Buying expensive hair treatments on a college student’s budget is definitely not feasible. Your hair, however, doesn't have to suffer due to a light wallet. Making a hair mask affordable and fun. It’s healthy, too, as we will use fresh, natural ingredients.
Big companies can only personalize a hair mask so much. Actually selecting the ingredients based on your hair’s needs gives each mask a unique twist.
Dry Hair
Dry hair is more prone to breakage and frizz. A hydrating mask will leave even the driest hair shiny and strong.
Ingredients:
1 very ripe banana, peeled, blended until completely smooth + 1 egg yolk
Instructions:
Spritz hair with water and comb out so the mask doesn't get stuck in tangled strands. Start at the bottom and apply the mask stopping about an inch away from the scalp. Clip your hair up into a bun at the top of your head and either put on a shower cap or tie a plastic bag around your head. Leave in for 15-20 minutes, wash out in the shower and shampoo and condition with your usual products.
Dull Hair
Even the thickest and strongest hair will be overshadowed by lackluster strands.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain dairy product (e.g. sour cream or plain yogurt) + 1-2 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions:
Start at the bottom and work up into damp, detangled hair. Clip your hair up and cover with a shower cap or plastic bag. Leave in for 15-20 minutes, blast with a hair dryer for about a minute in the beginning to build up steam. Wash out in the shower, and shampoo and condition with your usual products.
Itchy Scalp
An itchy scalp is not only super uncomfortable, it is also a sign that your scalp is dry and lacking essential oils. Help restore those oils and hydrate your scalp with this mask.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice + 2 tbsp. olive oil + 1 egg yolk
Instructions:
Start at the top and massage into your scalp. Clip your hair up and cover with a shower cap or plastic bag. Leave in for 15-20 minutes. Wash out in the shower, and shampoo and condition with your usual products.
Scalp Clarifier
Pre-heat creams, leave in conditioners, frizz fighters and styling gels all leave a layer of residue on your scalp and over time, may inhibit hair growth. Give your scalp a deep cleaning every once in a while to keep product buildup at a minimum.
Ingredients:
1/2 tbsp. baking soda + just enough water to make a thick paste (try just a few drops at a time until you reach the desired consistency)
Instructions:
Wet hair, apply to just the scalp, clip hair up and leave in for 15 minutes. Wash out in the shower, and shampoo and condition with your usual products.
Curly Hair
Thick masks often get stuck in curly hair and can end up leaving hair crusty and chunky. Try a lightweight mask that won’t weigh curls down while also hydrating dry coils.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. olive oil + 1 tbsp. flaxseed oil (you may need to increase both amounts based on hair thickness and length, but be careful not to apply too much oil, as it will leave hair oily even after shampoo).
Instructions:
Work into dry hair, coating ends well and massaging into the scalp. Clip hair up, cover with a shower cap or plastic bag. Leave on for 20 minutes and wash out in the shower. Shampoo and condition with your usual products.
Tips
Remember that too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing. Using a hair mask can be intense for your hair and they should be spaced at least two weeks apart. When applying a hair mask, try massaging your scalp to encourage blood flow and hair growth. Keep in mind that based on your hair’s thickness and length, you may need to play around with the measurements, while keep the proportions the same.
Also, for added shine, at the end of your shower, rinse hair with cold water. Once you’ve mastered these masks, try building your own mask.