How I Saved My Hair After a DIY Keratin Fail (And Got My Waves Back)
Damaged hair after a DIY keratin treatment? 😩 Learn how I repaired dry, brittle strands, restored shine ✨, and revived my natural waves 🌿 using sulfate-free hair care, deep conditioners & argan oil 💧
BEAUTY AND FASHION
Girl, let me be honest: I tried to do a keratin treatment at home last year… and it totally wrecked my hair. 😩 What was supposed to give me shiny, manageable waves turned into dry, dull, frizzy chaos. My curls disappeared, my ends were crispy, and I felt like crying every time I looked in the mirror.
But guess what? I found a way to bring my hair back to life — softer, shinier, and yes… my waves are making a comeback! 💁♀️ In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything I did to recover from my keratin disaster — with product links, routines, and tips that actually work.
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How I Saved My Hair After a DIY Keratin Fail (And Got My Waves Back)
I applied an at-home keratin kit, thinking I’d save money and get salon results. Huge mistake. My hair became:
Super dry and brittle
No shine — it looked so dull
No curl pattern at all
My ends felt like hay 😩
After months of deep conditioners, leave-ins, and prayers — nothing was really working. Until I switched up my routine and simplified things with powerful, nourishing oils.
💔 What Actually Happens with DIY Keratin?
🌿 Step 1: Strip Away the Sulfates
The first thing I did was ditch all my regular shampoos and switch to a sulfate-free, moisturizing formula.
✨ My Favorite Sulfate-Free Shampoo & Conditioner:
SheaMoisture Conditioner — gentle, hydrating, and smells amazing.
Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Conditioner— great for dry, overprocessed hair.
Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Sulfate-Free Shampoo – gentle for sensitive scalps
Why it works: Sulfates can strip your natural oils even more. These formulas cleanse gently and start rebuilding hydration from the root.
💧 Step 2: Deep Condition Weekly
Weekly masks became a non-negotiable. I used thick, buttery treatments that soak into dry strands.
💜 Best Deep Conditioners That Helped Me:
Mielle Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner — this one gives me the tingles (in a good way!)
TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask – pure moisture in a jar!
I applied one of these once a week, added a shower cap, and let it sit for 20–30 minutes before rinsing.
🪄 Step 3: Enter the Hair Savior — Argan Oil
Girl. If your ends feel like broom bristles… you need argan oil. Not the greasy drugstore kind — I’m talking about pure, cold-pressed Moroccan magic.
✨ My Go-To:
👉 Cliganic Organic Argan Oil – 100% Pure, Cold Pressed
Why I love it:
Instantly softens dry ends
Adds shine without making hair oily
Lightweight + fragrance-free
Also amazing for your skin 👑
💧 How I Use It:
I warm 2–3 drops in my hands and smooth it on damp ends. No greasy buildup, just shine and softness!
🛏️ Step 4: Sleep Smarter with Satin
I didn’t realize how much cotton pillowcases were ruining my hair. They suck out moisture and create friction = breakage city. The fix?
💤 Switch to:
Kitsch Satin Pillowcase – comes in the cutest blush and champagne tones
YANIBEST Silk Bonnet for Sleeping – no slipping, no frizz
Bonus? Your skin will thank you too 💕
🌀 Step 5: Bring Back the Waves
Once my hair was feeling softer, I started gently reviving my texture — no heat, no stress.
🧴 Curl-Reviving Stylers That Work:
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Cream – lightweight, smells like coconut heaven
Cantu Curl Activator Cream – ultra-moisturizing, great for coarse hair
Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk – soft hold + hydration = chef’s kiss
🌀 My Method:
Apply to damp hair
Scrunch lightly with microfiber towel
Let it air dry (or diffuse on low heat if needed.
It takes time, but girl — your curl pattern will come back 🥹
💡 Extra Tips That Made a Difference
✂️ Trim split ends every 2–3 months
🍓 Take a hair supplement like SugarBearHair Gummies or Nutrafol
💆♀️ Scalp massages with jojoba or castor oil 2x/week
🧖♀️ Pre-poo treatments with coconut or argan oil before washing
final thoughts
My DIY keratin treatment left my hair dry, frizzy, and honestly… depressing. But I took a deep breath, stayed consistent, and gave my hair what it really needed — hydration, nourishment, and time.
Now? I’m seeing shine again. My ends are soft. And my beautiful, bouncy waves? They’re back, baby 🌊💁♀️
💕 Remember: You’re not alone if your hair is damaged. But you’re also not stuck. You can turn it around — one product, one wash day, one drop of argan oil at a time.
And when you do? You’ll love your hair even more than before 💖