If you’re passionate about natural hair care and protective styling like twists, braids, and coils, you know the importance of using a hair balm that nourishes, holds, and protects without damaging your hair.
That’s why I created the Twist & Nourish Styling Balm, a luxurious, all-natural blend designed to keep your hair healthy, moisturized, and beautifully styled.
It’s a revamped version of my basic styling balm, which I created when I just wanted a product that kept my twists moisturized and healthy while also strengthening.
After some trial, error, and success, I landed on this formula that nourishes, defines, and protects my strands through every twist-out and braid-up for weeks.
I’m sharing this recipe freely because I believe in community care, transparency, and making high-quality natural hair care accessible.
You deserve products that work for your hair, whether you buy them or make them yourself.
If you love the recipe and want more resources for your healthy hair journey, be sure to check out my range of tools and resources designed to help you stay consistent and confident with your care.
Why Choose Twist & Nourish Hair Balm?
Twist & Nourish Styling Balm is formulated with simple, effective, and natural ingredients. The balm does more than just provide hold; it supports your hair’s health from root to tip.
Benefits of the Twist & Nourish Hair Balm
1. Multi-Functional: Moisture, Hold, and Protection
This balm provides enough hold to keep twists and braids in place for days without flaking or stiffness.
At the same time, it deeply moisturizes and nourishes hair to prevent dryness and breakage, problems commonly associated with long-term protective styling.
2. Natural, Non-Greasy Formula
Thanks to the cornstarch and carefully balanced oils, the balm absorbs well without leaving a greasy residue.
This makes it suitable for all hair types, including fine to medium-textured hair that can feel weighed down by heavier products.
3. Encourages Healthy Hair Growth
The inclusion of pumpkin seed and hibiscus oils ensures your scalp gets the nutrients it needs to support healthy hair growth.
Using this balm regularly during styling can help reduce breakage and promote stronger hair over time.
4. Calming and Soothing
The lavender essential oil lends a fresh, calming fragrance while also supporting scalp health by reducing itchiness and irritation.
Key Ingredients in the Twist & Nourish Hair Balm
Beeswax Pellets
Acts as a natural styling agent that offers a strong yet flexible hold. Beeswax locks in moisture, helping maintain your style while protecting against environmental damage.
Alternatives for beeswax in this recipe include candelilla, carnauba, soy, bayberry, and rice bran Wax, although I haven’t tested any of these for this recipe.
Shea Butter
Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, shea butter deeply moisturizes hair and guards against dryness, breakage, and split ends.
It leaves your hair soft and manageable, perfect for protective styles.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
This nourishing oil penetrates the hair shaft to strengthen and support healthy growth.
It’s packed with zinc and antioxidants, helping to prevent damage and promote scalp health.
Emu Oil
Known for its deep moisturizing properties, emu oil works its way into the hair and scalp, providing hydration and enhancing elasticity.
It’s essential for reducing hair breakage in styles like twists and braids.
Castor Oil
A classic hair care favorite, castor oil adds shine and smooths frizz. Its thick consistency helps seal moisture, which is crucial for maintaining defined twists and braids.
You can replace it with Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Both work well.
Hibiscus Oil
Renowned for its softening and strengthening benefits, hibiscus oil nourishes the hair follicles and promotes overall scalp health.
It helps keep hair supple and reduces irritation during styling.
Vitamin E Oil
An antioxidant powerhouse, vitamin E oil protects hair from environmental stressors and acts as a natural preservative for the balm, extending its shelf life.
Cornstarch
Incorporated as a natural thickener, cornstarch prevents the balm from feeling greasy or heavy, making it perfect for everyday use.
Lavender Essential Oil
Always a favorite for adding a calming scent, plus it has antimicrobial properties, making the balm soothing for both hair and scalp.
Ingredients
The Twist & Nourish Hair Balm contains a blend of nourishing oils and natural wax to deliver both style and care.
The recipe below will yield a 4-oz amount, which should last for quite a while.
- 3 tbsps beeswax pellets
- 4 tbsps shea butter
- 1 tbsp pumpkin seed oil
- 1 tbsp emu oil
- 1 tbsp castor oil
- 1 tbsp hibiscus oil
- 3 tbsps cornstarch
- ½ tsp vitamin E oil
- 5 to 10 drops LuxGlide N or similar (optional, for smooth slip like argan oil). Argan oil is also fine.
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
Directions
- In a double boiler or heat-safe bowl over simmering water, melt the beeswax pellets and shea butter. This happens quickly, so don’t walk away. Stir with a clean spatula every few minutes.
- Once melted, remove from the heat and set aside.
- Measure the cornstarch, oil, and LuxGlide N or argan oil (if using) into a bowl and mix until well blended, then add to the melted shea butter and beeswax.
- Whisk until thoroughly combined, then add the lavender essential oil.
- Mix again and scrape or pipe into a clean jar or tin.
- Refrigerate briefly to solidify the styling balm.
Optional tweak: For even more moisture retention, consider adding 2 to 3 drops of vegetable glycerine. More will make the balm sticky.
Here are a few images of a 4-oz jar I just made. Ignore the weird top. I was trying to create a design that didn’t work. Lol.
If you decide to play around with the ingredients, don’t forget to document in the DIY Tracker for Custom Hair Care Recipes.
The tracker helps properly document changes, results, and updates. However, I recommended keeping the oils.
How to Use Twist & Nourish Styling Balm
This balm can be used for twists, braids, bantu knots, or coils.
- Start with clean, damp hair. Apply a small amount of balm evenly from roots to ends.
- Section hair, then proceed with your preferred style. You only need a little balm per section of hair.
- The natural wax and oils form a protective barrier that shields hair from environmental damage and dehydration for quite some time.
This styling balm is perfect for anyone wanting a chemical-free alternative to traditional hair gels and pomades.
The Twist & Nourish Hair Balm is a rich and nourishing treatment that helps you achieve beautiful, long-lasting styles while caring for your hair’s health.
Its unique blend of natural ingredients offers the perfect balance of hold, hydration, and scalp care.
If you decide to try this recipe, please share your experience and style in the comments. I’d love to see your results.
For more DIY tips, tricks, and recipes, check out the DIY Hair Care Recipes archive.
Abi is the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care and the Healthy Natural Hair Products ecosystem. Through research, education, and real-life experience, she helps women nourish their curls from the inside out with expert advice, DIY tools, and clean, natural solutions. Learn more here.
