DIY Hair Mask for Brunettes!

I really love hair masks, they are such a quick-fix for lifeless, brittle hair! A hair mask will help you get through that rough spot when you are just DYING for a hair cut, but alas, can't afford it (or your favorite stylist is out of town - it's happened to me more than once!). A hair mask is usually a product that you apply when you are in the shower after you shampoo, similar to a deep-conditioning treatment at salons. Being twenty-one and broke, my current excuse is I can't afford a good haircut right now and my poor, fine hair is screaming for some love! Time to whip up one in my home!

Now, I have tried many, many recipes for at-home hair masks but they tend to involve mayonnaise, and while my hair did become fabulously soft, I couldn't bring myself to concoct them again because I just couldn't stand the smell! The smell of mayonnaise in a hair mask is overpowering, and frankly, makes me want to gag. So, here is my absolute favorite at-home hair mask; it leaves your hair incredibly soft, and smells good (and of course, it's made with products that you probably have in your pantry right now)!

What you will need is:

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 2 eggs (make sure they are at room temperature!)
• Saran wrap (enough to cover your entire head)

Now its just mixing them together! I find it best to pour the extra virgin olive oil into a small bowl first, then slowly add the cocoa powder, mixing as you go. Once combined, add the honey and the eggs. Stir until thoroughly mixed.

TO USE:
The best way (for me) to apply this hair mask is directly onto dry hair. When you apply the hair mask onto dry hair, you wont dilute the mask with water; this tends to make the ingredients not 'soak in' as effectively. I flip my hair upside down (over the bathtub, of course!), and begin applying generously to the ends of my hair. I then work my way up to my scalp, massaging with my fingertips. After applying, while still holding my head upside down, I pile my hair onto the crown of my head, then wrap saran wrap generously over my hair, so that all hair is covered.

I like to leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then remove the saran wrap, and shampoo/condition as normal (you can skip the conditioning, but I like to condition anyway).

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• Make sure that you DO NOT take a warm/hot shower, as the eggs will actually cook in your hair! Yuck!
• You can add more of the ingredients if you have longer hair
• The cocoa powder restores (temporarily) pigment to brunette hair - sort of like a color glaze!
• Sometimes, after my hair is wrapped in the saran wrap, I like to heat up the mask with my blow dryer for the 5-10 minutes. This makes the ingredients penetrate the hair better, but be careful its not to hot, you'll cook the eggs!
• I like to use dutch-processed cocoa, its more refined and I can tell that some pigment has been restored - but don't fret, regular cocoa will work just fine!

Enjoy!!