two avocados half and two whole avocados on a gray wooden background/ Half and Whole avocado/avocados
Image: Dawn Balaban/Shutterstock

Color-treated hair comes with its own set of special concerns. There’s the obvious problem of making sure color stays vibrant until the next home dye job or salon visit. Moisture also becomes key, since many permanent dyes can be so harsh and drying to hair. Which can also mean easier split ends and frizz. So, below are several DIY home hair masks that help colored hair stay bright, moisturized, and healthy.

Oil mask

One of the easiest ways to get some moisture back into color-abused locks is to add some oil. Color-treated hair hates anything that’s too hot as it can fade color, so stay away from the traditional hot oil treatments. Instead, try one of our best oil hair masks.

Combine two parts room temperature coconut oil to one part olive oil. Apply to hair and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse well in lukewarm water. Remember to never make the shower water too hot, which will also fade colored hair.

Beer

This boozy home remedy definitely ranks in the experimental category. But beer is known to add shine to hair, create bounce, and is a home remedy for prolonging color. Worse comes to worst, you’ll just end up smelling like you’ve been to a rowdy music festival.

If you’d like to try this one, slightly heat up the beer to lukewarm temperature, if needed. Rinse your hair in the beer, making sure to saturate it well. Then rinse the hair well using cold water, which will lock in the moisture.

Avocado mask

Vitamin E-rich avocados are also a popular way to nourish and moisturize abused strands. Blend an avocado and add some optional milk (milk is great for moisture and added protein for the hair). Again, leave this in your hair for about 30 minutes, and then rinse.

Banana mask

This is another way to moisturize color-treated hair naturally and cheaply. For this easy mask, mush a ripe banana and work it into your hair. Blend the banana if you prefer a very smooth consistency. Leave it in your hair for 30 minutes.

Egg yolk and vitamin E

If you’ve overdone it with the hair dye, or your hair just needs some life and nourishment, classic hair masks with egg yolk and vitamin E are best. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant, while egg yolks contain nourishing, moisturizing fats.

Mix a few egg yolks together (adjusting for hair length and thickness), and add the liquid from of one vitamin E soft gel capsule (you’ll have to cut open the tip with scissors). Mix well, add to hair, and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse well.

Advertisement