Beautiful, healthy hair doesn't require expensive treatments, designer products or biweekly visits to the salon. Simple homemade regimens using natural ingredients, along with basic styling tools, can improve hair strength, shine and manageability. It's best to prevent damage to your hair from occurring in the first place, but if you find yourself with frizzy tresses or dull locks, use a natural remedy for an easy fix.
Smart Shampooing
Over-washing strips hair of its natural healing oils, leaving it dry, frizzy and difficult to manage. Instead of washing every day, limit your shampoos to five a week and use a gentle, natural shampoo made with plant-based ingredients. Remember to detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb before shampooing; wet hair is delicate and prone to breakage.
Conscious Conditioning
After shampooing, squirt a dime-sized dollop of conditioner into the palm of your hand and finger-comb it through wet hair. Leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse out. Avoid using too much conditioner; it's more difficult to rinse thoroughly. Wrap your head in a towel to squeeze excess water out of your hair rather than rubbing your scalp. Rough motions can weaken the hair shaft.
Shine On
Improve your hair's shine and softness naturally with a homemade hair mask. Mash together one or two extra-ripe, peeled bananas with a pitted ripe avocado, then comb it through your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Leave the goo on for 15 minutes, then rinse completely. The natural oils in the fruit will penetrate your hair's outer layers, the cuticles, leaving your tresses smoother and shinier. Another tried-and-true home remedy for dry hair is a mayonnaise mask: simply comb the mayo through your hair, leave it on for up to an hour, and wash out. The condiment contains vegetable oils that will improve hair texture and manageability.
Drying Details
Let your hair air-dry whenever possible. If you must style with heated tools like blow-dryers or curling irons, first spray your hair with beer, using a spray bottle or mister. The brew protects your hair from heat and adds a crisp, shiny finish to styled hair. Keep your heated implements on low settings to prevent your hair from burning and breaking, and don't tug brushes or rubber bands through your hair. Gently detangle hair with a comb instead.
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