ComScore

12 Foods You Can Put in Your Hair

Your next hair treatment is waiting in your kitchen

You may love the effects of professional hair treatments (shiny, healthy hair is always in style). But it can be such a hassle to get to the salon--or it can end up costing you a fortune in fancy products. Instead, try these easy at-home fixes from your pantry.

avocado
The Fit Fork

To Add Shine: Avocado

Chances are you've got some avocados ripening on your counter. Try mashing some into your hair from mid-shaft to the ends. After 20 minutes, shampoo and condition as usual, then be prepared for super-shiny hair.

coconut

To Nourish Split Ends: Coconut Oil

Skip the expensive hair oils. Instead, rub a few drops of coconut oil into the tips of your mane to calm split ends.

applevinegar
Scaling Back Blog

To Remove Product Buildup: Apple Cider Vinegar

Dull strands got you down? A monthly rinse with light-colored vinegar removes residue to increase shine and volume. (Rinse well, though, or you’ll smell like a salad.)

cornstarch
Cake Whiz

To Degrease: Cornstarch

Out of dry shampoo? Light- to medium-haired types can sprinkle a bit of this on their roots to sop up oils. Just be sure to really shake out the excess.

champagne
The Knot

To Enhance Highlights: Champagne

Didn’t finish all your bubbly? Perk up your highlights by rinsing with it.

eggs
Somewhere Over the Kitchen

To Strengthen: Egg

To strengthen your hair and add shine, apply a whipped egg to dry hair, then wrap it in a towel for 20 minutes--just make sure to rinse well with lukewarm water to avoid cooking the egg.

mayo
Livestrong

To Soften: Mayonnaise

After shampooing, massage mayo through your locks, then tuck it all into a shower cap for 20 minutes. When you rinse, you’ll have silkier locks.

ketchup
Paleofondue

To Boost Blonde Color: Ketchup

If your hair turns green after a dip in a chlorinated pool, massage a couple palmfuls of ketchup in, then let it sit for 20 minutes. Wash out with baby shampoo and your strands will be normal-colored again. Bonus: This is also a great odor remover.

earlgrey
Mandy Mortimer

To Boost Brunette Color: Tea

Want a lustrous dark sheen? Brew a few cups Earl Grey, let it cool and then rinse your hair with it post-shampoo.

yogurt
Whole Living

To Help It Grow: Yogurt

Massage a pint of plain yogurt into your scalp so that its lactic acid can clear dead-skin buildup and help your hair grow faster. Wash out after 15 minutes.

honeyoliveoil
Naturally Curly

To Deep Condition: Honey + Olive Oil

Mix a quarter cup of honey with a quarter cup of olive oil for a hair mask. The honey moisturizes while the olive oil adds shine.


susan waits

Lousy baker, stellar shopping buddy

You can find Susan either blissfully buried in a pile of clothes or on a plane between L.A. and NYC.