Treatment for your tresses that are good enough to eat

If your hair is suffering from a lack of luster, split ends or general malaise, don’t despair. The solution might be as close as your kitchen. Here are some of the top treatments people swear by when it comes to adding life to their locks.

Mayonnaise

Want to soften hair and leave it shiny? Then mayonnaise is the conditioning condiment for you. Comb just enough mayo through your hair to coat it lightly. Then leave on for 30 minutes before shampooing out per normal. For a deeper conditioning treatment, place a shower cap on top of your mayo-coated locks and leave on for longer (even overnight if you’re feeling extra dry). Other interesting uses? Next time you get gum stuck in your hair, rub Mayo in until the gum dissolves right out.

Vinegar
Used for centuries as health tonic, this tasty, tangy acid can help remove residue that dulls your hair. Add about a tablespoon of vinegar to your hair as you rinse it. And if you have an itchy scalp or dandruff, try massaging full-strength apple cider vinegar into your scalp before shampooing. In addition to adding shine to your hair, vinegar is also known for its skin healing properties.

Avocado
Talk about green goddess. Once you’re through with this rich hair mask you’ll be ready to take on the world. Combine an avocado, one egg yolk and a dash of olive oil and massage it through your hair. As with most of these treatments, leave on for at least 30 minutes. Then shampoo, rinse and condition as normal. And remember, even if an avocado is past its prime for your salad, you can still use it on your hair so it doesn’t go to waste.

Eggs
Finally! A way to benefit from eggs’ natural proteins without the cholesterol! Crack a few eggs and beat together in bowl. After shampooing, massage through your hair and leave on before rinsing out thoroughly. This treatment should help repair or strengthen your hair follicles — leading to silkier locks with good body. Alternate ideas include whisking one egg yolk together with a dash of olive oil and 3/4 cups warm water.

Beer
Some people use beer as a styling tonic, but you can just as easily benefit from this brew as a conditioner. Shampoo and rinse as usual. Then pour one bottle of beer through your hair and massage through from scalp to ends. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. And don’t worry; if you rinse well enough you won’t even smell the hops on your hair. You’ll just be left with shinier hair with more beautiful body.

So now that you’ve got the recipe for beautiful hair, see what you can do to get a bodacious body.

1 cup oatmeal, uncooked
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup farinaGrind oatmeal in a blender until soft but still flaky. DO NOT powder it. Combine oatmeal with farina and salt. Splash face with hot water to wet it thoroughly. Pick up mixture with moist fingers. Rub face with the powder. Be gentle, but rub all of your facial skin. Rinse with hot water (15 splashes will suffice). Apply Vinegar Rinse. Use for 5 to 8 days, then return to a milder cleanser.

For all skin types.1/2 jar cold cream
3 tablespoons slivered almonds
1 teaspoon honey

Add honey to cold cream. Whirl slivered almonds in a blender until they are as fine as freshly-ground pepper. Mix with cold cream. Massage into skin with fingertips. For deeper cleansing, massage scrub into skin with a complexion brush for 5 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

1/2 cucumber
1 egg white
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 cup oil (Use wheat germ, olive or avocado oil)

Wash the cucumber, but do not peel. Cube and blend with remaining ingredients. Apply morning and evening, and gently wipe off with tissues.

1 tablespoon dry oatmeal
1/2 mashed ripe banana
2 ounces plain yogurtCleanse face, steam, splash with cool water and pat dry. Massage with the dry oatmeal. Rinse off. Then apply a mask made by mixing yogurt and banana; spread evenly on face. Leave on for 20 minutes; rinse off.