Store-bought beauty products aren’t the best, filled with chemicals and stuff that hurt your hair more than heal it on the long term. These easy DIY mask recipes have proven excellent results with dry damaged hair, and the great part is that they are all made with ingredients you can find in your kitchen!
By Mariam Elhamy
A nourishing mask that will add a nice shine to your hair.
Ingredients: Equal parts raw organic honey with apple cider vinegar and coconut oil
Directions: Apply the blend to damp hair and leave on for at least 20 minutes, then shampoo out. It’s great for all hair types and helps lock in color as well.
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of raw unrefined coconut oil, 4 teaspoons of raw sugar, 5 drops of peppermint oil, 2 drops of tea tree oil
Directions: In a small bowl, mix ingredients together. Using your fingers, apply mixture directly to clean, damp hair in the shower. Once evenly applied, gently massage for 1-3 minutes and then clip your hair up and let it sit for the duration of your shower.
Ingredients: Equal parts cinnamon and coconut oil
Directions: Blend ingredients together well. Apply the mask onto your hair and massage into your scalp. Let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes and rinse. Aim to do this mask at least once a week.
This hair mask is packed full of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants which provide the ultimate strength and shine for your hair and help rejuvenate and moisturize your scalp.
Ingredients: Half an avocado, 1 egg, 1 tbsp of olive oil, and 1 tbsp of honey
Directions: Using your fingers, apply to wet hair starting at the bottom and working your way up. For better results wrap your hair into a bun and cover with a shower cap. To help activate the ingredients, blow-dry your shower cap-covered hair for 10 minutes or apply a hot towel under your shower cap. Then let it sit for another 20 minutes and wash out in the shower.
Greek Yoghurt – For Hair Loss
Yogurt contains a number of vitamins and proteins that are great for helping your hair to grow and replenish, it moisturizes, nourishes and reduces breakage.
Ingredients: Equal parts greek yogurt, honey and apple cider vinegar
Directions: Mix yogurt with honey and apple cider vinegar. Apply to your hair and leave for 30 mins then wash. Note: You could replace the vinegar with any essential oil.
Rosemary and Lavender Oil – For Softness and Scent
This wonderfully scented hair mask will leave your hair so smooth and silky! It conditions dry, damaged hair, makes dull hair shiny and can tame frizz.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup coconut oil, 10-15 drops lavender essential oil and 10-15 drops rosemary essential oil
Directions: Combine ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and stir gently to incorporate. Apply mask to hair then tie it up in a bun for at least 30 minutes while the mask sets in.
Banana and Olive Oil – For Moisturizing
Banana hydrates and moisturizes dull, damaged, dry hair, as it’s rich in vitamins and minerals that can strengthen hair. Olive oil is rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, which can make the hair look shinier and heal damage, breakage and split ends.
Ingredients: 1 ripe banana and 1 tbsp olive oil
Directions: Blend or mash the banana until it reaches a lump-free puree. Add the olive oil and continue blending. The result should be a creamy, frothy hair mask. While in the shower, apply the mask throughout the hair and scalp with fingers. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
