Deep conditioning is something that women with all hair types should do, but it’s especially necessary for us curlies. Since curly hair is often drier than straight hair, we have to put extra effort into moisturizing. In addition to your regular conditioning regimen, consider adding a deep conditioning treatment to your hair at least once a week.
Frustratingly, store-bought deep conditioners can be costly and filled with mysterious, hair-raising ingredients. Luckily, you can make a glorious deep conditioning treatment in the comfort of your own kitchen, and you don’t have to be a master chef to do so.
Simply mix the ingredients together, and massage into sections of dry hair. Covered by a shower cap, let the treatment sit in your hair for at least an hour (up to three). Afterwards, rinse out in the shower (these can get messy!) and shampoo and/or condition as usual. Pick out a few of these easier-than-pie recipes, and your hair will thank you.
Eggs and Olive Oil Conditioner
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp olive oil
This treatment is egg-cellent if your hair is porous and needs a softening treatment. Olive oil is nature’s conditioner, and these fatty ingredients provide much-needed nourishment for dry and damaged hair. The quantities listed above are suitable for shoulder-length or shorter hair, but you can add additional yolks and olive oil (1 tablespoon of olive oil per egg yolk”> based on the length and thickness of your hair. Make sure you rinse with lukewarm or cool water — hot water will cause the eggs to cook!
While this treatment won’t impact protein on your hair, it is known to leave hair feeling noticeably softer.
Avocado and Mayo Mask
- ½ avocado
- ¼ cup mayo
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- Rosemary oil (optional)
Here’s another moisture-rich remedy, for both your dry hair and that overripe avocado you were totally gonna use to make guacamole. Add essential oils “to taste” so you don’t have to endure mayo-smell the entire time you’re sitting with your treatment.
Aloe Vera Gel and Coconut Oil Treatment
- ¼ cup aloe vera gel
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
You probably knew about the benefits of aloe vera and coconut oil for your skin. But did you know they also promote long, moisturized, and dandruff-free hair? As with all the recipes, feel free to adjust the amounts of gel and oil based on the amount of hair you have.
Honey and Banana Mask
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp honey
Bananas are chock-full of biotin, a B-vitamin that is thought to promote lively hair and a healthy scalp. Mixed with honey, a natural humectant, this super-moisturizing hair mask will help promote hair growth and volume from follicle to tip.
Greek Yogurt, Apple Cider and Honey Conditioner
- ½ cup greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- lavender oil
Leave it to the Greeks to devise delicious breakfasts that also work as hair conditioner. The cider vinegar helps to cleanse and detangle and honey, once again, helps lock in moisture. Add a few drops of a nice essential oil (like lavender) to help mask the vinegar scent while your hair steeps in this luxurious treatment.
What’s your recipe?
Have you ever thought about making your own homemade deep conditioner? Are you squeamish about putting food on your hair?
Using these same ingredients, or others, what can you concoct? Share your own experiences with homemade deep treatments — especially those made with food!
And if it’s DIY curl definers you’re looking for, check out this article.