Some days, your hair just doesn’t feel like itself. Maybe it’s dry, frizzy, or just lifeless. Hair sometimes seems to have a mind of its own.
Bad hair days can ruin your whole vibe. I know that for me personally, I can feel great about my clothes, shoes, and everything else, but if my hair is misbehaving, I can go from totally confident to self-conscious in about half a second.
There are expensive products out there to deal with almost any hair ailment, but sometimes the answer is where you least expect it—in your pantry.
A lot of the things you eat and drink can also be applied to your hair to make it healthier, shinier, and frizz-free. DIY hair masks are a great way to fix common hair problems without breaking the bank, and with no harsh mystery ingredients.
You can mix up these concoctions in your kitchen and after letting them soak in your hair, you’ll feel like you just left the salon. And while some of them may smell good enough to eat (and even taste good), try to leave enough for your hair!
Before we get to the recipes, I’ll give you a rundown on the ingredients that are in the masks and all the different ways they can improve your hair’s health, appearance, and manageability.
Use this table of contents to skip to the recipes or whatever sections you’re looking for:
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Coconut Oil
If you’re in need of a DIY hair mask, coconut oil makes a great addition to almost any recipe. Its vitamins and fatty acids nourish hair and make it stronger, thicker, and less prone to damage and breakage.
Coconut oil is incredibly moisturizing for dry hair and can help repair split ends. It makes a great deep conditioner and helps hair to retain moisture longer.mou
If your hair is oily, putting more oil on it probably sounds like the last thing you’d want to do. But sometimes, hair and skin actually produce more oil because cleansing products strip them too much and they overcompensate by making even more. Using coconut oil as a treatment can help restore the natural balance of oils on your scalp.
Check out the Coconut Oil I used…
Avocado
It’s great on toast, in salads and sandwiches, and…on your hair? That’s right, avocado makes a great DIY hair mask for frizzy hair. It’s got all sorts of proteins and amino acids that help strengthen your hair and moisturize your scalp.
The natural oils in avocado nourish coarse, dry hair and make it silky and manageable. It smooths flyaways and frizz and adds a healthy shine to dull hair. Really, there’s not much it can’t do!
Aloe Vera
Tons of hair and skin care products use aloe vera as an ingredient because it’s got so many beneficial vitamins and nutrients. It also contains enzymes that repair dead skin cells on your scalp, making it great for dandruff, hair growth, and conditioning.
Since it helps to prevent breakage, aloe vera is great in a DIY hair mask for split ends. It leaves hair smooth, shiny, and bouncy like you just left the salon.
Check out the Aloe Vera I used…
Banana
Bananas are rich in nutrients that your hair needs to be strong and healthy, like Vitamins A, B, C, and E, along with potassium and manganese. The natural oils in bananas soften hair and prevent split ends and breakage, making them a great addition to a DIY hair mask for damaged hair.
Almond Oil
Almond Oil is loaded with fatty acids and Vitamins A & E, all perfect additions to your healthy hair regime.
It’s lighter than most oils, making it easier to mix and incorporate, and is the perfect emollient for your DIY endeavors.
Check out the Almond Oil I used…
Egg
If you’re looking for a great all-purpose DIY hair mask, egg is one of the best ingredients you can use. It works on frizzy hair, dry hair, oily hair…pretty much any kind of hair.
The protein, lecithin, and healthy fats in egg yolks make hair smoother and stronger, so the yolks are great for dry or damaged hair.
Egg whites are great for oily hair because they contain protein, but none of the fats in egg yolks. They help to remove excess oil from hair while leaving it shiny and soft.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite Clay has been used throughout history as a means of eliminating toxins in the body. It’s considered one of the most powerful clays.
Mined from volcanic ash sediments, this unusual clay becomes electrically charged when mixed with water, which causes the clay to swell.
Check out the Bentonite Clay I used…
Beer
No, that’s not a typo! The malt and hops in beer have tons of protein, which helps make your hair stronger.
Believe it or not, beer also contains more Vitamin B than wine, which can help to repair dry hair and make it shinier. If you don’t have time to do a hair mask, you can just take a lukewarm beer into the shower with you and use it as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning.
Peppermint Oil
Brace yourself for this one…
Aside from smelling absolutely incredible, peppermint oil has been evaluated via animal studies for it’s ability to promote hair growth. That’s not to say applying peppermint oil will help you gain a few inches, rather it may prevent hair loss.
The study concluded that peppermint oil “effectively stimulated hair growth in an animal model via several mechanisms and thus could be used as a therapeutic or preventive alternative medicine for hair loss in humans” (source).
Amazing right? Keep in mind when using essential oils, they’re HIGHLY concentrated. So be careful. Things to avoid would be ingesting, applying directly to the skin without a carrier, or applying directly to your skin via an unrecommended carrier:essential oil ratio.
Check out the Peppermint Oil I used…
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is kind of like a natural wonder drug for your hair. It has so many benefits for all different hair types.
It helps to remove buildup from the hair and scalp, which can leave a film on your roots that makes your hair appear dull. Its clarifying ability makes apple cider vinegar a great DIY hair mask for curly hair because reducing buildup keeps your curls from being weighed down and lets their natural bounce shine through.
Apple cider vinegar also helps restore your scalp’s natural pH level. Many shampoos and other hair products don’t take pH level into account, and altering its natural level of acidity can make your hair produce more oil than it would at an ideal pH.
Its natural pH-balancing property makes apple cider vinegar a great ingredient in a DIY hair mask for oily hair, and an awesome scalp treatment as well.
A few other ingredients…
These ingredients didn’t quite make the cut for our favorite hair mask recipe list, but they work wonders…
Give them a try if you have some extra laying around.
Milk and Yogurt
Dairy products like milk and yogurt are rich in protein, which helps to strengthen hair. Both milk and yogurt contain milk fat, which moisturizes hair and makes it soft and manageable.
Yogurt contains lactic acid, which acts much like apple cider vinegar and lemon juice to gently cleanse the scalp of any buildup from products you use or your hair’s natural oils. Once that buildup is gone, hair looks much shinier.
Honey
Honey is an amazing ingredient for both hair and skin. It’s a natural humectant, meaning it helps retain moisture. This makes hair healthier and less prone to breakage, which promotes faster growth.
Honey is also a versatile ingredient with many unique properties. By cleansing the scalp of impurities, it is an essential ingredient in many skin formulations due to its soothing quality.
Lemon Juice
Much like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice is great for removing buildup and exfoliating the scalp. That makes it a great ingredient in masks for dull hair, an oily scalp, and dandruff.
Lemon juice is also great in a DIY hair mask for growth. Its got tons of Vitamin C, Vitamin B, folic acid, and many other nutrients that help to make hair healthier. It also strengthens the follicles to help hair grow longer without breaking or falling out as easily.
Just remember, though, when using lemon juice in a DIY hair mask, you need to make sure it’s diluted with other ingredients as it is very acidic. It also may not be the best ingredient for dark or color-treated hair because it has lightening properties.
The Masks
Now that you know all about the ingredients, without further ado, here are 6 DIY hair masks to cure whatever ails your hair.
Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Absolutely love this mask. Try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil for the ultra spa-like experience.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Cup Aloe Vera (buy it here)
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (buy it here)
Instructions:
- Melt coconut oil (I did this by placing it in the microwave). Allow it to cool but not harden.
- Mix the aloe vera into the coconut oil until well incorporated.
- Apply mask thoroughly through damp hair. Let sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse and clean your hair thoroughly to get out the mask. Enjoy!
Banana and Almond Oil Hair Mask
This is a great mask to wear a hair net with, and the banana will want to make a mess. I usually place the mask in my hair, clip it up with a plastic clip, then place a hair mask over it. Load up on hair nets next time you’re staying at a hotel!
Ingredients:
- 1 Banana
- 2 Tablespoons Almond Oil (buy it here)
Instructions:
- Using a fork, mash banana until it’s smooth and lump free (I find this is easiest with a very ripe banana).
- Apply mask thoroughly through damp hair. Let sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse and clean your hair thoroughly to get out the mask. Enjoy!
Egg, Coconut Oil and Almond Oil Hair Mask
This is the oiliest of the hair masks on this list. That being said, you may need to wash your hair a few times before it looks fresh and clean (not greasy) again.
Ingredients:
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (buy it here)
- 1 Tablespoon Almond Oil (buy it here)
Instructions:
- Melt coconut oil (I did this by placing it in the microwave). Allow it to cool but not harden.
- Mix in the egg and almond oil until well incorporated.
- Apply mask thoroughly through damp hair. Let sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse and clean your hair thoroughly to get out the mask. Enjoy!
Avocado and Peppermint Oil Hair Mask
Love this vibrantly green and goopy mask! The first time I tried it, my entire house looked like there was an avocado-only food fight, so I’d strongly suggest placing a hair net over hair after applying the mask.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Avocado, mashed
- Few drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (buy it here)
Instructions:
- Using a fork, mask an avocado in a bowl.
- Add Peppermint Oil.
- Apply mask thoroughly through damp hair. Let sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse and clean your hair thoroughly to get out the mask. Enjoy!
Egg, Beer and Almond Oil Hair Mask
Ingredients:
- 1 Egg, raw
- 1/2 Cup Beer, flat (pour it in a cup and let it sit out for a few hours)
- 1 Tablespoon Almond Oil (buy it here)
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients until well incorporated.
- Apply mask thoroughly through damp hair. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse and clean your hair thoroughly to get out the mask. Enjoy!
Bentonite Clay, Aloe Vera and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask
Here’s the ultimate detox hair mask… enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Bentonite Clay (buy it here)
- 1/4 Cup Aloe Vera Gel (buy it here)
- 1.5 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well incorporated.
- Apply mask thoroughly through damp hair. Let sit for 10-15-ish minutes… but make sure the mask doesn’t dry in your hair. This will vary based on your hair and the climate.
- Rinse and clean your hair thoroughly to get out the mask. Enjoy!
Thanks Mountain Rose Herbs for making this post happen. I truly love working with their AMAZING products and can’t wait to continue to do so!
