Whether you curl it, straighten it, color it, blast it with hot air and harsh chemicals, or tie it back in the same place every day (and then wonder why you have so much breakage), your hair is subject to a lot of abuse and is probably overdue for some TLC. Here are 10 natural and budget-friendly treatments for common hair types and conditions that you can make at home without breaking the bank.
1. Tropical miracle formula. You may have heard about coconut oil’s healing properties for skin, but did you know it’s also great for hair? This moisturizing mask uses 1 Tbsp. of coconut oil mixed with 2 mashed avocados to moisturize and repair dry hair. Just mix the two ingredients, apply to your hair, and leave on for two hours. The fats in the mask will soak into your hair, pumping it full of healing moisture and adding shine.
2. DIY conditioner that can't be beat. For anyone battling frizzy hair, this one-step leave-in DIY conditioner is worth a try. After shampooing, work a pea-sized amount of coconut oil into damp hair, starting at the ends and working up. And that’s it! No expensive products, no shopping for several ingredients, and no mixing -- just smooth, shiny hair.
3. The remedy hiding in your kitchen cabinets. For hair that needs a break from all the products that leave behind buildup, this clarifying conditioner does the trick. Fill a clean spray bottle with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, spray the solution on wet hair after shampooing, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse well (unless you don’t mind smelling like a salad). Apple cider vinegar not only clarifies hair but helps battle itchy, flaky scalp, acts as a degreaser, and works so well to smooth, shine, and detangle that you might not even need a regular conditioner.
4. Clean hair -- no water required! The apple cider vinegar spray above is great for greasy hair (the astringent properties of the vinegar help close pores in the scalp), but if you don’t have time to wash, a light dusting of baby powder works like the expensive dry shampoos that are popular now. Shake some baby powder onto your scalp, run your fingers through your hair to distribute it evenly and get rid of the excess, then comb and style as usual. (Cornstarch also works but doesn’t smell as good.)
5. Massage trick that grows hair. Are you trying to grow out your bangs, go long for a special occasion, or battle postpartum hair loss? Castor oil, either alone or added to your regular conditioner, is said to promote hair growth (and not just on your head; try it on eyelashes and eyebrows too). The good news is you don’t have to drink it. Once a week, massage a few drops of castor oil into your scalp and leave overnight (use a shower cap or towel to protect your pillow), or mix a few drops into your usual conditioner to give your hair a boost.
6. Natural highlighter that's way better than lemons. Bleach will definitely lighten your hair, but it will also damage it and leave behind an awful smell. To lighten hair gently and naturally, try this recipe: Mix together 2 Tbsp. honey (raw is better than pasteurized), 2 Tbsp. cinnamon or cardamom (the latter is gentler on sensitive skin), 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, and 1/2 c. water for long hair or 1/4 c. for short (distilled water works better than tap water). Once the ingredients are mixed, let the solution sit for an hour, which allows the honey to release its naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide. After the 60 minutes are up, apply the mixture to dry hair, cover it with a towel, and let it sit for an hour before you wash it out with your usual shampoo and conditioner.
7. Use WHAT on my colored hair? For dyed hair that’s turning funky colors on you, mix a pea-sized drop of food gel (yep, the food gel you use to tint frosting) into your regular shampoo. Use the shade that’s opposite on the color wheel from your problem shade: treat red tones with green food coloring, orange tones with blue, and yellow tones with purple.
8. Fix dye-job disasters. If you intentionally made your hair a funky color but you’re ready to move on, remove semi-permanent dye with this simple recipe: Mix 2 parts powdered vitamin C (you can buy it powdered or crush up tablets yourself) with 2 parts clarifying or dandruff shampoo (or regular shampoo, if that’s all you have). Spread the paste on wet hair, lather, put on a shower cap, and let the solution sit for one hour. When you rinse it out, your semi-permanent dye will be just a memory.
9. Add blinding shine. Use that lone overripe banana to make your hair extra glossy. Mash the banana, then mix it with 1 egg and 1 Tbsp. coconut oil. Apply the mixture to the hair and scalp, let sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water and follow up with your regular shampoo.
10. Feed your hair to health. This mask uses some of the best ingredients for natural hair treatment and can be customized depending on your hair’s condition. To make the mask, mix 1 egg, 1 c. milk, a squeeze of lemon, and 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil. Apply the mask to your hair and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse in cold or lukewarm water (you don’t want hot water to cook the egg!), then shampoo. To customize for oily/greasy hair, use two egg whites instead of the whole egg. For dry/brittle hair, use two yolks instead. For normal hair, go ahead with the whole egg in the original recipe. This is a great monthly mask to improve your hair’s overall health and appearance.
Which hair treatments are you excited to try?
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