How to Make an Avocado Hair Mask

1. Prepare the Avocado

   Carefully cut the avocado in half on a cutting board using a sharp knife. Be mindful to cut around, and not through the pit. Remove the pit and then use the tablespoon to scoop out the insides and place them in your food processor. 

   How to Pick an Avocado for Your Hair Mask

   Look for a ripe avocado to use in your hair mask. The more ripe the avocado is, the softer and easier it will be to blend into a smooth texture.

   When choosing the right avocado, look for skin that is almost black in color and bumpy in texture. Then gently press down on the skin with your thumb. If the skin gives a little, you’ve found a ripe avocado. If there is no give when you push, or if your thumb leaves a permanent dent in the skin, the avocado is either too hard or too soft and will not make a good hair mask.

   Cut avocados that haven’t gone bad are fine to use also and have the added benefit of not creating food waste. Even if the flesh of the avocado is discolored from being exposed to the air, it will still have all the good oils and nutrients to make a great hair mask.  

2. Add Olive Oil

   Measure two tablespoons of olive oil (try to look for olive oil that’s been grown on a traditional farm, which will have lower environmental impacts). Add the olive oil to the avocado in the food processor. 

3. Add Honey

   Measure two tablespoons of honey (locally sourced is more environmentally friendly because of the lower carbon emissions created to get it to you) and add it to the olive oil and avocado in the food processor.

4. Blend the Ingredients

   Blend all ingredients together until there are no more chunks and everything is evenly mixed. The mixture should look light green and be smooth and creamy in texture.  

5. Apply the Mask

   Use your hands to apply the hair mask to clean, towel-dried hair. Spread the mask out, making sure to coat the ends of your hair. Massage the mixture into your scalp with your fingers.

   Once the mask is evenly distributed, pile hair on top of your head and cover it with a shower cap. Let the mask sit on your hair for 30 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. 

Variations

This quick and effective hair mask is easy to whip up, and even easier to modify. Try different ingredients to give your hair an added boost or help keep your scalp calm and happy. These fun options can usually be found in your kitchen or at your local food co-op. You can even try combinations of these ingredients to customize the perfect hair mask for your individual hair type.

• 1 banana - for added shine and smoothness
• 1 cup of cooked oatmeal - to help with a dry, itchy scalp
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil - for added damage protection
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel - for reducing inflammation

Environmental Concerns

2.2 pounds of avocados can take over 500 gallons of water to grow, making them heavy consumers of freshwater. And with every 9 out of 10 avocados consumed in the United States coming from Mexico, their carbon footprint is incredibly large as well.

Trying to find domestically grown avocados is your best bet for being as sustainable as possible, and if you find yourself with some leftover avocado after you make your next batch of guacamole, consider throwing together a healthy hair mask so none of it goes to waste.