Curly Q: I've been spending a ton of money on conditioning treatments and restorative hair masks. Are there any natural DIY remedies out there that work just as well?
Read more ¿Qué más?: Curly Qs: What are the best cleansing conditioners?
Of course there is girl! I've been doing DIY remedies on my curls myself not just to save myself a few bucks, but also because I've been trying to take the more natural route when it comes to my haircare routine. You'd be surprised how well most of these treatments work. In fact, I find that using all-natural ingredients sometimes gives me even better results than splurging on fancy hair products. Here are a few goods ones that I absolutely swear by!
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Restorative Avocado Mask
You'll need: One avocado, two tablespoons of un-refined organic coconut oil and one tablespoon of honey. After peeling and cutting the avocado, I add it to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients. I apply it all throughout dry hair, starting at the roots and working my way down to the ends. Once your entire head is completely covered, pin hair up and cover with a shower cap and leave on for 20-30 minutes depending on how dry and damaged your hair is. Then wash and style as usual.
Protein hair mask for heat-damaged hair
If you've been following this column, then you know that I've been suffering from extreme heat-damage for about a year now. Aside from growing out my curls and getting monthly trims, I also like to do all-natural protein hair masks at least once a month to get my hair back to health. All you need is one egg and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Add the ingredients to a small bowl, beat the egg with the coconut oil and then apply all throughout dry, dirty hair. Make sure to apply a generous amount to your ends (where most of the damage is found). Put on a shower cap and leave the treatment on for 30 minutes to an hour. Then rinse out with cool water and wash and style as you usually would.
Anti-frizz hair treatment
A lot of my curly hair friends recommend conditioning hair with coconut milk to help nourish curls and reduce frizz. All you need is to add a can of coconut milk into a large bowl and then squeeze two limes into the milk. Mix well and then apply all throughout your hair. The coconut milk helps condition hair and lime is good for treating hair loss or promoting growth. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. Then wash, shampoo, condition and style.
Banana dry hair treatment
Most people don't know how beneficial bananas are for your hair. These babies are packed with vitamins and minerals like B6, vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium and even biotin which works wonders on hair. Try mixing one peeled and ripe banana, one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and one tablespoon of honey in a blender. Massage onto your scalp and the rest of your hair. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and expect soft, hydrated curls.
Natural oil treatment
MY BFF loves using natural oils to treat and hydrate her dry, coarse curls. She adds two tablespoons of coconut oil, one tablespoon of jojoba oil, castor oil and rosemary oil. She mixes them all in a small bowl and then applies to her curls from scalp to ends. Not only is this natural-oil treatment deeply condition curls but it also helps promote hair growth. It's awesome!
