Everyone loves a good hair day, but most of us don’t have time to visit the salon whenever a minor hair mishap strikes. While services like highlights and haircuts are best left to the professionals, there are a few natural hair treatments you can do at home. You may be surprised at how many of your favorite products can be replicated at home through DIY hair masks with your groceries. If any of these homemade hair treatments feel daunting, though, don’t sweat: we’ve got alternatives from Verb that promise no more bad hair days.
DIY hair mask for dry hair
Dry hair problems
Hair feeling dry? When your hair is dry and dehydrated, it rough, stiff dull and limp rather than shiny and bouncy. This also makes the hair harder to style and can even lead to further damage if left untreated, as the brittle strands can begin to break off. Luckily, a homemade hair treatment can help to add moisture.
Homemade hair treatment: Apple Cider Vinegar + Honey + Egg
Apple cider vinegar helps hair retain moisture and adds shine. Honey also aids with shine by smoothing the cuticle, and eggs contain the protein that your dry hair is craving. To make this homemade hair mask, mix together 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. For long hair, just double the recipe! Mix together in a bowl, massage into the hair, and put on an episode of your favorite binge watch; this DIY hair mask should sit on the hair for before rinsing.
Product alternative: Verb Hydrating Mask
If your hair is seriously dehydrated, a DIY mask may not cut it. For best results, we recommend using a hair mask specifically designed to moisturize hair like our Hydrating Mask which deep conditions and nourishes hair of all types. Key ingredients like babassu oil help to hydrate dry hair for added softness and shine. Use the mask once a week after shampooing and let it sit for 5-7 minutes before rinsing to give your hair an intense boost of moisture.
DIY hair mask for damaged hair
Damaged hair problems
Your hair may have suffered damage from hot styling tools, dyeing, being overworked, sun damage, or natural wear and tear over time. To help repair damaged hair, it’s important to infuse the shaft with moisture-rich ingredients that can aid in preventing further breakage and restore softness and shine.
Homemade hair treatment: Olive Oil + Coconut Oil
Not all oils are created equal! Olive and coconut oil in particular are great for DIY treatments because they have molecules small enough to penetrate the shaft, rather than just coating it. Take one part coconut oil to two parts olive oil (gently warm if the coconut oil has solidified) and work it into the hair. Throw on a shower cap (if you don’t have one, cling wrap works!) and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Rinse and cleanse to reveal hydrated strands and style as usual.
DIY hair mask for oily hair
Oily hair problems
Your scalp produces necessary oils to keep your hair naturally moisturized. When there’s an overproduction of oil, though, it can make the hair look dirty and weigh down your tresses. Your scalp may be creating extra oil due to being dehydrated from over-washing, or there could be a buildup of product on the scalp.
Homemade hair treatment: Baking Soda + Yogurt
Baking soda absorbs oil when applied to your hair, and the crystalline texture also helps to exfoliate your scalp of dry skin and dirt. Plain yogurt contains lactic acid that helps cleanse the scalp and the protein in it also promotes healthy hair. To remove excess oil, you can create a homemade hair mask by combining 1 teaspoon of baking soda and ½ a cup of plain yogurt. Gently massage the mixture into your scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and shampooing.
Product alternative: Verb Ghost Mask
If you have oily hair, you may be hesitant about using products that add moisture — but often the reason your hair is producing so much oil is because it’s not getting the hydration it needs in the first place which causes the oil glands to kick into overdrive. In this case, you need to use a product that adds moisture but not so much that it overwhelms hair that is naturally oily or fine. We recommend our Ghost Mask, which gives oily hair just the right amount of moisture so it doesn’t get weighed down. Ghost Mask keeps hair soft and conditioned with glycerin and moringa oil, which infuse moisture while keeping things light. To use, simply swap the mask for your normal conditioner once a week and let it sit for 5-7 minutes before rinsing.
DIY hair toner for color-treated hair
Color-treated hair problems
Dyeing your hair is a great way to change up your look, but the color-treatment process can also be damaging for your hair and needs proper maintenance to ensure your color lasts long. This is especially true when going to a lighter shade which often involves bleaching. Bleached hair tends to turn yellow (also known as brassy) when your toner gets washed out over time.
Homemade hair treatment: Lemon + Honey
Lemon juice has natural bleaching properties that can help keep hair light and bright, while honey is a humectant that can deep condition your hair and help it retain moisture over time. Unlike the previous DIY hair masks, in this case we’ll be combining these ingredients to make a homemade toner. To make, squeeze 2 lemons to get ¼ cup of lemon juice and mix this with ¾ cups of water, then add 2 tablespoons of honey and put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture across your hair to the extent that it’s damp, but not soaked. Leave this on for 2 hours before rinsing with shampoo.
Product alternative: Verb Purple Mask
Don’t have the time to wait with honey and lemon covered hair? We have you covered with our Purple Mask, which uses violet pigment to counteract brassiness. Blue and violet are on the opposite spectrum of the color wheel compared to warm tones like orange and yellow, so Purple Mask deposits a microscopic amount of violet pigment to counteract brassy tones. Don’t worry, the pigment deposited won’t make your hair look purple — it’ll help keep your hair bright while adding moisture thanks to nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed and acai extract that help preserve color and hydrate your locks. Use Purple Mask once a week after shampooing and let it sit for 5-7 minutes before rinsing. For an added bonus, use this product with Purple Shampoo.
DIY volumizing powder for flat hair
Flat hair problems
Silky strands are certainly the goal, but sometimes they have trouble maintaining volume. If your hair is fine, skip the tease comb and find a gentler way to maintain volume.
Homemade hair treatment: Corn Starch + Rice Flour
A DIY volumizing powder will add more texture to your strands, helping them stand up from the scalp and maintain a style. Simply combine 2 tablespoons each of corn starch and rice flour. Put the powder mixture into a shaker and sprinkle lightly over your roots. Then, use your fingers to tousle your tresses into place.
Product alternative: Verb Volume Shampoo and Conditioner
Instead of turning to the pantry, consider switching your shampoo and conditioner with products that are formulated to add lift, volume, and texture for flat hair. Our Volume Shampoo and Conditioner gently cleanses and moisturizes hair while providing lasting body and lift for noticeable volume. Key ingredients like vitamin Pro-B5 give your hair a natural boost of body while sunflower seed extract increases hair manageability and adds natural UV protection.
DIY hair mask for unruly curly hair
Curly hair problems
Curls, coils, and waves come with their own needs. Curly hair needs some extra love to preserve the curl pattern. If you haven’t been caring for your curls, you may notice frizz, breakage, and locks that feel unruly and hard to manage.
Homemade hair treatment: Banana + Molasses + Honey
Skip the straightener and put that energy into revitalizing your curls! This homemade hair mask is complicated, but helps enhance the curl pattern by adding moisture and defining the individual coils. Take a ½ cup of molasses, a ¼ cup of olive oil, two bananas, 4 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of flour, and a ½ cup of water and combine until the texture is smooth (feel free to use a blender!). Then warm over the stovetop, not too hot, and then apply the mask. Let it sit for 45 minutes before rinsing.
Product alternative: Verb Curl Cream
If you’re intimidated by that recipe and the amount of ingredients it involves, opt for our Curl Cream instead. Curl Cream provides memory and light hold to help define your curls and keep them stay shapely and bouncy over time. To use, apply the cream to your hands and apply into damp curls before styling as usual. For 2-3 day old curls, scrunch a bit into dry hair to refresh and restyle.
