Ana sent in a request for this luscious hair moisturizer. The original was designed for drier hair—curly, afro-textured, and wavy types. The ingredient list featured all kinds of lovely ingredients, guaranteed to impart deep moisture to dry hair. Best of all, however, was her description of the texture—creamy and thick, like pudding… hair pudding. It sounded like pure luxury, and I had to make it.
The bulk of the pomade is oat milk and vegetable glycerine (USA / Canada). I fell in love with oat milk when I made my Oat Milk Dream Cream for its soothing and moisturizing properties. Glycerin is a fantastic humectant, and helps draw moisture to the hair (though too much can make for a sticky final product).
The oils in this pomade are downright decadent. Avocado oil, capuacu butter, and olive oil pack a seriously moisturizing punch, while lighter coconut oil and jojoba oil keep the overall blend from being too heavy. I’ve also added a touch of beeswax to really thicken things up.
Citrussy litsea cubeba, sweet rose geranium, and herbal basil essential oils scent everything. The scent blend is dry and sweet, with a slight anise base note from the basil that’s really lovely.
The final pudding imparts crazy amounts of moisture, both to the hair and the skin. If you’re in need of a dose of moisture, I highly recommend whipping up a batch of this today.
Crazy Rich & Thick Hair Pudding
1 tbsp oatmeal + 100mL (3.38 fl oz) boiling water
50g | 1.75oz oat milk
10g | 0.35oz vegetable glycerine (USA / Canada)8g | 0.28oz complete emulsifying wax (not beeswax!)
10g | 0.35oz avocado oil
8g | 0.28oz olive oil (pomace) (USA / Canada)
4g | 0.14oz virgin coconut oil
4g | 0.14oz jojoba oil (USA / Canada)
4g | 0.14oz capuacu butter
2g | 0.07oz beeswax (USA / Canada)5 drops litsea cubeba essential oil
3 drops rose geranium essential oil
2 drops basil essential oilBroad spectrum preservative of choice (why?)
To make the oat milk, pour the boiling water over the oats and let them steep for 20 minutes before straining out the oats. If you happen to have a muslin bag, a coffee filter, a sieve, or an empty tea bag on hand, I’d definitely recommend putting the oats in one of them for easy removal afterwards.
Once the oat milk has steeped, strain out the oats and discard. Measure out 50g (1.75oz) of the oat milk and set aside.
Weigh the the emulsifying wax, oils, and butters into a small saucepan and melt over medium heat.
While the oils are melting, combine the reserved oat milk with the vegetable glycerine (USA / Canada) in a small glass measuring cup and gently warm through.
Once the oils have melted, add the oat milk mixture. Heat through to ensure everything is melted before removing the pan from the heat. Whisk the mixture as it cools—it will thicken into a nice white cream (the thickening may take a few days if you are using a different emulsifying wax from emulsimulse/ritamulse).
Because of the oat milk in this recipe, it’ll spoil within a week or two without a broad spectrum preservative, so I’d recommend adding one. I’m using this one right now. Follow the usage amounts suggested by the manufacturer of the specific preservative you use.
Whisk in the essential oils and decant the mixture to a 120mL/8oz pump-top bottle. Stored in a pump-top bottle in a relatively cool environment, this lotion should last 1 month before spoiling (broad spectrum preservatives aren’t infallible, and with all the delicious oat milk goodness in here, and our less than sterile making conditions, this will not have an indefinite shelf life).
Don’t have the oils called for in the recipe? Check this out.
New to lotion making? Watch my basic lotion how-to video!
Hi there Marie
Your blog is fantastic!
Is this a stay in conditioner?
Regards
Lynn
Thanks, Lynn! It’s a leave in or rinse out conditioner, and also a great lotion 🙂 Just don’t over-apply it to your hair, or it’ll look greasy.
Can I sub out the one butter for another as I don’t have that one only kokum,mango,shea,and cocoa butter in my stash
Check out my article on carrier oil substitutions 🙂
Yes – sounds awesome. Curious about how to use it…
It’s a leave in or rinse out conditioner, and also a great lotion 🙂 Just don’t over-apply it to your hair, or it’ll look greasy.
can I replace oat milk with aloe juice or coconut milk? thanx for the great website
Aloe juice—yes, but coconut milk will spoil in a matter of days. Try leaving some out on your counter to see what I mean—erk! Happy making 🙂
I was wondering the same….ho do you use it? Thanks:)
It’s basically can be used as a leave in conditioner or as a styling cream on wet, dry, or damp hair.
(By the way, thank you Marie for fufilling my request. I can’t wait to make this duplicate. :))
Thanks, for the request, Ana 🙂 I had a lot of fun with this project!
It’s a leave in or rinse out conditioner, and also a great lotion 🙂 Just don’t over-apply it to your hair, or it’ll look greasy.
Your recipes are wonderful. You may well have been asked this before, but have you considered selling your recipes as products? I don’t have the pantry space to store the amazing ingredients you use. Plus, I admit to being intimated by your innate skills and talent with creating these recipes. I know I may be asking about a direction you may not have an interest in pursuing, but if you ever do decide to sell what you make, I’d love to be a customer. Best wishes, Ardith
Hi Ardith! At this point, no. I’d rather continue to develop new recipes to share than spend all my time manufacturing the same tube of lip balm over and over again, and dealing with shipping hassles and government regulations 🙂
Oh Marie and yikes, those would be quite the hassle. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Thank you also for the awesome recipes. Cheers, Ardith
🙂
I’m going to try to make this tomorrow – I think it would be great for my dry ends ! Thanks so much for this recipe, Marie.
Enjoy it! Thanks, Tania 🙂
Hey Marie,
I’ve been looking into the various preservatives and like how the one you chose is Eco-cert and reasonably safe compare to the other preservatives. For the GSB preservative, do you add it in the water before heating it up with the glycerin?
Hi Liz! I whisk it in at the end after the lotion has cooled and thickened up 🙂
Another thing you could use is colidal oatmeal. I use it in most of my lotion recipes. You can use oh I’d say about a tbls. In the water your using and it will disperse into the water to make your oatmilk no straining nessesary. And for anyone wonder in colloidal oatmeal is simply oatmeal powder.
Good idea, Tanya!
Will it still go bad within a month or so? or does the colidal oatmeal have a longer shelf life?
Since the oats/oat milk is so obviously a bacteria’s delight, I’m wondering about trying a version of this with Hydrolyzed Oat Protein instead. Have you ever thought about doing something like that? I know it’d be more expensive, but not terrible. I might try tweaking this a little, for a longer shelf life.
If you have it on hand that sounds like a great alternative! I was trying to be a bit more accessible by using plain ol’ oats, but I suspect your theory about a longer shelf life is correct 🙂
Hey Marie,
I made this Saturday evening and used it on Sunday. The texture is definitely a thick pudding – quite fun! I’m still deciding whether I like it for my hair, but I love it as a lotion =). I’m trying different recipes to find one as a go-to for conditioner so I don’t have to buy that any more. I believe I like this one better than the bamboo and broccoli.
Hi Susan! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the hair pudding 🙂 I’ve been mostly using it as a lotion as my hair isn’t dry enough to require such a thick conditioner, and it is a great lotion. You might find it makes a better conditioner for you if you mix a small amount with some extra water in your palm before applying.
Hi Maria, this is wonderful for curly girls and AA hair, I love this stuff!. I absolutely love your site!!!
Fantastic! Thanks so much, Jan 🙂
What purpose is the oat milk? Can you leave it out and therefore forgo the preservative?
Oat milk is a lovely soothing ingredient and I find it makes for much more nourishing ingredients 🙂 As a general rule you should never eliminate an ingredient that makes up 50% of a recipe, so I really wouldn’t recommend it! You would be making something completely different and likely wouldn’t end up with anything like what you wanted, in which case you are better off looking for a recipe that doesn’t include any water from the get-go.
question…is i use hydrolyzed protein instead of oat milk would i use it in the same amount…by the way love you to pieces. this site is da bomb
Hey Kim! Hydrolized oat protein is WAY more concentrated than oat milk, with a recommended use rate of 1–5% (rather than 50%, which is how much oat milk we’re using) so definitely DO NOT swap it 1:1! I’d recommend using maybe 3g of it and reducing the amount of oat milk called for by that amount.
Hi Marie,
I adore this hair pudding! I used it as a treatment before shampooing and my wavy, colour-treated hair has never been softer or shinier. LOVE! Thank you SO much for this recipe.
Kim
OOh, wonderful! I am so, so thrilled 😀 Enjoy that beautiful, shiny hair 😉
Made this a couple days ago for my bfs dry but curly hair. Works so much better than straight coconut oil. Also used it in my hair. Worked about 2 tsps into damp hair from roots up to get touchable to USA led waves in the morning. Feels just as soft as storebought silicon leave in products. Also love to scent mix.
Yay! I am SO, SO thrilled! Wahoo! Next time, try using BTMS-50 as your emulsifying wax; it’s cationic, which means it’ll turn this into a true hair conditioner, making it extra super awesome 😀 Happy making!
Hi Marie, what happened to the video? I can’t find it on you tube.
Some people on YouTube said the name sounded racist, and upon thinking about it, in the presentation on YouTube, it kind of did, so I took it down.
I did not see the video but I respect your choice. I aso founf the blog post respectful! Maybe change the name to Curly hair pudding or Creamy hair pudding? I made this yesterday and loved it, I am Afro American with 4a/4b hair down to my lower back. I have made several of you recipes and love them.
Thank you! If I ever did this again I’d probably do a re-vamp of it as well, taking into account the things I’ve learned about haircare since. And I would 100% give it a different name!
I’ve just made this, using Hydrolyzed oat protein, BTMS-50, and subbed the jojoba oil with meadow foam oil (based on your recommendations in your encyclopedia) as I was out of jojoba oil. It’s lovely!! I suspect my daughter and I will use it as a lotion as we both have thin, fine hair.
I’m wondering what your thoughts are on subbing the jojoba oil with camellia seed oil? I’ve never used it, and I understand the absorption speed is different, though it’s also good for hair?
Btw, I also live in Calgary! Your winter wonderland lotion was such a treat during our recent cool spell! Thank you for sharing.
I made this the other day, and it turned out awesome! I used BTMS-50 for my emulsifying wax (conditioning!) and I substituted cetyl alcohol for beeswax ’cause I love it and want to put it in everything 😉 I’ve been using it as both a conditioner in the shower and also as a leave in conditioner before I apply other products. Thank you Marie for another lovely recipe!
Woooo! I’m so glad 🙂 Beautiful subs, too! 🙂
Do all lotions last about 1 month or is it just this particular recipe?
It’s just this one, because of the oat milk. It may last longer (it does for me, but my house is quite cool) but I’m trying to err on the side of caution here!
To make it last longer can you just use water and maybe sub / add some oatmeal extract?
What preservative are you using for this? The link returns a page not found.
Liquid Germall Plus! 🙂 When it doubt, it’s almost always liquid germall plus 🙂
Would Opitphen plus be a good preservative as well?
Marie,
I see a lot of comments about its effectiveness on very course hair, but what about only slightly course hair? My hunny has slightly course hair (though in many spots it feels baby soft too), moderate curls, and is an absolute MESS most days with frizzies and wisps and unruly pin curls in random places. We’re just wanting something to help sort of tame it all and help it look its best. So far though, nothing we’ve tried has made any difference. Do you think this one might be our magic serum?
It’s definitely worth a try! If it doesn’t work for your hair you can always use it as hand lotion 😛 I’d recommend using BTMS-50 as your complete emulsifying wax for the best results 🙂
Marie,
We’ll certainly give it a go! Thanks for your time and instruction.
Happy making!
try adding PVP for a stronger hold.
I had a question regarding hold and shine. Can I add more beeswax to get more of a hold and possibly add kaolin clay to help make this into a matte styling clay? If so how many grams would you recommend of each? I guess I would add the clay in the last part of the heating phase?
Instead of oat milk, can I just use distilled water? This way it can last a year or two instead of just 1 month. Thanks, Marie you rock!!
I still haven’t made any hair styling pomades with clay, so I still don’t have any answers for you here 😛 Try it and let me know!
And yes, distilled water will definitely work and will extend the shelf life 🙂
thanks!! and sorry if I’ve asked you before I don’t remember what I ask all the time! Yes i will try and let you know.
I finally got some PVP and other hair styling goodies from Making Cosmetics, so hopefully I’ll actually have some contributions sometime next year!
Hi Marie!
I was wondering could BTMS-50 be used instead of the complete emulsifying wax?
Definitely! It would make for far better product 🙂
I’m of Afro-Carribean descent and found this recipe in your conditioner section. I’m hoping it will pair well with your Mango Mango Shampoo Bar (yay sulphate free). Initially, I was confused as to why I would put Oatmilk Lotion (I make your recipe regularly) in my hair. When I read “complete emulsifying wax” it made me think “Polawax” (which I use in several lotion recipes). While I’ve used Polawax for conditioner in the past, I find it doesn’t perform as well on my hair as BTMS-50. Similarly, I will replace the beeswax with cetyl alcohol for more conditioning and less lotiony results.
All good ideas! I first made this before I had BTMS-50 and cetyl alcohol, but if I was making this again today I would definitely make those swaps as well! Thanks for DIYing with me, and happy making 🙂
Hello!! If anyone here is interested in making a men’s clay pomade here is my formula. I got inspired from Marie’s “Crazy Hair Pudding”! 🙂
I’ve been working long hours and I think I’m finally getting close.
Water Phase
Water: 62 grams
VG: 3.5 grams
PEG 7 Glyceryl Cocoate: 6 grams
GelMaker: 1.3 grams
PVP: 1.5 grams
Oil Phase
BTMS-50: 6 grams
Stearic Acid: 4 grams
Peg 8 Beeswax: 6 grams
Ceteareth 20: 8 grams
Microcrystalline Wax: 4 grams
PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: 4 grams
Avocado Oil: 8 grams
Jojoba Oil: 5 grams
Mango Butter: 6 grams
4g kaolin clay
1.8g dead sea clay
Liquid Germall Plus: .5%
GelMaker and PVP was added when water phase reached 150 degrees F.
After adding the water phase to oil phase I used a stick blender to mix everything through. At around 150 degrees I added the clays. Once it reached 130 I added my preservative and fragrance.
After pouring and letting it set over-night I noticed the top layer was a little clumpy. Almost like it didn’t emulsify correctly. But once I past the top layer, the rest of the product was amazing! Very creamy clay texture! Breaks up very nicely in the hands. Gives your hair a matte finish, no shine. Medium hold and lots of texture!
Any ideas why I am getting this top layer? Some say I should be pouring at a higher temp. I’ve even read that brewing in a Presto pot with a bottom pouring spout is ideal for the perfect pour. No air bubbles! 🙂
SO cool! Thanks 😀 I just ordered a bunch of these things from Making Cosmetics because I’m on my way to Kansas next week and I can’t wait to play with all the hair gelly things! I didn’t get all of the things, though, and now I’m second guessing myself haha.
You might be able to reduce the top layer by bringing the mixture to trace while stirring and then cooling in the fridge 🙂
Hi,
Can I use rice water(dissolving rice flour in water) in place of oat milk?
Thanks
You can certainly try it, just be sure to strain out any solids/debris as much as possible, and keep a close eye on it for spoilage 🙂
I’m curious about the consistency with 2% beeswax. Is it draggy at all? Could I use an alternative or use more of another ingredient. Thank you so much. I adore your blog!!
I don’t remember this feeling draggy, though it’s been a while since I’ve made it. You could replace it with stearic acid 🙂 Happy making!
am I able to totally eliminated the water part to make it thicker ?
I don’t recommend it, but you can certainly try it.
One member mentioned using sterile water instead of oat milk to prolong shelf life for a year. Do I still need to use a preservative if I follow recommendation.
Thank you
Yes, you’ll still need a preservative 🙂
Hi Marie! I made this hair pudding yesterday and really like it. I made some adjustments according to what I had on hand and what I have read in your previous posts as good things for hair!
I kept all the oils the same, added broccoli seed oil for slip.
I used Colloidal oats and water for the oat milk.
I used BTSM-50 for a conditioning emulsifier and added Cetyl Alcohol instead of beeswax. I did not have capuacu butter but found good used of my roasted cocoa butter. No essential oils were added since the cocoa butter made it smell deliciously of chocolate! I did drop in some vitamin E, Panthenol and of course Germal Plus!
This whipped up so nicely and made my 4a/4b dark curly hair very moisturized. I did a low ponytail today with the ends in 3 large twists and they look so juicy and happy.
I also admit that it looks so good in the jar that I grabbed a palmful and used it on my legs after the shower and they too felt moisturized! Thanks for another great recipe!
YAY! I’m so thrilled to hear it 😀 Your swaps sound fantastic—I would definitely make similar swaps if I were to make this again today 🙂 I’m super stoked to hear your hair is loving it—I love the “juicy and happy” description 😀 Thanks for DIYing with me, and happy making 🙂
Can I use distilled water and hydrolyzed oat protein/oat amino acids or hydrolyzed wheat protein instead of oat milk to prolong the shelf life? If so, how much protein in the water?I know that I would still have to use Germal Plus for my preservative.
It wouldn’t really be an “instead” as you’d be getting very different parts of the oat—sort of like a class of milk vs a steak, I suppose? The usage rate for hydrolyzed oat protein is 1–5%, so I’d select an amount somewhere in there.
That said—I still have a 3-year-old open-top jar of a lotion I made with homemade oat milk and it’s fine; preserved with Liquid Germall Plus (INCI: Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate) and made with (gasp) tap water 🙂 So, shelf life may not be as big of a worry as I thought!
Happy making!
Hello ,how to avoid build up while using this product as a leave in?
Thank you!
I have 4a hair and I LOVE this!!!! Thank you so much for the recipe. I’ve made it 3 times and had to swap out quite a bit (using your guide), but it leaves my curls defined and I get to decide what the product smells like at the end (Geranium, Cedarwood and Rosemary). For me it give the right weight to my hair, especially the ends and clumps my curls without a lot of manipulation.
My main substitution was using rice water and this time I’ve added something called GenAdvance Hydra at the end of the oil phase and am trying that out. So far it’s great. Thanks for your help!
Can’t wait to try to this recipe but I’m confused as to how to use it? Is it a leave in product or rinse off?
It’s whatever works for you 🙂 Read this for more info. Happy making!
Hi Marie,
Thank you very much for the recipe.
I made it and used it today as rinse off conditioner , happy with the result.
One thing I would like to add is -“silky filling “, please advise how.
Thank you in advance.
Mila