Recipe: Strengthening Hair Mask

Backstory
A few months ago, I started noticing that I was getting a lot of hair breakage.  I've always had pretty thick, healthy hair, but all of a sudden I was noticing a lot more hair in my brush and in the shower drain.  I'd read a lot about hair masks and deep conditioning, so I figured I'd give it a try.  Since those sold in stores can get pricey and also aren't always natural, I looked into some homemade recipes that sounded easy to make. 

So far, I've tried two kinds of conditioning hair treatments.  First, I used plain coconut oil, applied liberally to the hair and scalp, which I wasn't a big fan of it.  It was conditioning, yes, but I didn't notice my hair being any stronger or breaking less.  I use sulfate free shampoo that doesn't produce a huge lather and I also struggled to get all the oil washed out of my hair!  The second kind I tried would be considered more of a protein treatment.  The main ingredients are egg and yogurt, which I know sounds a little icky to be putting on your head, but I've gotten amazing results from it.

Recipe  
After playing around with it a bit, here's the recipe I've come up with:

Ingredients (Enough for 1 mask for long hair, 2 for shorter.  Store any leftover in the fridge and use within 3-4 days)
 
1 egg
3 tablespoons yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons honey
1 capsule Vitamin E (400 I.U.) or equivalent in Vitamin E oil
2 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil*
2 drops Western Red Cedar Essential Oil*

*You really want to be careful where you get your essential oils from.  Many brands, even those labelled as organic, are adulterated with chemicals, which you definitely do not want to be using.  See here for more information. 

Instructions
1) In a bowl, beat the egg.  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until well combined.
2) Apply to dry hair, making sure to well coat all your hair.  Focus especially on the ends, but apply all the way up to your scalp.
3) Pin up hair and let sit for 30-60 minutes.  You can also use a shower cap or cover your head with saran wrap to generate more heat and help the mask penetrate deeper, but I don't usually bother.
4) Wash and condition hair normally.

Why It Works
Egg and yogurt contain proteins that help strengthen and rebuild your hair.  

Olive oil and egg yolk soften and condition your hair.

Honey is a humectant, which means that it draws moisture from the air and helps your scalp and hair follicles retain it.  It also has antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. 

Cedarwood and Western Red Cedar Essential Oils are nourishing and are known to encourage hair growth.  You could also substitute other essential oils, but again, you'll want to ensure that you are using only pure, therapeutic grade oils.

Bottom Line
I've been using this recipe for a couple months now.  I use it once every week or two and I've had amazing results.  My hair, which previously got frizzy at the first drop of rain or humidity in the air, is now almost completely free of frizz and flyaways, even without hair products.  Also, my hair is a lot shinier and stronger and my problems with breakage seem to have stopped.  And most of all, I love how simple it is to mix up and that it can be made with things I always have on hand around the house.



         

12 comments

  1. it works!!!!!

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  2. it works!!!!!

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  3. Where can I buy the Western Red Cedar Essential Oil?

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  4. I got mine from Young Living :)

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  5. Any sub for the essential oil? Thanks a lot :-)

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    Replies
    1. You can absolutely sub any other essential oils, or just leave them out entirely!

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  6. Does the hair gives smell of egg after washing it off?

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  7. Does the hair gives smell of egg after washing it off?

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    Replies
    1. Nope! The egg washes out clean, so my hair just ends up smelling like my shampoo

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  8. Love this idea & can't wait to try it! Thank you:)

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