Save Money With These 3 Deep Conditioning DIY Recipes

We all want soft, shiny hair. But it can be pretty difficult to maintain your hair when you constantly bleach and dye it like we do. What’s a great solution? Applying a deep conditioning mask.

When and How to Use Deep Conditioning Masks

You can purchase deep conditioning masks from stores, and you can also create your own masks at home. Matrix recommends you prepare your hair for coloring by applying a deep conditioning mask a full week before you plan on doing the color. After your hair is colored, do a mask once a week to help your hair keep its moisture.

You want to make certain your hair is very clean and dry before you add the mask. Wet hair will not accept the product as well as dryer hair does. Also, don’t use too much product in your hair, even if it’s a DIY blend. If you’re using a lot, you should consider buying or making a different mask.

DIY Masks With Oil and Avocado

I love the video by Alex Gaboury because she not only gives you the ingredients she uses, but also tells you exactly how to mix them, what the ingredients do for your hair, and possible substitutions for each.

For this mask, you blend two tablespoons of coconut oil, one tablespoon of mayonnaise, and half of an avocado. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and blend until you’ve removed all of the chunks and there’s a consistent color in the mix (think creamy). Then, apply to your hair, starting at the ends. Once applied, cover with a bag or cap for thirty minutes to let it saturate, then rinse.

Why These Ingredients

Coconut oil:

• Protects Your Hair From Heat
• Adds Moisture
• Prevents Breakage and Loss Of Protein

Mayonnaise:

• Helps With Dry Scalp
• Adds Fat-Soluble Nutrients to Your Hair
• Restores Shine

Avocado:

• Adds Fats and Proteins
• Softens

Prevents Hair Loss

The next video, from beautyklove, also goes into great details about the hows and whys of the ingredients, but also describes different ways to rinse the mask from your hair in order to avoid an oily or stiff feeling.

This mask uses half a cup of coconut or olive oil and one avocado (the mixture is made for two people, so half if making for only yourself) that is mixed in a blender until it reaches a texture similar to ice cream. Then place in the freezer for a few minutes so the mix hardens and is easier to apply.

Leave the mask on for an hour, and then rinse. If you’re concerned about oiliness, or feel your hair has stiffened (caused by too much protein), do an ACV rinse to remove the excess oil and protein. If you don’t feel that’s necessary, you can rinse with your normal shampoo and conditioner (the video uses Suave Daily Clarifying and Hortaleza Professional Conditioner with virgin coconut oil).

Yes, Chocolate is Good for You

If you’re wondering about other possible ingredients besides coconut oil and avocado, here’s another video:

This video by Crystal Michelle features a cocoa powder-based mask. Combine ¼ cup cocoa powder and ½ cup bentonite clay in a bowl and mix the powders together. Next you’ll add ½ to one cup of aloe vera juice until you reach the consistency of cake batter.

After you have that consistency, you need one to two tablespoons of avocado oil, and one to two tablespoons of olive oil. She recommends you use less oil if your goal is to cleanse, and more if you really need the moisture. You finish the mixture with 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil.

Though the previous videos mentioned staying away from your roots, this video suggests you add the mask to your scalp in under to clean and condition the skin. Keep on for half an hour to an hour.

The Ingredients

Cocoa Powder:

• Strengthens
• Conditions
• Adds Shine

Bentonite Clay:

• Detoxes
• Cleanses

Aloe Vera Juice

• Creates ph Balance
• Adds Shine and Moisture
• Aids in Hair Growth

Avocado Oil:

• Adds Vitamin E and Moisture
• Is Able to Penetrate the Hair Shaft
• Helps Keep Hair From Breaking

Olive Oil:

• Is an Anti-Fungal
• Moisturizes and Conditions
• Is Able to Penetrate the Hair Shaft

Peppermint Oil:

• Stimulates the Scalp
• Helps Your Hair Grow
• Is Antimicrobial

Love Your Hair

We all enjoy the wild colors and effects we try in our hair, but remember you can only continue trying these new things if you maintain your hair in between. Try the masks above to get your hair ready for your next experiment, and let us know how you like them. Or, if you have your own preferred at-home recipe, let us know on Facebook !

PS. Don’t forget to share with these recipes with your friends…