Eggs, yogurt and honey are, at first glance, all components of a tasty
breakfast—but they also happen to be hair treatment ingredients, and
affordable, all-natural ones at that. And they're not the only ones. Did
you know, for instance, that the oils in avocados more closely resemble
our own skin's oils than any product in the beauty aisle does? Or that
the mild acidity in lemon is an effective—and gentler—alternative to
chemical-laden products? Next time your locks need a lift, save money by
using one of these kitchen fixes.
For All Hair Types
"The [raw] egg is really the best of all worlds," says Janice Cox, author of
Natural Beauty at Home.
The yolk, rich in fats and proteins, is naturally moisturizing, while
the white, which contains bacteria-eating enzymes, removes unwanted
oils, she explains.
To Use: For normal hair, use the entire egg to condition hair;
use egg whites only to treat oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize
dry, brittle hair, Cox says. Use 1/2 cup of whichever egg mixture is
appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair. If there isn’t enough
egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on for 20
minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from “cooking”) and
shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a
month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.
Photo by Shutterstock.
For Dull Hair
Styling products (as well as air pollution) can leave a film that both
saps moisture and dulls shine—but dairy products like sour cream and
plain yogurt can help reverse this damage. "Lactic acid gently strips
away dirt while the milk fat moisturizes," says Lisa Belkin, author of
The Cosmetics Cookbook.
To Use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair
and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool
water, then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied
every other week.
Photo by Shutterstock.
For Itchy Scalp
To fight flakes—brought on by poor diet, stress and climate, among other
factors—try a lemon juice and olive oil mixture in your hair. "The
acidity in lemon juice helps rid your scalp of any loose, dry flakes of
skin, while the olive oil moisturizes the [newly exposed] skin on your
head," says Cox.
To Use: Mix 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp
water, and massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes,
then rinse and shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.
Photo by Shutterstock.
For Limp or Fine Hair
To add body to hair, reach for an unlikely beauty beverage: beer! The
fermented drink contains generous supplies of yeast, which works to
plump tired tresses, explains Cox.
To Use: Mix 1/2 cup flat beer (pour beer into a container and let
it sit out for a couple of hours to deplete carbonation) with 1 tsp
light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg. Apply to clean, damp
hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or add flat
beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair. "When the liquid
evaporates, the remaining protein residue (from the wheat, malt or hops)
continues to strengthen and structure hair," says Belkin. Treatments
can be applied every other week.
Photo by Shutterstock.
For Dry or Sun-Damaged Hair
Whatever your hair-dehydrating demon—hard water, sun overexposure, your
trusty flat iron—nature's sweetener can help. "Honey is a natural
humectant, which means it attracts and locks in moisture," says Cox.
To Use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp
hair, let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also
add 1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application.
For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a
protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help
replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment can
be applied once a month.
Photo by Shutterstock.
For Oily or Greasy Hair
"Used properly, [cornmeal or cornstarch] is an inexpensive way to remove oil and grease," says Belkin.
To Use: Pour 1 Tbsp cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or
pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it
all. After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it
out. Treatment can be applied every other day.
Photo by iStockPhoto.
For Frizzy Hair
Home beauty experts swear by avocado—and not just to repair damaged
hair. Its oils (which are light and moist like our own natural skin
secretions) and proteins boast the best combination of nutrients for
smoothing and weighing down unruly hair, explains Cox.
To Use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp
hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up
moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a
hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise.
Treatment can be applied every two weeks.
Photo by Shutterstock.
For Residue-Ridden Hair
"Nothing eats through product buildup like baking soda," Cox says. Sodium bicarbonate essentially breaks down anything acidic.
To Use: Mix 1 to 2 Tbsp baking soda with small amounts of water
until a thick paste forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit for 15
minutes. Rinse with water, then shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied
every two weeks.
