Your hair takes a beating in the summer. After battling chlorine from the pool and logging long hours in the sun, hair is often left dull, fried, and otherwise overworked. A few simple tricks with items you might already have in your kitchen can help to soothe and smooth those stressed tresses. Use one or more of the methods below to nourish and restore your hair as needed.
Simple Soothing Hair Mask
These ingredients work well for restoring stressed hair because they contain a combination of protein and nourishing fats, as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals that hair needs.
You Will Need:
- Mayonnaise
- Plain yogurt
- Whip cream (Reddi-wip, Cool Whip, homemade, etc.)
- Egg yolk
- Avocado
- Butter
Using the Mask:
- Select an ingredient from the list above.
- Work the ingredient into your hair.
- Put a plastic bag over your hair, then wrap it with a towel.
- Leave the conditioner on for an hour.
- Wash your hair as normal.
Coconut Avocado Hair Mask
This recipe takes only a minute to make and works well for repairing stressed and damaged hair. The oil is optional, but will give your hair a healthy luster.
You Will Need:
- An avocado
- Coconut milk
- Olive oil
Using the Mask:
- Mash an avocado and mix it thoroughly with about half a cup of coconut milk and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. (Use less milk for a smaller avocado. You want the mixture to be a smooth mud-like consistency, not runny.)
- Spread the mask over your hair and work it in with your fingers or a comb.
- Let the mask sit on your hair for about 15 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse off the mask as you would a conditioner.
Deep Conditioning Oil Treatment
A conditioning oil treatment is the best treatment option for hair that is significantly stressed. It works as an emollient, moisturizing deep into each strand. Oils also provide the hair with vital nutrition and leave it soft and shiny. Use caution if rinsing the oil out in a shower, as it could create a slippery situation.
You Will Need:
- An oil:
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba oil
- Olive oil
- A pan
- A plastic bag
- A towel
Using the Oil:
- Select an oil from the list above.
- Put the oil in a pan and warm it on the stove. Do not cook it, just warm it.
- Massage the warm oil into your scalp and through your hair.
- Put a plastic bag over your hair, then wrap your hair with a towel.
- Sit someplace warm for an hour, such as in the sun (with proper skin protection of course).
- Wash your hair as normal with a mild shampoo. Rinse and repeat as many times as needed to fully remove the oil.
Tea Hair Rinse
A tea rinse is a triple treatment for your hair; it provides nourishment, shine, and pH balance. This method is commonly used for dark hair with a dark color of tea like black tea. However, a lighter color of tea like green tea can be used for light hair. Chamomile tea can also be used for light hair and it will give it gold highlights.
You Will Need:
- Tea that is a similar color to your hair
Using the Tea:
- Make about 4 cups (1 quart) of tea. If you have very long hair, make extra.
- Use a mild shampoo to clean your hair as usual.
- Tilt your head back and pour the tea over your hair, starting at the top. (Be sure the tea has cooled enough for comfort before pouring it.)
- Rub your fingers through your hair as you pour to ensure the tea gets deep into your hair.
- Rinse out the tea with water.
Vinegar Hair Rinse
The scalp, like skin, is naturally acidic and vinegar can help to restore the pH balance, as well as clean and soften your hair. This method works particularly well for oily hair as it can cut through the oil, and also for frizzy hair as it can smooth the strands.
You Will Need:
- Vinegar
- Water
- A pan
- A pitcher
Using the Vinegar:
- Select a vinegar that is right for your hair.
- For dry hair, use wine vinegar. Choose the wine vinegar that is closest to your hair color.
- For dark hair, use apple cider vinegar.
- For light hair, use diluted white vinegar.
- Mix one cup of vinegar with four cups of water.
- Put the vinegar mixture in a pan and warm it on the stove. Do not cook it, just warm it like a soup. This is done so that it will not be shockingly cold in contrast to the warm shower water. It will cool slightly while you shower and shampoo your hair, but test it first anyway before pouring it over your head.
- Pour the warm vinegar mixture into a heat-safe pitcher.
- Use a mild shampoo to clean your hair as usual.
- Tilt your head back and pour the vinegar over your hair, starting at the top.
- Run a comb or your fingers through your hair to ensure the vinegar gets worked in evenly.
- Rinse out the vinegar with water.
Additional Tips:
- Always wash your hair after it has been in a pool or hot tub to remove the chlorine.
- According to Rosemary Gladstar’s book Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, the most common mistake made when caring for hair is overwashing it. To give your hair a break from washing but still keep it clean, use a dry shampoo instead. There are many common household powders that can be used as a dry shampoo, such as oatmeal, cornstarch or wheat germ. Use the one that is the closest to your hair color. Simply sprinkle it onto your hair, comb your hair to spread it through, and let it sit for several minutes to absorb the dirt and oil. Remove it by brushing it out or using a hair dryer to blow it out.
- For split ends, rub some maple syrup into the bottom few inches of your hair (or all of your hair if you have very short hair). Leave it on for about half an hour, then wash it out with shampoo.
Sources:
- Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond
- Amazing Kitchen Cures by Joey Green
- Natural Alternatives for You and Your Home by Casey Kellar
- Homemade by Reader’s Digest
- Cheaper and Better by Nancy Birnes
- Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck
- 99 Cent Solutions by Reader’s Digest
- Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
Lisa says
I love your tips! Maple syrup does work.