Homemade Hair: How to Use Natural Solutions to Treat Dry Hair

Mel Bergen
You head to the beauty supply store and spend $50 buying mysterious chemicals to make your dry hair shiny and strong. Sure, you can't pronounce the ingredients, but this is better hair through science, right?

Before your next trip, revise your grocery shopping list to include some of the household ingredients below. Natural hair care is less expensive and healthier than the myriad of bottles and jars cluttering up your shower and bathroom sink. Homemade hair care products are simple to make and work beautifully.

Basic Shampoo

Mix ¼ cup water, ¼ cup liquid castile soap, and ½ teaspoon of safflower oil. You can add a tablespoon of strongly-brewed chamomile tea for extra conditioning and a great smell. Apply the shampoo to wet hair and lather well. Rinse thoroughly.

Daily Dry Hair Treatment

An excellent way to treat dry ends on a daily basis is to reach for that same bottle of safflower oil. Start with dry, clean hair. Put a couple of drops of oil in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together and then apply by gently squeeze sections of your hair, starting at the ends. Because you add only a tiny amount, it won't be enough to weigh down your hair or to make it appear greasy. The oil will, however, help to keep your long hair in good condition with fewer split ends.

Deep Conditioning Treatments

Mix one part olive oil with two parts honey (the necessary amount depends on the length of your hair). Apply the conditioner to your hair after shampooing and gently comb through with a wide-toothed comb. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap or grocery bag and leave it on for 15-30 minutes, depending on how much conditioning you need. Then wash your hair with the basic shampoo recipe at the beginning of this article.

To treat dry hair and a dry scalp, beat one tablespoon each of castor oil, glycerine, and cider vinegar with a teaspoon of tear-free baby shampoo. Massage the conditioner into your scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes then rinse well with warm water.

Try toasting your hair - with beer that is. Pour a cup of room-temperature lager on your head, massage it in, and rinse thoroughly. You can mix in a teaspoon of jojoba oil for extra-deep conditioning. You may need to shampoo your hair to get it all out.

For a power-packed protein treatment, beat ¼ cup of plain yogurt with one egg. Apply the conditioner to your hair, cover with a plastic bag or shower cap, and leave it in for 15 minutes. Wash your hair with the basic shampoo detailed above.

To boost the shine level of your hair, boil two tablespoons of rosemary in a cup of water for 10 minutes. Cool the infusion and strain it. After shampooing, pour it over your hair and massage it into your scalp. Rinse thoroughly. Follow this up with the daily safflower treatment after your hair is dry.

There are dozens of homemade recipes to make your dry hair healthy, shiny, and strong. Try a few of these concoctions. You'll save money and your hair. To learn more about natural shower supplies, try this article on How to Make Homemade Body Wash

Published by Mel Bergen

I am a freelance writer learning to work in the on-line business. I have two blogs, one about writing and grammar and the other about music, and almost eighty lenses at Squidoo. I've also begun writing my...  View profile

  • A tiny bit of safflower oil is excellent for treating dry hair.
  • Homemade mixtures do not have to be smelly or gooey to work beautifully.
  • Natural products work as well as or better than expensive salon products.

12 Comments

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  • Kris Kelly5/1/2012

    Excellent article, must try it! I'm currently using is Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner, the argan oil hydrates and strengthens my hair making it nice and healthy. Plus the extra shine is appreciated!

  • Julia BLanche4/27/2011

    Mayonnaise is also a good conditioner. Leave it on overnigth if you can or at least 30 minutes.
    Make sure you rinse it out well though so you don't end up smelling like salad dressing or something from a chip shop . . .Add some olive oil if you like, but not too much

  • dry hair conditioner2/4/2011

    I have enviable hair, long, wavy, thick, lots of it. It's just on the dry side from living in the desert. The Shielo Color Protect conditioner hits just the right balance of moisture without heaviness or oiliness. My hair is SO soft and the curls stay apart with minimal frizz without the need for any additional products. Just a touch of product now for the frizz, even with air drying. Love the scent... coconut and something else. Love the absence of many common chemicals.

  • Kevin10/21/2009

    Any one can help regarding my previous comment? I have dry hair as well? Any natural tip? Honey with oil as a mask for hair and then does egg battered with yogurt help as a conditionner? My email the6dragongods@yahoo.com

  • Kevin10/21/2009

    My hair was chestnut when i was young but slowly turned black as i grew older. I have been much at sea during my adolescence and now my hair is dark black. How can i turn my hair back to chestnut color, well close enough to that colour so that it doesn't appear that dark black as it is now (without using dye)?

  • Missy4/2/2008

    Thanks guys. Just ran out of conditioner and really needed this one

  • cathiesbloggs12/27/2007

    WOW!!..I printed this one out!!...Great article!!!

  • Jennifer White9/25/2007

    I really needed this info. Great advice!

  • Dawn Grubbs9/5/2007

    Thanks for the information sounds good.

  • sandra overstreet7/29/2007

    Great story, do you happen to have any tips on dry scalp treatments?

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