by Iswarya

 Hair masks are great for improving the condition of the hair. They nourishes the hair and they also helps in deep conditioning. Whether you have dry, damaged, dull hair, split ends or it may be any hair problem; hair masks can fix these problems. Believe it or not hair masks can even reduce hair fall with proper usage.

These hair masks can do miracles to our hair. They provide essential nutrients.
While there are so many products in the market, they are very pricey and contain loads of chemicals in it. They tend to worsen the condition of our hair rather than restoring it. Let’s learn to make homemade hair masks today and how to use them effectively to get the maximum out of them.

   The products used are available right in our kitchen. The biggest advantage is that these are natural and do not contain even a single chemical. We can save a lot of money and time by using this method. The first step you have to do is identify the hair type i.e., whether it is dry, oily etc. and depending on your hair type find out which of the masks suits you.

Banana Hair Mask: 
Bananas are so cheap and are available all through the year. All we have to do is peel the bananas and puree it in a blender until it is smooth. There should not be any lumps because it will stick to the hair and will become difficult to remove. This hair mask helps in strengthening our hair and helps to add volume. We can notice the immediate improvement in our hair condition. You can also add any oil of your choice to this smoothie recipe to combat extra dry hair.

Yogurt Hair Mask: 
Apply plain yogurt to your hair. It will result in soft, dandruff-free hair. It does wonders for people with itchy irritated and flaky scalp. The lactic acid present in the yogurt stimulates hair grow and will get you long and thick hair. Lactic acid has anti-bacterial properties that cleanses the scalp and pores as well.

Mayonnaise Hair Mask:
The three main ingredients in mayonnaise are egg white, oil and vinegar. Mix these three ingredients if you don’t have ready made mayo.This hair mask is great for adding shine and lustre to your hair.

Epsom Salt:
For a wavy and volumised hair use Epsom salt with jojoba oil. Mix these two with half cup water and store it in a spray bottle. Use it on your damp hair. Epsom salt is crystal form of magnesium sulphate and it helps the hair to replenish the lost magnesium. You can also heat Epsom salt and add it to your conditioner and use.

Aloe Hair Mask:
Just extract the gel like juice from the plant called Aloe Vera and apply it directly to your hair. Remember to use fresh gel. It gives you a radiant hair.

Fruit Hair Mask:
Blend your favorite fruit (Banana, Apple, Avocado etc) with little milk in a blender and apply the mixture to your hair. Your strands are sure to sparkle.

Berry Mixture Hair Mask:
Blend strawberries, black berries, blue berries or even goose berries (Amla) and apply it to your hair for a silky hair.

Fenugreek Hair Mask:
Soak fenugreek seeds in curd overnight. Next morning grind it to a fine paste and apply it to your hair. It helps in controlling hair fall naturally.

Oats Hair Mask: 
Boil oat meal in little water and blend it to a fine paste. If you feel it is messy you can powder this oats and use. Apply this to the scalp. Oats contain beta glucan which protects hair follicles, soothes inflammatory and sun burnt scalp. This fresh oats hair mask helps to remove oil and dirt as well.

Avocado Hair Mask:
Whisk the mashed avocado and use it on your hair. You will love the result.

Honey Hair Mask:
Apply honey to your hair. It helps in De-tangling and regulates frizz.

Oil Mixture Hair Treatment:
Mix olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil and any aroma oils such as lavender, tea tree oil etc together. Heat it slightly and apply to hair. Heating the oil helps in deeper penetration.

How to Use These Hair Masks?
Apply your hair mask before shampooing your hair. Comb your hair with a wide toothed comb, section your hair and apply using a brush covering the scalp, roots and ends as well. Wear a shower cap. If you don’t have a shower cap, use a plastic cover. Keep it for at least thirty minutes. You can cover with a towel soaked in warm water or steam hair for ten minutes to help with better penetration. After steaming pour cold water to the hair so that the pores opened by steaming process will close. Then shampoo and condition and style as usual. Rinse out well. Repeat this usage at least once in two weeks. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients stop using it.

  You can rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar, black tea water, beer, diluted lemon juice and baking soda. These help to remove product build up. For controlling hair fall try applying onion juice and coconut milk to your hair.
Include lot of vegetables and fruits in your diet, exercise and meditate to stay stress free and drink lot of water
You can also take biotin and vitamin supplements on a daily basis. [Consultation with your physician is must]

All these will add vibrancy to our lifeless hair. All these hair masks serve as hair food. They are what fertilizers are for plants. They hydrate, revitalize and rejuvenate hair.