Contrary to popular belief, natural hair care does not really have to be expensive, especially when there are alternatives to store bought products. These alternatives are less expensive and accessible. You do not need plenty money to incorporate natural hair regime. If you are like me with low budget and still want to take care of your hair to have an healthy, soft to touch and shinning hair then, you can give these following alternatives a try:

Shampoo: Our dear multipurpose African black soap can be used as shampoo. It is good for natural hair because it's made from natural ingredients that help nourish the hair. You can get black soap in market at a very cheap price.
Recipe for African black soap shampoo:
Cut the soap into smaller pieces, place the pieces into a bowl and pour lukewarm water to melt the soap. You can add honey and any oil of your choice to the dissolved black soap and shake well. Wash you hair with this solution with more focus to your scalp.

Conditioner: It is important to reintroduce moisture back into the hair after the hair has been striped of its moisture. Aloe Vera gel can be used to condition the hair.

Deep Conditioner: There are two types of deep conditioner (DC); protein deep conditioner and moisturising deep conditioner. Both are very important in growing healthy hair as the former helps to strengthens the hair while the latter provides intense moisture to the hair.
a) Protein Deep conditioner: The following can be used to infuse protein into the hair; eggs, mayonnaise, gelatin, milk and rice water. Protein treatment gives more volume and strengthens the hair. This treatment should be followed by moisturising deep conditioner as protein treatment makes the hair hard.
Note: protein treatment should not be too much as excess protein treatment maybe detrimental and lead to breakage. Protein treatment should be done once a month or whenever you notice your hair needs protein, let your hair communicate to you.
i) Eggs: Whole egg can be used solely or it can be mixed with honey and any oil
ii) Milk: Liquid milk too can be used as an alternative option in protein DC. You can apply the milk by putting it in a spray bottle, then apply to a freshly washed hair and cover with plastic bag allow to stay for 20- 45mins before you rinse out.
iii) Rice water as protein DC: Rice water too can be used as protein DC due to the presence of protein in rice water. Rinse out your hair with rice water, wait for a few minutes and rinse out with plain water.
Recipe for rice water: wash 8tbs of rice, place inside a pot, pour water and place on a burner/stove to parboil. Remove the rice water and store it for 24-48 hours for fermentation to take place.
iv)Edible mayonnaise too can be applied directly to freshly washed hair.
v) you can use the combination of egg+ mayonnaise + oil + honey as protein DC.
b) Moisturizing deep conditioner: There are various options for infusing intense moisture into the hair, among which are; avocados, pawpaw, bananas, aloe Vera, coconut water, etc. Any of this fruit mentioned can be blended, sieve  with clean handkerchief to remove shaft, add humectants and oil. Apply the blended mix unto the hair and then cover with plastic bag or cap for 30mins.
Note: Moisturising deep conditioning should be done weekly or after each wash. Natural hair craves for moisture, thrives on moisture, and moisturised hair is less prone to breakage.

Leaves in conditioner: makes hair more manageable by adding slip, which inturn makes untangling hair easy. It makes the hair smooth, and strengthens the hair. This should be followed by oil or butter to seal in moisture. Alternative leave in conditioners are okra gel, aloe Vera gel and green tea. Okra gel can be extracted by boiling diced okra fingers with only plain water or my soaking diced okra fingers for few minutes with water to allow the gel and nutrients mix with the water.

Oil: coconut oil, carrot oil, palm kernel oil, olive oil are sealant that can be used in natural hair care. One or combination of these oil can be incorporated into natural hair care. Oil helps to seal in moisture into the hair shaft.

Butter: shea butter (Ori) can be use as sealant. It is cheap and can be seen in market.

Humectants: honey and glycerin can be used.

In the treatment of natural hair, it is important to note that less is more, and that our natural hair journey is different.