Hair masks can be done at home with simple ingredients.

Hair masks are often brushed aside as just another product companies try to sell you. After all, shouldn’t the right shampoo and conditioner be enough? But then why is it that every so often you find split ends just a mere month after visiting the hair salon? Extreme temperatures are often to blame. Heat from styling tools, chemicals from hair coloring all play a part in damaging your hair. And now that summer is here, the heat from the sun is another thing to worry about. Sunbathing on the beach or by the pool without a hat is extremely harsh on your hair and within a few days of sun you will start noticing the damaging effects.

Unfortunately, we seem to often skip the hair mask because we do not deem it worthy of buying. Finishing the whole tub is a real challenge and buying an already expensive product to be used just a few times seems like a waste.

Luckily, you can save yourself a trip to the store and some cash by simply looking into your kitchen cabinet for all-natural ingredients to make your own homemade mask.

Here are 5 great hair masks to make at home:

Coconut + apple cider vinegar hair mask

Coconut oil can be used on the body, hair and in food.

Coconut oil is known for having a multitude of benefits and is a jack of all trades. Some use it for hair removal, some use it on their body to prevent wrinkles or stretch marks. When it comes to your hair, it improves overall scalp health and prevents breakage.

Now apple cider might sound like an odd one, but it is known to do wonders to your hair. Shampoo disrupts the pH levels in the oil that your hair naturally produces and using apple cider is a good way to rebalance those levels. (1)

Directions: Mix 2 tbsp. of coconut oil with 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar. Apply evenly to damp hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Shampoo and condition hair thoroughly until the apple cider vinegar smell dissipates. I used this once recently and noticed the apple cider vinegar made my naturally wavy hair extremely curly the next day.

Banana + coconut oil + egg yolk hair mask

Bananas have a lot of potassium, something both your body and your hair needs.

Now that we know all the magical effects of coconut oil, we know we have moisture and hair growth covered with this ingredient. The egg yolk here brings protein that will help bind hairs together, which is great when your hair has been damaged from excessive styling or coloring. It also reduces split ends. The addition of banana is no coincidence. Bananas are known to be high in potassium and minerals which will smooth out your hair. (2)

Directions: Mix one egg yolk, one banana and two tbsp. of coconut oil in a blender. Apply evenly on damp hair and let it sit for 30 min. Remove hair mask with shampoo and conditioner.

Mayonnaise hair mask

A staple in most kitchens, mayonnaise is a one-man-show when it comes to hair masks.

This is an “old school” hair mask that is plain and simple but often overlooked by many. Granted, the idea of smudging mayonnaise all over your hair may not sound appealing but do remember that the main ingredients in mayonnaise are eggs and olive oil. The protein from the egg will bind your damaged hair cuticle and the olive oil’s nutrients will moisturize your hair to give you that soft and shiny look.

Directions: Apply as much mayonnaise as needed to cover your already damp hair and let sit for a minimum of 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition until there is no more mayonnaise left your hair.

Plain yogurt + apple cider vinegar + honey

A yogurt hair mask is as easy as 1-2-3…ingredients!

Hair gets overheated by the sun or styling tools in the long run, so yogurt is a good way to cool the hair down. Yogurt is also packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, calcium and protein that will help nourish your dry hair as well as boost hair growth! Please make sure you buy probiotic plain yogurt and not flavored yogurt. (3) With antibacterial properties, honey will soothe your scalp and prevent dandruff or scalp infections. The apple cider vinegar will remove any residue your hair may have from hair spray, gels…etc.

Directions: Mix ½ cup of plain yogurt with 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp. of honey. Apply to damp hair evenly (over the sink), let sit for 20 min before removing the hair mask with shampoo and conditioner.

Avocado + egg yolk hair mask

Use your avocado in your hair mask if you weren’t able to eat it on time.

Cosmetic companies have used everything from avocado flesh to avocado oil in their shampoos, conditioners and soaps as its healthy fat and vitamins will give your hair a deep conditioning. It also happens to be a great moisturizer for the scalp. (4)

The egg yolk will strengthen your hair, making it stronger against the heat from styling tools or coloring.

Directions: Smash ½ an avocado with a fork and add one egg yolk, whisk together until there are no clumps. You can use a blender as well. Apply directly to your hair and massage scalp. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Shampoo and condition until the hair mask has come off.

Making hair masks part of your routine is a good idea, even if your hair doesn’t look damaged yet. Preventing the damage is always better than repairing the damage after the fact.

Some people choose to sleep with the hair mask overnight and if you choose to do so, do make sure you wear a shower cap to not get the products all over your pillow.

With every hair mask mentioned above, I saw improvements in my hair the very next day. It looked healthier, bouncier and the dryness was gone. Test out each mask to see which one is right for you, as not all hair is created equal.