A DIY hair mask is a great option for improving the look and texture of all hair types. If you’ve never tried one, I hope today’s post will encourage you to try one–or more!
What are Hair Masks?
Hair masks are a form of hair treatment in which ingredients are applied to hair, left to sit for 10-20 minutes, then rinsed out.
Similar to face masks, hair masks can be formulated to target specific issues (such as oiliness or dryness).
Hair masks are beneficial to all hair types, but ingredients should be carefully selected in order to achieve the desired result. For example, if you wish to add moisture to dry hair, you will choose ingredients such as oil or honey. If you are creating a homemade hair mask for oily hair, clay, apple cider vinegar, and even egg whites may be on the list. (We will discuss these in more detail below.)
Why choose a homemade hair mask?
While there are various store-bought hair masks available, I highly encourage you to try making your own in order to avoid the toxins found in many conventional hair care products.
By creating your own homemade hair mask, you will have more control over the ingredients, ensuring it is perfectly suited to your hair type, as well as save time and money. Most DIY hair masks are quick and easy to prepare and use ingredients you likely have on hand.
How to choose the right hair mask for your hair type
When it comes to deciding on a hair mask recipe, consider your most pressing concern.
Is your hair extremely damaged or seem to break easily? Choose a hair mask that strengthens hair (like the gelatin hair mask below).
If dryness is your greatest concern, choose a moisturizing mask, such as a hot oil hair mask.
If you are dealing with a lot of oiliness, try a clarifying mask, such as a clay mask or egg white mask.
Another important consideration is the amount of time you have on hand and what ingredients are available. While most homemade hair mask recipes are quick and easy to prepare, some are a little more involved than others.
Nourishing DIY Hair Mask Recipes for All Hair Types
The following two homemade hair masks are my favorite hair masks for most hair types. One is known for strengthening the hair, while the other is used to soften hair.
Gelatin Hair Mask for Damaged Hair
Gelatin is an amazing ingredient for many health concerns. Many of us are consuming it in order to improve our guts, joints, hair, skin, and nails. But, the keratin proteins found in gelatin are actually thought to bind to hair, improving its texture and strengthening it.
What You Will Need
- 1/2 cup distilled water or cooled herbal tea (such as organic nettle or organic chamomile)
- 1 Tbsp beef gelatin
- 1 Tbsp organic apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- 3 drops lavender or rosemary essential oil
- 1 inch paintbrush (optional)
Directions
Place water and gelatin in a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Warm over medium-low heat until gelatin is dissolved. Be sure to stir frequently so the mixture doesn’t form clumps.
Remove from heat and add apple cider vinegar and honey (if using). Whisk to combine.
Allow mixture to cool briefly, add essential oils and stir to distribute evenly.
Once the mask is cool, apply to damp hair using your fingertips or the paintbrush.
Leave the gelatin hair mask on hair for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
Use a vinegar rinse to remove any excess, if necessary.
Honey DIY Hair Mask to Soften Hair
Honey has the amazing ability to leave hair soft and smooth (it does the same for the face by the way!). Because it is a humectant, honey attracts moisture to itself, and therefore, the hair.
It appears this enables hair to retain more moisture, which promotes a silky texture.
Creating a DIY honey hair mask is as simple as applying honey to your hair. If the honey is too thick to spread easily, add a small amount of water or cooled herbal tea to thin until it is easy to apply. (You will only need a tablespoon or two of liquid per ¼ cup of honey).
The amount of honey you need depends on the how much hair you have. Most people will use at least 1/8 cup of honey for one treatment.
While a honey hair mask works well for most hair types, if you have excessively oily hair, you may want to skip it or try adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the mix.
What You Will Need
- 1/8 – 1/4 cup honey
- 1-2 tablespoons of water, cooled herbal tea (such as peppermint or nettle)
- 1 drop sage, rosemary, or lavender essential oil, optional
- Shower Cap
Directions
Place honey and 1 tablespoon of water or tea in a bowl and stir to combine. Add more liquid if needed to make the honey easy to apply.
Add essential oil and stir to distribute evenly
Massage the honey hair mask into damp hair and cover with the shower cap.
Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
Rinse out with warm water.
Homemade Clarifying Hair Masks for Oily Hair
Oily hair can benefit from a weekly hair mask to reduce excess oil and cleanse the scalp.
Clay DIY Hair Mask
A clay hair mask is a well-loved hair treatment for oily hair. Clay is a helpful ingredient to keep on hand as it has the uncanny ability to absorb toxins and oil, making it extremely useful for various skin care preparations. You’ll note that there are 2 clays mentioned in the ingredient list, but they are a bit different.
Both Rhassoul and Bentonite are known for their health benefits (you can see some of the benefits of bentonite clay here), but rhassoul is more gentle than bentonite.
What You Will Need
- 1-2 tablespoons Rhassoul or Bentonite clay
- Water or herbal tea
- Shower Cap
Directions
Place clay in a small bowl and add enough water or herbal tea to make a thin paste. Avoid metal utensils if possible, as this may decrease the clay’s ability to absorb toxins.
Massage clay mixture into scalp and throughout the hair. Cover with the shower cap.
Leave on for 5-10 mins then wash out with warm water or an apple cider vinegar rinse. An apple cider vinegar rinse is a great way to help restore the pH balance to your hair and scalp.
Important note: do not allow clay mixture to dry on the hair as it can contribute to breakage. Wearing a shower cap over after application will prevent the mask from drying out too quickly.
Egg White DIY Hair Mask
A DIY Egg white hair mask is super simple and inexpensive. This mask is best suited for oily hair as the enzymes in egg whites are thought to help cleanse the scalp and remove excess oil.
The egg white also contains protein which may contribute to smoother, stronger hair.
What You Will Need
- 1-2 Egg whites (depending on hair length)
- Shower Cap
Directions
Whisk egg whites until frothy.
Apply the egg white hair mask to damp hair and cover with a shower cap. Leave on for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse out with cool water (definitely not hot water unless you want scrambled eggs in your hair!)
Follow with shampoo and conditioner.
Note – for ease of having this type of mask at the ready anytime, you could buy these dehydrated egg whites and rehydrate them as needed!
Homemade Moisturizing Hair Masks for Dry Hair
If your hair is dry, you know the feeling of needing a deep conditioning treatment. The following homemade hair masks are specially designed to bring extra moisture and repair to dry and damaged hair.
Rosemary Hot Oil DIY Hair Mask
This Rosemary Hot Oil mask is a great DIY hair mask for damaged hair. This is the most time consuming of the hair mask recipes because it requires time to create an oil infusion before use. You can speed up the process by using rosemary essential oil instead of herbs (instructions below).
What You Will Need
- 1/8 cup dried rosemary (or 1/4 cup fresh)
- 1/3-1/2 cup olive oil
- Shower Cap or Old Towel
Directions
As you can imagine, figuring out amounts and measurements is a little tricky when formulating a DIY hair mask recipe as everyone has different amounts of hair! Just know that if you have leftover rosemary-infused oil, you can save it for another treatment.
To prepare an oil infusion, place oil and rosemary in the top of a double boiler. Cover with a lid and then warm over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Since herbs can occasionally burn when heated in hot oil, be sure to keep a close eye on the process and remove from heat if any concerns arise.
Strain out the herbs.
Once oil is lukewarm, apply to dry hair. Massage into the scalp and work down throughout the ends.
Cover with a shower cap or an old towel (one you don’t mind getting stained), then leave on the hair for 10-15 minutes.
Rinse out with warm water.
I generally do not shampoo or conditioner hair for a few days after this treatment. If you have any trouble with too much oil left in the hair, rinse with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to aid in removal.
To make a quick version of this homemade rosemary hot oil hair mask, warm the oil in a double boiler and add 2 drops rosemary essential oil. Stir to distribute evenly and use as described above.
Avocado DIY Hair Mask
This homemade avocado hair mask adds deeply conditions dry hair, leaving your locks soft and shiny.
Of course avocados can be quite pricey so here’s a frugal tip: buy them on sale and freeze some avocados for all of your future DIY Avocado Hair Mask needs!
What You Will Need
- 1 Avocado (this packaged avocado and freeze-dried avocado should work great too!)
- 1/8 cup Olive oil
Directions
Slice avocado, remove pit, and scoop out the meat. Next, place in a bowl and mash until smooth. Add olive oil and stir to combine. (If you would prefer a smoother mask, place avocado and olive oil in a blend and pulse until smooth).
Apply the avocado hair mask to damp hair, working through with your fingertips. Leave for 20-30 minutes before washing out with warm water.
Shampoo and condition as usual.
Note on shampoo and conditioners–it’s best to use shampoos that don’t use harsh chemicals or leave toxic residues on your hair so that the benefits of your homemade hair mask can be more long lasting.
As you can see, a homemade hair mask doesn’t require a lot of effort or time and are quite simple to prepare. Beneficial for all hair types, these hair mask recipes can be used on a weekly basis to improve the look and feel of your hair.
Which DIY Hair Mask will you try?
Stacy is wife to a preacher and mom of three. Obsessed with DIY skin care and herbal remedies, she loves helping women simplify natural living so they can live a healthy life without feeling overwhelmed. Find Stacy sharing tips and tutorials at adelightfulhome.com.
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