The Pioneer Woman

Beauty

13 DIY Hair Masks That Will Totally Transform Your Hair

 

Try these for a breath of fresh hair!

You did it. You found the perfect short haircut or medium-length hairstyle, paid a visit to the salon, and made the look of your dreams a reality. So, your work here is done—right? Not so fast! Now that you've found your new 'do, it's time to stay on top of your hair health by creating a routine that leaves your locks looking and feeling just as flawless as they did when you stepped out of the salon. One way to do that: DIY hair masks!

The good news is, you don't have to go back to the salon for another service. In fact, you don't even have to leave your home, thanks to these DIY hair masks that will target your most frustrating hair concerns and leave you feeling relaxed and pampered in the process. Whether your issue involves damage, dryness, flakes, frizz, or bleached hair, there's a solution to help you get the luscious, well-maintained mane you deserve. Dandruff shampoos and shampoos for dry scalp or damaged hair are a good place to start. But for truly transformative results, you'll want to apply a deep and intense hair mask.

The majority of these masks feature all-natural ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, like avocado, olive oil, and eggs. To find the most effective recipes, we consulted several experts to learn about the DIY hair masks they make at home, and why the ingredients in them really work. We're confident that any one of these homemade hair masks will make you a believer. After you're done, keep the pampering going by giving yourself a salon-worthy manicure and pedicure at home, too!

For Promoting Growth:

While there isn't a magical way to get longer and thicker locks overnight, this mask can help prompt growth. Hair wellness expert Meerika Khanna says that rosemary "helps boost blood circulation to the scalp... the improved blood circulation helps follicles get the nutrients required for healthy growth.” Stylist Ashly Danielaa crafted this mask with a blend of stimulating ingredients to help you out.

Ingredients:
Gel scraped from one aloe leaf
1 pack of fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 capsules of vitamin E oil
Your favorite deep conditioner

Blend ingredients together until smooth. Strain the mixture to get rid of flecks. Pour the mixture into a bowl then add a few scoops of your go-to deep conditioner. Mix well, then rake the mask through your clean hair. Let sit for 30 minutes then shampoo and condition.

For Dandruff:

If you're dealing with dandruff, Monica Davis, a hairstylist in Cedar Rapids, Ohio says that aspirin contains salicylic acid, which can help reduce inflammation and exfoliate dandruff flakes. You can repeat the process each time you wash your hair until the dandruff goes away, but if the problem persists, she says to see a dermatologist.

Ingredients:
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup water
10-12 drops of tea tree oil
1 tablet of aspirin

“Crush the aspirin with a spoon or cup bottom on a piece of paper—or a kitchen mortar,” Davis says. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly and use a spray bottle to spray it all over your scalp. Let sit for around 30 minutes then shampoo it out.

For Exfoliation:

This one counts as a DIY hair mask and a scrub. And when it comes to scrubs, stylist Michelle Cleveland says, “I would say that they are beneficial to anyone who has product buildup or an excessively oily scalp.” Which is why a beauty blogger, BeautyKLove, created this scrub to exfoliate flakes and cut through that buildup.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons raw sugar
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil

Mix ingredients in a bowl then apply to dry hair. Work section by section to massage the scrub into your scalp until it's fully covered. Leave on for five minutes then wash out with shampoo. Don't forget to condition after, too.

For Split Ends:

"While nothing can fix split ends except a trim, a mask will coat the split ends to make them look healthy in the meantime," says Amy Abramite, Creative Director, Salon Educator and Stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. "Avocados have minerals that will seal the cuticle, as well as proteins and vitamins to nourish and soften the hair. A layer of olive oil will add extra shine and sleekness to gloss over the damaged hair."

Ingredients:
½ an avocado
½ cup olive oil

Mash ingredients in a bowl with a fork and blend together. Apply to the split ends only. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

For an Oily Scalp:

“Apple cider vinegar is good to add to a mask for someone who has an oily scalp,” Abramite says. “It can remove impurities and build up from the scalp and cleanse the hair.”

Ingredients:
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey

Combine apple cider vinegar with honey. The honey will act as a binding agent and to keep the moisture from being stripped from the hair and scalp. This blend will be a rinse so it will have to be put into a spray bottle and misted onto the hair. Leave in for 10 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

For Shine:

An olive oil and coconut oil mask is the best concoction for high gloss shine, Abramite says. Both are natural emollients that keep hydration in the hair so it can remain smooth, soft and shiny.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil combined
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Combine olive oil and coconut oil. Heat for a few seconds in the microwave. The warmth of the oil will open the hair cuticle for deeper penetration of the hair structure for maximum benefits. Leave on the hair for 10 minutes in a shower cap then rinse with warm water.

For Dry Hair:

"Jojoba and coconut oils both have major moisture properties that help with weakened hair," says Matt Rez, celebrity colorist. According to Rez, coconut oil is rich with lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid that will penetrate the cuticle and strengthen hair from within. It's also great for the scalp as coconut oil removes buildup of sebum from hair follicle, a condition that can cause hair loss. Jojoba oil on the other hand will moisturize, strengthen hair to prevent breakage and also treat dandruff issues.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon jojoba oil

Warm up mixture in the microwave for up to 30 seconds to create a more runny consistency. Apply to clean hair from roots to ends, working into the scalp as well. Leave in for up to 20 minutes.

For Strength, Conditioning & Growth:

Beauty Vlogger Melissa Denise developed this food-based mask to help strengthen, condition and help grow long healthy hair. Surprisingly, the most important ingredient here is actually mayo, Denise says: "Mayonnaise is loaded with amino acids and protein. This helps promote healthy hair growth. In addition mayonnaise is a great way to add moisture back into your hair as well as stop frizz."

Ingredients:
1 avocado
2 eggs
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp organic honey
2 cups organic mayo (Regular mayo is fine but organic is best)

Mix all ingredients together until smooth. If necessary use a hand mixer or blender. It is very important to eliminate all chucks because it will be a nightmare to wash out if you don’t. Once mixed, apply the mask to all sections of hair from root to tip. Cover hair with a plastic cap or bag for up to 3 hours. Rinse mask out, shampoo and condition like normal. When using a mask that contains food, it's good to shampoo more than once just to make sure everything is washed out. Recommend for use one to two times a month.

For Color Treated Hair:

Color treated hair is extra vulnerable to damage, and this mask from Anabel Kingsley, Brand President and Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley, will target even the worst color-related breakage. It's made with eggs which contain protein, the building blocks of healthy hair.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 tablespoon of any thick conditioner
1 oz castor oil
1 ripe avocado
1 oz full fat milk

Whisk together ingredients. Refrigerate overnight and apply to your hair in sections. Leave in for 20 minutes and then rinse out.

A Quick Fix for Dry Hair:

For dry locks, Kingsley recommends this quick mask which will freshen dry strands in just 10 minutes.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 half eggshells of olive oil or other light vegetable oil
½ an avocado
2oz purified water

Whisk together ingredients. Work the mixture into your hair with your fingertips, leave for 10 minutes and then wash off.

For Healthy Hair and Scalp:

"This simple mix of organic carrier oils and essential oils can be massaged into your scalp and throughout your hair to promote blood flow, improve circulation and stimulate hair follicles," says Jana Blankenship, Founder of natural hair-care company Captain Blankenship. "Stimulating the follicles encourages hair growth and deeply nourishes both the hair and scalp." Bonus: This can also be used as a hair oil or to prevent frizz and flyaways.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons argan oil
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
Optional: 2 drops peppermint essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl with a spoon. Pour into a 1oz glass bottle with eyedropper. Massage a few drops of oil into the palm of your hands and massage in a circular motion over your whole scalp. Work oil throughout your hair from roots to ends. Leave on for 15 minutes or longer. Can be left in hair overnight for deeper treatment. Wash out with shampoo and conditioner.

For Damaged Hair:

"This hair mask repairs dry, brittle hair, helps balance PH levels and treats excessive dandruff and product build-up," says Ada Rojas, Founder of Botanika Beauty.

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
Aloe vera plant stem
2 tablespoons castor oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Crack the 2 large eggs into a blender, add the stem of aloe vera, add two tablespoons of castor oil. Apply to hair from mid-shaft to ends. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse off and use a fiber towel to limit frizz and not damage the strands.

For Ultimate Hydration:

"The benefits of coconut oil for your hair are endless," says Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Hair Addict Salon. Unlike some other natural oils, coconut oil penetrates into the cortex of the hair (the thickest layer), providing more than just a shiny exterior—it moisturizes to the core!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons honey

Bring both the coconut oil and honey to room temperature and mix together well before applying. Be careful not to make this too hot, as you could burn your scalp! Work the mixture through damp hair, making sure to coat every strand from root to tip. Leave the mask on for about 20 minutes and rinse well. Follow with your normal shampoo and conditioner routine.