You've got a big date in an hour and just realized you're out of shampoo. No problem. Head to the kitchen for an egg-and-mayonnaise conditioner. Eggs and mayonnaise smeared in your hair probably doesn't sound promising, but these common household ingredients combine to moisturize and heal damaged hair. Use the mixture as a conditioning mask and in 20 minutes you'll have supple, shiny hair, and your date will never know.
Application
Mix one raw egg with a cup of mayonnaise. Rebecca Sample Gerstung with "Real Simple" magazine suggests adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to make your hair smell delicious, instead of eggy. Work the mixture through your dry hair, from scalp to tips. Lightly twist your hair onto your head, wrap with a warm towel and leave in for 20 minutes. Before rinsing, work shampoo through your hair to cut the mayonnaise oils.
Alternatives
To avoid putting real mayonnaise in your hair, look for conditioners with the same active ingredients. Conditioners such as Phytonectar Ultra-Nourishing Oil Treatment have eggs and oils similar to those in mayonnaise so you get the shine without raiding your fridge, notes "Real Simple" magazine.
You can also add an egg to a bottle of normal shampoo, shake well and use on your hair. Store this conditioner in the refrigerator up to one week, according to Herbal Home Remedies. Add a teaspoon of scented oil like lavender or orange to make your hair smell fresh.
Benefits
Your hair and scalp skin are made of a protein called keratin. Eggs are packed with proteins that can nourish your scalp and hair roots, similar to your natural keratin, notes Herbal Home Remedies.
Over time, your hair strands are roughed up. The outer layer is made of cuticle, like tiny scales, that lie flat and hold moisture in the shaft's cortex. When these cuticles are roughed up, moisture escapes and your hair looks dull and flat. Conditioner fills in the gaps of rough cuticles, restoring your hair's shine and luster, notes Beauty Cosmetic Guide. Mayonnaise has rich natural oils that coat each strand, filling in the cuticle gaps and protecting the shaft from further damage.
Extra Ingredients
Add extra protein to the mayonnaise-egg mixture by blending in half an avocado. Avocados are rich in essential fatty acids to restore and restructure the skin. Concentrate avocado on your scalp to rejuvenate the hair roots, according to Avocado Benefits for Health.
If you only have the eggs, substitute plain yogurt, olive oil or coconut oil for the mayonnaise.
Rinsing
Rinse the egg-mayonnaise conditioner with cool water. Do not use hot water or you will cook the egg into your hair, advises UKHairdresses.com.
If you have difficulty rinsing completely with cool water, use white wine vinegar. Mooky Chick notes that you can also try rinsing with beer. The yeast will temporarily plump your roots, adding body.
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