Homemade Masks for Curly Hair
Homemade masks create soft, healthy hair when they’re natural and contain no chemicals. They’re also really easy to make, and you might already have all the things you need in the kitchen. Curly hair is a whole different animal to straight hair. We’ll also provide you with some useful tips for managing curly hair like a pro right here.
Tips and recipes for creating curls
Curly hair simply loses moisture more quickly than straight hair. This applies even more if you spend a lot of time straightening out your curls, because you stretch out the hair shaft so there are gaps in it, where moisture can escape and leave your hair feeling wiry, dry and unhappy.
Luckily, it’s really easy to solve this issue. Firstly, you’ll need to avoid putting the chemicals that are designed for straight hair on your barnet. Counter-intuitive as it might seem, silicon products actually cause your hair to dry out over time, because they prevent the moisture-rich products you apply from penetrating the hair shaft, and your hair can start to appear like it has a thick layer of gunk on top of it. The only real solution to this is removing that layer, and then stop putting the products that cause this effect on it.
Here’s where we can help. Look into co-washing, using baby shampoo and research all the products you can buy that don’t contain insoluble silicones.
This is the first step to recovery. Look up your curl type, or wave type, if your hair is wavy. This will lead you down the right path to find out which specific natural ingredients best suit your curl type. The rest is up to you, as you experiment with different products and find out which ones give you the curly hair you’ve always dreamed of. The difference using these methods can make is really surprising. Many people go from having frizzy hair they are always busy damaging by straightening it, to falling in love with their curls.
The mask
The hair mask is a natural tool you can use to nourish your hair and get it back on track after some harsh treatment. It’s so easy, so quick, and you’ll feel super pampered afterwards (and during!).
To make some nourishing masks, which should be used around once a week or once a fortnight, follow the instructions below.
Honey, eggs, oil and cheap conditioner
Don’t be put off by the “cheap” conditioner bit. You’ll be shocked when you see how well these conditioners work on curly hair. The egg yolk strengthens the hair follicles and prevents hair loss.
To prepare this mask, mix these ingredients in a large bowl:
- 1 or 2 eggs (yolk and all)
- 3 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of oil (choose your favourite)
- Enough conditioner to get the perfect consistency.
You’ll want to beat the mix up a little. Add the conditioner bit by bit, until you get a thick mixture that won’t drip off your head! Apply the mask, then cover your head with cling film, an old towel or both. Keep it on overnight or for 2 hours, then wash it off and style as usual.
Avocado, banana, olive oil and mayo
Bananas contain biotin, avocados, like eggs, are a great source of vitamin A and the olive oil nourishes dry, curly hair a treat.
To make this mask, you’ll need a blender. Add these ingredients to it:
- a quarter to a half of an avocado, depending on size
- 1/2 a banana
- 1 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 tablespoons of mayonnaise (preferably the organic version that doesn’t have a load of preservatives and sugar in it!)
Honey and Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt and honey make an amazing natural mask that will restore the right moisture balance to your hair and strengthen it. The enzymes in the Greek yog combat dandruff and relieve an itchy scalp. The honey increases your natural shine factor and adds lustre. It’s really easy to make. Just pop enough yogurt to cover your hair (which depends on the length of your hair, of course), and add two tablespoons of honey. Mix with a spoon, slather it on your hair from scalp to tips and sleep with it on or keep it there for a couple of hours. Wash it off in the shower, thoroughly, then wash and style as usual. Could it be easier?
