Learn how to make easy DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair. These masks have common ingredients that you can find at home.
I have naturally curly hair that I flat iron often. I wasn't blessed with pretty curls, unfortunately. My curls are unruly with a mind of their own.
Since I use heat to dry and style my hair, I use a lot of DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair to keep my hair looking and feeling soft and shiny. I use one once a week to keep my hair healthy.
My hair is crazy long right now. I really wish I hadn't put off my hair cut and color before the stay at home ordeal happened. I feel bad for my hairdresser when I'm finally able to get in there!
I have my favorite hair mask recipes, but I do make different ones often. I change my masks depending on what ingredients I have at home.
These are some easy DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair that I've used and liked. I'll also give you some tips on selecting the best carrier oil for your hair so you can make these at home with ingredients that you already have.
Easy DIY Hair Masks for Dry, Damaged Hair
How to Apply Hair Masks
There's some discrepancy in the beauty world of when you should apply a hair mask: before shampooing or after shampooing.
I always use my DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair before shampooing. These masks have a lot of oil, so I have to wash my hair after using them. Otherwise, my hair would be an oily, greasy mess.
I apply to dry hair because oil and water don't mix. If you wet your hair, it can prevent the oil from penetrating the hair.
I wash with a gentle shampoo and generally do not condition after using a hair mask. This is a personal preference. Your hair might be fine with a conditioner afterwards, but it's too much oil for my hair.
I use a hair mask once a week. More than that could be too much oil for your hair.
I use a wide tooth comb to brush the mask through my hair. You can just use your fingers if you want. If you do use a comb, make sure it's a wide tooth comb
Best Carrier Oils for Dry, Damaged Hair
For these recipes, I suggested olive oil or argan oil. Olive oil is common, so you probably have it in your pantry. Argan oil
You can substitute one of the following oils for olive oil or argan oil:
Other DIY Hair Treatments
For dry or damaged hair, I also recommend using a hot oil treatment. I have an entire post devoted to choosing the best carrier oil, herbs, and essential oils.
It's a lot of information, so I won't repeat it all here. Check out how to make a hot oil treatment for hair.
I also recommend using an herbal apple cider vinegar rinse to keep your hair looking shiny and feeling soft and smooth. Learn how to make an herbal apple cider vinegar rinse recipe and how to make homemade apple cider vinegar from scratch.
Important Notes
Since none of these easy DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair have a preservative, you will have to discard any leftovers. You could save extra in the fridge, but it won't last a week until it's time for your next treatment.
You can double or halve each recipe. If you have long or thick hair, you will probably have to double most of these recipes.
Hair masks work best when the hair is warm. This opens the shaft, so the ingredients can penetrate deeper into the shaft of the hair.
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| Photo via ThermalHairCare on Etsy |
If you want to warm up any of these DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair, do not microwave them. Instead, place them in a jar or bowl and put that in hot water. This prevents hot spots.
You can also use a microwave heat cap for deep conditioning. This cute cap from ThermalHairCare is full of flax seeds. Put it in them microwave to heat it up, then place over your hair with a plastic shower cap on. This will give up 30 to 45 minutes of moist heat. When you're done, wash it with warm water.
Honey, Egg, and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask
Use this mask for dry hair. It hydrates and nourishes and leaves your hair shiny without being too oily.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Directions
Combine the honey, egg, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Spread on your hair and let sit for half an hour. Rinse well and wash your hair as usual.
Honey, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Coconut Oil Hair Mask
If your hair is dry or damaged and dull, this moisturizes your hair and makes it shiny. Apple cider vinegar is an excellent way to add shine naturally.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions
Combine all ingredients. Apply to hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Wash hair but do not condition.
Avocado, Olive Oil, and Egg Hair Mask
This is an excellent mask for damaged hair. The avocado is full of good fats, and the egg has proteins that fill in the holes in the hair shaft.
Ingredients
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 ripe avocado
Directions
Combine the egg yolks, olive oil, and avocado. Mix well. Apply to dry hair and cover with a shower cap. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse well and shampoo.
Banana and Argan Oil Hair Mask
This is an easy mask to make. You can change the oil depending on what you have on hand. See above for ideas for oils. The banana helps soften and moisturize hair, and argan moisturizes, softens, and soothes damaged hair.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tablespoon argan oil
Directions
Mash the banana until it is smooth. Add the oil and mix to make a paste. Apply to dry hair and wear a shower cap to prevent drips. Let sit for half an hour, rinse, and shampoo.
Yogurt Honey Hair Mask
If you have yogurt in the fridge, add some to a DIY hair mask for dry or damaged hair. This has protein to repair and strengthen hair. The honey pulls moisture from the air to combat dry hair, and the oil moisturizes hair.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a glass bowl. Place the bowl in a bigger bowl of hot water to warm it.
Apply to dry hair and massage into your scalp. Let sit for 30-45 minutes and rinse well. Shampoo as usual.
Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil
Aloe vera gel is an excellent conditioner without making your hair oily. This does have coconut oil in it, but it isn't as oily as other recipes.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Directions
Combine the aloe vera gel and coconut oil and mix well. Apply to your hair and let sit for half an hour. Rinse well and wash as usual.
I hope you enjoy these easy DIY hair masks for dry or damaged hair!
Not ready to DIY? Try one of these hair masks for dry or damaged hair:
- Chebe Nourishing Butter from madebymarthab
- Sheabiscus Moisture Mask from NaturalBarnet
- Deep Conditioning Honey Avocado Hair Mask from LunaseaBotanicals
- Organic Honey Hair Mask from AndreasOrganicMarket
- Organic Avocado Hair Mask from EmazingNaturalz
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