Recently we showcased products in your kitchen pantry that you can use to give yourself healthy, luscious hair. Here are some more:
Avocados
With their good fats, avocados are not only a healthy food item but also a good moisturiser for the skin when mashed and used with other ingredients. You can do the same for your hair by mashing one avocado with two to three tablespoons of olive oil. Increase the oil based on the length of your hair. Apply this paste to your hair and scalp (avoid the scalp if you have oily hair). Leave on for half an hour and wash off with a mild shampoo. This mask will leave your hair shiny and manageable and reduce frizz to a large extent.
Almonds
Since almonds have oil in them, it goes without saying that they would help in giving you healthy hair.
Grind a fistful of almonds with no added water. If the mixture forms a sticky paste because of the oil, no problem. Take two tablespoons of this mixture, add the white of an egg and a few spoons of olive or coconut oil. Whisk rigorously till it forms a smooth paste, you can even put it in the blender. Apply this paste on your hair with a stiff bristle brush and leave on for at least an hour or two. Wash off and your damaged hair will be soft and shiny.
If you have almond oil at home, mix it with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and honey and apply on your hair all the way to the end. This mixture will reduce the occurrence of split ends. For this mask to work, you have to cut off split ends and then use this remedy regularly to see results.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a humble garden plant that has been used for years to treat various ailments and for cosmetic enhancement of the skin and hair.
Cut a stem of aloe vera, scoop out the gel, mix it with an egg yolk and three spoons of olive oil. If you warm the oil, the mask is more effective. Apply to your scalp and then brush your hair so the mask spreads evenly throughout. Leave on for half an hour and then wash off. This will leave your hair moisturised so it is good for those with dry hair.
Baking soda
Not to be confused with baking powder, this ingredient is a cheaper alternative to expensive clarifying shampoos. It helps remove chemical residue from the hair and leaves it lighter and not weighed down.
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with water to make a thick paste. Apply to slightly damp hair and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with a mild shampoo for best results.
Milk
I absolutely love milk and it is my favourite midnight snack. Whether used to treat sunburn or remove a tan, to moisturise or soothe the skin, it works wonders every time.
It can also do amazing things with your hair, especially if you have hair that breaks easily.
Take two cups of milk (full cream for dry hair, and low fat milk for normal or oily hair. Use only cream if you have very dry hair). Heat till it is a little hotter than lukewarm. Mix with two spoons of honey, preferably organic, and stir till the honey blends with the milk completely. Apply to hair and scalp as if you were giving yourself a hair massage. If the mixture is too runny with the low fat milk you can reduce the quantity of milk or add egg yolk.
The important thing is that it should not drip off. Leave on for half an hour and wash off with shampoo. With regular use, you will find your hair getting stronger and breakage will reduce.
Fruit
Fruit are the best to give your hair some TLC. Avocados mixed with banana and honeydew melon makes an effective moisturising mask.
Or try strawberries mixed with one egg and two spoons of olive oil.
Or banana with honey and coconut oil. Whisk well and apply onto hair. Leave on for half an hour for restoring damaged hair. Bananas contain potassium which help to maintain a healthy pH balance in the hair.
Yoghurt
This one ingredient has all-round benefits whether eaten or applied. The good bacteria in it help to cleanse your system from within and when used on the face or hair, nourishes the skin and hair substantially. The best part is that you can use yoghurt for your hair even if it has gone sour.
Mix yogurt and egg well and apply onto your scalp. Leave on for 15-20 minutes then wash off. It will nourish your hair and help reduce dandruff. You can also mix two spoons of yoghurt with apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey. This works to reduce oiliness from the hair strands and will leave your hair shiny without looking greasy.