Hair masks you can make at home

Is your hair looking a bit limp, a tad frizzy at the ends and lacking its usual oomph?

It could most probably do with a hair mask to get it all zhuzhed up and looking all lovely again. You could go out and buy said hair mask or you could do something that’s far more fun…whip up your own!

Homemade hair masks are just the ticket if you:

• Want to know exactly what you’re putting on your hair
• Like using natural ingredients over synthetic chemicals
• Love the idea of giving your locks some DIY hair mask love

8 easy hair masks you can make and apply at home

Hair mask recipe 1: Coconut oil and honey hair mask (good to retain hair moisture)

What you need: 

• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp honey¹

How to make it:

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Transfer the mix into a pot and heat the mixture until it melts.
3. Apply the mask to your hair, from top to bottom, and then cover it with a shower cap.
4. Let it sit for 15 to 20 mins.
5. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Notes:

• Coconut oil helps keep hair moist and soft and prevents hair from breaking, thanks to its moisture-retaining qualities. It’s also packed full of fatty acids. (For more insight on coconut oil read, ‘Is coconut oil good for hair?’)
• Honey sucks moisture into the hair and prevents it from escaping

Hair mask recipe 2: Honey, egg and apple cider vinegar mask (good for dry hair)

What you need:

• 1 tsp honey
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar²

How to make it:

1. Combine everything together in a small bowl. (You can double or half the recipe, depending on how long your hair is).
2. Apply the mixture to your hair.
3. Leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes before rinsing it out.
4. Suitable for all hair types.

Notes:

• Hair that looks dull, brittle or frizzy tends to be more alkaline or higher on the pH scale. It’s thought that acid substances, such as apple cider vinegar, can help lower the pH level, making for a healthier hair balance overall.³

Hair mask recipe 3: Coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil hair mask (vegan recipe)

What you need:

• ¾ cup coconut oil
• ¾ cup shea butter
• ½ cup olive oil

How to make it:

1. Add the coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil to a saucepan over a low heat.
2. Stir the ingredients until they’ve fully melted, and then take the mixture off the heat.
3. When the mixture is at room temperature (or just slightly warm), rake it through your hair—avoiding the roots, if you have fine, naturally oily hair—and then let it sit and sink in for an hour.
4. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual to get the excess oil out. (Tip - if your hair is fine, plaster it with conditioner first to help dissolve the oil, then shampoo and condition again).

Hair mask recipe 4: Coconut oil and cinnamon hair mask (to help hair growth)

What you need:

• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon

How to make it:

1. Mix these two ingredients in a bowl, making sure they are all thoroughly mixed up.
2. Part your hair down the middle and start by applying it down the parting and on your scalp.
3. Use your fingertips to gently massage the product into your scalp.
4. Tie your hair up and cover it with a shower cap or a towel.
5. Let the mask sit for 30 to 45 minutes and then rinse it off with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

Notes:

• Cinnamon has cleansing properties that can help hairs growth journey, reduce an itchy scalp and help strengthen hair follicles

Hair mask recipe 4: Coconut oil, sugar and essential oil mask (good for flaky scalps)

What you need:

• 2 tbsp raw unrefined coconut oil,
• 4 tsp raw sugar
• 5 drops peppermint oil
• 2 drops of tea tree oil⁴

How to make it:

1. In a small bowl, mix the ingredients together.
2. Using your fingers or a hair dye brush, apply the mixture directly to two inch sections of clean, damp hair while you’re in the shower.
3. Once it’s been evenly applied, gently massage it in for 1 to 3 minutes.
4. Clip your hair up and out of the way while you shower, and then rinse it off just before you step out.

Notes:

• The sugar acts as a great DIY scrub, breaking down to glycolic acid, which dissolves dead skin cells
• Peppermint oil helps boost scalp blood circulation
• Tea tree oil is cleansing

Hair mask recipe 5: Honey, coconut milk and avocado hair mask (good for shiny and soft hair)

What you need: 

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 tbsp of argan oil or olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/8 cup coconut milk or almond milk⁵

How to make it:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or use a hand mixer until it is clump-free.
2. Smooth the mixture throughout your dry hair, from roots to tips, then wrap and clip your hair up.
3. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual.

Hair recipe 6: Green tea and apple cider vinegar rinse (good for irritated scalps)

What you need:

• 1 cup green tea
• 2 drops peppermint oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar⁶

How to make it:

1. Mix all of the ingredients thoroughly together in a bowl.
2. Massage the solution into your scalp.
3. Leave it in for at least five minutes.
4. Rinse out with lukewarm water.

Notes:

• When it comes to hair health, green tea can help soothe scalps, thanks to its antioxidant properties and rich nutrient make-up

Hair recipe 7: Honey, aloe vera gel and lemon mask (good for oily hair)

What you need:

• 2tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
• 1 squeeze of lemon wedge or half a tsp of lemon juice⁷

How to make it:

1. Combine all of the three ingredients in a bowl and stir until mixed.
2. Rake the mixture through damp hair, focusing on the scalp.
3. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. Shampoo afterwards, if you like.

Notes:

• Aloe vera has long been used as a skin moisturiser and soother among many other things, working its magic on both skin and hair. For more on the benefits of using aloe vera on your hair and skin, check out this article, ‘8 benefits of aloe vera for hair and skin.’

Hair recipe 8: Egg white and lemon mask (good for greasy hair)

What you need:

• 1 egg white
• Juice from ½ lemon⁸

How to make it:

1. Combine the egg white with the lemon juice.
2. Smooth the mixture over your hair, from the roots to the ends.
3. Leave to work for 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Notes:

• Egg whites contain protein enzymes that can help remove excess oil. Eggs also contain Vitamins A, D, and E, proteins and fatty acids, which help keep hair looking shiny and full⁹
• Lemons are high in Vitamin C, which can help make hair stronger, while the acidic nature helps thoroughly clean hair of any products, dirt and dust. Finally, it also contains a compound called Limonene, which can help add some bounce to hair, oh, and it’s cleansing too, which is good for tackling an itchy scalp.¹⁰

Shop Hair Masks Want some more practical advice on perfecting your locks? Best check this out, ‘How to get shiny hair – 10 easy steps & FAQs answered.’

Last updated: 9 December 2020