A pamper night is a great form of self-care, giving your body some extra love and attention and you some time to relax. You might associate a pamper session with face masks, but don’t forget about a treatment for your hair! A homemade hair mask is ideal for giving your hair a boost of natural goodness.
What Is a Hair Mask?
A hair mask is a treatment separate from washing, used in the same way you would use a moisturising face mask. Hair masks are intended for less frequent use but as a more intense treatment.
Sometimes referred to as deep conditioning treatments, these hair masks are applied independently of your usual hair washing regime. Hair masks differ greatly depending on the unique needs of your hair — some are applied to dry hair and some to damp hair. They can also be left on anywhere from 5 minutes to overnight.
The key to a great hair mask is to find the right fit for your hair type. Consider what you hope to achieve with the treatment, and use a hair mask that includes ingredients tailored to your needs. Hair masks can help with excess oil, repairing damage, hydration and a range of other benefits such as healthier scalp and shiny hair.
The Benefits of a Homemade Hair Mask
As with all cosmetic products, using a homemade alternative gives you complete control over exactly what you’re applying to your hair and scalp. Using a homemade hair mask means you can avoid unnecessary chemicals.
Making your own hair masks also empowers you to use only natural ingredients. You can feel confident that you know the breakdown of ingredients going into your product and coming into contact with your hair. By using homemade products, you can harness the power of natural ingredients like tomato seed oil, which is packed full of antioxidants. This makes it ideal for repairing dry and damaged hair giving it a sleeker appearance.
All hair types will benefit from a homemade hair mask, not just those with sensitive scalps. While natural products are deemed to be less aggressive than their synthetic counterparts, natural ingredients can still pack a punch. Our EcoSilk MB is a powerful emollient with strong hair conditioning properties.
Homemade hair masks are also an excellent opportunity to give your scalp some much needed TLC. Whether you have an itchy scalp or excess oil, hair masks can help soothe your scalp and nourish your hair from root to tip.
We have two homemade hair mask recipes that will nourish your hair giving you stronger, shinier locks. Each follows the same straightforward process, so once you’ve mastered it, you can experiment with the method your hair responds best to!
Nourishing Homemade Hair Mask
Our nourishing hair mask is a lightweight conditioning treatment that leaves your hair feeling replenished. The inclusion of brazil nut oil in this recipe helps promote shine in the hair thanks to the high levels of naturally occurring fatty acids.
To use simply add this mask to dry/damp hair for 10-15 minutes. If you have the time, leaving it on for an hour will give a more nourished result and you can even leave this mask on overnight for the ultimate hair treat! Ensure you have full coverage by applying at the roots and working your way down to the tips of your hair. You can gently comb the product through your hair to make sure all the strands are coated. Once applied, wrap your hair in a warm towel as this will help the mask get to work.
When the time is up and your hair has had a chance to absorb plenty of nourishment, simply rinse your hair thoroughly to remove any remaining product. If your hair tends to be oily at the roots but dry along the length try working the product through just the ends of the hair. This will help to combat brittle ends whilst avoiding adding excess oils to your scalp.
Recipe
Stage 1
Stage 2
64% Boiling Spring Water
Stage 3
0.25% Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
100% Total
Method
- Heat all your Stage 1 ingredients in a double boiler to above 75°C.
- Put the Stage 2 ingredients into a larger bowl and swap the bowls in the double boiler so that the Stage 2 mix is heated.
- Pour the Stage 1 ingredients into the Stage 2 bowl. Keep the heat above 75°C and stir for five minutes.
- After five minutes, transfer the bowl to a pan of cold water to cool down the mix quickly while continuing to stir.
- Add the Stage 3 ingredients when the temperature reaches below 40°C. Jar and label.
Intense Homemade Hair Mask Overnight Treatment
Sleeping in a homemade hair mask is a great way to get maximum advantages out of the treatment. Overnight, hair can absorb the nutrient-rich formula uninterrupted, giving as much time as possible to reap the benefits.
Our overnight hair mask is designed to enrich your hair, strengthening the individual strands with vitamin-rich ingredients. Your hair will be hydrated and conditioned, leaving a silky and shiny result. This intense homemade hair mask should be applied before bed and left on until you wash your hair the following morning. You may want to wrap your hair, so it doesn’t feel cold or damp when you’re trying to sleep. Pulling the hair back into a loose plait can also help keep your hair and the hair mask away from your face while you’re sleeping.
Recipe
Stage 1
Stage 2
62% Boiling Spring Water
Stage 3
1% Essential Oils of your choice (20 drops)
Total 100%
Method
- Heat the Stage 1 ingredients in a double boiler to above 75°C.
- Put the Stage 2 ingredients into a larger bowl and swap the bowls in the double boiler so that the spring water is heated.
- Pour the Stage 1 ingredients into the water. Keep the heat above 75°C and stir for five minutes.
- After five minutes, transfer the bowl to a pan of cold water to cool down the mix quickly while continuing to stir.
- Add the Stage 3 ingredients once the temperature of the mix falls below 40°C. Jar and label.
The beauty of this homemade overnight hair mask is that it allows for the addition of your preferred essential oils. As you will be sleeping in this mask, it has longer to fully penetrate your hair and scalp, and that includes the additional fragrance. The added scents will leave your hair smelling, as well as feeling, fresh.