Quench and drench heat-weary hair

July 13, 11:13 AMDC Health and Beauty ExaminerMartha Kepner

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  Hair masks provide instant hydration

Is your hair in need of a little something-something? If you are like me, somewhere in-between your last haircut and endless days of twisting hair up into a ponytail or bun, your hair may more often than not look less than lovely.  Since I can't rush off to my stylist every other week, and I don't want to spend all of my summer fashing over my locks, I had to come up with a solution.  What do I do? Block off some quality time with me, myself and I, pour a cool beverage, and slather on a hair mask. 

Unlike the not-so-distant past, when hair masks might have left left hair feeling weighed down and limp, today's masks are literally plumped up with good things for hair, and keyed to address all sorts of hair woes: split ends, dryness, sensitivity and even kick-start new growth.

Here are a few of my favorites for summer (and beyond!)

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment: If you haven't had the bliss of trying Ojon yet, get thee to Sephora and sample up. This mask is fantastic. Made from 100% Ojon palm nut oil, it fortifies, softens and hydrates even the most frazzled tresses, leaving them soft and silky. 100% free of artificial ingredients or preservatives, Ojon Hair Treatment is safe for all types of hair, including chemically-treated.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask: Gently renews and revives dehydrated, dry, or damaged hair with nutrient-rich meadowfoam, sweet almond, olive oil, and Panthenol.

Alterna Hemp Repair Weekly Treatment: As the name suggests, this uber-hydrating hair treatment is meant to be used once-a-week, and will help speed the hair back to health.  With nutrient rich hemp seed oil and UV protection, Alterna Hair Repair also protects your tresses from future damage, as well as protects delicate color.

Pureology Essential Repair Restorative Hair Masque: Enriched with pure Biotin, chamomile, and olive oil, this uber-hydrating mask penetrates to restore softness, enhance shine and repair distressed locks. Contains Pureology's patented AntiFade complex (making it super-safe for color-treated hair), advanced repair micro-emulsion technology, natural ingredients and a signature blend of essential oils (vanilla, bergamot, jasmine, and mandarin, to name a few), this mask is a glorious to apply as it is to use. 

H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment: Even though Lush proclaims H'Suan Wen hair treatment might leave your hair, 'smelling like a salad', this concoction of harvest fresh ingredients is well worth the risk. Named in honor of the Cantonese goddess of hair, the extra-special treatment includes watercress, bananas, avocados and even free-range eggs to nurse fried hair back to health. Particularly helpful for curly or processed hair.

Aubrey Organics Blue Green Algae Hair Mask: With over 50% strengthening vegetable protein, this rich, cool blue mask quenches hair with reparative shea butter, aloe, and moisture-binding herbal ingredients to mend frizzled hair and leave it shiny and smooth.

And for a super easy and affordable alternative to store-bought hair masks, consider your kitchen! Olive oil and eggs are two of nature's oldest ingredients for repairing damaged and dehydrated hair.  Whip up an at-home mask with two whole eggs,  three tablespoons of olive oil, and a few drops of your favorite essential oils (I like lime, tangerine, vanilla and lavender). Whisk together thoroughly in a small glass bowl and apply to the hair from roots to tips. Cover head with a shower cap and leave on for approximately 20 minutes, and then shampoo out. 

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