How to Make a Hair Mask

If your hair is feeling dry due to weather or, more likely, overprocessing, don’t worry because there is an easy remedy. Women who color, or worse, bleach their hair have to pay a little extra attention to their tresses. Here is an easy at-home mask that costs substantially less than a salon conditioning treatment but won't skimp on the benefits. Conditioning your hair with coconut oil will make the difference between having straw hair or soft shiny locks. Another benefit of healthy hair: it grows faster. Women in India and Sri Lanka have used coconut oil for years to improve their hair and now it is time to spread this wonderful secret. Coconut oil is 92 percent saturated fat, while not ideal for a low-cholesterol diet, is luxurious for dry, thirsty tresses. So follow these instructions one to two times a week (depending on how dry your hair is) and you’ll have Rapunzel-strong super-shiny hair in no time. (Ok, perhaps it won’t grow that fast but you get the idea...)

Things You'll Need

• Jar of coconut oil (you can buy this at any natural or organic foods store)
• Pot or bowl
• Small to mid-sized paint brush
• 4 Hair clips

Instructions

Heat up the Oil

1. Heat up the coconut oil by either: (1) running the jar under hot tap water, (2) placing a portion of the coconut oil in a pot and heating over the stove on low heat, or (3) placing a portion of the coconut oil in a bowl and microwaving until it turns liquid (DO NOT microwave in the jar).

2. Divide your hair into four sections and clip each section.

3. Starting with the bottom two sections, dip the paintbrush into the coconut oil and generously apply the liquid all over your hair starting with the ends and working your way up to the roots.

4. Apply the liquid to the top sections of your hair, again starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots. Clip all of your hair at the crown of your head and leave on for 15-20 minutes (30-40 minutes if your hair is REALLY dry).

5. Rinse liquid thoroughly out of your hair with warm water, followed by a splash of cool water. This will seal the hair cuticle and make your hair super shiny. Style as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Repeat this treatment one to two times a week and notice the difference. Next step: become a hair model.

• Avoid getting the liquid in your eyes. If you do, immediately rinse your eye out with cold water and contact your physician if any irritation persists. Do not ingest the coconut oil either.