Between the teasing, tousling, tonging and tying, our hair takes a real beating, on the daily. Then, of course, environmental factors like sun, pollution, wind, and rain test your strands, just for good measure. There are a lot of amazing, hard working hair masks out there to help reverse the adverse affect of these hair hazards, but when you’re after a last-minute mask and you’re out of stock, you needn’t look much further than your kitchen pantry for strand-saving supplies. Ok, so we know that there is no clean way out of this, but, food is an amazing topical tool for nourishing, hydrating and repairing damaged hair. So, we foraged the fridge and found the best strand saviours in the kitchen…
AN AVO A DAY, KEEPS THE DAMAGE AT BAY
In the age of avocado enthusiasm, it’s little wonder the nutrient-dense green gem would be found on any list pertaining to food and beauty. However, we tend to focus on its ingestible, not topical, benefits. But, the fatty-over achiever has a place, of course, on our crowns, as it makes for an intensely nourishing hair mask. The natural oils and fats in avocados work wonders on dry, damaged hair that suffers from split ends. To get started, cut your avocado in half and remove the pit. Peel off the skin and mash the flesh to a very smooth consistency. Add a little bit of water to blend it easier. Using your hands (with gloves to avoid mess), add the mixture in small dollops to damp hair until every strand is covered. After rinsing, if you feel your hair needs it, apply conditioner. Not only will this mask leave your hair super shiny, it also conditions your scalp.
AN EGG FOR YOUR EGG
While the prospect might turn your tummy a little, raw eggs have long been known for their hair saving abilities, inside and out. Rich in fats and proteins, eggs strengthen and repair your hair, leaving it feeling and looking shiny and healthy. For this reason, we threw our slightly repulsed prejudices aside and went literally head-first into some raw eggs. To start this remedy, crack two eggs into a bowl and whip them until the yolk is blended. Apply the mixture to dry or damp hair. When rinsing hair, make sure to use cool to lukewarm water because very hot water on this mask could cook the eggs in your hair – not the effect you’re after… This mask will repair damage and leave your hair feeling strong and healthy.
HONEY, YOU’VE GOT TO TRY THIS
Not only does it add that touch of sweetness to our morning tea, honey also has a ton of healthy hair benefits. Some supermarket honey varieties will have a high amount of additives that your hair doesn’t need, so we recommend buying an organic or no-preservative honey. Generally, honey is not an easy hair mask ingredient to work with, so try combining it with the mixture of any of the above so it’s more soluble. Or, to test the raw strength of honey alone, heat up 2-3 tablespoons in the microwave for about 30 seconds with a little bit of water. Apply this to damp hair (the mixture doesn’t bode well with dry hair). You’re going to want to wash your hands as soon as possible, or use a pair of rubber gloves, to avoid any prolonged stickiness. Including honey in your hair mask recipes will leave your hair rejuvenated and stronger in no time.
