We spend loads of money every few months (even weeks!) on products that promise to give us our best hair days ever. Don’t get me wrong, I use ’em and many of them work great! But if you’re on a budget or realize you’ve run out of your favorite product, it’s reassuring to know that you can get the same if not better results from items in the pantry! Don’t think you can find hair products in your kitchen? Read on…

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

As a natural emollient, extra virgin olive oil is great to use as part of your deep conditioning routine, as a pre-poo or hot oil treatment. Adding some scalp-stimulating essential oils like rosemary, peppermint or tea tree to your EVOO makes for a good scalp massage oil.

Coconut Oil

This penetrating oil contains Vitamin E and helps rebuild protein in the hair to keep it strong. Coconut oil also gives hair a great shine. You can use this as part of your deep conditioning routine, as the final step in moisturizing or in your daily moisturizing spritz.

Honey

This natural humectant can be used as a rinse to restore body and shine to your hair when diluted with warm water. Try this simple recipe here! Mix with banana and olive oil and you’ve got yourself a great deep conditioning treatment.

Avocado

As a natural moisturizer, avocados are rich in protein, Vitamins A, B, B6, C, E, K and the “good fats”, all of which make the hair strong, healthy, soft and shiny. It also acts as a natural sunscreen and is anti-fungal. I’ve used a mask consisting of avocado, banana and olive oil for an amazing deep conditioning experience and my hair said “thank you”. When those tresses are in need of serious repair, grab that avocado!

Bananas

This fruit is also useful for keeping hair moisturized. Got dry or itchy scalp? Bananas are good for that too!

Apple Cider Vinegar & Baking Soda

Both apple cider vinegar and baking soda are awesome at clarifying the hair and scalp. These can be go-to items especially when wearing extensions like twists or braids to get deep down in the crevices to get the dirt out. What make sthem so effective is that they cleanse without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Who wouldn’t love that?!

Here’s a post on some ways to use these items in your hair care regimen!

This is just a taste of what you have right at your fingertips if you wanna try your hand at some DIY or are in a hair product pinch. Now, let me be clear: these are all things that have worked for me and agree with my hair. Your hair may not respond the same way plus, food allergies are a thing. These are merely suggestions based on research and personal experience. You should definitely do your own research, exercise caution and use what you know won’t land you in the ER! 

What items in your pantry have YOU used as part of your hair care regimen?