashew family…I know this because our son had a reaction this weekend. 🙁
I added a little creamy coloured mica to give my blonde hair extra sparkle. Very nice.
Hi Heather, I came across your recipe recently and just made it. My husband LOVES it!! Thank you so much. One question though: it came out a little too hard which makes it difficult to grab it with his fingers. How can I make it just a tad softer? Thanks so much for any advice you may have!!
Glad you like it! Just add a bit more jojoba oil to make it softer. 🙂
Will do! Thanks so much for the quick response!
Also, instead of changing the recipe try whipping it up a bit as it starts to cool using an electric mixer. It will add a little air and keep the hold.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. We’ve been trying to gradually eliminate all chemically based beauty products from our home, and the two toughest ones have been conquered, much to my husband’s surprise. He has hair that is soft to touch, but about as tough as wire. He swore he’d never be able to get rid of his commercial sculpting product, as NOTHING but the strongest of stuff works in his hair. This does the trick 🙂 The deoderant in your e-book is another amazing one that we thought we’d never find a natural recipe for. And it works!
Many thanks!
I have a question about your book. Can the recipes be used other than personal use?
Hi Jennifer, these recipes are intended for personal use only. I am an expert on preparing products for commercial sale, but I imagine it usually involves third party testing to ensure that it is properly preserved, etc.
I love this recipe and bought all the ingredients to make for my husband. Where did you get the container and what size did you use??
Hi Emily, I just used an old pomade container of my husband’s. Not sure how many ounces it holds, unfortunately.
Would grapeseed or castor oil also be considered a “dry” oil? I have both of those and wondered if they would work in place of jojoba. I can’t wait to try this! Victory rolls here I come!
Hi Angie, castor oil is considered a dry oil.
Hi Heather –
I made this and im wondering if you can help me…maybe I did it wrong??
I weighed everything out and the product ‘looked’ perfect. However, it was VERY hard…and when I let a friend use it/test it…she said it made her hair greasy and had no hold. 🙁 I was really disappointed. Like I said…I weighed everything and melted it all together at the same time, once melted I immediately poured it into the 1oz container I had.
Help?!!!!
Based on the comments I whipped mine with a hand mixer as it was cooling which made it easier to scoop out. I am not very happy with the hold – do you think adding sugar would do the trick? Sucrose is an ingredient in some commercial styling products I like. I couldn’t easily find out whether sugar is soluble in fat, does anyone happen to know?
Hi Ena, unfortunately sugar would not be soluble in this formula. So sorry the level of hold wasn’t what you were looking for!
Hi Heather,
Having been recovering from Eczema, is it safe to use this recipe for styling my beard. Was earlier using commercial hair styling gels/sprays, but the doc has recommended not to use any commercially available ones.
Another query, will this formulation hold the hairs in a hot country like India.
Pls help !!!
Hi Dalvinder, the ingredients are not likely to cause irritation. Everyone is different, though, so you’d have to try it to know for sure. I’m not sure that it will hold as well as you’d like in a particularly hot environment, though.
Thanks for the response. However would love to see a recipe that suits my needs – a strong hold pomade for hot climate.
Cheers 🙂
Hello : ) Did you find out anything to make a strong hold hair styling stuff ?
Not yet! 🙂
What happened. Did it work?
Too greasy for my hair, Do you have any recipe for a more clay/matt control? Maybe if i add soy protein and take away some from the shea butter/jojoba oil?
Also,. When making an eyelash serum with vitamin e oil, castor & almond oil, Do i need to keep it in a refrigerator or does it hold until its empty? I’ve read somewhere on a sketchy website it should be used within 48 hours?
Thanks for great info!
I don’t have one yet, but I’m working on it! Cant say I know about eyelash serum, unfortunately.
To anyone wanting more hold & less shine – add a little bit of kaolin clay, maybe 1/2tsp per ounce of pomade. Add more if need be.
Are the measurements fluid ounces or weight? I come from a country that uses the metric system and I’m not sure how to convert.
All amounts are by weight 🙂
Read your comments, reminded me of this hilarious post. Thought you could relate 😉 http://the-toast.net/2014/09/04/eighteen-kinds-people-comment-recipe-blog/
As for the pomade, thanks for working out this recipe. I’m stoked to try it.
*joking*: to make it sticker, like other pomades, why not try adding honey w/ the bees wax?
What size/volume container do you need to store this pomade nicely?
hey does it matter if the beeswax is yellow or white?
No, it doesn’t 🙂
What is the jojoba oil for? And is it necessary?
Many thanks
It’s known for a carrier oil. She states that it is considered a dry oil. Most likely there are other dry oils you can use instead of jojoba. Search to find what works for you.
Does this wash out ok
I am also wondering this! I don’t use shampoo on my hair, so I’m wondering if the beeswax will come out with my clay and vinegar “shampoo” mixture…
I know this is an old post, but I just came across it. I am in love with TIGI Manipulator but have sworn off as I’ve gone chemical free. Are you familiar with that product? Would this DIY replace it? If not, do you have any suggestions? Manipulator makes your hair very textured and piece-y.
I may have missed this in the thread, but what is the shelf life for this recipe?
Any info is appreciated.
Thanks!
It looks like someone has plagiarized you.
http://virtuehairco.com/blogs/goddess-news/16703204-diy-hair-pomade-sculpting-wax
Can anyone help? I made this…misreading the instructions. I did all fluid ounces, not weight. The result is very oily/greasy. I hate to throw it out and waste all those ingredients. Any thoughts how I can doctor it to make it work?
Adding arrowroot should eliminate some of the greasiness
Thanks. I’ll try it.
Would this work as an eyebrow pomade? What is the consistency?
Hi there, I’m just slightly curious I’ve been trying to do this recipe along with many others and I’m not sure exactly what is wrong or what I can do for my hair (thin hair) but I’ve been trying to replicate the hold of the Axe messy look pomade but naturally for my hair, my mixture with just Beeswax, Unrefined coconut oil, arrow root powder and some essential oils is just weighing my hair down and making it look greasy and unclean, hardly any hold but in the container it’s hard as rock, I don’t understand what’s wrong or If my measuring isn’t right. By the way, does anyone know of a natural and non harmful ingredient to use for hold? would appreciate a reponse, thanks.
You can use natural occurring clays like kaolin or bentonite it will make the product less greasy and provide a good amount of hold. May be it will work for you 🙂
Hii
Fantastic recipe, Please can you suggest something for a super strong hold and a matte finish product.
Thank you
How do you store the hair pomade? In the fridge or just keep it in a dry, cool and dark place like a medicine cabinet? I’d like to make this for my dad’s Christmas gift this year and would like to know. Thanks!
Is it true to have a modeling clay with a firm hold you just add more beeswax? I like the texture of the ‘clays’ that are out there.
Thanks,
Can you use other carrier oils, like Argan or sweet almond oil, instead of jojoba oil?
I’ve brewed my own but i keep getting lumps on my pomade why is that
Dear Heather,
Thank you so much for all recipes you put on your website, i’m really loving them and it’s so helpful! I was wondering what the shelf life of this wax would be, more or less?
Keep up the good work and be blessed!
Do you have to use an essential oil in the recipe?
Thank you for recipes. Can’t wait to try them. I’m 65 years young, and just beginning this type stuff.
can you keep this product in a plastic container
Could I use mango butter instead of Shea butter? I’m not crazy about the smell of Shea butter.
I’m not sure how it will work but if you try it please let us know!
I made this recipe 2 years ago as a substitute for a very expensive lavender hair wax and am just getting to the bottom of the jar. It’s kept well in a glass jar at room temperature in my warm climate and I’ll definitely re-make it. Many thanks.
How many ounces does the recipe above make?
Hi,
Thanks for this recipe. However, the hold isn’t quite strong enough for my liking. Is it possible to re-melt the mixture and add some beeswax?
Yes you can!
Hello, so I’m absolutely in love with what you do. Sincerely. Genuinely.
But I have a question.. I have cancer, breast cancer that has now infected my lymph nodes, yay me lol. All of my hair fell out and it was SO long. 😭 I’m starting to grow a little back and lady, I’m telling ya, I looked silly lol fortunately the regimen I’m on now will let me keep the hair I’m getting to grow back. I’m basically asking if you could maybe make some patchouli pomade? I’ll buy it, 100%. I’ve just not found it anywhere and idk where I’m going wrong but I can’t seem to make it right either. Ugh please help!!
For an ideal perfume, you may want to try a mix of Sandalwood and Balsam de Peru, the balsam has a heavenly scent resembling vanilla. My issue with the growing popularity of vanilla is that the cosmetic and food industry have sourced their vanilla from the glands of animals. I am also repulsed by that fake vanilla-ish coconut scent that so many commercial hair products and perfumes have.
What would you recommend I add to make it stickier?
I’m not sure, sorry!
I have made this Pomade a few days ago, the hold was very low so i added more wax. However when i use this stuff and wash it out it leaves a waxy oily residue in my hair. Is anyone else having the same issue or is it just me?
I’ve been making & using this pomade for about 8 years on my pixie cut and love it. It doubles as a great body glide for runners as well. My question is about the beeswax. The current jar of pomade I’m on is not breaking down right when I rub it in my hands to apply it to my hair. It leaves the tiniest little pellets of beeswax in my hands even though I fully melted it when making the pomade. Is there a difference between types of beeswax and how they act when melted?
Hi Autumn, I’m so glad the recipe has been useful to you! I haven’t come across the issue you describe so I can’t say for sure what is causing it. It may be due to some property of the beeswax used in this particular batch, or it could be that the beeswax was cut with paraffin to reduce production costs. If so, it should be labeled but some manufacturers do it without disclosing that info. 🙁
Will this recipe work without the essential oils? Should I add extra of one of the other ingredient to compensate if I omit the EO’s? I have astma and find that most of them cause me problems. BUT I am desparate for pomade!! Since I was devolped this problem, 10 years ago, my thin hair has become
flat. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because of the essential oils.
Will this recipe work without the essential oils? Should I add extra of one of the other ingredient to compensate if I omit the EO’s? I have asthma and find that most of them cause me problems. BUT I am desperate for pomade!! Since I was developed this problem, 10 years ago, my thin hair has become flat. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because of the essential oils.