tasty recipe

By Kurlybella of K is for Kinky

Yes, technically you can eat this homemade hair mask, but it’s really for your hair. Also, I like my avocado without banana! But on my kinky tresses, it sounds like heaven to me.

Add to your kitchen blender:

  • 1/2 an organic banana (mash beforehand so that it will blend well without chunks)
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 1/4 teaspoon of lecithin
  • 1/8 teaspoon of organic honey
  • 2 teaspoons of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon wheat germ oil
  • 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
  • 1 vitamin E capsule (optional)

Blend well, making sure the banana is smooth. However, make sure mix is not liquefied or it will run down your neck. For extra conditioning, squeeze in the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Leave in your hair for 15–30 minutes and rinse well.

Why bananas?

Bananas contain tryptophan, a rich amino acid that is extremely beneficial for hair and skin. They are also chock full of potassium, which adds super softening properties to the hair shaft. Along with vitamins A, B, C and E, bananas also contain rich natural oils and carbohydrates. All these great ingredients in a banana hair mask help shore up the natural elasticity of the hair and prevent split ends.

Besides all the softening and beautifying properties, bananas also smell wonderful. The aroma of bananas was found to be the most popular aroma in a study published in 1988. The trend continues.

Spas aren't the only ones that know about the great beauty benefits of bananas. The Taiwano Indians also use heated extract of banana as a regular scalp treatment.

Why lecithin?

Lecithin is important to healthy hair growth. It also helps to break down fats, is essential to cell membranes, improves brain function and keeps cells from oxidating. It is comprised mostly of B vitamins, such as choline and insitol. You can find lecithin in foods such as egg yolks, or take it as a supplement.

This is an easy homemade hair mask to do in your kitchen, and it’s a great mask to do on your at-home spa days. While giving yourself your pamper treatments, why not treat your hair to a sweet hair treatment too?