If you’re trying to get luscious locks, you don’t have to spend big bucks on a hair mask treatment. You probably have ingredients sitting in your kitchen that can double as a DIY hair mask.

Whether your hair is damaged, oily, or dry, there’s an at-home hair mask for every hair type and concern. But does putting mayo on your hair instead of your sandwich actually do anything?

11 DIY hair masks that will actually work

We can’t guarantee these hair masks will cure all your hair probs. But limited research and ingredient properties make these DIYs almost science approved:

  1. Best for damaged hair: Avocado oil and mayonnaise hair mask
  2. Best for dry hair: Coconut oil hair mask
  3. Best for product buildup: Apple cider vinegar hair mask
  4. Best for mask for shinier hair: Mango butter and olive oil hair mask
  5. Best for greasy hair or oily scalp: Black tea hair mask
  6. Best for frizzy or curly hair: Yogurt and macadamia nut oil hair mask
  7. Best for split ends: Avocado and egg white hair mask
  8. Best for thin or thinning hair: Milk and natural honey hair mask
  9. Best for dandruff or flaky scalp: Brown sugar and jojoba oil hair mask
  10. Best for hair growth: Almond oil and cinnamon hair mask
  11. Best for bleached hair: Banana hair and coconut oil mask
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FYI: Just because your stomach loves these foods doesn’t mean your skin will. Make sure to do a patch test before fully covering your head with these hair masks. And to avoid drying out or overmoisturizing your hair, keep these masks to once a week.

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Avocado oil and mayonnaise hair mask

This mask is creamy AF. Avocado is a bomb source of vitamins that may help nourish the hair and scalp. Meanwhile, mayo is a mix of egg yolks, vinegar, and vegetable oil. The vinegar might help stave off dandruff and the egg yolks contain protein and fatty acids that act as a great natural conditioner.

Ingredients

  • 1 avocado
  • 1/2 cup organic mayonnaise

Directions

  1. Mash an avocado until smooth.
  2. Mix the mashed avocado with the mayonnaise.
  3. Apply the mask from the root to tip.
  4. Cover your hair with shower cap or plastic bag for 2 to 3 hours.
  5. Rinse thoroughly.
  6. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Coconut oil hair mask

There’s a reason why hair gurus go nuts for coconut oil. According to a 2015 study, coconut oil can penetrate deep into the hair shaft. This might lead to smoother, more moisturized hair. Studies show coconut oil can also increase strand strength and make hair more flexible.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil

Directions

  1. Melt the coconut oil in a microwave or on the stovetop.
  2. Apply to damp or dry hair from root to tip.
  3. Comb through your hair.
  4. Let the mask sit for about 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly.
  6. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Pro tip: The oil should be warm but not hot 🔥.

Apple cider vinegar hair mask

Buildup is when products leave residue on your scalp and hair strands. Over time it can prevent your hair from absorbing nutrients, oils, and moisture. Yuck. Thankfully, a mix of apple cider vinegar and water may help you say bye-bye-bye to buildup. While there is no 10/10 proof ACV will give you Pantene-commercial level hair, ACV does have acidic qualities that may help loosen residue. Just make sure you don’t use straight ACV since it can burn your skin.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of high quality apple cider vinegar (ACV)
  • 1 cup of water

Directions

  1. Pour ACV and water into a spray bottle.
  2. Spritz it all over your scalp until the roots are completely saturated.
  3. Gently massage into your scalp for several minutes.
  4. Leave on for 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly.
  6. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Mango butter and olive oil hair mask

Some studies show olive oil can help smooth out the hair’s outer cuticle which may lead to a shinier appearance. Mango butter may also help you get your shine on thanks to its moisturizing properties for skin. Mango butter is not a food item despite its name. So if you can’t get your hands on this beauty product, you can just try olive oil.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin cold pressed mango butter

Directions

  1. Melt mango butter in a microwave or on the stovetop until its liquified. Reminder: It should be warm but not hot.
  2. Whisk olive oil into the melted mango butter.
  3. Apply the mask from root to tip.
  4. Cover your hair with shower cap or plastic bag for 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly.
  6. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Black tea hair mask

Black tea is a solid source of tannic acid, a type of antioxidant called polyphenols. This astringent substance can help absorb excess oils on the scalp and tighten pores. This may help keep the grease at bay.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Place the black tea bags in boiling, purified water.
  2. Let the tea steep for at least 1 hour.
  3. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
  4. Spritz it all over your scalp and hair until it’s fully saturated. Then massage it in.
  5. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
  6. Rinse thoroughly.
  7. Follow up with a deep conditioner.

Yogurt and macadamia nut oil hair mask

Some folks claim yogurt can help keep curls curly and frizz-free. It’s a fab source of vitamins, healthy fats, and lactic acid — all of which may promote hair health. Macadamia nut oil can also help restore moisture to the hair shaft. Its softening properties may also help smooth frizzy hair and keep curly hair soft and more manageable. This isn’t totally proven when it comes to hair care, but it can’t hurt to give it a try.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Whisk macadamia nut oil into the organic plain yogurt.
  2. Coat your hair with the mask from root to tip.
  3. Let the mask sit for 20 minutes.
  4. Rinse thoroughly.
  5. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Avocado and egg white hair mask

Avocados aren’t just good on toast. This beloved fruit contains minerals like potassium and magnesium which can help seal hair cuticle cells. This might give your hair a silky/smooth vibe and can reduce the risk of breakage.

Egg whites are another all-star ingredient. They contain all nine essential amino acids and might help strengthen the hair shaft. All of this might reduce your risk of future split ends.

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

  1. Mash an avocado until smooth.
  2. Mix in olive oil.
  3. Fully saturate the bottom 3 to 4 inches of your hair.
  4. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly.
  6. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Milk and honey hair mask

Milk is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that’s been linked to hair and nail growth (and is the main ingredient in all those hair, skin, and nails supplements). Honey brings a lot to the table, too. Natural honey contains about 0.5 percent protein which might help strengthen thin hair. Its humectant and emollient properties also make it a top-notch moisturizer.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons natural honey

Directions

  1. Heat whole milk until it’s warm.
  2. Whisk in honey.
  3. Coat your hair with the mask from root to tip.
  4. Let the mask sit for 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly. For real though, you don’t want your head to smell like old milk.
  6. Follow up with your normal shampoo and conditioner.

Pro tip: Some peeps prefer to use a spray bottle. But you can also slowly pour it onto your head.

Brown sugar and jojoba oil hair mask

Brown sugar and jojoba oil are the perfect pair to fight off dandruff. The sugar is an excellent exfoliant and can help slough off dead skin cells. Plus, it smells delicious. And the jojoba oil is rich in important vitamins like vitamins C, B, and E. These vitamins can help nourish the skin and fight off flakes, which just might transfer to scalp care.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Whisk brown sugar into the jojoba oil.
  2. Massage into your scalp for several minutes.
  3. Let the mask sit for 20 minutes.
  4. Rinse thoroughly.
  5. Follow up with your normal shampoo and conditioner.

Almond oil and cinnamon hair mask

Cinnamon contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde that animal studies found helps increase circulation and blood flow to hair follicles in rats. It also contains procyanidin, a compound that’s been linked to hair growth. OK, so we def need more research on humans, but in theory it looks promising. As for the almond oil, it has high amounts of vitamin E. Its antioxidant properties can help fight off free radicals, which might lead to healthier hair.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons organic almond oil

Directions

  1. Whisk cinnamon and organic almond oil.
  2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
  3. Spritz your scalp and roots until totally saturated.
  4. Let sit for about 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly.
  6. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner.

Banana hair and coconut oil mask

Bleach can suck the life out of your hair, dementor style. The good news? This mask has some rad restorative properties. Bananas contain silica, a mineral that might help your body synthesize collagen. They also contain high amounts of antioxidants that may help revive dye-damaged hair. Just keep in mind, bananas aren’t totally proven as a topical hair remedy.

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons melted virgin coconut oil

Directions

  1. Peel a banana.
  2. Mash it until smooth.
  3. Mix in the melted coconut oil.
  4. Apply the mask from root to tip.
  5. Cover your hair with shower cap or plastic bag for up to 1 hour.
  6. Rinse thoroughly.
  7. Follow up with your normal shampoo and conditioner.

DIY hair masks are where it’s at. They’re affordable, fun, and effective. These 11 masks are great for all hair types and most hair concerns. Just be sure you stick to high quality ingredients. And remember, you prob won’t see results overnight. And that’s OK! It can take several weeks to notice a difference.