If your hair goes through the harshness of sun, pollutants, dryness and lack of self-care on a daily basis, if your hair loss, frizz, dry brittle hair give you nightmares, your superhero likely comes in the form of hair masks. They draw their super powers from the qualities and benefits of all the natural ingredients that they are made from. But which hair mask should you apply and for what problem? Here we share 5 DIY natural hair masks for various hair types and hair problems to give you the perfect, luscious locks that will make heads turn.
1. Hair problem- Excessive dryness
Power ingredient: Coconut oil and honey
Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for your hair. It has lauric acid to stave off infections of the scalp. A time tested solution to hair dryness is massaging hair with half table spoon to one table spoon of coconut oil. The fatty acid in coconut oil has penetrative quality. And our second ingredient, honey is a fantastic source of low pH that can help rebuild the scalp’s acid mantle. It locks in moisture and improves the health of the scalp. Without affecting the acid mantle, it removes the dirt and extra oil from the scalp.
It has antiseptic properties
It is antibacterial
Rich humectant that is it locks in moisture.
Soothes and softens hair
Gives a shine to the hair
Things you need for the mask
a) Coconut oil 1 tablespoon
b) Raw honey 1 tablespoon
Steps to make the mask
a) Mix honey and coconut oil in a bowl
b) Heat the mixture until the texture turns smooth
c) Apply it onto your hair from scalp to the hair tips.
d) Cover it up with a shower cap
e) Let it sit for about 20 minutes
f) Rinse with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
2. Hair problem- Too much frizz
Power ingredient: Banana and yogurt
Why go bananas? They are great for your hair as they give your hair the right amount of conditioning. They are nature’s gift to you with nutrients like potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates, fibre and vitamins. They are also good humectants, so your frizzy hair finds calm in moisture.
Yogurt is rich in lactic acid, which works like magic for dull, frizzy hair. Yogurt also has anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties. It also helps reduce hair loss by unclogging hair follicles. Yogurt also regulates the pH of the scalp and controls secretion of sebum. It is cooling for the scalp.
Things you need for the mask:
a) Chopped banana- 1 whole
b) Plain yogurt- 2 tablespoons
c) Honey- 1 tablespoon
Steps to make and apply the mask
a) Pour all the ingredients into a mixing bowl.
b) Put the mixture into a blender and blend them into a smooth paste
c) Apply the mask on damp hair.
d) Cover it for 30 minutes with a shower cap.
f) Shampoo your hair with a mild conditioner.
3. Hair problem- damaged hair
Power ingredient: Coconut oil, avocado and honey
Coconut oil and honey both have nourishing, moisturizing quality to them. Coconut oil is also a great carrier for other essential oils and nutrients as it is penetrative. Avocadoes are rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, D and E that support hair growth. It is a storehouse of foliate that helps repair damage. Avocadoes are healthy fats that add sheen to your hair locks, hydrate and nourish them
(Also Read: 6 Natural tips to reduce hair breakage)
Things you need for the mask:
a) Avocados 1
b) Honey 1 tablespoon
c) Coconut oil 1 tablespoon
Steps to make and apply the mask
a) Pick out a ripe avocado to mash it
b) Add honey and coconut oil to the avocado mix
c) Apply in the hair from the scalp to hair tips
d) Sit it out for 15-20 minutes
e) Rinse it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
4. Hair problem- excessively oily
Power Ingredient: Strawberries
Hair can be very oily due to excessive sebum production in the skin/scalp. This irregular sebum deposition can also cause pores to clog and hair fall. The nature’s answer to your oily hair problem is strawberries. Strawberries in hair masks tighten skin pores and fights hair loss or alopecia due to the presence of silica compound in it. It also allows for absorbing iron into the scalp that is good for hair growth.
What you need for the mask
a) Strawberries- 3-4 whole
b) coconut oil- 1 tablespoon
c) almond honey mix- 1 tablespoon
How to make and apply the mask
a) Blend in all the ingredients in a mixing bowl for a smooth texture.
b) Apply the mask to your hair from scalp to hair tips
c) Let it sit for 20 minutes
d) Wash it off in cold water
5. Problem- Hair lacks lustre and shine
Deep oil massage with Shankara’s Hair And Scalp Oil
Power ingredient: sesame oil, avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E Tocopherol, gooseberries extract, sandalwood essential oil, bringraj extract, lavender essence, clary sage and rosemary.
Deep oil massage twice to thrice a week with Shankara’s Hair and Scalp Oil made from the richness of sesame oil, avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E Tocopherol, gooseberries extract, sandalwood essential oil, bringraj extract, lavender essence, clary sage and rosemary, is specifically designed to moisturize dry and damaged hair for more luminous, healthier, and voluminous locks. The oil is safe to use on colored hair. It deeply penetrates the hair shaft and conditions hair from the roots. It can be used for colored hair too!
Why are we doing this?
When you massage the scalp and hair, the oil nourishes the cells in the scalp, stimulates blood circulation in the head region, detoxifies the scalp and additionally causes the secretion of happy hormones like serotonin in the body giving you a relaxing and calming sensation. Oiling is a great way to have the rich nutrients and antioxidants present in the oil seep into the tissues for complete nourishment. But you must know your hair oil well and if it is suited for your hair and scalp type which could be weighing on the drier side or it could be sticky.
6. Hair problem- Poor hair growth
Power ingredient: Rosemary
Studies at University of Maryland show rosemary can stimulate hair growth and volume by improving blood circulation in the region along with delayed greying. Rosemary is analgesic and anti-inflammatory which gives it a soothing and calming property. Rosemary oil helps unclog pores in scalp that potentially leads to host of other hair problems like oiliness, dandruff, brittleness and hair thinning. It is the ultimate cleansing agent for the hair follicles. It repairs the damage, replenishes it and makes your shiny and silky.
What you need for the mask
a) Chopped rosemary- 2-3 tablespoons
b) Water- 1 cup
How to make and apply the mask
a) Add the chopped rosemary to a cup of water and bring it to boil
b) Strain it and let it cool off
c) Deeply massage your scalp and hair with the strained water
d) Let it sit for 15 minutes
e) Wash it off with lukewarm water and a mild shampoo
