10 DIY Hair Masks for Every Hair Concern
When you’re searching for a new hair mask but the ingredients listed on the back of a product become too overwhelming (honestly, what’s with the jargon?), how about trying a natural alternative instead? Your most pressing hair concerns can be solved with a few ingredients found right in your kitchen. Whether you’re ready to reduce itchiness or boost some moisture on your dull strands, here are ten DIY hair masks to try at home.
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1. Lemon, Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
Good for Oily Hair
Ingredients:
¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
½ lemon juice (can replace with with ½ cup of plain yogurt)
1 tablespoon of honey
Instructions:
Dilute the lemon juice with water.
Combine the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and honey.
While hair is still damp, section it off and apply the mixture.
Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why it works: If you’re constantly dealing with greasy strands, usethis mask to clean up any excess oil found in your scalp. The apple cider vinegar (ACV) has vitamins and nutrients to clean up the scalp, while lemon is a natural astringent and honey is antibacterial, meaning they can treat dandruff and reduce itchiness.
2. Coconut, Jojoba and Peppermint Oil
Good for Frizzy Hair
Ingredients:
2 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of jojoba oil
5 drops of peppermint oil
Water to dilute
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together.
Section off clean or damp hair.
Massage mixture onto scalp.
Leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Optional: Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray onto your hair.
Why it works: Say goodbye to those pesky fly-aways. Coconut oil and jojoba oil keep hair moisturized and hydrated to avoid that static look. Peppermint oil enhances the mask by soothing any itchiness and reducing flakes due to dryness, not to mention it will make the mixture smell amazing.
3. Avocado, Honey and Olive Oil
Good for Color-Treated Hair
Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
1-2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of olive oil (can replace this with 2 tablespoon of coconut oil)
Instructions:
Mash the avocado until it's a paste.
Mix in the honey and olive oil.
Apply to the driest areas of your hair, likely your ends.
Leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why it works: Whether you have dry, damaged or color-treated hair, this mask can bring back some much-needed moisture. Avocado’s vitamin C and E promote hair growth and its mineral (aka potassium) can repair damage cells. Meanwhile, olive oil has fatty acids and antioxidants that work to strengthen hair and boost shine. And we can’t forget the sweetest ingredient, honey, for restoring moisture and reducing split ends.
4. Avocado, Egg, Lemon and Olive Oil
Good for Curly Hair
Ingredients:
1/2 ripe avocado
1 egg
1 tablespoon of olive oil (or coconut oil)
Optional: Add 1 tablespoon of honey
Instructions:
Mash avocado until it's a paste.
Mix in the rest of the ingredients.
Apply on wet hair.
Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why it works: Give your curls some TLC with a hydrating mask. Avocado is a natural moisturizer—thanks to its fatty acids—that strengthens strands and makes it easier to run your comb (or fingers) through your hair. Eggs are packed with protein that can repair and nourish, and the lemon’s antibacterial properties reduce dandruff. Finally, the olive oil’s antioxidant components condition hair to be soft, shiny and healthy.
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5. Coconut Oil, Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
Good for Dull Hair
Ingredients:
1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1-2 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Mix together all the ingredients.
Apply on damp or dry hair.
Leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why it works: The combo is a triple threat for fixing dull hair. Coconut oil will give it an extra boost of moisture (the fatty acids help if effectively penetrate your strands). When it comes to honey—aka the natural humectant—it can hold on to said moisture and soften your hair. ACV’s vitamins and nutrients swoop in help to balance your hair’s pH level to bring some life to your locks. All of this together will leave your hair looking lustrous.
6. Cinnamon and Coconut Oil
Good for Hair Growth
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
Optional: Add 1 tablespoon of honey
Instructions:
Mix together all of the ingredients.
Apply it to your roots.
Leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why does it work: We don’t have to tell you how beneficial coconut oil is, but do you know cinnamon is just as helpful in combating hair loss? The spice has antioxidants and vitamins to stimulate blood circulation to your hair follicles. Aside from encouraging growth, it’s also antimicrobial, which means it can help with dandruff and remove any excess product buildup. (Plus, need a natural dye? A sprinkle of cinnamon can do the trick.)
RELATED: Hair on the Fritz? Try One of these 9 Coconut Oil Mask Recipes
7. Egg White and Lemon
Good for Fine Hair
Ingredients:
1 egg
½ lemon
Instructions:
Remove the egg’s yolk.
Squeeze the lemon juice into the egg whites.
Apply mask on damp hair.
Leave for 30 minutes to an hour.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why it works: Let this mask restore volume using just two powerful ingredients–egg and lemon juice. The proteins found in egg whites work to remove any product buildup, and they’re rich in vitamins to boost shine and luster. Meanwhile, the lemon juice eliminates excess oil and strengthen hair. The limonene compound found in lemons give people with fine hair that bounce they’ve been looking for.
8. Brown Sugar and Olive Oil
Good for Dandruff
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of olive oil (can replace with coconut oil)
Optional: A drop or two of peppermint oil
Instructions:
Mix ingredients together.
Apply mask on damp hair.
Leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse and finish the rest of hair routine.
Why does it work: No more scratching and worrying about flakes. This mixture is a great exfoliator to scrub your scalp clean from dandruff and prevent any hair breakage. Brown sugar breaks down and gets rid of any dead skin cells while olive oil (make sure it’s extra virgin olive oil) maintains shine and locks in moisture.
9. Banana and Olive Oil
Good for Damaged Hair
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions:
Mix ingredients together.
Apply mask on damp hair.
Leave for 15 to 30 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why it works: It’s time to turn damaged hair into healthy locks. The olive oil’s antioxidants strengthen and soften hair, but it’s the banana’s potassium (which prevents hair fall) and the oil’s omega-3 fatty acids (which soften and strengthen) that make for a major improvement in restoring your hair’s health.
10. Coconut Oil and Olive Oil
Good for All Hair Types
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of olive oil
1 cup of coconut oil
Optional: A drop or two of peppermint oil and/or ¾ cup of shea butter
Instructions:
Mix ingredients together.
Apply mask onto wet or dry hair.
Leave on for 30 to 45 minutes.
Rinse and wash hair as normal.
Why does it work: This combo’s components are known for improving dullness, strengthening hair and preventing any breakage. Pop in some shea butter and you have yourself a daily hair mask to rely on every week. The mixture will keep hair hydrated, soft and shiny.
A few things to keep in mind:
Once you pick a mask, customize it to work for you. If you want to increase or decrease a specific ingredient, go for it. However, be mindful how much you add. Oils like coconut oil and olive oil can weigh certain hair types down or cause buildup if too much is used.
Don’t forget to always wash your hair thoroughly before and after using the treatment. And finally, use essential oils and dried herbs to make it your own and keep your DIY hair mask smelling amazing.
So, don’t mind us, we’ll just be whipping up a new hair mixture ASAP.