Easy Homemade Hair Masks for Healthier Strands

As any bottle blonde or hot tool fiend will tell you, hair conditioners are great and necessary but a deep-treatment hair mask is the real superstar for keeping your strands soft and moisturized. All of that hair damage needs a dose of nourishing, scalp-friendly ingredients to give it a second wind, so a few of the best in the natural beauty game—from the founders of Adel Atelier, Captain Blankenship, Palmero Body, Edible Beauty Australia, True Moringa, and Meow Meow Tweet—treated us to some insider info on how to source ingredients from your kitchen to do so. Find their super easy hair mask recipes and tips below, and let your hair reap the benefits.

"Natural honey contains many beneficial ingredients that enhance shine and hair growth," says celebrity stylist and salon owner Adel Chabbi of Adel Atelier in NYC. So, while you could be using the sweet treat made by bees to help bring your hair down to your knees, Chabbi recommends kicking it up a notch by using onions. Yes, onions. According to Chabbi, the vegetable helps "activate the hair follicles and speed up the growing process." Here's how:

1. Place a container with two to three tablespoons of honey in a hot bowl of water to warm it up.

2. Grate one onion, then stir it into the melted honey.

3. Apply it to your scalp and let it sit for an hour before washing it out with shampoo in the shower.

Before good old quarantine, most of us were exposing our hair to a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean hot tools, pollution, and whatever else came its way. "From time to time you have to restore the hair structure because it is influenced by many external factors," says Chabbi. Which means it's never too early or late to give your hair a reset, like with this coconut restoring mask.

1. Take one tablespoon of coconut oil and another of olive oil and combine them in a bowl.

2. Add three to four drops of vitamins A and E oils into the same bowl and mix.

3. Apply the mask to the length of the hair while avoiding your scalp, and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it out.

"Pink clay and avocado are often used on the face but are equally as effective when used on the hair. This DIY mask can be used on both the hair and skin. Pink clay works to purify and strengthen, while avocado nourishes and hydrates, and apple cider controls excess oil production. The result is a purifying and treatment that addresses excess oil while also revitalizing lackluster and dull skin and hair."—Anna Mitsios, founder of Edible Beauty Australia

1. Mix one small ripe avocado, one tablespoon of apple cider, one tablespoon of oatmeal (or pink clay if you have it), and one tablespoon of agave in a bowl, blend well. It's optional to add two to three drops of rosemary essential oil in this mix if you're wanting to boost some circulation to the hair.

2. Add more or less than two tablespoons of coconut yogurt to achieve your desired thickness.

3. Apply on wet hair which has been towel dried. Start at the scalp and work your way to the tips of your hair.

4. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and then rinse hair as normal.

"This mask is great for all hair types and works especially well for dry damaged hair. The antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil promote a healthy scalp and new hair growth. Honey is a humectant which helps with moisture absorption while the beneficial proteins and vitamins in greek yogurt help repair and strengthen hair." —Jessica Palermo, founder of Palermo Body

1. Place 2 tablespoon of yogurt in small bowl.

2. Gently warm 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small sauce pan to incorporate (do not overheat). Pour mixture over Greek yogurt and stir until completely mixed.

3. Apply mask to hair working up from your ends and making sure to massage into your scalp to stimulate circulation.

4. Rinse after 30-45 min.

"Lightweight and easily absorbed, moringa oil won't weigh your hair down or make your roots oily. Not only does it moisturize and condition, it detangles, promotes healthy hair growth, protects against breakage, and nourishes the scalp. Honey attracts and seals moisture into the hair and protects roots, leaving hair strong and well nourished. Avocado adds body and a smooth, creamy texture to the mask, but also hydrates hair, soothes the scalp, and prevents dandruff."— Emily Cunningham, co-founder of True Moringa

1. Add 1 tablespoon of moringa oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 ripe avocado together in a blender and whip the whole mixture up until its soft and fluffy.

2. Apply the mixture to damp, clean hair and also massage it onto your scalp.

3. Put a shower cap on your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing out.

"Great for promoting hair health and growth." —Jana Blankenship, founder of Captain Blankenship

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of organic spirulina, 2 tablespoon of water or fresh lime or lemon juice, and 1/2 tablespoon of organic honey into a paste. Add more liquid if necessary for consistency.

2. Apply to wet hair, work into scalp and throughout ends.

3. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, rinse thoroughly.

"If your hair tends to be on the dry side, this mask is for you. Coconut milk and olive oil are great for softening and conditioning hair. They also give body and form to waves and curls. The antiseptic properties of both make this a good option for dry scalp conditions." —Tara Pelletier, co-founder of Hudson Valley-based vegan beauty brand Meow Meow Tweet

1. Mix 1/4 cup of coconut milk and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil (or more for very dry hair).

2. Carefully comb through hair, paying special attention to the ends.

3. Wrap head in a warm towel for 20 minutes, then rinse.