DIY masks for dry hair are the perfect way to restore its lost moisture and shine without the extra cost of special hair care products or unneeded chemicals. Making a mask for dry hair isn’t hard at all and it doesn’t require any special skill, special products or time you don’t have. And here are a few treatments for dry hair you can try as soon as…well…this very moment!
1 Coconut Pack
Rich in proteins, fatty acids, vitamin B and C, zinc, potassium and iron, coconut will definitely prove to be one of the best treatments for dry hair ever! Invest in a jar of extra virgin coconut oil and simply apply it on your hair whenever you know that your hair is going through a lot of stress (harsh winters, blazing hot summers) or when you notice that your standard hair care routine is lacking something. Work the oil into your hair section by section, massage it into your scalp, pack in a warm towel and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse, wash and condition as usual.
Frequently asked questions
2 Honey and Olive Oil Mask for Dry Hair
As weird as it sounds, honey actually does great things for both your hair and your face. Olive oil… well we’ve already discussed this awesome ingredient of most DIY hair masks. Now all you’ll have to do is to put these two together by mixing 4 table spoons of honey with 6 table spoons of olive oil and you’ll get one super nurturing mask that will transform your hair! Let it sit on your hair for 15 to 30 minutes and don’t forget to cover it with a plastic bag.
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As weird as it sounds, honey actually does great things for both your hair and your face. Olive oil… well we’ve already discussed this awesome ingredient of most DIY hair masks. Now all you’ll have to do is to put these two together by mixing 4 tablespoons of honey with 6 tablespoons of olive oil and you’ll get one super nurturing mask that will transform your hair! Let it sit on your hair for 15 to 30 minutes and don’t forget to cover it with a plastic bag. Rinse thoroughly and you'll notice softer, shinier, and more hydrated hair instantly.
3 Milk and Honey Mask
Milk and honey infusion might have been a luxury a few hundred years ago but it’s something a modern woman her use whenever she pleases! And if you have dry hair, you’ll definitely want to indulge in it every week or two. Use a half to a full cup of full fat milk (room temperature) and add either one or 2 big tablespoons of honey. Mix well to get the honey to melt, then carefully pour it over your hair making sure the most of it really ends up where it should. I usually allow it about an hour to work, then rinse it off using my regular shampoo. This wonderful pack won’t weight your hair down or make it greasy but give it wonderful, healthy shine and softness instead.
4 Avocado, Olive Oil and Honey Mask for Dry Hair
Next on my list of great DIY masks for dry hair is a simple, yet incredibly nurturing mixture of some of the best natural products ever – honey, avocado and olive oil! Mash one nice, ripe avocado (use it’s flesh only) and add one tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of olive oil. Blend it all well and apply on your damaged tresses. Wrap a plastic bag over your hair to maximize the effect of this mask and leave it to work its magic. Twenty minutes is okay if you’re in a rush although I always prefer to leave it on at least an hour.
5 30 Minute Mask for Split Ends
If your hair looks too damaged, dry and split and you can’t really tell which parts desperately need a chop, definitely invest 30 minutes of your life and give this mask for dry hair a go! You’ll need two tablespoons of honey, one tablespoon of almond oil and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (feel free to double the amount in case you have long hair). Mix these together and slowly work the mixture into your tresses focusing on the ends and going up until you’ve covered all the damaged bits. Let it sit there over the next half an hour (or more) then rinse off. The mask alone won’t help you get rid of splits (you will have to visit your stylist and get them chopped off) but it will dramatically improve the appearance of the rest of your hair as well as all parts that used to look like they should be chopped off but had enough life in them to be restored.
6 Mayonnaise Pack
Have you ever tried using mayonnaise to restore your hair’s natural moisture? Well, you should definitely give it a try! And the next of my treatments for dry hair is actually super-simple. All you need is some mayo (and don’t tell me you don’t have it – it is, after all, one of the most popular guilty pleasures) and a few drops of some essential oil, just to keep your hair smelling nice! Massage mayonnaise into your dry sections, leave in on for the next 15-20 minutes then shampoo and style as usual.
7 Strawberry Mask
The last on my list of DIY masks for dry hair is something that most certainly won’t make your hair smell bad and will give it lots and lots of moisture and shine! In order to make it you’ll need 200 grams of fresh strawberries, one egg yolk and 2 big spoons of olive oil. Mash or blend your strawberries, mix in the last two ingredients and apply to your hair. Leave it in and rinse off after 20 to 30 minutes. So simple!
8 Egg Mask
If you have damaged hair, you shouldn't worry, because this is an easy fix for it. For this mask, you'll need an egg, one cup of milk, two tablespoons of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon. First, separate the egg whites and egg yolk. Beat the separated egg yolks, then add the milk and olive oil. Add a squeeze of a lemon to the mixture, and you're all done. Time to massage it into your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes.
9 Banana Mask
To smooth your hair, grab two overripe bananas, one tablespoon coconut oil, one table spoon olive oil, and one table spoon of honey. Blend the banana together until there are no chunks remaining. Now add the rest of the ingredients and mix together. You only have to leave it on for 5 minutes, and then you can wash it all out.
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The banana mask is especially great for those with dry, frizzy hair, as it delivers intense moisture. Bananas are rich in potassium, natural oils, and vitamins, which help in softening the hair and protecting the elasticity to prevent split ends and breakage. The coconut oil deeply penetrates the hair follicles, stimulating hair growth, while olive oil adds a healthy shine. Honey is a natural humectant that seals in the moisture and also has antibacterial properties. After this quick 5-minute treatment, your hair will feel softer, look shinier, and be more manageable. Plus, this mask exudes a sweet, tropical aroma that is sure to delight your senses.
10 Yogurt Mask
This mask will rid your hair of excess oils. It requires 1/2 cup of yogurt, a teaspoon of honey, and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. All you have to do is mix the ingredients together and you're already halfway done. Apply the mixture to your scalp, massage it in, and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing it out with warm water.
11 Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Mask
This mask is meant for oily hair. Peel a lemon and combine the peelings with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Massage it into your scalp and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing it out in the shower. It'll leave your hair soft and dandruff free.
12 Banana, Honey, and Almond Mask
Here's another mask that involves your favorite snack. All you need is half of a ripe banana, two tablespoons of honey, and a few drops of almond oil. After mashing the banana, mix all of the ingredients together. Now place it in your hair and leave it in for 20 minutes before rinsing. It'll give your hair more moisture and smooth down your frizz.
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When it comes to nourishing your hair naturally, this trio packs a powerful punch. The potassium-rich banana helps repair damaged and dull hair, while honey with its humectant properties locks in the moisture, ensuring lasting hydration. Almond oil, famed for its high vitamin E content, works to strengthen hair strands and reduce hair fall. Together, they create a synergistic blend that not only combats dryness but also leaves your hair feeling soft and looking lustrous. Plus, it's a chemical-free way to enhance shine and manageability—perfect for those mindful of what they put on their locks.
13 Beer Mask
Grag 1/2 cup of flat beer, 1 tsp sunflower oil, and a raw egg. Mix together, apply to damp hair, and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water. This mask is meant to add body to your hair. The yeast in the beer will turn limp locks plump.
14 Cornstarch Mask
Want to fix oily, greasy hair? Then all you need is 1 Tbsp cornstarch. Pour it into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair. Leave it in for 10 minutes and then use a hairbrush to brush it all out. No washing needed.
15 Baking Soda Mask
If there's residue in your hair, baking soda will eat right through it. That's why you should take 1 to 2 Tbsp baking soda and a small amount of water. Mix it together until a thick paste forms. Massage into damp hair and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water.
16 Aloe Vera Mask
For this mask, you need 1/4 cup aloe vera gel, juice from half of a lemon, and 3 to 5 drops of argan oil. Mix the ingredients together and apply them to your scalp after shampooing your hair. It helps your hair shine by replenishing its moisture. You can even use it on your skin!
17 Maple Syrup Mask
Mix equal parts Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil and Maple Syrup. It doesn't matter how much you use as long as you are able to cover your head with the mixture. Leave it in for as long as an hour and you'll have soft, shiny hair.
18 Papaya Mask
Is your hair always dry? Then you should try mixing together 1 skinned papaya with 1/2 cup of plain yogurt. After mashing up the papaya until there are no chunks left, mix the yogurt with it to form a smooth gel. Apply it to your hair, place on a shower cap, and let it sit for 45 minutes before you rinse it out.
19 Oatmeal Mask
If you have oily hair or a bad case of dandruff, this is the mask meant for you. Grab some oatmeal, fresh milk, and almond oil, and mix them all together. Apply the paste and leave it in your hair for 15 minutes before you rinse it out. Do it once a week for the best results.
Have you ever used any of these hair masks and are there some very special, amazingly effective DIY masks for dry hair that you’d like to share?
This article was written in collaboration with Holly Riordan.
