Simple yet powerful hair masks you can whip up in a jiffy to restore those tresses.
Many of us suffer from frizzy, dull, or lifeless hair without understanding the root (pun intended) causes of these conditions. In a world in which most women use drying shampoo products on a daily basis, not to mention extremely damaging dyes, it’s no wonder our tresses are screaming out for a little extra love. If you want to repair hair damage or simply add a boost to your locks, try a DIY hair mask for damaged hair.
Why Use A Hair Mask?
Most of us already use conditioning products on our hair, so you may be wondering why to add a DIY hair mask to your hair care routine. Here’s why: hair masks contain extremely hydrating ingredients that are naturally rich in healthy fats and other nutrients. They’re basically conditioners with superpowers! Unlike a normal conditioner, a hair mask will get left on your hair for 5-20 minutes, so these extra-nourishing ingredients will have plenty of time to sink in. This means that a DIY hair mask can help to repair hair damage from harsh products, boost your hair’s hydration and shine, and smooth down frizz!
Feeling ready to try a mask on your tresses? Here are 9 DIY masks to get you started. Read the recipes below, then skip to the bottom to find the application instructions.
9 DIY Hair Masks for Damaged Hair
Avocado Hair Mask
The raw avocado in this mask contains plenty of proteins and vitamins, so it’ll nurture your hair follicles and boost hair growth while taming your damaged hair. Meanwhile, the proteins in the egg white will help to strengthen your hair and boost elasticity; the coconut oil will nourish your follicles and promote healthy growth; and the almond oil will soothe your locks while delivering essential minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids.
To make this mask, blend ½ of an avocado in a blender or mash it in a bowl until it reaches a smooth consistency. Then add the whites of 1 egg, ½ can of coconut milk, and 1 tablespoon of almond oil, and combine thoroughly.
(Inspired by this recipe from The Makings of NK!)
Honey Hair Mask
Honey is a natural humectant, which means that it helps your hair to seal in moisture. Just one application can help to restore your hair’s natural balance, and hydrate it for days on end. Along with honey, this mask features green tea to stimulate your hair follicles, vitamin C, and coconut milk for hair growth.
To make the mask, brew 1 cup of green tea and allow it to cool. Combine 2 tablespoons of honey and ½ can of coconut milk in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Then mix in the cooled green tea little by little, until your hair mask has reached a glue-like consistency.
Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Discover the benefits of coconut oil for hair with this nourishing hair mask. The coconut oil in this mask will boost your hair growth, nourishing both your hair follicles and the hair itself with essential minerals and fatty acids. It’ll also help to unclog built-up sebum from your hair follicles, leaving them clean and healthy. This mask also contains honey to lock in moisture, and egg white to boost elasticity and shine.
To make the mask, combine 2 tablespoons of liquid coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, and the whites of three eggs in a bowl. Beat the ingredients together with a whisk or a fork until they are smooth.
(You can find an extensive guide to coconut oil for hair in this article from Natural Living Ideas)
Jojoba Oil Hair Mask
Jojoba oil has intense moisturizing powers, and can even help to reduce hair loss. If you want to boost hair growth and prevent overshedding, a hair mask with jojoba oil might be right for you. This mask also features oatmeal powder to add extra moisture, and coconut milk to deliver essential nutrients and bind the mask together.
To make the mask, combine 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil, 2 tablespoons of oatmeal powder, and ½ can of coconut milk in a bowl. Stir until thoroughly blended.
(Sources: HealthLine)
Argan Oil Hair Mask
Argan oil is packed with nutrients, from Vitamin E and Vitamin A, to linoleic acid and antioxidants. Argan oil is often used as a carrier oil in skin and hair products because it both deeply penetrates the surface of the skin or hair, and helps nutrients from other ingredients to sink in properly. With honey for extra hydration, egg white for elasticity and strength, and tea tree oil for cellular repair, this DIY mask for hair will pack a punch.
To make the mask, combine 1 tablespoon of argan oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, the whites of 3 eggs, and 1 tablespoon of tea tree oil in a bowl. Whip with a fork until thoroughly blended.
(Sources: Argan Oil World, Dr. Axe)
Aloe Vera Hair Mask
Aloe vera gel is another miracle-worker for hair. It contains vital enzymes and other nutrients that heal your scalp, stimulate hair growth, and prevent overshedding. This mask also contains lemon juice, which is rich in collagen-promoting Vitamin C and egg white to boost elasticity and strength. If you have color-treated hair, skip the lemon juice and substitute the essential oil of your choice.
To make the mask, combine 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or ½ tablespoon of essential oil and the whites of 2 eggs.
(Inspired by the aloe vera hair mask recipes on StyleCraze, which you can find here.)
Olive Oil Hair Mask
Olive oil contains plenty of healthy, fatty acids to soothe and hydrate your hair; it also contains Vitamin E to nourish your hair follicles and heal damage. Olive oil is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal solution for dandruff, irritated scalps, and damaged hair follicles. This recipe combines olive oil with shea butter—another anti-inflammatory—and cocoa butter for softness and shine. That makes it the perfect solution for anyone with an itchy, dry scalp and damaged hair.
For this super simple mask, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 3 tablespoons of shea butter and 3 tablespoons of cocoa butter in a bowl. Whip with a fork until evenly combined.
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar makes it perfect for cleaning up clogged hair follicles and boosting hair growth. It’ll also add shine and hydration, especially when combined with the punch-packing duo of hydrating honey and calming coconut oil.
To make this mask, combine ½ tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of honey and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. Make sure to rinse this one out super-thoroughly when you’re done.
(Inspired by Coconut and Kettleballs’ apple cider vinegar rinse, which you can find here.)
Banana Hair Mask
We’ve all heard that bananas have potassium, but you may be surprised to learn about the benefits of banana for hair. They’re packed with healthy oils and carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins, so they’ll nourish your scalp and repair your hair from root to end. In this recipe, you’ll also use Vitamin E oil to heal and repair hair, and honey for hydration.
To make this mask, blend up ½ of a medium banana in a food processor or blender, or whip it with a fork until it is completely smooth. Then add 3 tablespoons of vitamin E oil and 2 tablespoons of honey, stir until evenly incorporated, and go bananas!
(Sources: Hairfinity, StyleCraze)
How to Apply a Hair Mask
To use any of the hair masks above, begin with freshly shampooed hair that’s either partially or completely dry (for damaged hair, you might want to stick to an organic shampoo). Apply the mask from the roots to the ends of your hair, making sure that all of your hair is evenly coated. Dividing your hair into sections can make it easier to evenly apply the mask. Rub the mask gently into your roots, then let it sit for 5-20 minutes so that all of the nutrients can sink in. If you want to avoid messes, consider wearing a disposable shower cap. Then rinse the mask out thoroughly, and allow your hair to air-dry!
There are tons of options for creating DIY hair masks, and the great news is that once you know how different ingredients help your hair, you can create recipes yourself and find the combination that works for you! To get inspired and learn more about the benefits of different ingredients, check out NuMe’s guide to DIY hair mask ingredients on this page.
More real steps you can take towards restoring your hair health:
6 Essential Oils for Hair Growth Backed by Research: Essential oils are gentle enough to use for daily treatment and for boosting long term hair growth.
How to Grow Hair Faster in a Week: Max out your chances with these beauty tips for longer, healthier hair growth.
How to Use Avocado Oil for Hair: Avocados aren’t just a dietary guilty pleasure. There are real benefits to using avocado oil for hair.