5 Skin and Hair Masks for Summer

When you come indoors from a hot, muggy day outside, your body is craving for some fluids. And that feeling of drinking a cold refreshment on a hot day – bliss! But it’s not just your mind and body that needs cooling on a summer day, your skin and hair are thirsty too! Not to mention that they bear the brunt of damage from the heat outside, which makes them prime contenders for some extra TLC this season.

Nourishment for your hair and skin needn’t mean long hours at a spa, resulting in an inevitably lighter pocket! There is a lot you can do by yourself, at home, without emptying your purse and without exposing your precious strands and skin to harmful chemicals. They’ll also save you all the time waiting for your turn! Nearly everyone will agree that one of the easiest paths to nourishment is through a mask; so here are 5 skin and hair masks that will shine your strands and plump your skin even in this hot weather!

Skin and Hair Masks for Summer

 

• 5 Skin Masks for Summer

1. Avocado-Honey Moisturization Mask

Blend together ½ a ripe avocado, ¼ tsp virgin coconut oil and 2 tbsp honey. Apply this paste all over your cleansed face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash off with water without scrubbing too much.

2. Oatmeal-Yogurt Soothing Mask

Add some hot water to ½ cup oatmeal, just enough to get it wet, about ¼ cup. Add a tbsp each of honey and yogurt and blend to a coarse paste. Apply all over the face and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash off and dry well.

3. Strawberry-Lemon Brightening Mask

Mash together ¼ cup hulled strawberries, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp yogurt. Apply all over the face avoiding the lip and eye area. Wash off after 10 minutes and pat dry.

4. Papaya-Yogurt Sun Repair Mask

Mash together ½ cup of very ripe papaya, ¼ cup yogurt and 2 tbsp lemon juice. Chill for 15 minutes and apply on sun damaged skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with tepid water.

5. Sandalwood-Rose Cooling Mask

Mix ¼ cup sandalwood powder with enough rose water to make a paste. Apply all over face and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash off, while scrubbing skin gently in circular motions.

For more tips on caring for your skin in summer, click here.

• 5 Hair Masks for Summer

Artificial hair care products can be ridiculously expensive and the list of ingredients can leave your mind spinning! In reality, all you need are a few regular ingredients from your kitchen!

1. Banana-Yogurt Hydrating Mask

Blend together a ripe banana, 2-3 tbsp of coconut oil and a quarter cup yogurt. You may adjust the ingredients if your hair is shorter. Apply the mixture all over your scalp and hair strands and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off as usual with a mild daily shampoo.

2. Yogurt-Mayo Frizz-free Mask

Mix equal amounts of yogurt and mayonnaise, around ¼ cup – ½ cup each, depending upon the length of your hair. Add a tbsp or two of olive oil. Coat all the hair strands completely with the mixture and keep it covered with a shower cap for about half an hour. Wash off with a mild shampoo.

3. Coconut-Avocado Moisture Mask

Blend together ¼ cup of coconut milk, ¼ of a ripe avocado and a tbsp of honey. Apply all over hair and scalp and keep it covered for 30 minutes with a plastic shower cap. Rinse off with a mild, fragrance free shampoo.

4. Egg-Honey Protein Mask

Beat 2 eggs with ½ cup honey and ¼ cup olive oil. Add some thick yogurt if the mixture is too runny. Apply all over hair strands and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with a mild shampoo, but use cold water to avoid cooking the egg.

5. Deep Conditioning Oil Mask

Mix together 2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 3 drops of an essential oil. You may heat the coconut oil till it is just warm. Massage the mixture all over your scalp and hair and keep it covered under a shower cap for 30 minutes. Wash it off with a mild shampoo and follow it up with a conditioner.

There, you’ve saved a pretty penny on skin and hair care! You’ve also saved your skin from the assault of chemical cocktails with the use of natural ingredients. Just ensure you use the freshest ingredients you can get; organic ones are even better. Now let your skin and hair smile as you look gorgeous this summer!