Beat dry, dehydrated and damaged hair at home.
8 DIY Hair Masks To Repair Dry, Damaged Locks
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Dry, damaged, or dehydrated hair got you down? Before you go drop dollars on expensive hair treatments at the salon, I've rounded up the best DIY hair masks to try.
I've got nourishing, hydrating, clarifying, and repairing options so you can choose, depending on your hair's needs! And the best part? Most of the ingredients you need are probably in your pantry, or at your nearest supermarket.
From honey to coffee, sugar and of course, coconut oil, the list of hair-saving ingredients in your pantry is endless.
So break out the whisk and mixing bowls, its time to DIY your way to healthy hair!
Do DIY hair masks really work?
Yes! They're the perfect haircare partner when you're in-between salon visits and want to save a few bucks.
They may not be as well-formulated and packaged like treatments in the market, but they have almost the same benefits for your hair.
But, given that you're mixing and mashing everything on your own, you want to be extra careful to not leave any of it in your hair.
So when working with a DIY hair mask, it's best to be very thorough when washing your hair—I recommend shampooing twice—to ensure every bit of oil, sugar, and mashed food is out of your scalp and strands.
Who knows what can happen if there's a leftover avocado on your scalp?
If you're ready to dive into the world of DIY hair masks, keep scrolling below.
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1. Coconut Oil, Brown Sugar, and Essentials Oil
Change of season got you itching for a soothing scalp mask? This is the best hair mask to stop the scratching.
Itchy scalps are common in spring and summer, and it's most likely due to the hotter weather making your scalp produce excess sweat and oil.
Using products like dry shampoo on a dirty scalp won't help stop it, too.
What you need is a good thorough cleanse, not just with shampoo, but with a good hair mask.
Fret not, this DIY hair mask will have your heads soothed in no time.
With coconut oil to reduce inflammation, brown sugar to scrub away dead skin cells and product buildup, peppermint oil to promote circulation, and tea tree to fight bacteria, your hair will be back to its shiny self in no time.
Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil
- 4 teaspoons of raw sugar
- 5 drops of peppermint oil
- 2 drops of tea tree oil
Method:
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl
- Apply to clean damp hair in the shower
- Massage into your scalp for 2-3 minutes
- Clip your hair out of the way and allow the mixture to sit for at least 5 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly
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2. Green Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar
Dealing with a dry, flaky scalp? A cup of green tea makes everything better, and your hair is no exception.
With a string of health benefits longer than your birthday wish list, green tea is also a super scalp soother.
This cup of goodness is full of nutrients and antioxidants to calm your scalp, while apple cider vinegar helps to rebalance your skin's pH levels.
This DIY hair mask for dry scalps also contains peppermint oil to reduce inflammation and help hydrate your scalp.
Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of green tea
- 2 drops of peppermint oil
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Method:
- Mix ingredients together
- Apply to clean, dry hair
- Leave for 5 minutes
- Rinse well with lukewarm water
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3. Ground Coffee
Coffee doesn't just give you what you need to wake up in the morning (and not punch people in the face), it has heaps of hair benefits too.
Aside from smelling and tasting good, caffeine promotes hair growth, fights hair loss, improves blood flow, and exfoliates your scalp.
So while you're brewing your morning java, you might want to whip up this hair mask to help hair grow on the side, too.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of ground coffee
Method:
- Add olive oil and honey to a bowl and combine
- Add coffee to mixture and stir until a smooth paste is formed
- Apply to clean hair and leave for 20 minutes
- Rinse well with warm water
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4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Locks lost their lustre? Boost their shine and balance your scalp's pH at the same time with this simple ACV hair rinse.
Don't let apple cider vinegar's pungent smell fool you.
Aside from helping lower blood sugar levels and help improve heart health (when you drink a few tablespoons a day), ACV helps close your hair cuticles and gives you silkier strands than, well, actual silk.
If you've ever come out of the shower feeling like hair's sticky, heavy, and oily, this is the perfect "hair mask" to get rid of that residue and leave hair shiny!
While dipping your head in ACV might not sound great, do try to do it at least once a week.
Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups of water
Method
- Mix the apple cider vinegar and water in a bottle
- Shampoo your hair as normal
- Apply the mixture to towel-dried hair
- Leave it on for 20 minutes
- Rinse it well
- Condition your hair and leave it on for 5 minutes
- Rinse well again and dry as normal
- Shine bright like a diamond
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5. Coconut Oil Over Night Mask
Looking for a hair mask for damaged hair? No DIY hair mask list would be complete without a simple coconut oil concoction. And by concoction I mean, just coconut oil—you don't need anything else.
Yes, using coconut oil itself can be THAT good for your hair! She's the reigning queen of at-home hair treatments for some very good reasons.
One, coconut oil is hydrating as hell. Two, it's very affordable. You can buy it in huge jars! Three, it heals your scalp and helps with hair growth. And four, it helps de-frizz dry, damaged hair.
Seriously, I could go on forever about how coconut oil benefits hair.
But, for now, I'll just stick to this coconut hair mask you should be using, especially if your strands are dry and damaged.
Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- Coconut oil
Method:
- Apply as much coconut oil as needed to your roots and ends of your hair
- Wrap in a hair turban overnight
- Wash hair as you would in the morning, making sure to get rid of the oily residue
- Repeat once a week
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6. Honey and Milk
It may sound like something that's part of a yummy breakfast spread, but nope, this is a DIY hair mask recipe that'll hydrate your ultra thin and dry hair.
Take your locks from brittle to beautiful with this hydrating hair mask to do at home!
Honey is full of keratin to strengthen strands, while milk is full of amino acids to promote scalp health and softer hair!
Now, because combining these two together results in a liquid consistency, you'll want to use a spray bottle to apply this DIY hair mask to your mane.
Tip: If you want to give your thin, dry hair next-level volume, incorporate this hair mask and our halo hair extensions to your routine. You'll love how healthy your hair looks!
Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 cup of milk
Method:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and place it in a spray bottle. You might need to half or double the recipe depending on the thickness of your hair
- Spritz the hair mask to the lengths of your locks and sparingly in the roots
- Leave for 30 - 40 minutes
- Rinse with warm water and proceed with your hair wash routine as normal
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7. Avocado and Olive Oil
These two aren't just great for toast. It urns out, everyone's favourite breakfast food is also great for your hair.
This is a simple, soothing and super powerful DIY hair mask for damaged hair.
Olive oil and avocado are packed full of omega-3 and fatty acids to give you the ultimate boost of strength and shine.
It has antioxidants to fight free radicals and pollutants that cause hair damage and breakage, while rejuvenating and clarifying the scalp.
Plus, olive oil gives coconut oil a run for its money in the hydration department!
Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Avocado
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Method:
- Smash the avocado with a fork and combine it with the olive oil
- Apply to wet hair using your fingertips and pull your hair into a bun
- Cover with a shower cap
- Tip: Blow-dry the shower cap for 10 minutes to help activate the ingredients
- Leave for an additional 10 minutes after blow-drying
- Rinse in the shower
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8. Yogurt and Honey
Brighten up even the driest manes with this shine-boosting and all-round hair mask for frizzy hair.
Keeping your hair hydrated and healthy is key to shiny and voluminous strands. If not, it can end up looking dull and dead.
How can you beat that? By trying this frizzy hair mask!
Yogurt is full of lactic acid which moisturises and prevents frizzy hair. Combined with honey, which is full of humectants and keratin? You have a hair mask that'll not only tame your hair but also make it stronger.
Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- Equal parts raw organic ACV, coconut oil and honey
Method:
- Combine ingredients and apply to clean damp hair
- Leave for at least 20 minutes
- Rinse and wash hair as normal
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