Five Secret Formulas for Follicular Awesomeness

If you've been reading for a while, you know that I'm cheap financially challenged frugal when it comes to looking good. I don't like to pay a lot for beauty treatments I can do just as well most of the time at home. Remember my information-packed post about DIY de-frumping? (Or yesterday's slight mishap that left me drooling and crying into my bathroom sink?)

Anyway, because I'm a sucker for at-home primping, I have a special treat for you guys: a guest post from beauty writer Selina Torres. She's going to teach us five easy recipes to make our hair awesome.*

*I bet they'll also work wonders to soften up my beard. 

Take it away, Selina!

5 DIY Masks for Kick-Ass Hair

Illustration credit: Constantina Dirica

Let’s face it, most of us have bent over backwards at some point in our life for the sake of our hair. We've blown money on styling products, hair tools, swanky salons and even ridiculous infomercial fare, just to achieve luxurious locks worthy of a Vidal Sassoon commercial. 

I say it’s time to get rid of the ridiculous gimmicky merchandise and head to the kitchen!  You wouldn't believe how many hair troubles can be solved by things you have sitting in your pantry.  These five masks are a simple, cost effective way to get healthy, happy hair.

Hydrate Parched Tresses

What you’ll need:

1 egg

2 tablespoons of honey

½ avocado

3 tablespoons of virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons of buttermilk

In a large bowl, mash the egg and avocado together. Once smooth, stir in the buttermilk, honey and olive oil. Apply it to your entire head and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Silk & Shine

What you’ll need:

½ cup plain yogurt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 egg

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg until slightly frothy. Stir in olive oil and yogurt. Whisk until mixture is smooth. Add to hair section by section and let sit for 30 minutes before washing.

Treat an Oily Scalp

5 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon lemon juice

In a small bowl, mix yogurt, baking soda, and lemon juice until well blended. Apply to hair, focusing on the roots. Let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. 

Add Voluptuous Volume

What you’ll need:

1 ripe banana

1 egg

½ cup flat beer

1 tablespoon of honey

Puree the banana in a food processor until completely smooth. In a large bowl, add banana puree, egg, beer and honey. Mix well. Apply to scalp, roots and hair. Let the mask sit for three hours, and then shampoo out.

Strengthen Brittle Strands

What you’ll need:

½ ripe banana

¼ cup water

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon jojoba oil

2 tablespoons of honey

Puree the banana and water in a food processor until completely smooth. Blend banana puree, mayonnaise, coconut, olive and jojoba oils and honey in a large bowl. Apply from roots to ends and let sit for one hour before shampooing.

Maintain Gorgeous, Healthy Hair

What you’ll need:

1 ripe avocado

½ cup coconut milk

3 teaspoons olive oil

In a large bowl, mash avocado completely. Add coconut milk and olive oil, and combine. Pour mixture into a small saucepan and heat on stovetop until warm. Apply the mask from roots to ends, massaging it into your scalp. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing.

Why These Foods in Particular?

You may have noticed that many of these masks have common ingredients.  So what’s the big deal, anyway?

·         Avocado contains vitamins A, B, D, E, protein, amino acids, and folic acid.  All of these nutrients nourish hair and promote growth.  Since it has natural humectant properties, it adds and locks in moisture. The vitamins, amino acids, and high fat content are perfect for maintaining and restoring scalp health.

·         Bananas are rich in potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins.  This softens the hair and protects its natural elasticity, preventing split ends and breakage.

·         Beer is loaded with protein (thanks to malt and hops) which nourishes and strengthens hair. The protein binds to dehydrated hair and restores strength and body.  

·         Coconut Milk/Oil: Since coconut oil is completely absorbed by hollow hair shafts, it adds body and makes hair appear thicker.  Vitamins E and K nourish hair and boost health and shine.

·         Eggs are high in protein, and much like beer, can be used to strengthen hair.  Furthermore, the nutrients contained in eggs work like conditioners to add volume, shine and texture.

·         Honey is a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds moisture.  This makes it the perfect choice for dry or damaged hair.

·         Olive Oil is rich in antioxidants, which are beneficial to your scalp. Olive oil is also a natural conditioner, making your hair shiny and soft.

·         Yogurt contains natural milk protein that strengthens hair without making it dull or dry. The lactic acid and zinc in yogurt stimulate blood circulation which aids hair growth.  Like olive oil, yogurt is a natural conditioner.

These foods are not only delicious; they’re good for your hair too.  Try one of these fabulous masks and greet the world with magnificent hair!

After frying her hair with an at-home bleach kit, Selina Torres went on an extensive, fridge based search for the perfect hair product.  She settled on avocados.  When she’s not stuffing food in her face or on her head, she enjoys her work as a freelance writer for Glisten.

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I hope y'all enjoyed the guest post - let me know if you'd like to see more beauty how-to's in the future! Thanks for the recipes, Selina - I'm off to smear food on my hair.