Among other things I got done yesterday, I made up a fresh batch of beard oil using a slightly different recipe and scents than the last time. The results were nice, though I still want to play with the recipe a bit more. Some of the oil is going to a friend, some went into making beard balm (again, some going to a friend), some into beard wax, and some into an experiment.
The beard oil is a mix of several different oils and is intended to help promote healthy skin and hair. If those who champion one particular essential oil are correct, it may even help with hair growth. Not going to bet on that, but it smells and feels good.
Beard oil is a prime component in both beard balms and beard waxes. I was out of my beard balm, so made some more. Again, played with the recipe just a bit as while it was good it was not quite what I was looking for. Wanted a bit more hold, even though — again — the balm is supposed to help ensure healthy skin and hair. Thing is, it is also supposed to provide at least some control and I didn’t think it was quite there.
For the record, a good balm contains beard oil, raw shea butter, and wax. Specifically, bees wax. On the latter, I bought some good quality bees wax “grains” a while back and they are lasting for now. Got some decent shea butter, and life has been good though it is often six months or so between batches as the products can last a while.
Now, a beard wax is new to me and I tried a recipe that sounded interesting. It used pine resin as part of the mix. That was different from what I had bought in the past and been looking at, so decided to try it. It does seem to work, but I’m also underwhelmed with the hold, the clean-up, and the fragrance.
The recipe called for beard oil, wax, and resin. My mug-warmer heater that I use for production (you need a low heat) apparently did not get hot enough for the resin, so used other means to heat (carefully) the mix and eventually pour it into a tin. Used some last night when I went out, and did not get the hold I expected and was hit with the overwhelming odor of turpentine as the resin overrode the scent of the oil. Think I’m going to be looking for a new recipe.
The last measure of the beard oil, however, went to another experiment. I decided to try to do at home a hot-oil conditioning for my hair. Since I’ve started letting it grow out, I’ve had to start using conditioner (Mane and Tail, as if it’s good enough for show horses it’s good enough for me). For a number of reasons, decided to try this at home. My recommendation is, don’t do this at home.
Not only was the application harder than expected, it quickly went everywhere. The floor of the shower was slick, I was slick, and it took a lot of effort to get the hair coated properly. Then, things got interesting.
Despite several washings, I could have appeared in a 1920s feature where all the males had their hair slicked back flat and dripping with oil. I’m just as happy few people saw me looking like that. Today, when I got my shower, I washed my hair with a bit of Dawn, and that did the trick. The conditioning did seem to help, but next time I think I’m going to leave it to the pros.
Meantime, have a good solid “base” recipe for the beard oil and am mostly playing with fragrance now. I also have a solid base recipe for the beard balm, and am mostly playing with how getting the hold where I want it. Finally, am going to be researching new recipes for beard waxes as I am underwhelmed with this one. Also, I’m going to leave hot-oil hair conditioning to the pros.
Onwards.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.