5 Hair Masks That Cure Dry, Winter Hair

Honey-Rosemary Dry Hair Treatment

All winter long, we shuttle back and forth between dry, overheated offices and freezing cold streets. It’s no wonder our hair starts to resemble straw! This terrific hair mask combines the shine-boosting powers of honey with the hydrating properties of olive oil. First, warm some olive oil gently in a saucepan over low heat (2 tablespoons for normal to oily hair; 4 tablespoons for dry, damaged hair). Whisk in ½ cup honey and 4 drops of rosemary essential oil. Make sure the mixture is warm, but not hot enough to burn! Apply to clean, damp hair; cover; then allow to condition for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo as usual. Winter flyaways, be gone!

DIY Hot Oil Treatment

There’s no need to buy commercial hot oil treatments for damaged hair when you can use oils you’ve already got at home. Gently heat ¼ cup of a pleasant-smelling oil such as olive, coconut, almond, or sesame in a saucepan over low heat until it’s warm but not hot (you don’t want it buringn your skin). Massage into damp hair, and cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap for 20 minutes before shampooing.

Coconut Hair Mask

Here’s another intensive treatment for dry hair. In small saucepan over low heat, gently heat ½ cup honey, ½ cup coconut milk, and 1 tablespoon coconut oil, stirring to combine. You want the mixture to be warm, but not hot enough to burn you. Remove from the heat. Massage into damp hair, and cover with a shower cap. The heat will help open the hair shaft, allowing the moisturizers to penetrate more fully. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse. Repeat once a week.

How to Get Rid of Brittle Hair

Here’s another great use for coconut milk: to strengthen brittle hair. In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup coconut milk with 2 tablespoons chickpea (garbanzo) flour. (Chickpea flour is available in health-food stores and Indian grocery stores.) Rub the mixture into the hair and scalp. Wait 10 minutes, then rinse. The chickpea flour contains Manganese, which strengthens your hair against cold.

See also: What to Do If Your Hair Is Thinning: Natural Remedies that May Stop Hair Loss

Repairing Hair Mask

To repair even the most damaged hair, try this pre-treatment that uses the hydrating and protein-enriching qualities of milk and eggs. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons olive or peanut oil. Cover with a shower cap, and wait 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then shampoo. You can repeat once a week, as needed.

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