“911, what’s your hair emergency?”

Whether you’re dealing with next-level hair damage or the winter weather has you in self-care mode, a great hair mask can save the day. Hair masks provide a deep conditioning treatment for those terrific tresses. Unlike your regular hair conditioner, the ingredients in a hair mask are highly concentrated, which helps reverse hair damage from heat and coloring FAST. 

Ideally, you’ll want to leave a hair mask in your hair for much longer than an instant conditioner (think 20 to 30 minutes), so get ready to grab a glass of wine or some hot tea and cue up Netflix. 

Keep reading to learn all about hair masks and enjoy an inside look at TIY CEO Andrea Nucete-Elliott’s own secret recipe for a stellar homemade hair treatment. 

Bring hair care full circle with no-damage hair ties. SHOP TIY BASIC or SHOP TIY PRO here. 

Homemade Hair Masks

There are plenty of ready-made hair mask options available on the market, but homemade hair masks offer a frugal (and fun!) alternative. Everyday ingredients like bananas, eggs, olive oil, avocado and mayonnaise have plenty of the stuff your hair needs to get healthy. The good news? You might be able to whip up a highly effective hair mask without ever leaving home. 

We love to see it.

Today, we’re thrilled to share TIY CEO Andrea Nucete-Elliott’s favorite homemade hair mask. This nourishing treatment will help repair major hair damage while keeping your locks strong, shiny and healthy. 

Here’s a look at Andrea’s go-to hair mask recipe (are you writing this down?). 

@tiy_products Hydration Hair Mask #hairtok #hairmask ♬ When I Ride - Ashley Mehta

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Mayonnaise
• 3 Egg Whites
• ½ Cup Olive Oil

Directions: 

1. Whip together all ingredients until smooth.
2. Apply to hair from root to ends.
3. Leave the hair mask in your hair for 30 minutes.
4. Wash thoroughly with your preferred shampoo. Andrea uses Collective Laboratories for scalp health.

It’s preferable to treat yourself to this hair mask application when you have time to let those locks air dry.

While the olive oil in this hair mask will deeply moisturize your hair, the high protein content found in eggs can help strengthen and thicken your hair follicles. The main ingredients in mayonnaise are also eggs and oil, which provides high concentrations of heavenly hair support. You can thank us later. Or now. You do you. 

DIY Hair Masks

There are plenty of DIY hair mask options to try out at home, so don’t give up if you’re not satisfied with the results on your first go-round. Our hair is as unique as we are, and different hair types have different needs. Here are DIY hair mask options for common hair issues related to hair type:

Hair Mask for Frizzy or Dry Curls

Warm up half a cup of coconut oil until liquified, then dip your fingers in and apply to dry curls from root to tip. Fasten your hair and cover with a shower cap, leaving oil in for at least an hour (or even overnight!) before rinsing thoroughly.

Hair Mask for Greasy, Oily Hair 

Whisk together 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Comb mixture through damp hair with your fingers, concentrating on your scalp. Leave it for 15 minutes before rinsing or shampooing. 

Hair Mask for Bleached Hair  

For bleached or color-treated hair, mix 1 banana, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of honey together in a blender and blend until smooth. Comb mixture through hair and clip up (or tie it up with a no-damage hair tie). 

Next, wrap your hair in plastic wrap, then cover with a hot, damp towel and secure with a shower cap. Leave the mixture in for at least an hour, then rinse in the shower, following up with shampoo and conditioner if necessary. 

Looking for more great hair mask ideas? Check out our favorite hair masks with TIY on Pinterest.    

Organic Hair Masks

Many DIY hair masks contain animal-derived products like eggs or honey. While it’s possible to shop for all organic ingredients to make fully organic hair masks at home, we recognize the need for organic, plant-based hair mask options as well.  

Here’s a look at our favorite vegan hair mask. 

Ingredients:

• ½ Cup Coconut Oil
• ½ Shea Butter 
• ¼ Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Add and mix ingredients together in a saucepan over low heat until liquified.
2. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
3. Comb mixture through your hair with your fingers. If you are prone to greasy, oily hair, you can avoid your scalp area.
4. Let the hair mask sit for an hour before rinsing and following up with shampoo and conditioner. (You may need to wash your hair twice to get excess oil out.) 

This vegan hair mask deep conditions and will leave your hair feeling moisturized and shiny. 

FAQs About Hair Masks

If you’re new to DIY hair masks, you probably have tons of questions. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with these FAQs.

How Often Should You Use a Hair Mask?

While we all want to take the best possible care of our hair, there is such a thing as diminishing returns. For optimal results, use a hair mask once or twice a week, adjusting the frequency until you’re satisfied. 

Are Homemade Hair Masks a Good Idea?

Homemade hair masks can help repair major hair damage and provide excellent ongoing hair maintenance. While slightly more time-consuming than using a ready-made hair mask, DIY hair masks are inexpensive and effective. 

If you are unable to achieve your desired results with homemade hair masks, or if you are dealing with severely damaged hair, seeing a hair care professional can help you get your hair back on track first.  

What Do Hair Masks Help With?

While different ingredients tackle different hair issues, hair masks are often used as a deep conditioning treatment. Those containing protein-rich ingredients can also help strengthen or thicken hair follicles while promoting hair growth. 

Healthy Hair with Custom Hair Ties  

After you’ve done all that hard work to get your hair to a healthy place, you’ll want to invest in the best damage-free hair accessories on the market. 

TIY hair ties are super soft and unbelievably stretchy, and they allow you to custom-size your hair tie to suit your needs. TIY works on all hair types and hair textures, providing maximum support while being ultra gentle on your hair. 

SHOP TIY BASIC or SHOP TIY PRO today, and don’t forget to check out our curated SPECIAL PACKS. 

For more tips and hair inspiration, follow TIY on Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. 

Do you have a go-to DIY hair mask you can’t get enough of? Share it in the comments below!