Dry, dull, or flaky hair is something we all experience from time to time – usually on a day when you want to look your best, are we right? And sure, a trip to the salon or a pricey hair conditioning treatment can help… but we’re here to let you in on a secret: haircare doesn’t need to be expensive!

At the moment, we are absolutely loving DIY hair masks. Yep, you can make incredible hair masks to restore your luscious locks, using only ingredients you already have in your kitchen. You can make a mask to fix just about any hair concern, such as an oily scalp, flaky skin, or damage from heat styling.

So what are the benefits of hair masks, and how do you make a homemade hair mask? We got you covered – here’s everything you need to know about DIY hair masks.

Are DIY hair masks good for your hair?

There are so many benefits to DIY beauty products! Here’s the thing – natural ingredients are always going to be better for your hair than drugstore products, as DIY masks are free from any chemicals, preservatives, and colorings. This makes them an awesome eco-friendly alternative to store-bought hair products.

We love DIY hair masks as they’re a cheap, gentle, and easy way to restore your hair to its natural glory. They can give you silkier, smoother, and healthier locks, without a trip to the hair salon.

Image by Park Street on Unsplash: Look and feel your best with a DIY hair mask.

DIY hair masks to try at home

What is the best homemade hair treatment? We think it really depends on the condition you want to treat, so here are a few ideas to get you started. Depending on the results you want for your hair, one of the masks below is sure to give you drop-dead gorgeous hair.

Just a word of caution, though: if you’re currently using any prescription medications or products for your scalp health, you might want to double-check with your doc that it’s okay to make and use your own hair masks.

1. Coconut oil

Is your hair feeling dried out and just generally yucky? If so, this is a super easy mask to try – coconut oil is a natural conditioner, so it hydrates and soothes your hair, making it look damn good. Also, you only need one ingredient!

Take about two tablespoons of lukewarm coconut oil and apply it throughout your hair, then cover with a shower cap for about 20 minutes. Then wash your hair – it should feel much softer.

2. Banana and aloe

Looking for a way to fight the frizz? Curly-haired gals who are struggling with frizzy, outta control hair might love a mask made from banana and aloe vera.

Mix one ripe banana (mashed) with 2 tbsp aloe vera gel, ½ of an avocado, 1 tbsp sunflower oil, and ⅓ cup oatmeal. Leave on hair for about half an hour before washing.

We get it – it sounds a little gross to put banana and oatmeal in your hair. But oatmeal is rich in vitamins and fats that can help smooth and shine your tresses, while the amino acids in bananas also have soothing properties.

3. Avocado and olive oil

What is the best homemade hair mask for damaged hair? We all deal with damaged hair sometimes, often from pollution, heat styling, or frequent color changes, but we love avocado and olive oil for tired, damaged hair.

Just mix ½ a mashed avocado, 1 egg, and a tbsp each of honey and olive oil, apply through your hair, then wrap with a shower cap. Then, give your hair a quick blast with the hairdryer, as this helps the ingredients work better. Let sit for 20 minutes and then rinse.

These ingredients are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which are awesome for breathing life back into damaged hair. However, if you have massive split ends or serious damage, you might also want a trim to remove the split ends and prevent further damage.

4. Yogurt

Another awesome DIY mask for dull or damaged hair is a yogurt mask – just be sure to use the all-natural variety!

Yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of honey is an easy treatment that can be applied weekly to nourish and protect your hair from frizz and brittleness. If you have fine hair, you might find that you prefer yogurt-based masks to oils, as oil can take a while to wash out of thinner, fine hair.

5. Apple cider vinegar

Dandruff. It’s hella awkward, especially when you’re wearing dark clothing. We all struggle with dandruff on occasion, but we say ditch the Head & Shoulders and go for apple cider vinegar instead.

Simply mix a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a bit of water and pour through your hair, leaving on for a few minutes before rinsing. It cleanses and nourishes the scalp, helping to prevent dandruff.

Many people also swear by apple cider vinegar for hair growth, too, so if you’re looking to thicken or lengthen your locks, you might want to give it a try.

Image by Thought Catalog on Unsplash: Avocado not only tastes amazing on toast, but is also a treat for your hair.

6. Brown sugar and coconut oil

Dealing with an itchy, dry, or flaky scalp? If so, this mask can help! Combine a few tablespoons of coconut oil with a scoop of brown sugar (you can also mix in a dollop of conditioner to help it smooth onto your hair), then let it sit for an hour before washing.

The brown sugar acts as an exfoliant, removing flaky skin, dead skin cells, and impurities from your scalp. It’s an easy mask to use and pretty versatile, as brown sugar can also be used as a skin exfoliant on other areas of your body.

Okay, we know it sounds a little crazy to put stuff like eggs, honey, or bananas onto your hair, but give it a try! We suggest rounding up a few friends for a DIY spa afternoon at home – hair masks and makeover days are always more fun with a group.

Once you find a mask you love, you can use it every few weeks to look after your beautiful hair. Your bank account will thank you, but you’re sure to also get compliments on your gorgeous locks – and you don’t need to tell anyone your secret if you don’t want to!

Featured image by Luis Quintero on Unsplash