About a year ago I shared this post, which was 5 DIY Face Masks for Every Skin Type. It quickly became a very popular post and has been pinned and re-pinned thousands and thousands of times and has well over 50x more page views than a typical post here on But First, Coffee. That kind of activity tells me, “this is the stuff people love to read,” and reminds me to create more content like this for you. And, even if I am over a year later, I’m finally sharing the second installment of that post. Today I’m sharing four DIY hair masks, each with different properties, so you can pick the one that is just right for your hair.
I’ve tried these all and given them my green light of approval. The smooth one is probably my favorite, although it takes the longest. All of them really get the job done for whatever you’re trying to do, whether is add smoothness and shine or remove excess oil from your scalp!
Hydrating Mask
This mask contains extra virgin olive oil with acts as a natural conditioner for the hair and helps to nourish dry, brittle hair. The bananas are rich in potassium, which heals damaged hair, and vitamin A which helps to strengthen hair follicles. Additionally, it has honey which has restorative properties and is a key ingredient for any DIY hair mask on dry hair.
1 overripe banana1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon honey
Blend all the ingredients together and apply to the length of your hair from your ears down. (If you have a dry scalp as well, you can use this all over your hair.) Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well. (Note: I highly suggest you BLEND this mask with a blender or handheld mixer to completely blend the banana pieces. Otherwise, you’ll spend forever trying to wash the small bits out of your hair. If you blend it well, this mask is 1000x easier.
Deep Cleaning Mask
This mask has lemon and apple cider vinegar, both known for helping to eliminate excess oils, additionally, lemon acts as an astringent. Yogurt is moisturizing while also helping to wash away any excess oil and build-up in the hair.
Note: because lemon can also naturally lighten hair, make sure to dilute it with water
1/2 cup of plain yogurt 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon of lemon, diluted with 2 tablespoons of water.
Mix all the ingredients together. If you want a deep clean, but also suffer from dry hair, add 1 tablespoon of honey as well. Apply all over, focusing on the scalp, massaging it into your scalp in gentle circular motions. Leave on for 1 minute, then rinse away!
Softening Mask
Eggs contain the highest quality protein you can find from any other food, this protein helps to nourish your hair. Additionally, eggs are packed with fatty acids to may your hair look shiny. Milk and coconut oil both naturally soften the hair, just as they do for the skin, leaving it look more shiny and vibrant. You will also heat the hair when this mask is on as heating it opens the follicles and really helps the mask penetrate the hair.
1 egg, whipped – 1/4 cup whole milk (whole is ideal, but you can use whatever you have in a pinch) 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
Mix all ingredients together. This is a quite watery mask, and it’s best applied with a small brush if you have one. You can also mix in a deep conditioner to thicken it up a little. I section my hair and “paint” the mask on the entire length of my hair, only avoiding 1/2 inch from my roots. Cover the hair with a plastic shower cap (or even a plastic bag) and warm the entire hair with a blow dryer (on medium heat.) Allow the mask time to completely cool (10-20 minutes) and then rinse.
Oil Control Mask
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, which helps control oil and helps wash it away. They are also good for regulating your skin’s pH. The yogurt is moisturizing while also helping to wash away any excess oil and build-up in the hair. Lastly, the apple cider vinegar is known for helping to eliminate excess oils
5-7 ripe strawberries 1/2 cup yogurt 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Place the strawberries into a food processor and blend well. Add this puree to the yogurt and apple cider vinegar. Apply to your hair, focusing on the scalp and the hair above your ears. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and rinse away. Like with the banana mask, I suggest taking a wide-tooth comb into the shower and gentling combing through your hair as you rinse to ensure no strawberry bits are left behind.