Why Use a DIY Hair Mask?
Shampoo and conditioner may not be enough to counteract everything we put our hair through. Even those who regularly consume nutrient-dense foods like collagen and bone broth might notice their hair needs some extra love. A natural shampoo and conditioner keeps hair clean and moisturized, but a protein-rich hair mask adds strength and shine.
While you can buy a hair mask, the kitchen is full of ingredients with properties that nourish and strengthen hair. Why not just mix a little up when needed? Bonus: You’ll know exactly what’s in your (100% natural) DIY hair mask!
How a Hair Mask Works
Before I delve into what’s in this hair mask to strengthen hair, it helps to know why I’m recommending these ingredients. The hair follicle and root are composed primarily of collagen. This is why consuming collagen-rich foods and a high quality collagen powder helps so much with hair growth and health. The hair itself is 91% protein, so coating it in protein gives it what it needs to rebuild.
HEMP OIL
Hemp oil is beneficial mostly because it is so rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which are excellent at protecting hair strands from damage and moisturizing your scalp. The more lipid moisture you give to your hair strands, the stronger they will remain against the effects of internal and external environmental stressors, heat styling, and chemical products, which in turn gives your hair the breathing room and nutrition it needs to grow.
HONEY
The benefits of honey are endless! First, honey is great for retaining moisture in your hair as it is a natural humectant. This means that it sucks moisture into the hair and prevents it from escaping. This is especially great if you have dry hair and need an extra boost of moisture and hydration. Honey is also an emollient, which helps smoothen and soften your hair, and brings back any lost sheen and shine to your hair.
BANANAS
We go bananas for bananas in hair mask recipes! Bananas are secret wonders for hair conditioning. They are full of natural oils, potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamins, all of which help lock in moisture and help eliminate that annoying frizz.
YOGURT
This recipe kind of sounds like we’re making a parfait, but we promise that yogurt has incredible benefits for your frizzy hair. Yogurt has high levels of lactic acid, which helps treat dull and damaged hair, so this ingredient is a must.
Now let’s learn how to make this parfait, err, I mean hair mask!
Ingredients:
- 1 Sliced banana
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
How it’s done:
1. Combine all the ingredients together in a blender or mash the banana and mix the ingredients until they are all blended together well.
2. Apply the mask to damp hair from top to bottom.
3. Tie your hair up and cover with a shower cap.
4. Leave the mask on your hair for about 30-45 minutes.
5. Rinse with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
Boom! Frizz-be-gone!
