Does your hair need a little extra TLC? Having hair that is free from frizz, less damaged, and voluminous is something that I think we all strive to have! To help out our hair, it's common to go to the salon but with the current lockdown in place that is not a current option. So we have put together our favourite DIY hair masks that you can put together using items already in your cupboards.
Photo by Jessica F
With the right ingredients that you probably have hanging around in your kitchen, you can mix up your own home-made, all-natural hair mask right at home to make your own built-in spa! It's also important to stay hydrated, eat healthy foods and to try and avoid washing your hair every day.
Over-washing your hair can cause a dry scalp, which can cause dandruff. Over-washing can also strip away the natural oils that nourish your hair. Using these DIY hair masks will condition your hair and help prevent breakage while being a healthier way to repair damaged hair of all types. Lather up your hair with these home-made recipes for a relaxing, spa-like experience.
These easy, affordable DIY hair masks all use household remedies that you probably already have at home. While some may utilize your blender— check out the egg and banana mask below — others are as simple as a single ingredient that will get your hair into tip-top shape, whether you suffer from dry hair, fine hair, an itchy scalp, or dandruff.
DIY Hair Mask Recipes That You Can Make at Home
THE PROBLEM: THINNING HAIR
The Fix: If you have baby-fine hair, your biggest stresses might comprise hiding a visible scalp or worrying about strands you can’t afford to lose. Dispel concerns with a protein-rich treatment that can plump up a wimpy mane.
Make a banana protein smoothie which consists of amino acid-rich bananas and eggs to enhance hair elasticity, strengthen, and add thickness.
How to use it: Blend two egg yolks, two ripe bananas, two to three tablespoons of honey, half cup of conditioner, and two tablespoons of olive oil, until fully puréed. Slather all over your hair and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes; rinse with cool water. Results are immediate but keep in mind that it only lasts until your next shampoo.
Photo by Alvin Mahmudov
THE PROBLEM: BRITTLE HAIR
The Fix: Strengthen strands. While dry, brittle hair is a struggle on its own, it can also lead to increased breakage and dullness. Egg yolks are an easy fix, they will help strengthen and nourish hair follicles.
How to use it: Mix a little lemon into the yolks to lessen the egg smell. When applying, put the mixture on hair from roots to ends and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour to really penetrate into hair.
THE PROBLEM: MESSY WAVES OR CURLS
The Fix: Define, rather than fight, your hair’s natural bends with a home-made curl enhancer made of molasses and honey. Honey and syrup are natural humectants (ingredients that attract and lock in moisture) and can treat curls while hydrating thirsty hair.
How to use it: Mix a half-cup of maple syrup, 1/4 cup of olive oil, four tablespoons of honey, two bananas, half-cup of water, four table spoons of lemon juice, and two tablespoons of all-purpose flour (adjust according to desired thickness).
Mix together ingredients, removing any lumps, and warm on the hob. Separate hair into four sections, evenly apply the sweet concoction, and cover it up with a shower cap; let sit for 45 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
THE PROBLEM: ITCHY SCALP
The Fix: Soothe and moisturise. An itchy scalp can be caused by myriad problems, from something as serious as psoriasis or as minor as dryness. First, reach for tea tree oil, an effective remedy for nearly any scalp ailment, including antifungal conditions.
How to use it: Drip three drops of the oil on a cotton swab and dab onto the scalp. If the oil is irritating, dilute 1 ½ tablespoons of oil to one cup of warm water. To combat dryness, break a vitamin E capsule and rub the oil on itchy areas to help moisturise the skin, slough off dead skin cells and unclog hair follicles. Leave the oil on overnight and rinse out in the morning.
Photo by Marius Muresan
THE PROBLEM: FADED DYE JOB
The Fix: Intensify vibrancy. Add a jolt of red with a cranberry juice rinse. To warm up ashy blonde hair, substitute the cranberry juice rinse for chamomile tea. Or bring out golden tones with some champagne (flat or bubbly both do the trick).
How to use it: Tilt your head back over the sink and carefully pour the juice over clean, de-tangled hair. Once every section is soaked, dry your hair section by section on low heat to lock colour in place. Rinse and condition after. But remember to do a rinse only when necessary, otherwise it could lead to build-up.
THE PROBLEM: PRODUCT BUILD UP
The Fix: Deep clean. Between smoothing creams and hair oils, it’s easy to accumulate layer upon layer of product residue. Excess build-up leads to strands that never feel clean and dandruff-like flakes. But you can cut through oils and build-up a baking soda power cleanse.
How to use it: Combine 5 tablespoons of shampoo with one to two tablespoons of baking soda, stir well, and pour over wet hair. Gently massage the mixture into the scalp and let sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Photo by Josh Applegate
THE PROBLEM: DANDRUFF
The Fix: Keep flakes under control. Dandruff is a scalp disorder that involves rapidly shedding dead skin cells. To slow down cell turnover and fight dandruff, a ginger root scalp mix: ginger has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the scalp and keep dandruff in check.
How to use it: Finely grate half a ginger root into 1 pint of water and boil until it’s one cup of tea. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and olive oil. Mist the brew directly onto scalp, let dry, and shampoo out.
THE PROBLEM: FLAT HAIR
The Fix: Add some bounce. Give lifeless hair a boost with an oats and almond oil hair mask. Do this treatment on damp hair (not soaking wet) for the best results.
How to use it: Combine 8 tablespoons of oats, 2 tablespoons of almond oil and 125 ml of milk (regular milk is best) Mix ingredients well. Apply the mask all over hair and leave it on for 20 to 40 minutes — the longer the better. Then wash out and style your hair as usual. Your hair will look full and super bouncy.