6 simple homemade hair masks to treat your tresses

In 2013, Americans spent $11.4 billion on haircare products. That’s a lot of money spent on chemical-laden mystery concoctions that are potentially doing more harm than good. The U.S. EPA lists a number of unsavory ingredients found in the things we use in our hair, ranging from lead and sodium hydroxide to dibutyl phthalates and formaldehyde – with a host of associated health effects that are disconcertingly dire.

While we’re not exactly saying that your store-bought shampoo and conditioner are going to kill you, we are saying that it really couldn’t hurt to use things that are simple, clean and pure. Like, food! We’ve already covered the shampooing part; so here we have a list of one-ingredient masks using things from the kitchen to tackle a host of hair complaints. Not only are the following treatments safer for you, but they won't foul the wastewater, don't produce excess packaging and are much cheaper, among other benefits. Plus, it's fun to mash food into your hair.

Egg for all hair types

Eggs are magical little packages of protein, vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants – they are great to eat and they are also great for slathering all over your head to make your hair look awesome. For normal hair, use both the yolk and whites. For oily hair use just the whites; and for dry hair, use just the yolks.

Apply about 1/2 cup of whatever part you would like to use (if using whole, beat them a bit first) to clean, damp hair. (For longer hair, you may need more.) Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse with tepid water, and shampoo. Some experts recommend whole egg and yolks-only masks be used just once a month and the whites-only treatment be used once every two weeks; others say more frequently is OK. Since everyone's hair is different, experiment and see what works best with yours.

Beer to enliven limp hair

Just like a glass of beer can embolden the shy, so can it add pep and courage to insipid hair. Beer's yeast and vitamins can bring out the body and shine in otherwise limp hair; bonus points for having a new use for leftover beer.

There are several approaches:
Pour one cup of flat beer through your hair after shampooing (and still in the shower) and allow it to soak in for three or four minutes before rinsing with tepid water.
You can also put flat beer in a spray bottle; spray it on dry hair and leave it in for 20 minutes before shampooing.
 The messiest approach may be the best, however. Mix 1/2 cup of flat beer with a raw egg and a teaspoon of olive oil and apply to clean damp hair; keep on for 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and shampoo as usual.

8 Ways to Keep as Much Hair on Your Head as Possible

Not all shedding is unavoidable

If you've ever freaked out about how much hair you've been shedding recently, you're fears aren't unfounded. According to the American Hair Loss Association, women actually make up 40 percent of those experiencing hair loss. But before you jump to any conclusions, know this: Everything from your diet to your hairstyling habits could be affecting how many strands you lose. Try these simple expert-approved tips to keep your head of hair full and healthy. 

"Scalp massage helps to stimulate the scalp and remove dead skin cells—both of which encourage healthy hair growth," says Philip Kingsley, a trichologist (someone who studies scalp and hair health) and founder of Philip Kingsley Haircare. Use the balls of your fingers to massage the shampoo into your scalp, moving from the hairline to the back of the head. This move boosts blood flow and stimulates the hair follicles for growth.

"Brushes that cause a lot of traction call pull hair out from the follicle," says Kingsley. "If done repeatedly, this can lead to permanent hair loss." Always start towards your ends (not your roots), moving gently from section to section.

"Hair is at its most fragile [and prone to breakage] when it is wet, being that the protective cuticle is slightly raised," says Robert Dorin, a hair-restoration surgeon at True & Dorin Medical Group in New York City. Always wait until your hair has fully dried before putting it in a ponytail or brushing it through.

Another simple fix: "Instead of wrapping hair in a towel turban, which can cause breakage, gently pat wet hair with a towel to soak up excess moisture," says Jill Crosby, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles.

"Too much UV exposure from the sun can damage your hair, weakening it and causing it to appear dull," says Dorin. "This is because the keratin proteins in the hair break down when exposed to UV rays." Not only does he recommend seeking shade (year-round, ladies!), he suggests spritzing strands with a hairspray that has UV protection prior to sun exposure.

2 Simple Ways To Prepare Egg Mask To Treat Hair Loss

Do you suffer from excessively oily hair? Or is your hair too dry? No matter what hair type you have, and whether your locks get too oily or too dry, an egg mask is the best thing that can solve your problem.

Why Eggs? Well, they are known to be excellent for all types of hair. Eggs contain around 70% keratin, and eggs are probably one of the richest protein sources among foods. Conditioning your hair with eggs enhances hair growth.

Egg protein helps repair damaged hair by filling up weakened spots along the hair strands, which also helps straighten your hair.
Egg Yolks And Egg Whites:

We talked about how different hair types need different components of the egg.

If you have extra oily hair, the best treatment for you will consist of egg whites; egg whites help remove excess oil from the hair. If, on the other hand, you have dry to normal hair, then a hair mask consisting of yolks is probably the best treatment for your hair. Egg yolk helps moisturize dry hair and has emollient properties as well.

There are two types of egg masks for the two types of hair we talked about. Check them out!
1. Egg Yolk Hair Mask:

This hair mask is an intensive protein hair treatment. Egg yolk is crammed with protein, vitamins, and fatty acids. Egg yolk also contains high amounts of vitamins like A, D, and E. These vitamins promote hair growth and prevent hair fall. Olive oil is the other ingredient of this mask, which helps strengthen and softens your hair. Olive oil helps exfoliate your hair, while strengthening the hair color and preventing premature graying. The presence of nutrient-rich egg yolk and olive oil make this hair mask ideal for curbing hair loss.