7 Best DIY Hair Masks for Dry and Damaged Hair

Is your hair feeling brittle, frizzy, and lifeless? Constant heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental stressors can leave your hair dry, damaged, and desperate for some TLC. Before you reach for expensive store-bought treatments, consider a trip to your kitchen. Natural ingredients can work wonders to restore moisture, repair damage, and bring back a healthy shine. Here are the 7 best DIY hair masks to rescue your dry and damaged hair.

1. The Ultimate Hydrator: Avocado and Olive Oil Mask

Avocado is a powerhouse of vitamins E and B, and healthy fats that provide deep nourishment to the hair shaft. Olive oil is a natural emollient that locks in moisture and smooths the outer cuticle, fighting frizz and adding a brilliant shine.

• Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
• Instructions: Mash the avocado in a bowl until it's completely smooth and free of lumps. Stir in the olive oil until you have a well-combined, creamy paste. Apply the mask to your hair from roots to ends, focusing on the damaged tips. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water and shampooing as usual.

2. The Repair and Strengthen: Egg and Yogurt Mask

Eggs are packed with protein, the building block of hair, making this mask perfect for strengthening weak and brittle strands. The lactic acid in yogurt helps to cleanse the scalp and remove dead skin cells, while its fats provide moisture.

• Ingredients: 1 whole egg, 3 tablespoons of plain, full-fat yogurt.
• Instructions: Whisk the egg and yogurt together in a bowl until smooth. Apply the mixture to your hair, ensuring complete coverage. Put on a shower cap to avoid drips and let the mask sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water (important to prevent the egg from cooking!) followed by your regular shampoo and conditioner.

3. The Moisture Lock: Coconut Oil and Honey Mask

Coconut oil is famous for its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, providing deep moisture from within. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and locks moisture into your hair. Together, they create a super-hydrating treatment that leaves hair soft and manageable.

• Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (melted), 1 tablespoon of raw honey.
• Instructions: Mix the melted coconut oil and honey until well combined. Apply to damp hair, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends. Let it penetrate for 30-40 minutes. Rinse out and follow with your normal washing routine.

4. The Frizz Tamer: Banana and Almond Oil Mask

Bananas are rich in potassium and natural oils that help to soften the hair and improve elasticity, preventing split ends and breakage. Almond oil adds a dose of Vitamin E and helps to smooth the hair cuticle for a frizz-free finish.

• Ingredients: 1 ripe banana, 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil.
• Instructions: Blend the banana and almond oil until you have a completely smooth, lump-free puree. Any chunks will be difficult to wash out. Apply this mask to your hair and let it sit for 25 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

5. The Scalp Soother: Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil Mask

If your dryness is accompanied by an itchy scalp, this mask is for you. Aloe vera has soothing properties and is packed with enzymes that repair dead skin cells on the scalp. Jojoba oil is structurally similar to your scalp's natural sebum, providing excellent, non-greasy moisture.

• Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil.
• Instructions: Mix the aloe vera gel and jojoba oil together. Massage the mixture into your scalp and work it through the lengths of your hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing.

6. The Shine Booster: Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Mask

Damaged hair often has a raised cuticle, which makes it look dull. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) helps to seal the hair cuticle, resulting in smoother strands that reflect more light. Honey adds a dose of moisture to balance the acidity of the vinegar.

• Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of water.
• Instructions: Combine the ACV, honey, and water. After shampooing and rinsing, apply this mixture to your hair. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. You can use conditioner afterwards if needed.

7. The Deep Conditioner: Mayonnaise and Egg Yolk Mask

It might sound unusual, but mayonnaise contains oil and eggs, which are fantastic for deep conditioning. This rich mask restores moisture and shine to severely dry and damaged hair.

• Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of full-fat mayonnaise, 1 egg yolk.
• Instructions: Whisk the mayonnaise and egg yolk together until you have a creamy mixture. Apply to dry hair, cover with a shower cap, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Shampoo well to remove all residue.