Winter is all fun and games until the holidays pass and you’re left with nothing but freezing temperatures and dry hair. The cold air outside and the indoor heating systems strips hair of all its moisture and natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage and damage. Luckily, there are DIY hair masks that act as cheap, quick and easy ways to fix your winter hair all with ingredients commonly found in your kitchen.
1. Avocado and Olive Oil
All you need for this mask is a ripe avocado, tap water, and 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil (more oil an be added for longer or thicker hair).
1. Cut and pit your avocado, and pop it into a blender.
2. Blend for 1 minute.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of water to blender and blend again until you reach a smooth consistency.
4. Pour blended mixture into bowl and add olive oil.
5. Stir all ingredients together and prepare for application.
To apply: wet hair in sink or shower and section off. Start by applying mask to roots with clean hands and work mixture through strands to ends. When done, tie your hair up and place under shower cap. Heat hair for 15-20 minutes with hair dryer. When time is up, rinse hair thoroughly (maybe a few times to make sure you don’t look like you just rolled around in a pile of guac).
The healthy fats from olive oil and avocados do wonders to seal moisture and condition damaged hair. The vitamins and antioxidants in the avocados will also help to fight premature hair aging!
2. Banana and Honey
This mask is the perfect use for a banana that is getting a little too ripe(plus, this one will smell delicious).
1. Peel the banana and break it up into smaller pieces.
2. Place in bowl with a teaspoon of honey.
3. Blend together until smooth with an immersion mixture (or pop it in a blender).
To apply, repeat the steps from the first mask. After 20 minutes of wrap and heat, rinse well to leave your hair silky and smelling like smoothie.
This banana mixture will strengthen and shine your hair as well as prevent hair loss in the future.
3. Coconut Oil
This one is made from ingredients you are most likely to have on hand in your pantry all year long: coconut oil, raw honey, and apple cider vinegar.
1. Melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a bowl.
2. Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and stir all ingredients until mixed fully (separation may occur).
This mask will be thinner than others, so it is best applied with a coloring or pastry brush. Separate hair and brush on starting at roots. When fully applied, massage through strands and put hair in a bun. Let sit for 20 minutes, or longer if desired. Rinse and Shampoo out (no conditioner necessary).
The coconut oil will add luster and shine, and will also promote hair growth by stimulating the follicles.
While everyone gets dry winter hair, not everyone has the cash to purchase expensive deep-conditioning treatments. Luckily, these 3 masks are cheap and easy to make with ingredients you probably already have. Say goodbye to dry, damaged hair, and hello to natural beauty products that won’t break the bank.