It’s important to take time for yourself every once in a while, to treat yourself to an at home spa day and pamper yourself. This could include relaxing in a bath, doing a face mask, or even a mani/pedi. But one thing that can be overlooked is your hair. It’s important to tend to your hair’s needs just as you would your skin and nails.
Everyone’s hair is different and therefore needs different types of treatments. Everyone’s hair, however, could benefit from hair masks.
Dry Hair
If you have dry hair coconut oil can work wonders. Coconut oil is great for treating so many different things, but it can really make a noticeable difference with your hair. It’s best to do this treatment at night and sleep with it in your hair. If you don’t have that amount of time or just don’t want to, leaving it in for an hour still offers similar benefits. After taking a shower apply a teaspoon to tablespoon—depending on the length of your hair—to wet hair. Work it on from your tips to your roots. If you feel more oil is necessary don’t be afraid to use it. Once rubbed in, if your hair is long enough, pull it back into a bun or braid. Put on a shower cap so you don’t get oil all over the pillowcase. Come morning, wash and condition your hair as usual. Repeat every few weeks or as needed.
If you would rather buy a product for dry hair, we recommend Redken Diamond Oil Deep Facets Oil Enriched Intensive Treatment. For the cost of $20.50, this Redken product will help restore your hair’s smoothness and shine and prevent further damage. To use this product, apply to towel-dried hair after shampooing and leave in for 5 to 15 minutes. Rinse out thoroughly and repeat as often as needed.
Long Hair
If you have long hair you’ll want a mask that can not only keep your long locks strong, but also help them grow faster. Start with one cup of yogurt and mix in one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix together well and apply to your scalp. Let it sit in your hair for 30 to 45 minutes and rinse it off in the shower and follow it with shampoo and conditioner. The yogurt has a ton of antioxidants that will keep your scalp moisturized as well as promote hair growth.
If you would rather buy a product for long hair, we recommend Dove Intensive Repair Deep Repairing Mask. If you have long hair or are growing out your hair, it can easily become damaged and fragile. For the cost of $6.99 this mask will strengthen your hair and repair damaged hair. Use after shampooing by applying a generous amount and leave it in for 3-5 minutes, then rinse. Use this product weekly or as needed for deep conditioning.
Frizzy Hair
If you have frizzy hair it can mean your hair is dying for some moisture. Try doing a simple mask of just avocado. Take the avocado and smash it up until it is smooth. Apply to hair and leave it on anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse off and shampoo as normal. Reapply mask once or twice a week. The avocado will naturally condition hair all while preventing dryness.
If you would rather buy a product for frizzy hair, we recommend L’Oréal Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm, which you can find at Ulta for $6.99, as well as many other retailers. The combination of ceramides and arginine-K plugs openings in your hair to prevent frizz, as well as future breakage. This product is especially good for colored/chemically treated hair. To use, apply to wet hair after shampooing, leave in for 3 to 5 minutes, and rinse.
Damaged Hair
If you have damaged hair try using apple cider vinegar. The product has so many benefits including treating hair loss, clarifying the scalp, reducing frizz, preventing split ends, and even removing dandruff. To make this mask, start with two cups of boiling water and add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and any herbs you may want. Allow the mixture to cool for 30 minutes then refrigerate it for later use. After shampooing, pour the mixture and massage the scalp. When finished rinse with water. You also can just leave it in your hair and towel dry for additional conditioning benefits.
If you would rather buy a product for damaged hair, we recommend Organix Awapuhi Ginger Instant Recovery Mask. The product will moisturize and remove buildup while repairing brittle, frizzy, and unruly hair. To use, apply treatment to wet hair after shampooing. Wait 3 to 5 minutes. If your hair is extremely damaged, apply the product, cover your head with a shower cap, and leave in for 20 minutes. Next, rinse hair thoroughly.
Oily Hair
If you have oily hair it can be hard to make it through the day without your hair looking flat and greasy. Once again, apple cider vinegar can be a lifesaver. Take ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and grate an entire lemon peel into it. Massage this mask all over scalp and let it sit for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes are up, scrub your scalp heavily with cold water. Hold off on shampooing your hair until the next day. The apple cider vinegar will remove buildup from the products you use, which is a major cause of oily hair.
If you would rather buy a product for oil hair, we recommend Pure Abundance by Aveda. It is actually more of a leave in treatment than a mask. For $24, according to the website, this product “instantly volumizes hair, creates matte texture, boosts strands with natural bulking agents, and [is] perfect for a gritty, ‘second-day hair’ look.” To use, liquify a small amount in your hands and scrunch into damp or dry hair. You can sprinkle powder onto hair and work it in with your hands until fully dissolved, too.
Remember, when buying or making a hair mask, it’s important to take into consideration your type of hair before committing to one.
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