3 Super Easy DIY Hair Rescue Masks

via Giphy

Whether your hair is short, long, curly, or straight, we all want hair that glows like Gisele Bündchen’s, bounces like Gigi Hadid’s, and makes headlines like Solange Knowles’. We want it so bad that we’re prepared to spend A LOT on any product that promises to nurture our hair into red-carpet readiness. Shampoos, conditioners, serums, leave-in sprays, there are thousands of products promising bigger, better, stronger locks. But what if we told you there was a way of achieving all that and more without you having to spend your dedicated Sephora money on your hair.

We’ve pulled together our favorite DIY hair masks to make the most of all that nature has to offer. Whether you’re looking to revitalize your sun-damaged hair, whisk away dandruff, or give it shine that glows brighter than your latest highlighter, we’ve got a DIY remedy for it.

Repair DIY mask for dry and damaged hair

Practically everything is working against you having Instagrammable hair 24/7, from products and straighteners to shower water, UV rays, dyes, and pollution. For most of us, this results in dry, brittle hair. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest problems to treat. This coconut oil mask adds much-needed moisture and nutrients to your hair, as coconut oil’s high levels of MCFAs (medium chain fatty acids) and lauric acid supports the hormone and cellular health of your hair.

If you’re someone who is a product-fiend or serial hair straightener/curler, even if the damage has seemingly not taken root (pun intended), use this mask at least once a week.

Ingredients:
2 tbsps of coconut oil
2 tbsps of argan oil (supplement with olive oil or canola if argan isn’t available)
1 egg
2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil, or lavender oil

Combine the ingredients and whisk together until well-blended. Apply the mask evenly over damp hair (think towel-dried consistency), paying particular attention to the ends of your hair. If you suffer from dandruff or a dry scalp, work the mix into the roots, too. Clip your hair up, so you don’t get oil everywhere, and cover with a shower cap. Let the mask sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with your daily shampoo and conditioner. If you have long or thick hair, you can double the recipe.

Clarifying DIY mask for oily roots  

There is NOTHING more annoying than oily hair! Oily hair could be caused by anything from overuse of products, using too many protein-based shampoos and conditioners, and fluctuations in hormones. If your oily hair has more grease than gleam, this lemon-based mask is essential; it’s filled with vitamin C and A, essential for bright and healthy hair. Because the mask is acidic, it breaks down sebum in oily hair and removes excess oil from your scalp. Salt, while helping scrub and remove impurities, will also separate oil from your follicles by absorbing it. Using coconut oil on oily hair might seem weird, but we don’t want to remove all oil; just the excess weighing your hair down.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup of lemon juice (or lime)
1 tablespoon of sea salt (use crystals instead of refined table salt)
1 teaspoon of coconut oil

Mix all the ingredients into a part scrub, part liquid shampoo mixture. Rather than working it into the bottoms of your hair, focus on working this formula all over your scalp. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water and shampoo – just don’t condition it.

Growth boosting DIY mask for longer locks   

Long healthy hair might seem like an impossible goal, but we promise it is. This mask uses canola oil, which is deemed to be a perfect choice for hair-related issues like hair loss and chronic dryness. Like coconut oil, the presence of unsaturated fatty acids helps soothe frazzled follicles and locks them together to prevent moisture loss. Canola oil is also rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps repair and build tissue, as well as sterol, which helps damaged cells recover. Canola oil puts your hair in a good enough state that it focuses less on regeneration and repair, and more on growth. Both Jojoba oil and rosemary oil are capable of stimulating hair growth by improving blood circulation and moisturizing any dry or damaged hair follicles. This mask not only leaves your hair super soft but it will keep your scalp in the best condition for optimized hair growth.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of canola oil
2 tablespoons of jojoba oil (grab some hazelnut or grapeseed if you don’t have jojoba oil)
1 egg
2-3 drops of rosemary oil (lemongrass is a great substitute)

Whisk the ingredients together and apply it to damp hair. Leave on for 20 minutes and repeat once a week. Rinse with warm water before using your shampoo and conditioner.

These hair masks will make a huge difference to your locks, but also check out five things you should never do to your hair, to keep it in gorgeous condition.