We all have hair problems, whether it’s damage, dryness, flakes, frizz, or something else. Seasonal changes, indoor heat, outdoor elements, and hot hair tools are just a few of the culprits that can cause these issues. If you still want to rescue your dry, damaged, or dull hair but don’t want to add an extra step to your wash day, hair masks can very well be the solution – they restore moisture, softness, and even brightness to your locks, often in a matter of minutes. Fortunately, you don’t have to go to the store or add another beauty product to your Amazon cart: you can go straight to your kitchen for everyday ingredients that you can whip into a DIY hair mask to fix your mane. We’ve compiled a list of our top 7 favorite DIY hair masks and hair treatments for you to try in this article.
I. What Is A Hair Mask?
Hair masks are quick yet highly potent, effective ways to provide your hair with tons of health benefits in less than 20 minutes. If daily conditioner is akin to your lightweight body lotions, hair masks are like high-powered hair conditioners, giving your hair benefits like softening and hydrating, a boost to grow, adding shine, and even fighting off infections. it would not be an exaggeration to say that hair masks are key to healthy hair, no matter the texture.
II. 7 Best DIY Hair Mask To Try At Home
While some hair salons provide pricey hair treatments that produce comparable results, we’ve chosen to get our hair masks directly from Mother Nature. Each of the hair masks in this collection only needs a few simple, organic ingredients that can all be found in your refrigerator or cabinet. The recipes we’re going to share with you are all wonderful hair masks to help nourish, protect, and moisturize your hair, so you can ensure you’re putting your best hair forward.
1. Coconut Oil + Honey Hair Mask (Repairing)
The benefits of coconut oil and honey are endless. Coconuts truly seem to be the magical ingredient for your hair. Coconut Oil for hair keeps it moist and soft and prevents hair breakage because of its high moisture-retaining capabilities while honey can help smoothen and soften your hair, and brings back any lost sheen and shine to your hair. This recipe is especially great if you have dry hair and need an extra boost of moisture and hydration.
The Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients into a bowl. Transfer the mix to a pot and heat up until melted. Apply to hair from top to bottom and cover with a shower cap. Let it sit for 15-20 mins. Rinse.
2. Cinnamon and Coconut Oil Mask (Hair Growth)
Thanks to its hydrating and moisturizing qualities, Coconut Oil is used in many different hair mask recipes. While cinnamon has antimicrobial properties that help your hair grow, help with dandruff, and hair loss. When cinnamon is applied to your hair, it increases blood flow to the scalp, which in turn stimulates the growth of new hair. If you’re looking for longer hair, this is the hair mask for you.
The Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
- 1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
This mask is best and most effective if used once a week.
Directions:
- Mix these two ingredients in a bowl, and make sure they are mixed well. Part your hair down the center and start by applying it down the part and on your scalp. Use your fingertips to massage the product into your scalp. *Bonus Head Massage*. Tie your hair up and cover it with a shower cap or a towel. Let this mask sit for 30-45 minutes and then rinse with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
3. Banana, Yogurt + Honey Hair Mask (Frizzy Hair)
Bananas are secret wonders for hair conditioning. They are full of natural oils, potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamins, all of which help lock in moisture and help eliminate that annoying frizz. Yogurt has high levels of lactic acid, which helps treat dull and damaged hair, so this ingredient is a must.
The Ingredients:
- 1 Sliced Banana
- 2 Tablespoons of Plain Yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients together in a blender or mash the banana and mix the ingredients until they are all blended together well. Apply the mask to damp hair from top to bottom. Tie your hair up and cover it with a shower cap. Leave the mask on your hair for about 30-45 minutes. Rinse with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
4. Avocado, Honey, and Olive Oil Mask (Dry, Damaged Hair)
Various factors can cause strand damage: styling tool overuse, hair color, chemical treatments, and more. Help counteract it with an avocado and olive oil hair mask, suggests Liana Zingarino, a hairstylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City. “Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, this treatment helps strengthen hair and add shine,” she says. The benefits don’t stop with strands: An avocado-based mask also helps to rejuvenate and moisturize the scalp.
The Ingredients:
- Half An Avocado
- 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
- 3 Drops of Essential Oil of Choice
Directions:
- Stir ingredients together until fully combined, then apply to wet hair with your fingertips, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Wrapping your hair into a bun and covering it with a shower cap. To help activate the ingredients, blow dry your shower cap-covered hair for 10 minutes. Let it sit for another 20 minutes, then shampoo.
5. Honey, Banana, and Coconut Oil Mask (Bleached or Colored Hair)
Color-treated hair can always use more hydration, especially bleached strands. Make sure to use ingredients that won’t compromise the color. This mask helps to enhance moisture without affecting your shade.
The Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
- 1 Peeled Banana
- 1-2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
Directions:
Blend ingredients together and then apply to hair for 15 minutes and rinse.
6. Coconut Oil, Strawberry + Honey Hair Mask (Shiny Hair)
This hair mask recipe is great to achieve overall hair health and is one of our particular favorites because the strawberries make it smell so delicious. Strawberries are full of Vitamin C, which helps your body create collagen, an important part of the hair’s structure. This strawberry hair mask also eliminates excess oil and grease and will give your hair a glossy shine.
The Ingredients:
- 6-8 Fresh Strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
Directions:
- Blend all ingredients to form a puree. Apply evenly to damp hair. Let it sit for 5-10 mins. Rinse well with warm water.
7. Egg + Lemon Hair Mask (Oily Hair)
Eggs are rich in Vitamins A, D, and E, proteins, and fatty acids, which help retain the luster and shine of your hair. As your hair is mostly made of protein, this extra boost to the hair leaves it feeling healthy and restored. Besides, lemon is best for those with an oily scalp, as lemon juice has the capability of absorbing excess oil and grease in the scalp. Lemon juice is also great for fighting Dandruff, as it has anti-fungal properties.
The Ingredients:
- 1 Egg
- ½ Lemon
Directions:
- Crack an egg, and be sure to only use the egg white. Squeeze one-half of a lemon into a mixing bowl. Mix the egg white and lemon juice together until you have a smooth consistency. Apply to damp hair from top to bottom. Tie your hair up and cover it with a shower cap. Let this mask sit for 30-45 minutes and rinse with shampoo and conditioner.
III. Final Word
You have it now! As you can see, finding hair masks doesn’t require traveling very far or spending a lot of money. You can mix and match key kitchen ingredients as you see fit to address your hair problems by simply using them and understanding how each ingredient benefits your hair.