Hair Masks For Curly Hair

If you could travel back in time to when I was in junior high, you'd probably find me at home on a Friday night, concocting a slew of DIY hair masks and handmade face masks with my pals. Basically, if it's a food item, you can bet I've slathered it on my head/hair/face/body—which means I know exactly which ingredients work and which ingredients shouldn't go near your scalp.

And believe me when I say there are many, many bad recipes out there, as someone who spent the better part of their formative years covered in self-inflicted rashes or blocking their drains with DIY masks. So, to cut through the clutter and save you from a hair disaster, I've compiled a list of my favourite curly hair DIY masks and more. I swear your hair will thank you if you try one of these tonight.

You can't dispute that having curly hair makes you stand out. Curly hair is frequently complimented because it is so uncommon to have natural curls that make the hair look abundant and bouncy. However, you can't deny that this particular hair type has its own set of issues. You know there are days when you simply despise your hair, despite the compliments.

If your hair is damaged (which is almost always the case when you bleach, relax, or use flat irons and heat tools on a regular basis), your hair routine should include some major deep-conditioning masks that provide a little of cuticle-repairing proteins as well as a lot of strand-smoothing moisture. If you don't want to spend the money on store-brand treatments, try this moisture-rich mask made with mayonnaise.

Ingredients for a homemade hair mask:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons full-fat plain yogurt
coconut oil (two tablespoons) (or olive or argan oil)
1 tablespoon of honey

The steps are as follows:

To allow the mask to permeate your strands more effectively, start with clean, freshly shampooed hair.
Rake the mask through your mid-lengths to ends while your hair is still damp (you may do this in the shower if you're naked and want to rinse your body off later), avoiding your roots.
Allow the mask to sit for up to an hour before removing it. Either leave your hair up for 10 minutes before rinsing, or clip it up, wrap it in a towel, and relax for an hour.
Rinse out the mask, shampoo again (this time with a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping your hair), and condition your hair.

If you've just bleached or color-treated your hair, you're in desperate need of some moisture. No matter how competent your hairdresser is, lightening your hair affects the cuticle to some level, which means your post-bleach hair will require a lot of hydration and protein.

Ingredients for a homemade hair mask:

1 peeled banana
coconut oil, 1-2 tablespoons
1 teaspoon of honey

The steps are as follows:

In a blender, combine all of the ingredients and blend until smooth (yup, you really will want to blend this one or deal with banana chunks in your hair).
Using your rake, rake the mixture through your moist hair, then clip it up and away from your neck.
Wrap your hair in plastic cling wrap sheets, then cover with a warm moist towel.
Put a shower cap on top to keep everything from falling off. It may seem like a lot, but the idea is to trap heat and moisture in your strands to assist the oils and moisture penetrate better.
Allow 30 minutes to an hour for everything to soak in (the longer the better), then wash it all off in the shower (pro tip: Use a purple shampoo to keep your blonde hair bright and brass-free).

As someone who has curly hair, I'd like to point out that there's nothing wrong with frizz or flyaways, and they don't need to be "tamed." Frizzy curls, on the other hand, can be an indication of dryness, necessitating the use of a hydrating hair mask very once. What's the simplest and most popular curly hair mask? It's just oil. The heaviest oils, olive and coconut oil, are also the finest at sealing in hydration, so use this mask once a week for maximum definition and moisture.

Ingredients for a homemade hair mask:

Olive oil or coconut oil

The steps are as follows:

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt half a cup of coconut oil until liquified (or, just pour half a cup of olive oil in a bowl).
Dip your fingers in the bowl and work in parts to coat your dry curls in oil, moving from roots to tips until fully soaked.
Before rinsing and shampooing your hair, clip it up, cover it with a shower cap, and let it on for at least an hour. Leave it on overnight and rinse in the morning if your hair is extremely dry and/or damaged.

This hydrating DIY mask is simply wonderful. It's formulated with avocado, which contains fatty acids that seal in moisture to your hair cuticle, and honey, which serves as a humectant (an ingredient that draws moisture from the air and into the strand). Choose olive oil for thicker, coarser, and/or color-treated hair, and argan oil for finer hair types that are easily burdened down, if you're not sure which oil to use.

Ingredients for a homemade hair mask:

1 avocado (ripe)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or 1 tablespoon argan oil
1 teaspoon of honey
1/8 cup coconut milk (or, if you're in a hurry, almond milk)

The steps are as follows:

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender (or use a hand mixer, or, if you're really lazy, just mix it with a fork and whisk by hand, but expect clumps).
Smooth the mixture from roots to tips through your dry hair, then wrap and clip it up.
Allow at least 30 minutes for the treatment to take effect, then shower and condition as usual.

Using honey and an egg

Eggs are not only moisturizing by nature, but they also include proteins that can help your tresses by improving strength and preventing typical hair problems like hair fall. Honey, on the other hand, is a natural humectant, which means it will seal in moisture and add shine to your hair.

To make this hair mask, separate the egg white from the yolk. Create a small chip in the egg shell and pour the egg white into a bowl to accomplish this. After that, add one teaspoon of honey. Whisk together both ingredients until they are thoroughly combined. Apply this hair mask to your tresses and let it sit for a few minutes. Allow time for it to dry. It will only take 20 to 25 minutes. Then, using warm water and a gentle shampoo, wash it.