Brush out the knots from the bottom going up about an inch each brush and use a comb rather than a brush? Sorry, don't know any conditioner recipes. I can sit on the ends of my hair and always keep an extra costco sized bottle of conditioner in store just in case. Hate to be without it. Best of luck!
I've heard both mayonnaise and avocado. Don't know if it would also act as a detangler, but will definitely soften it. And what is mayo?? Why, it's egg whites!!! If you're running low on mayo, just try some egg whites!!