Rob Machado and Sage Erickson, both mega talented purveyors of surf hair. If we could all be so lucky. But wait! You can! Photos: (L) Photo: ASP/Kirstin Scholtz (R) @sageerickson
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you are exposing your hair to the damaging effects of nature’s elements. The UV rays from the sun, salt from the sea, humidity and even wind can lead to faded hair color, a dry scalp, frizz, and breakage. But before you turn to “over-the-counter” hair care brands and products that claim to restore hydration and reverse hair damage, ask yourself, “Does it really make sense to use chemically-induced products to ‘restore’ my hair?”
If you choose, you can go the route of using natural products or just simple things you may already have in the refrigerator at home. Here are some simple, organic hair mask recipes you can create at home.
If Your Hair Is Dry or Sun-Damaged:
Mask 1:
Ingredients: Oil and Eggs.
Why: The rich, moisturizing effects of olive oil will help hydrate dry locks. The protein from eggs can help promote healthy hair growth. Together, the duo helps the restoration of hair damaged by the elements.
Steps: Combine three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with two eggs and apply the mixture to your hair and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Mask 2:
Ingredients: Avocados, Olive Oil, and Honey.
Why: The mix of these concentrated, moisturizing agents will moisturize and restore dry, crispy hair into sleek and shiny locks.
Steps: Mash the contents of one ripened avocado (minus the pit of course) and mix with two tablespoons of olive oil and one to two tablespoons of organic honey. Apply to clean hair and let it stew for 30 minutes. Use 2 avocados if you have long or thick hair. Rinse with cool water.
Mask 3:
Ingredients: Coconut Oil.
Why: Coconut oil is one of the best oils to put on your hair, Like Avocado, the oil is very close to the natural oil our hair produces.
Steps: Coat dry hair with coconut oil. Put on a disposable shower cap. You can apply heat to your hair for 15 minutes or use no heat and leave in oil for 30 min. Heat opens up the hair shaft and allows even more of the oil to soak in. Rinse with cold water to close up the hair shaft.
If You Have a Dry, Flakey Scalp:
Ingredients: Banana, Honey, and Almond.
Why: Bananas are not only tasty, but they help increase the amount of moisture in your hair while taming frizz and soothe an itchy scalp.
Steps: Mash together half a ripe banana and add two tablespoons of organic honey and a few drops of almond oil. Spread the mix over your hair scalp, cover your scalp with a shower cap and let your hair bake for 20 minutes. Eat the other half of the banana. Rinse mask off with cool water.
If Your Hair Is Just Dull:
Ingredients: Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt.
Why: Lactic acid gently strips away dirt while the milk fat moisturize.
Steps: Massage half a cup of sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and just relax for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water. Follow with your regular shampoo and conditioner routine (hopefully, it is sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free products). Treatment can be applied every other week.
If You Have Limp or Fine Hair:
Ingredients: Flat Beer and Eggs.
Why: Beer is a fermented liquid that contains a large supply of yeast. Yeast sounds gross, tastes good, and works to plump a tired mane. According to Naturehelps.me, “Proteins from the yeast will help repair and restore the structure of damaged hair. Vitamin B found in beer will help with the stimulation of hair growth, maltose will help strengthen hair strands and sucrose will help enhance hair’s natural shine by tightening the hair cuticles.”
You will want to use flat beer, which is beer that has been sitting out for a couple of hours.
Bonus: Now you have a use for all the leftover beer lingering at the bottom of Coors and Bud Light cans.
Steps: Mix half a cup of flat beer with one teaspoon of oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg. Apply to clean, damp hair or you can also try adding flat beer to a spray bottle and spritzing into your dry hair. Let the mask go to work for 15 minutes, preferably while you are drinking a fresh, ice cold beer. Rinse out your mask with cool water.
