Natural Hair Pomade Recipe: A Simple DIY Moisture-Sealing Blend for Curls and Coils

By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks
Originally published January 21, 2014 | Refreshed October 2026

Hello, My Beautiful Curl Friends!

Have you ever looked at the ingredients in your favorite hair products and wondered whether you could create something similar right in your own kitchen?

Well, ladies, sometimes a little creativity, a few ingredients, and a willingness to experiment can lead to something wonderful!

Today, we're revisiting a recipe from the Crowning Glory archives: a homemade natural hair pomade made with castor oil, coconut oil, and beeswax.

Whether you wear a wash-and-go, twist-out, braid-out, or protective style, maintaining soft, manageable curls and coils is an important part of caring for your natural hair.

And while we all enjoy discovering new products, sometimes the simplest approach is worth exploring!

What Exactly Is a Hair Pomade?

A pomade is a styling product generally made with oils, waxes, or other conditioning ingredients.

Unlike a water-based leave-in conditioner, an oil-and-wax pomade does not provide significant hydration by itself. Instead, it can help reduce moisture loss, add shine, smooth flyaways, and provide some styling control.

For ladies with 3C, 4A, or tighter curl patterns, a little pomade may be useful for smoothing the ends of twists, braids, and other hairstyles.

But remember, ladies: a little goes a long way!

Our Three-Ingredient Natural Hair Pomade Recipe

“Original recipe inspiration credited to Emme G., Curly Beauty Blogger (2014).”

Ingredients

• 2 ounces castor oil

• 2 ounces coconut oil

• 1 ounce cosmetic-grade beeswax

• One clean, completely dry, heat-safe storage container

• A double boiler or heat-safe bowl placed over a saucepan

• A clean stirring utensil

This recipe makes a relatively firm, rich pomade. The finished texture may vary depending on the ingredients and room temperature.

What Makes These Ingredients Useful?

Castor Oil: A rich, thick oil that helps coat the hair, adding shine and reducing friction. Although frequently associated with hair-growth claims, castor oil has not been proven to accelerate hair growth.

Coconut Oil: An oil that can help reduce protein loss from hair under certain conditions. Some naturalistas love how it feels on their strands, while others find it too heavy.

Beeswax: Gives the mixture its structure and provides smoothing and light styling hold. Because wax can accumulate on the hair, it's best used sparingly and washed out as needed.

Let's Make Our Pomade!

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Wash your hands, clean your equipment, and make sure your container is completely dry before beginning.

Step 2: Prepare the Double Boiler

Add a small amount of water to a saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer. Position a heat-safe bowl above the water without allowing its bottom to touch the water.

Step 3: Melt the Beeswax

Place one ounce of beeswax into the bowl. Warm it gradually, stirring until completely melted.

Step 4: Add the Oils

Add the castor oil and coconut oil. Continue stirring gently until the ingredients form a uniform mixture.

Step 5: Pour and Cool

Carefully transfer the mixture into your prepared heat-safe container and allow it to cool undisturbed until firm.

Be careful, ladies! Melted wax and hot oils can cause burns. Never heat the mixture directly over an open flame or leave it unattended.

Step 6: Store Your Pomade

Close the container once the mixture has cooled completely. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Because this homemade recipe has not undergone professional stability testing, prepare small batches, keep water out of the container, and discard the product if its smell, color, or texture changes unexpectedly.

How I Recommend Using This Pomade

Here is where the fun begins!

Start with clean, moisturized hair. Apply your favorite water-based leave-in conditioner before using a tiny amount of pomade.

Rub a little between your palms and smooth it over your ends, twists, or areas where you want a more polished finish.

I especially like the idea of using a rich pomade when you want to smooth a style without applying layer after layer of additional products.

However, if you have fine, low-porosity strands like mine, begin with a very small amount. Heavy waxes and oils may leave your curls feeling coated or weighed down.

A Word About Moisture and Product Buildup

One of the most important lessons I've learned through my natural hair journey is that more product does not automatically mean more moisture.

Hair needs an appropriate balance of cleansing, conditioning, moisture management, and styling.

If your curls begin to feel stiff, greasy, or unusually heavy, you may be using too much pomade.

And remember, your hair's porosity, density, and individual characteristics can affect how products perform.

More From Crowning Glory — Our 1, 2, 3 Hair Care Connections

1. Keep Your Moisture Routine Working

Before applying a rich pomade, it's helpful to understand how to condition and maintain your strands.

Read my article, 10 Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized, for practical tips on caring for your natural curls and coils.

2. Understand Your Hair's Porosity

Ever wonder why one product feels wonderful on someone else's hair but leaves yours feeling heavy?

Explore What Is Hair Porosity? A Simple Guide to Moisture and Natural Hair Care to better understand how hair interacts with moisture.

3. Put Your Styling Routine Into Practice

Looking for beautiful curl definition without layering on too many heavy products?

Visit The Ultimate 3C & 4A Wash-and-Go: Beautiful Curl Definition Without All the Frizz! for ideas on achieving soft, defined curls.

Let's Talk, Ladies!

Have you ever experimented with creating your own hair products?

Do you prefer rich pomades, lightweight creams, or natural oils?

And here's another question:

Would you rather make your own natural hair products or purchase them ready-made?

Come on, ladies! Share your experiences, successes, and even those experiments that didn't quite turn out as expected!

After all, every natural hair journey teaches us something.

Until next time, love your curls, embrace your coils, and celebrate every beautiful kink!

Happy Curls to You!

© 2026 Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks by Lady Carolyn M. Summerset. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or republished without prior written permission of the author.