A hair mask is what it says on the tin, it’s a refreshing pamper for your hair which just like our skin, is a necessity. A hair mask is essential to keeping our hair healthy and adding that shine. The best part about hair masks is that they can be made from home, not only is this cost effective, it’s a guaranteed way of knowing what you are putting on your hair.
Why make homemade hair masks?
The question should be why not?! They are the pick me up you need, we all need them once in a while. The best thing about homemade hair masks is that you probably have the majority of the required ingredients in your kitchen already. Let’s be honest, yes you can get a hair mask at your local salon but, firstly why would you pay for something you have at home and can make in minutes?! Secondly, how can you really know what is in the hair mask you’re paying for? You can’t. Homemade hair masks not only give you the freedom to know what you are putting on your hair, it’s easy on the wallet. The added bonus, you can be creative and make as many different recipes as you desire!
If you’re interested in homemade hair masks, then you may be interested to find out more about how to keep your hair healthy at home.
What type of hair issues can a hair mask help with?
Again, the question should be what can’t it help with? There is a hair mask solution to every problem. Brittle ends are a common favourite for a hair mask, a hair mask can really nourish those ends and tie you over until your next haircut. A hair mask can also help with general dryness, often hair can become dry from sun exposure, swimming, too much heat from styling tongs or perhaps from colouring. A hair mask can help with all these issues and more. There is nothing a hair mask cannot solve, whether for a temporary solution or a regular pick me up. The recipes below are a great place to start.
Recipes for homemade hair masks:
1. The Coconut Hair Mask: this is quite simply the easiest hair mask to make from home. This mask is great for controlling frizzy and/or curly hair.
The ingredients could not be simpler, all you need is coconut oil! The use of coconut oil is intense, it is a pure natural oil but will lock in so much moisture to those locks! Be mindful not to do this mask too often though because you might go from frizz to slick if you add too much oil.
So how do you make it? Well… Grab some coconut oil, you can buy this pretty much anywhere these days! Warm a half cup of coconut oil in a microwaveable bowl for about 30 seconds, it melts fast! Next, dip your fingertips only into the oil and work through your hair from root to tip with the oil, it might be easier to section your hair to do this. Be careful not to put too much oil on the roots because you don’t want any build up in the follicles. The final stage is to clip your hair up and wrap it with a shower cap or hair turban and bake it! Not literally, but, leaving it an hour or even overnight wrapped up, means the oil will stay warm and will not return to its hardened texture. When you wash it out, the shine will dazzle you!
2. Banana and Avocado with a splash of Coconut: is there an easier way to remember the ingredients?! This is a great way to use up those bananas left on the side for a bit too long. Bananas are a great way to soften our hair due to the potassium level and natural oils they have, meaning in a hair mask it can not only protect the strands of hair but also help elasticity. A great preventer for split ends! Add in the avocados which are also known to improve the strength or hair due to its high Vitamin B levels, plus a bit of coconut oil and you are on your way.
For this mask: Mash up the overripe banana and half an avocado, mash them together whilst melting some coconut oil in a microwaveable bowl and combine all 3 little gems! Then you have your mask ready to apply, focus on the ends with this mask and work your way up the hair, ensuring all is covered. Let it rest for 30 minutes, you can cover it for added warmth if you prefer. Then wash it off and shampoo and condition as normal. Not only will your hair be stronger and shinier, it’ll smell so dreamy!
3. The Mayo-Mix Hair Mask: We know you might be thinking, err mayo?! In my hair?! No thanks! But, bear with us here, if your hair is damaged, particularly from bleach or styling irons, this might be the mask for you. This mask works well to repair the hair focusing on the strands themselves and is a cost friendly deep conditioning moisturising treatment.
You will need: ½ cup of Mayo, 2 tbsp of full fat natural yogurt, 2 tbsp coconut oil (see how this little gem is appearing again, it's a must have!) and 1 tsp of honey. Mix them all together in a bowl (see above how to melt your coconut oil) and you’re almost ready…
For this mask, make sure you start with clean hair, give it a shampoo before applying the mask so that the mask can really get into those strands. Then, when your hair is damp, apply the mask from the middle of your hair to the ends. Avoid your root here. Using your hand, rake it through and then let it rest for 10 minutes to an hour. Use your judgment here, how in need is your hair? That will tell you how long to leave the mask on for. Once you’re done, give it a rinse and shampoo/condition as normal and you are set to go.
4. The Hydrator: this mask is best for dry hair that needs hydration. Think how you feel when you have a big cold glass of water on a hot summer's day, this is like that, but for your hair. AKA essential! This mask is a combination of the healthy natural oils mentioned above and honey which is a humectant, drawing moisture from the air to the hair.
You will need: a ripe avocado (tip: they’re ripe when you can squeeze them out of the skin!), 1 tbsp of argan/olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, ⅛ cup of coconut milk. The best method here is with a blender to avoid any lumps, but if you’re fine with lumps and bumps, use those hands girl! Combine them all together and then pull through your hair from root to tip. By now you probably know the drill, wrap it up! Then leave on for 30 minutes before washing out and shampoo/condition as normal.
5. The Vegan Hair Mask: there will be many hair masks that suggest the use of eggs or perhaps a product that includes animal-based ingredients. Whilst we do not have many, this hair mask is just a great all-rounder and a guarantee to not include any form of animal product included. This mask is a strengthening, hydrating little piece of magic.
You will need: Coconut oil (again right!), Shea Butter and Olive oil. Can you just smell the delicious smell this will create combined?! Add all of these together over a low heat and mix until it is melted completely, then rake it through your hair, sectioning if you need to. Avoid the roots here as you do not want to add too much oil there. Give it an hour to rest and then wash it out. This is an oily mix so you might want to condition before you shampoo to break down some of the oils.
6. The Avocado and Jojoba Oil Hair Mask: we are really making these ingredients too easy for you to guess… though this one is a bit more complex but anything but dull... This mask is a great silk creator! Not only will it add shine to your hair, it has antioxidants in the essential oil that will help your scalp health - what a winner!
You will need: 1 ripe avocado, 1 egg, 1 tbsp jojoba oil, 3-5 drops rosemary essential oil.
Again, it's simple to create, simply blend all the ingredients together (a blender will be best) and then starting at the middle, work down your hair through to the ends. And then? You already know girls, wrap it! Let it sit for 20-60 minutes depending on the dryness and then rinse.
7. The Apple-Mint Hair Mask: This is a deep cleaner, intended for the scalp more than the hair. Don’t be thinking the scalp doesn’t matter either, where do you think your hair follicles begin?! We must ensure our scalp is healthy and if you have conditions like dandruff, this mask is a no brainer for you. Combining its antibacterial properties this is also an anti-inflammatory for the scalp.
You will need: raw apple cider vinegar (1 cup), lukewarm water (3 cups) and 3-5 drops peppermint oil.
For this treatment, give your hair a shampoo but don’t condition, towel dry your hair gently and then massage this mixture into the scalp. Take your time here ladies, give yourself a therapeutic head massage as you go. We don’t need to wrap this one… mad right?! Just simply let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse.
8. The Lemon-Lavender Hair Mask: oh we are loving these little combo names, aren’t you? You’ll never forget the ingredients this way. This is a great recipe for removing excess oil and build up from the scalp, another essential treatment for our scalps.
You will need: apple cider vinegar diluted with water, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3-5 drops lavender essential oil.
Blend all of these together and massage your scalp with the mask then work it down your hair. This mask is a double whammy supporting the mask and the hair. Then as you already know girls, wrap it and rest it. Leave it for 20-60 minutes before rinsing well with warm water.
9. The Castor Oil Hair Hydration: Come on, this one is obvious. All you need is castor oil, that is it. Could it get any easier?! Castor oil is a great strengthener for our hair and helps reduce damage.
Simply heat 1 tsp of castor oil for 10 seconds and massage into the scalp. A little goes a long way with castor oil so do not overdo it, unless you want a sticky situation on your hands… After letting it rest for 15 minutes, rinse it well.
10. The Sugarnut: You better have found that one genius, what a way to end the recipe list! This mask is a great exfoliator and soother all in one. Combining the key ingredients, brown sugar and the ever-popular coconut oil in a bowl is all you need to do. The only difference is you don’t need to melt the coconut oil. Simply combine the sugar and coconut oil in a bowl so that it is like a paste and work through your hair after shampooing. Your focus here is the scalp, by exfoliating the scalp you can remove dandruff and relieve any itchiness you may experience. The coconut oil then moisturises the hair, adds shine and prevents breakage.
A hair mask is not only a necessity, but it is so easy to do. Take some time for self-care by focusing on your hair every once in a while. If your hair is important to you then definitely don’t forget your scalp, see our article here on the benefits of a scalp exfoliator brush. Even if you do a hair mask every two to three weeks, you are nourishing the scalp and your locks which is the only way to ensure your hair is healthy and glows like the goddess you are.
