I’m only one of millions people struggling with really damaged hair. It’s a very common problem that can be due to many reasons, such as diet, hair routine, chemical procedures, or even just not washing it properly. No matter what we try, sometimes it seems like having the perfect hair is impossible. Now, not to make anyone here jealous, but I used to have really nice hair until I had the brilliant idea to dye it myself. I choose to go with a bold look, where half of my hair (and I’m talking vertical half) was one color, and the other color was fiery red. A few months later, I got bored and decided to dye it all black, but just about two months later I changed my mind and wanted a rainbow look. I can’t stress how damaged my hair became after they lightening the black dye. Since then, I’ve tried countless chemical products to make it look healthier and pretty, with very disappointing results.
Which hair mask is best? Well, after talking to someone who rather than trying to sell me something extremely expensive, actually gave me some great advice and recipes, I started using DIY masks on a daily basis, and although it hasn’t gone back to normal yet, at least it looks healthier than it did before. These aren’t “miracle” products, and, if like me, your hair has been through a lot of damage, they probably won’t fix it completely, and you’ll have to trim it for immediate results. However, since I’m not willing to cut mine, I’m going to share with you some of the best recipes that actually improved my hair’s appearance a lot, and that you can make at home without spending tons of money in the process.
Egg and Mayonnaise Hair Mask
This is a classic grandmother’s recipe for damaged hair, and as gross as it sounds, it’s great. Besides dullness and split ends, one of the most common signs of hair damage is frizz. Frizz happens when your hair is missing proteins. So, this mask works because eggs are rich in essential proteins and enzymes (not to mention vitamins and other nutrients) that will moisturize and even repair your hair (to a degree). On top of that, all of the nutrients in the eggs will make your hair look sleeker and give it a nice, natural glow. Now, let’s talk about our other main ingredient: mayonnaise. This is also rich in proteins that will help repair your hair’s cuticle and stimulate it to grow faster. Also, since it’s naturally oily, it will also leave a nice coat that’ll protect your hair from breakage. You just have to mix two egg yolks with one tablespoon of mayonnaise and apply it on your damp hair. Let it sit for about fifteen minutes, and wash it as you always do.
Avocado and Olive Oil Hair Mask
Of course, we had to include an avocado mask. I mean, we all know the many benefits this wonderful fruit has. Because they are so rich in antioxidants, avocados help revitalize dull hair, eliminate frizz, and stimulate growth. The amazing thing about avocados is that they contain natural essential oils and fatty acids that help penetrate the hair cuticle allowing it all to act from within. If you add olive oil to the mix, you’ll get the most amazing restorative effects. Olive oil contains antioxidants and vitamins A and E, which will also strengthen and moisturize the hair. Just mash an avocado and mix it with one or two tablespoons of olive oil. Apply it to dry hair, and let it sit for about half an hour. Then, just rinse and wash normally. The only thing to bear in mind with this mask is that if you have oily hair, you should avoid applying it on your scalp, so that it doesn’t look greasy.
Hot Oil Hair Treatment
Don’t ask me why, but hot oil treatments are becoming really trendy, and they’re actually quite expensive, which is ridiculous considering how easy and cheap to make they are. You can choose your favorite essential oil or the one that best works with your hair type. Pour it in a bowl and warm it. Do the same with a clean damp towel and apply the oil all over it (Not too much, though. You don’t want to spill it all). You can add some herbs for better result, and just wrap your hair with it and leave it for a few minutes. Once your hair has soaked all the oil, rinse it off and wash it. You should probably wash it twice to remove all the oil because if you let it dry with the oil, it won’t look very nice. This is a great treatment because most oils are very rich in nutrients and vitamins. For instance, I prefer argan oil, which is high in antioxidants, vitamin E, and fatty acids that penetrate the cuticle. This is great for repairing split ends and making your hair look silkier and brighter.
Banana and Olive Oil Hair Mask
This one is the one this person recommended to me, since it helps hair damaged by chemical procedures and sun exposure (so, if you went to the beach recently or are planning to do so, this will be very helpful). It’s no secret that bananas are great sources of potassium, and when it comes to hair, help maintain a good pH balance (a must for damaged hair). Besides that, it’s also rich in amino acids like tryptophan that will make your hair look smoother. Mix it with the olive oil, and you can start forgetting about expensive treatments for your damaged hair.
Yogurt, Honey, and Olive Oil Mask
Finally, I was very reluctant to try this one, since it didn’t sound quite right to put honey in my hair, but it actually impressed me a lot. Honey is filled with antioxidants and nutrients that help hair grow, which is great if you want to keep your length, but also get rid of those terrible split ends. Now, you can’t apply just like that because it would be a nightmare to wash it off afterwards, which is why it’s recommended to mix with liquid or oily substances like olive oil and yogurt. The latter is great because it’s rich in vitamins and lactic acid that will soften and moisturize your hair. It also adds a nice shine and glow to your hair. Just mix and apply to your damp hair, and let it sit for about twenty minutes. Then, wash your hair and let it dry naturally.
Sometimes we pay more attention to other aspects of our beauty routine, but I believe that our hair is one of our best attributes. Having nice, healthy hair does wonders for our overall look.
Picture by @strupat
Here are other DIYs you can make:
7 Natural And Healthy Tricks That Will Make Your Eyelashes Grow
The Best Makeup Removers For Nights When You Never Make It Home
Here Are The Best Face Masks To Make Your Oily Skin Glow In A Good Way