Hair masks and leave-in conditioners are a luxurious way to care for your hair at home. Using a hair mask can be a relaxing way to take care of yourself and have some “me” time. Going through your pantry or refrigerator, you can find natural and wholesome ingredients that are great for your hair.
Honey, coconut milk, and olive oil are just a few of the things you can use to give your hair a new shine, resilience, and beauty. With our recipes, you can mix simple ingredients into DIY masks for any type of hair.
Most of these masks are meant to be left on for a period of time and then washed out with your regular shampoo and conditioner, but a few are meant to be left in. You can learn to make your own leave-in conditioner with the easy steps in this article.
1. Yogurt Hair Mask
Mix ½ cup of plain yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is best, but any type of clear vinegar will do. Apply to hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash out with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
2. Coconut Oil and Honey Hair Mask
Coconut oil has amazing moisturizing abilities for dry hair and scalp. Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 1 tablespoon of honey and apply to wet hair. After 30 minutes, wash out with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
3. Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Coconut oil can be too heavy for fine or thin hair, and coconut milk is a great alternative. Mix 1 tablespoon of canned coconut milk with ¼ cup of distilled water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and apply to hair. Comb through for the best coverage. You can also add a few drops of essential oils for their scent and also for their beneficial properties. For example, tea tree oil is great for an oily scalp.
4. Egg and Olive Oil Mask
For this mask, different parts of the egg can be used for different types of hair. Start with 2 eggs. Use the yolks for dry hair, the whites for oily hair, and the entire egg for normal hair. Whisk 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with the eggs. Apply to damp hair and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
This mask requires some care in washing it out. If you don’t use cold water, the eggs could cook in your hair. Wash with shampoo and cold water until you are sure all the egg has been washed out. You can then use your regular conditioner.
5. Avocado Hair Mask
Mix 1 mashed avocado with ¼ cup olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. You may want to put the mixture in the blender to combine it well. Apply to hair and leave on for 30 minutes. You may want to cover your hair with a shower cap, plastic wrap, or a plastic grocery bag to contain the mess. Wash as normal. Your hair will be incredibly soft thanks to this avocado hair mask.
6. Banana Hair Mask
Banana will soften and moisturize your hair. Blend 1 overripe banana, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1/2 cup of milk. Apply to hair and let sit for 30 minutes, then rinse and wash as usual. As an alternative to a whole mashed banana, you could use banana baby food. This might be easier to rinse out.
7. Mayonnaise Hair Mask
Mayonnaise will rehydrate your hair and scalp while being easier to handle than raw egg masks. Apply 1/2 cup of mayonnaise to your hair and comb through for the best results. This will condition your hair and scalp. Leave on for at least 30 minutes and wash normally.
8. Strawberry Hair Treatment
Blend 7 strawberries with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Apply to wet hair and let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash as usual. Strawberries will give your hair and scalp a boost from antioxidants, and the mayonnaise will keep the mask from being too drying.
9. Brown Sugar Scalp Scrub
Mix 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Massage your hair and scalp with the mixture. This is great for a dry and flaky scalp. Leave in for 30 minutes and then wash normally.
10. Egg White and Sea Salt Hair Mask
This is especially good for oily hair. Beat one egg white to soft peaks, then add a teaspoon of sea salt and beat to stiff peaks. Fold in 1 or 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Do not use this mask on a scratched or irritated scalp, as the salt and lemon juice will sting. Rinse with cold water to completely remove the egg and then wash as usual.
All of these recipes are easy to make and use. You may even have the ingredients on hand right now. Try each mask and see which one works best for your hair, or create your own ideas based on the recipes in this article.
