HOMEMADE MASKS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR DAMAGED HAIR
What exactly was the tipping point at which your hair went from lustrous, shiny, and vibrant to sad, dull, and parched? It could have been the excessive straightening or curling or blow drying, the teensy bit too much coloring, or even the fact that it was, you know, winter. Regardless – it doesn’t matter how your hair lost its mojo, because there are ways for it to bounce back (no pun intended). In fact, there are hair revival recipes that don’t even involve you leaving your house – win-win! Keep reading for our compilation of all the best DIY hair masks that will bring back your shine.
“The Everything” Homemade Hair Mask
Coconut oil: we will preach about this stuff for as long as we’re allowed. It really is the holy grail of everything DIY beauty and moisture – it smells great, it feels silky smooth, and it packs so much rich moisture. To get the most out of a coconut oil hair treatment, start with dry hair. If your hair is already slightly damp, it won’t be able to absorb as much of the oil. Once you’ve applied from tip to root, throw your hair up in a ponytail, a shower cap…or some saran wrap if you’re lazy like us. Let it sit for as long as you can find Netflix shows to amuse yourself, and then head back to the bathroom. For extra deep conditioning, blast your (still wrapped) hair with a blow drier on the hot setting. Unwrap, and then shampoo, condition and rinse thoroughly. You’ll feel like you just did a paycheck-blowing keratin treatment, without the wallet damage!
Clarifying Homemade Hair Mask
More winter weather means more hair product, which means more build-up. Yuck. Not only does build-up dull your color and lose your luster, it can also result in flaking and, you know, a general sad limpness. So, head to your pantry – let’s start clarifying! For this mask, you’ll need baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and some honey. Mix ingredients together, and massage into scalp (this is where the majority of build-up usually occurs). Apply all over, and let it sit for five to ten minutes. Rinse, and follow with a normal shampoo and conditioner. Your hair will be so clarified it may even squeak – seriously.
Shine-boosting Homemade Hair Mask
Now that you’ve done some DIY clarifying and removed all the build-up at your roots, it’s time to boost your shine! Combine some Greek yogurt, honey, and lemon juice with 1-2 eggs (depending on hair length). The egg is packed with omega acids, protein, potassium, and calcium. Lemon juice is lightening and clarifying, and the yogurt and honey will add moisture and shine. Keep the mask on your hair for about 20 minutes, then wash it off and enjoy silky, smooth locks!
Damage-repair Homemade Hair Mask
Instead of trying to pry your heat styling tools from your grip, we’re going to suggest the next best thing: bananas! Banana is an amazing ingredient to repair damage due to its high level of potassium, as well as vitamins A, E, and C. The potassium is great for repairing damaged follicles, and the vitamin C promotes moisture that won’t disrupt the natural sebum at the roots. Just mash up one ripe banana, add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or argan oil and apply to your hair for 20 minutes, before washing it off.
Frizz-calming Homemade Hair Mask
Okay, so you may not be able to create this mask totally out of kitchen ingredients, but…it’s worth the shopping trip. The ingredients for a frizz-calming mask will consist of honey, jojoba oil, and argan oil. These heavyweight oils will soothe, nourish, and repair split ends and damaged hair follicles. Just mix all the ingredients in equal proportions, apply to your hair for 20-30 minutes before washing off with shampoo and conditionner.
Hair-thickening Homemade Hair Mask
For those of us not born with the most thick and luscious of tresses (and not willing to make the commitment to real extensions), there is a hair-thickening mask that will add some extra volume and bounce. Combine half of an avocado with milk, and olive oil. The olive oil adds deep moisture, while the avocado thickens the hair follicles and nourishes with fiber and high fat content. The vitamin D and A from the milk will add the extra boost needed for your hair to gain a new spring! Just apply the mask for 20 minutes and then, wash off.
Moisturizing Homemade Hair Mask
It’s cold, dry, and your hair is thirsty. That means it’s time to cue up some new Gilmore Girls, grab an advent calendar (no one actually eats those on time, right?) and get mixing with some moisturizing mask ingredients. Combine coconut oil, Shea butter, and some olive oil in equal proportions. This mask is not for the faint of heart – it will moisturize every hair follicle. For extremely dry hair, let mask sit for up to an hour. Make sure to rinse this mask thoroughly, and then add a little coconut oil to the tips after showering. Your hair will thank you!
Oil-fighting Homemade Hair Mask
While some of us battle dry hair during the winter months, others are fighting oil. In order to restore the natural acidity (pH level) of your scalp and keep your hair looking clean for days, try the oil-fighting mask. Mix Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and honey. The probiotics and protein in the yogurt will moisturize your scalp, helping to reduce the overproduction of natural sebum. The lemon juice will counter the pH level, and the honey’s antibacterial and antifungal properties will soothe, calm, and combat any bacteria.
Flake-free Homemade Hair Mask
With the dry, “fake dewy skin” season upon us, sometimes flakes are inevitable. They can often be super embarrassing, so let’s get the problem solved before it starts – here’s what you need to keep your hair flake-free from root to tip. Mix 10 drops of tea tree oil, 3 tablespoons of jojoba oil, and and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The tea tree oil has healing, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that will stop flakes in their tracks, and the apple cider vinegar will restore the pH balance of your scalp. Meanwhile, the jojoba oil provides a soothing, calm finish to prevent irritation. Mix all these ingredients together, apply to your scalp and spread the rest to the hair, wait for 20 minutes and wash off. Bye, bye flakes!
Just-for-the-scent Homemade Hair Mask
Sometimes, you just want to pamper yourself – and what better way than a mask that smells like a Shangri-la spa day? For this mask, you’ll need some crushed rosemary, 5 drops of peppermint essential oil, and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. Mix ingredients at room temperature, apply liberally to hair, and then sit back and enjoy the fresh herbal fragrance. Wash it off after 20 minutes.
What is your favourite homemade hair mask?
Stay beautiful!