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The pollution, dust and constantly changing weather can be harsh on your skin, leaving it dull and dry. Imagine how these factors affect our sensitive locks! Turns out that a day out in the sun is just as bad for your hair as it is for your face and can do serious damage. The sunrays break down the natural proteins, making strands dry and porous, leaving you with unmanageable, unruly hair.

The best way to provide a barrier against the sun? Deep conditioning your hair daily to get a strong hydrated base for your hair. Replenishing the hair with one of these five all-natural DIY hydrating masks below is the way to go. 

1) Avocado Hair Mask

Not only is avocado good for the skin, but also for your locks as it pumps moisture into the hair cells. Avocados are high in Vitamin B (essential for hair growth) and Vitamin E (repairs damage on the scalp). When combined with egg yolk—which also promotes hair growth because of its protein and lecithin that strengthens hair follicles and roots—avocado makes for a growth-enhancing hair mask.

What you need:

1/2 avocado

1 egg yolk

Use a blender for a smooth mixture of the two. Apply to your strands, from root to tip. Pin hair up, wrap in a shower cap and wait 15-20 before rinsing. Shampoo and condition to completely remove the ingredients of the mask.

 

 

2) Coconut Oil Mask

This lightweight oil is perfect for a mask because it locks in moisture. Coconut oil has dozens of benefits for the hair. To name a few; it is anti-fungal, it protects your hair from losing protein, it contains vitamin E & Lauric acid which are essential for strong hair and it gives the hair a healthy shine. 

 

What you need: 

2 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp olive oil

Mix coconut and olive oil. Coat the hair with the blend, focusing on brittle ends. Wrap hair into a bun, cover with a shower cap and let the mix sit for 15-30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo/condition.

 

 

3) Banana Honey Mask

The proteins in banana help to improve the elasticity, while honey and oil moisturize the hair and hydrate the scalp. Bananas also contain folic acid that makes your hair shine. The potassium in the fruit and the other natural oils also improve hair health.

What you need:

1 ripe banana

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp olive or almond oil

2 to 3 drops lavender oil

Mix all the ingredients in a blender until it is a smooth liquid. Saturate the hair with the mask, massaging into the scalp. Cover the hair with a shower cap and wrap a warm towel on top. The heat creates deeper penetration. Let the mask sit for 15 minutes and then rinse.

https://www.istockphoto.com/in/photo/banana-slices-with-honey-gm537454941-57877980

 

4) Honey Mask

Honey is a natural humectant, i.e, it attracts and locks in moisture. The enzymes and nutrients in raw honey give dull hair shine without weighing it down. Plus, honey is said to strengthen hair follicles for healthy growth.

What you need:

1/2 cup honey

2 Tbsp olive oil

After shampooing, let hair dry naturally until damp. Mix honey and olive oil (this helps to loosen the honey) and massage into the scalp. Coat lightly on the strands and let the mask sit. After 10 minutes, rinse.

 

5) Aloe Vera Mask

As we are already aware, aloe vera replenishes moisture and adds shine, and thus is used in a lot of skin products. Since it is, 99 percent water, it keeps hair from over drying. It also contains something called proteolytic enzymes which repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. Aloe vera has a chemical makeup like that of keratin and it rejuvenates the hair with its own nutrients, giving it more elasticity and preventing breakage.

What you need: 

1/4 cup aloe vera gel

Juice from half of a lemon

3 to 5 drops of argan oil

After shampooing, mix all the ingredients mentioned above. Coat the hair from the scalp down and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes and then rinse.

 

Now go get that shine before your big day!