How many times have you taken a moment to admire Blake Lively’s hair? Would it surprise you to know she uses hair products from the fridge and that one of the secrets for her gorgeous silky locks is mayonnaise? Blake obviously knows that lurking in your fridge is a whole host of products that not only taste great but also make your hair strong, shiny and soft. There’s all manner of conditioners, fortifiers and cleansers among those bottles and jars, Take a look at these great multi-taskers of the food and beauty world and use food for healthy hair!
1 Honey
For centuries European monks and friendly white witches used honey to treat wounds - it's a great antiseptic. But it's also excellent for returning moisture to dry and chlorine-damaged hair. Blend a little vinegar with rosemary oil and honey for damaged hair. For hair bleached and ravaged by sun, use half a cup of honey on its own and rub into clean, damp hair. You can also blend it with egg yolk or avocado for additional conditioning power.
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2 Beer
You could open a six-pack and put your feet up to watch your latest Netflix obsession - or you could wash your hair and rinse it with beer for an extra special clean. The combination of hops and alcohol works as an astringent that can getting rid of product build-up and dirt. Shampoo your hair as usual, then rinse with beer warmed to room temperature. Massage deeply with fingertips into scalp to remove all product residue and grime. Now rinse with water then use your regular conditioner to round off.
3 Avocado
Instead of mashing them into an ingredient for guacamole, try using avocados as a rich conditioner. Avocados are full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B6, D and E, copper, magnesium and iron, which encourage hair growth and moisturize dry and brittle hair. And you can still use the leftovers for a dip. How good is that?
4 Baking Soda
Most people have baking soda in their fridge or kitchen cupboard for the occasional bout of baking - but baking soda is also a great hair cleanser. Use when your regular shampoo is not strong enough to shift product build-up and dirt in your hair. You need to mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking powder soda with a small amount of water; Stir until a thick paste is achieved, then massage into your damp hair. Leave for 15 minutes before shampooing and rinsing with warm water in the normal way.
5 Eggs
Packed with protein, beloved by kids and Easter Bunnies, eggs are excellent ingredients for repairing damaged hair in a home-made hair mask. The fat contained in egg yolks helps to condition dry hair, while the enzymes inherent in egg whites will eliminate oil. Blend one whole egg with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and one cup of water to create a hair mask. Massage into your scalp and leave on for about 20 minutes before rinsing out with warm water.
6 Lemons
If your blonde tresses have lost their sparkle a little during dark winter months, use lemon to bring back the blonde or give you highlights. Lemon is also great for getting rid of dandruff.
Blend 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of water. Massage this mixture into your scalp and leave for 20 minutes. Now rinse with warm water. The lemon's acidity will remove any flakes on your scalp while the olive oil will moisturize it and leave your hair looking shiny and springy again.
7 Coconut Oil
Come back from vacation broke but in need of urgent hair repairs? Can't afford to buy deep conditioner? Fear not, the can of coconut oil you keep at the back of the kitchen cupboard can help. Fatty acids in coconut oil are ideal for scalp and hair and, let's face it, generations of Polynesians and Asian women have shown us how gorgeous hair can look when coconut oil is used as a beauty product instead of an ingredient for curries. Melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a cup that you have warmed in a bowl of hot water. Massage this melted warm oil into your hair and scalp. Use a comb to distribute evenly. Twist your tresses into a bun, then cover with a carrier bag or shower cap. Leave the coconut oil in for at least one hour, better still, sleep on it overnight. Shampoo to rinse the oil and feel your hair with your fingertips. Aww, nothing beats that silky smoothness!
