Through the years, I’ve had so many products I’ve bought for skin and hair care that required extra storage space in my bathroom.
While some of them worked, often I couldn’t even pronounce the ingredients they contained, and from all I’ve read, that simply isn’t good.
I’ve found a great hair mask that reconditions not only my hair but can be used as a moisturizer on my body, lips, and face. It’s a bit more work to make than a few, but once you make it, there’s enough for months of use.
It requires organic extra virgin coconut oil, for those who are allergic to it, you can use Shea butter or avocado butter instead.
You’ll also need olive oil if you’re strictly using it for the hair, but if you want an all purpose moisturizer, use macadamia nut, jojoba, argan or sweet almond oil.
You’ll need vitamin E oil or grapeseed oil, a mixer, distilled or boiled water, a mid-sized bowl and a larger pan.
What the Ingredients Do
Coconut Oil
The coconut oil is antibacterial and anti-fungal, moisturizes like a pro and penetrates the hair shaft far better than other oils. It also smells yummy. Since it’s antibacterial, it can help get rid of even stubborn dandruff without drying your hair.
Lightweight Carrier Oil
Sweet oil, olive oil, argan, jojoba and macadamia oil are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. They can help soothe irritated skin, moisturize deeply, nourish the hair and skin, as well as provide other benefits, one of which includes making your skin look younger.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E or grapeseed oil acts as a preservative to make the hair mask/moisturizer last longer.
Glycerin
Glycerin acts as a humectant to attract and retain moisture.
How to Make the Hair Mask
What you need:
- extra virgin coconut oil (or shea or avocado butter)
- jojoba oil ( or olive oil, macademia, argan, almond oil)
- vitamin E oil (or grapeseed oil)
- glycerin
- Start with 1 cup of coconut oil or the alternative. Put it in the bowl and place the bowl in boiling water to melt the coconut oil.
Coconut oil melts at room temperature, so for those of you in a warm climate, you can accomplish this same step by putting the oil in a covered container in a warm area in the summer. It just doesn’t go as fast.
- Allow the bowl to cool for 30 minutes. Add three tablespoons of the lightweight carrier oil of your choice ( I added jojoba oil) like olive, macadamia nut, sweet almond, jojoba or argan oil.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E or grapeseed oil. Mix it lightly and place it into a freezer for 30 minutes, just until the top is solid but there’s liquid underneath when pierced.
- Once removed from the freezer it’s time to mix it on high speed. Whisk the mixture lightly at first and add 3 tablespoons of vegetable based glycerin and ½ cup of distilled or water that has been boiled and cooled for purification to prevent mold.
It won’t mix readily at first since water and oil don’t appreciate each other, but eventually, it will become a lotion and finally a mixture similar to whip cream, light and fluffy.
- It’s ready to scoop into clean, sterile containers with lids that have a mouth as wide as the container for easy access to the mask. I made 2 containers for this recipe. The one I’m using it as a hair mask and the other one, I’m using it as my body lotion.
Your whipped coconut oil should stay relatively soft, even at colder temperatures. If it’s freezing, it will become a little more solid, but not rock hard like it normally does. If you are living in a tropical climate, just store the mixture inside the fridge.
Tip: A blender or food processor will not work with this coconut oil recipe because they tend to warm the oil too much and prevent it from whipping up. Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to get that light, airy consistency when whipping the coconut oil.
How to Use
- Wet your hair with medium to hot water, which opens the hair shaft. It’s easiest to do it in the shower.
- If your hair is tangled, make your own hair detangler by mixing ½ cup of water with one to two tsp of the conditioner (or this coconut mixture) in a spray bottle and shake well.
Spray it on the hair and let it do its magic. Your comb will glide through the hair leaving absolutely no tangles, and you’re ready for the hair mask.
- Use your fingers to get a small amount of the mask, about one to two teaspoons, depending on the length and thickness of your hair and start working it through your hair focusing first on the ends and then the roots.
Massage it into the scalp, too, since it does promote hair growth and can zap dandruff. If you have long hair, you’ll twist it into a bun, for those with short hair, cover it with a plastic shower cap.
- Let it work for 30 to sixty minutes. You can take a nap or lie back with the homemade cucumber patches to reduce eye darkness and then wash with shampoo and condition.
To use as a facial or body moisturizer, just apply a bit as you would any moisturizer and massage it in thoroughly to your skin.
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