DIY Hair Masks to Revitalize Your Locks This Season
So many of us strive to incorporate self-care into our daily routines. We see it in the form of meditation, a glass of wine, treating yourself to a new dress or a yoga class. But what about hair? We’d be hard pressed to deny that most people crave healthy hair, and having a hair care routine is a great way to give your locks some love. Taking care of your hair should mean regularly scheduled trims to avoid split ends, a great leave in conditioner and exfoliating your scalp. But what if we told you that you can nourish your hair with ingredients you probably have in your fridge?
We’re talking hair masks! A high quality mask for your hair might not be cheap, but there are plenty of natural, easy to assemble hair masks that you can whip up yourself!
WHY USE HAIR MASKS?
Before you even put a hair mask on, you might be wondering why they matter. Well, for starters, we don’t realize how much our hair is damaged everyday. There’s the obvious damage we get from styling our hair with heat or by coloring it, but that’s not all. Our hair is also exposed to situations out of our control like air pollution, chemicals in water, strong winds, and changes in air humidity... just to name a few.
Unlike shampoo and conditioner that just stays on the surface of your hair, hair masks are meant to soak and penetrate into the hair shaft. This allows the hair mask to revitalize your hair’s health by reducing hair damage and strengthening your hair from the inside out. Your scalp also produces nourishing oils for your hair, but the oil doesn’t typically make it all the way down to the ends. This is where a hair mask comes in - providing all of your hair with the sustenance needed to be strong, shiny, and vibrant.
HOW TO USE A HAIR MASK
Your unique hair and scalp needs will determine how often you should do a hair mask. We think a great rule of thumb is once per week for most hair types. If your hair and scalp are particularly dry, we recommend increasing that to twice a week.
The key to using a hair mask is simple. We recommend doing a hair mask while your hair is dirty, before washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. All you need to do is apply the mask at the ends of your hair, gently work your way up while massaging into the scalp. Once the mask is applied, you can wrap your hair in a silf scarf, a shower cap, or even a plastic bag. Covering your hair helps the mask really set in. Then, simply wait and let the mask work its magic! Generally, you’ll want your hair mask to sit in your hair for at least 20 minutes, but you can also leave it in overnight.
Note that each mask is different. Sometimes you apply to damp hair, sometimes dry. This can depend on mask directions and personal preference. As long as you wash the hair mask out thoroughly (so as not to leave any build up), there’s really no wrong way do it!
DIY HAIR MASKS
Now that we know what hair masks are and why they’re so effective, let’s get to the recipes! Since hair masks are made of natural oils and creams, it’s easy to DIY your own hair mask with ingredients you have laying around your own home.
Revitalizing Hair Mask - Avocado, Olive Oil, & Honey
BEST FOR BRITTLE, WEAK HAIR
1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of honey
Moisturizing Hair Mask - Eggs & Mayonnaise
BEST FOR DRY, DAMAGED HAIR
1 egg
2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon of olive oil OR apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of honey
Softening & Conditioning Hair Mask - Coconut Milk & Olive Oil
BEST FOR FRIZZY, THICK HAIR & HEALING SPLIT ENDS
¼ cup of coconut milk
½ teaspoon of olive oil
All three recipes can be applied to clean, damp hair and stay in for 30 to 60 minutes. Once time is up, rinse with water the follow with shampoo and conditioner.
OUR FAVORITE MASKS
Don’t feel like making your own masks? Don’t worry! You can also try a few of our tried and true favorites: Gold Lust Transformative Masque and the Masque for Beautiful Color.
Whether you buy it or make it, hair masks are a great addition to a healthy hair care routine! If you have any questions about how to treat your specific hair type, send us a DM on Instagram and a member of our team can help!
Did you love this blog post? Check out these other Rinse reads:
10 Hair Styles to Try This Fall
The Best Way to Prep Your Hair Before Your Next Coloring Appointment