Since my days of frequent hair dying adventures, my hair has been a bit crunchy feeling. Like, really really crunchy, especially at the ends. In fact, the last 5 inches of my hair is frizzy, unruly, and dry. Not the best combo when you’re trying to look like you at least care about how it looks. So here’s in attempt to save dry ends everywhere! The secret? A super simple and surprisingly potent remedy for all things beauty…coconut oil!
Nourish and Rehydrate Dry Hair with Coconut Oil!
The Wonders of Coconut Oil
There are only a few other natural ingredients that can hold a candle to coconut oil; baking soda, raw local honey, and raw apple cider vinegar. Coconut oil does everything! Use it as a toothpaste, shaving cream, lotion, lip balm…you name it, coconut oil does it all.
I recently read the book “Coconut Cures
“Coconut oil, being rich in medium-chain triglcerides is able to penetrate the hair shaft, protecting it from protein loss, as well as giving it more body”
Coconut oil is the only oil that actually penetrates the hair shaft completely as opposed to just coating it. Nearly all other oils are long-chain triglycerides preventing them from doing much as far as deep moisturizing goes. This unique ability to penetrate hair to the core is what makes coconut oil very moisturizing and conditioning for hair, literally from the inside out. It’s awesome stuff!
Coconut Hair Treatment Oil
Using this hair mask will strengthen, moisturize, protect, and add shine to otherwise dull frizzy hair. I’ve been using it on a weekly basis and my hair has been on its best behavior! Sometimes I use just plain ol’ coconut oil and that works really well too.
What You’ll Need
• 3/4- 1 cup melted virgin coconut oil
• 3-5 drops of your favorite essential oil
• Optional 1 TB raw honey
• 1/8 tsp Vitamin E oil
Loving Preparation
• Whisk the honey and Vitamin E oil into the melted coconut oil if you’re using them
• Add the essential oil and stir
• Apply starting at the ends and work your way up (apply evenly and liberally but not dripping. I drench my hair anyways.) Comb it through using a wide tooth comb
• Wrap your head in a shower cap
• Let the oil sit for at least 1 hour. I leave mine on all day when I can. Sometimes I will re-apply coconut oil to the ends as the coconut oil gets absorbed.
Once you’re done, wash and condition your hair as you normally would.
Essential Oils for Different Hair Types to Use in Coconut Oil
Adding essential oils to your coconut hair treatment will boost its repairing qualities and can even help correct certain hair and scalp issues.
Here are a few of my favorites for…
Dry Hair:
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Myrrh
• Geranium
• Carrot seed
• Sandalwood
• Yarrow
• Birch
• Parsley
Normal Hair:
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Eucalyptus
• Parsley
• Geranium
• Carrot seed
• Rosemary
Oily Hair:
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Tea Tree
• Cypress
• Lemon
• Eucalyptus
• Birch
• Basil
• Sage
• Thyme
• Yarrow
Abused/Sun-Damaged Hair:
• Parsley
• Lavender
• Chamomile
• Birch
• Thyme
• Calendula
• Carrot seed
• Sandalwood
• Clary-sage
Hair Loss:
• Palmarosa
• Chamomile
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Clary-sage
Dandruff:
• Rosemary
• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Lemon
• Lime
• Birch
• Basil
• Thyme
• Cypress
• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Sage
• Carrot seed
Coconut Hair Mask Results
Even after just one use, my hair feels waaaaay softer than it did before. My frizz has tamed down quite a bit too. I think I’ll try doing this hair treatment a few times per week to see if I get even better results.
Update***
Using coconut oil as a weekly hair mask has totally transformed my hair! Paired with some argan oil at the ends after I wash out the mask keeps my hair smooth and frizz-free! I highly recommend it!
The photos below depict the firt time I ever tried coconut oil as a hair mask.
Have you ever used coconut oil as a hair mask? How did you like it?
For more hair related articles look below:
Monday Monthly Mission #1- The No-Poo Method
The No-Poo Method and My Experience One Week In
The No-Poo Method- One Month Results
DIY Dry Shampoo Spray for Oily Hair!
Conditioning Hair Serum Recipe
Essential Oils for Hair Loss and Alopecia
Nice article, Tash! I’m glad to hear that coconut oil made your hair smooth and frizz-free. Based on my experience, it also works great as a hair growth treatment.
Will
I was using argan oil for a few months, and I’m quite pleased with the results. However, I really want to try out coconut oil as well. Loves the pictures, and the post itself is great too. Thanks. 🙂
Thanks for this post! My hair tends to be oily, so now I know what oils to add to the coconut oil mask to help control it.
I cannot wait to try this on my hair!
I often use coconut oil, not mixed with anything, on my hair as a mask. I have found that if I apply the shampoo before wetting my hair it seems to work better.
Good to know! =)
What is your method for removing the oil treatment? Do you just rinse or do you shampoo it out? Thanks!
Hi Lisa,
I usually wash my hair very well afterwards with a natural shampoo, sometimes twice to make sure I’ve got the oil out. When your hair dries, it will feel very soft since the coconut oil has penetrated the hair to the center. It’s really nice =) I condition my hair like usual after washing.
Hi Tash! Which is the natural shampoo (and conditioner) that you recommend when washing out hair masks/oil for oily hair type? And what are your thoughts and recommendations on avoiding SLS in shampoos and conditioners?
Hi Ishita!
I love the brand Broo. It’s probably the best more natural shampoo I’ve found that actually works! But if you’re going for REALLY natural, I’d say look into a brand called Griffin Remedy 🙂