HOMEMADE HAIR MASKS

Pamper yourself with a home made hair mask!

Hair masks are great for improving condition but some of them can be quite expensive. Why not try making your own? The biggest advantage is that your mask won't have any chemicals so it will really help your hair. You may already have most of the ingredients in your home so you can always whip one up for an emergency conditioning session! And it's fun! Give it a try – but be warned, it's addictive!

Here are some lovely hair mask recipes - have fun!
Rescue Masks for dry, damaged hair
You can also use these if your hair isn't in bad condition but just needs a boost. Leave them in for the minimum time.

Coconut cream mask
Soften a large chunk of coconut cream in your hands and massage into hair. Wrap your head in a warm towel and leave it on for an hour. Wash out with a gentle shampoo.

Egg mask
Beat two full eggs with 2 tablespoons of water. Apply to clean, damp hair, massaging in well. Leave for 10 – 15 minutes and then wash out with mild shampoo.
Banana smoothie for hair – not for drinking!
Mix 1 mashed banana, 1 full egg, 3 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of milk and 5 tablespoons of olive oil. Make sure it's well combined and then apply to hair. Leave for 15 – 30 minutes and wash out with a gentle shampoo.


Yogurt hair mask
Separate an egg and beat the white until it's foamy. Mix with 6 tablespoons of natural yogurt. Massage into the hair and leave for 15 – 30 minutes. Wash out with a very mild shampoo.

Avocado hair mask
Mash the flesh of one ripe avocado. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until creamy and then apply to your hair. Leave for 20 minutes and then wash out with a gentle shampoo.

Olive oil hair mask
Whisk up 5 tablespoons of olive oil – it doesn't matter which sort – with 2 full eggs. Massage thoroughly into your hair and then cover it with plastic wrap or a shower hat. Your body heat will help the oil to penetrate. Leave for a minimum of 30 minutes and then shampoo out, rinsing well.

Honey and Olive oil mask
Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply to your hair and wrap your head in plastic film or put on a shower hat. Leave for at least 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual, rinsing well.

Banana and almond mask for dry, damaged hair
Mash a ripe banana and add a few drops of almond oil. Mix well and massage into your hair. Leave for 15 – 30 minutes. Wash out with gentle shampoo.

Milk and honey mask
Mix a tablespoon of honey in half a cup of full fat milk. Apply to your hair and leave for 15 minutes. Wash out with a mild shampoo.
Masks to help get rid of dandruff

Fenugreek mask
Soak a handful of fenugreek seeds overnight in just enough water to cover them. In the morning, grind the seeds in the water to make a paste. Apply to your hair and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash it out using a mild shampoo.

Thyme hair rinse
Put 7 heaped tablespoons of dried thyme into 2 cups of water and boil the mixture for 10 minutes. Your kitchen will smell heavenly! Strain the mixture and leave it to cool. Lean over a bowl and pour half of the solution onto clean, damp hair. Keep scooping it out of the bowl and re-applying until all your hair is well soaked. Don't rinse or wash out. Keep the other half of the solution for another treatment!

Hair rinses

Rinse for blondes
Add a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice to a pint of water and use as a rinse after shampooing.

Rinse for brunettes and redheads
Add a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a pint of water and use as a rinse after shampooing.

Orange musk rinse for shiny hair
Mix the juice of a fresh orange with 1 tablespoon of honey and 5 – 7 drops of sandalwood oil. Dilute with enough water to make a rinse – about a pint – and mix thoroughly. Use after shampoo and then rinse out.

Honey shine rinse
Mix 1 teaspoon of honey into 4 cups of warm water. Make sure it's well dissolved. Use as a rinse after shampooing and don't wash out. Dry as normal for a great shine!

Be prepared!
These are quick, easy and fun to make – and they're great for your hair! Once you've found a few favorites, keep the ingredients in your store cupboard so you can indulge in one up whenever you want!