It’s not often that you can say that a hair care product is a gift from the gods, but in the case of olive oil it’s true! Or at least it’s true in Greek mythology and ancient Greek hair care. Olive trees were so revered in ancient Greece that many legends surround their origins. So when you use an olive oil hair mask, you can thank Athena and Poseidon for your lustrous locks.

 

 

 

A GIFT FROM THE GODS

There are many myths and legends, some more practical than others, about this amazing tree and its useful fruit, the olive. During the first Olympic Games, in 778 BC, athletes were massaged with olive oil in the belief that the wisdom, power and strength of Athena would be bestowed upon them. The winners were awarded olive leaf crowns and olive oil.

The term “liquid gold” was used to describe olive oil by Homer in his epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. Today, that liquid gold is as valuable as ever for healthy bodies, skin, and hair.

Here are some of the benefits of olive oil for your hair growth and thickness:

Adds Shine. Healthy hair cuticles are smooth and reflect light—creating a natural shine. In contrast, dry and damaged hair has cuticles with separated layers that absorb light and make hair look dull and lifeless. When used as a hair mask, olive oil infuses your hair with moisture and restores it to a vibrant and healthy looking shine.

Tames Frizz. Dry hair is brittle hair and even just brushing your hair can cause split ends that turn your hair into a frizzy mess. A weekly olive oil hair mask locks moisture into your hair and keeps the cuticles smooth and healthy. As an extra bonus for cold, dry winter months, or if you style your hair regularly with heat, a dab of olive oil on the ends of your hair moisturizes and will help smooth down the split ends. Use it after styling on just the ends of your hair to tame frizz and flyaway hair.

Treats Dandruff. Men and women of all ages can experience dandruff. Essentially, dandruff occurs when dead skin is shed from a dry, extremely oily or microbe-infected scalp. The result is redness, itching, flaking and irritation. In an attempt to restore moisture, the scalp produces excess sebum, which then blocks the hair follicles and leads to bacterial and fungal infections. Regular use of an olive hair mask with natural oils or other healing ingredients is an excellent way to moisturize the scalp and prevent dryness and dandruff.

Softens Hair. If your hair is naturally rough or coarse, weekly olive oil hair masks will saturate your hair with moisture—a natural way to soften your hair.

Makes Hair More Manageable. The key to manageable hair is to keep it healthy and full of moisture. Limp or frizzy hair is going to cause you trouble. Regular use of olive oil for your hair will maintain its health and make it more manageable.

Olive Oil Hair Mask Recipes

There are lots of hair mask recipes out there for every type of hair and every kind of hair problem. This first recipe is the most basic, containing only olive oil. The amount may need to be adjusted depending on the length and thickness of your hair. As the recipe suggests, you can add some drops of the essential oil of your choice, though it’s not necessary. We’ve recommended rosemary oil because it stimulates the roots, improves hair growth, and increases circulation in the scalp.

BASIC OLIVE OIL HAIR MASK

Ingredients:

• ½ cup olive oil
• 5 drops rosemary oil

Directions:

Pour olive oil into a jar with a lid and then add essential oil. Put lid on jar and shake well to disperse the essential oil. Let sit for 24 hours in a cool, dark place. Shake again before use.

Pour oil mixture into a pot and place on low heat on stove. (Do not heat in microwave and do not overheat).

Apply oil mixture to clean hair. (Hair should be dry for maximum results but this mixture can be applied to wet hair). Using your fingertips (not nails), gently massage the oil into the scalp in a circular motion. Repeat until the entire scalp has been massaged. Rub the ends of your hair with the remaining oil.

Cover hair with a plastic shower cap or Saran wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.

Rinse well. Shampoo and condition as normal.

 

Olive Oil, Honey, and Banana Smoothie Hair Mask

This hair mask recipe sounds as good to eat as it is for your hair! If your hair is very dry, you can apply this mask twice a week until it has been restored to its natural shine and health.

In addition to olive oil, this mask contains a few extra hair health-boosting ingredients. They’re all natural and the perfect compliment to the healing powers of “liquid gold”.

Honey:

Honey is an emollient which means it is a natural softener and it also improves the health of the hair follicles which are responsible for hair growth. Researchers say that proper use of honey of treatment of hair can waken up the sleeping hair follicles which boost the growth of hair. Honey is also a natural antioxidant, so it will make your scalp healthy and stimulate hair growth. Finally, honey’s high sugar content helps your hair retain moisture.

Banana:

Packed with potassium, bananas are great for strengthening and thickening fine hair. Bananas nourish the scalp and hair follicles, help maintain natural hair elasticity, and prevent breakage and split ends.

Milk:

Milk contains several nutrients such as Vitamin A & B, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, zinc and protein that have the ability to strengthen and fortify cells, and this includes hair cells. Milk is especially useful for hair that is prone to being frizzy and dry. It conditions, moisturizes and adds shine to hair.

Egg:

Eggs are rich in protein, vitamins and fat—perfect for nursing dry hair back to health. Eggs nourish, moisturize, and lubricate dry damaged hair. For damaged hair, egg yolk will strengthen hair follicles and roots. Powerhouses for deep conditioning, eggs soften hair, revitalize it, and transform it back into silky smooth locks. Egg yolks can also prevent hair loss.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 5 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

Mix banana, egg, milk, honey, and olive oil in a bowl.

Apply mixture to hair, coating right to the ends. Leave on 15-30 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo and condition as normal.

 

Itchy Scalp Cure Mask

Dry, itchy scalp driving you crazy? This olive oil hair mask with help you shed those pesky flakes and moisturize your scalp to drive the itch away!

Lemon:

Across the centuries, lemons have been used for skin and hair because the citrus acid they contain act as an effective astringent. What is an astringent? An astringent is a substance that penetrates through the pores to get rid of excess oils to remove dirt and dead skin cells, which leaves skin looking and feeling healthier. Lemons are also highly acidic, making them effective antiseptics that kill off bacteria on our skin.

The lemon juice in this mask will fight off the flakes on your scalp, whether they were brought on by poor diet, stress, or climate. The alpha hydroxy acids in the lemon will gentle exfoliate and slough off loose skin cells, and then the olive oil will moisturize the newly exposed skin beneath.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions:

Mix oil, lemon juice and water together well.

Apply to clean, damp hair and massage gently into scalp. Leave on for 15 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo and condition as normal.

 

Frizz Fighting Olive Oil Mask

Are you suffering from a bad case of frizz? Whether your hair is frizzy all the time or just now and then, the problem is a lack of moisture. The layers of cuticles on your hair need moisture in order to make them smooth.

Frizzy hair can be caused by climate, over processing, , or the styling products you use on your hair, but that doesn’t mean you must simply accept your frizzy fate.

This mask combines olive oil with two more frizz fighting ingredients: avocado and coconut.

Avocado:

Supercharged with vitamins A, D, E and B6, avocado is also high in proteins, amino acids, magnesium, folic acid, copper and iron. The oils in avocados are one of the few that can penetrate the cuticle and actually moisturize hair.

Coconut:

Coconut is not only delicious but it’s also full of amazing hair-healing properties. Unlike many store-bought products that simply add a synthetic coating to the strands of your hair, the chemical structure of coconut enables the fatty acids to actually penetrate the hair shaft. Your hair will be rejuvenated from the inside out.

Ingredients:

• 1 small, ripe avocado
• ½ cup fresh coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

Puree 1/2 a ripe avocado in a blender until smooth. Stir in coconut milk and olive oil and mix well.

Apply the mixture onto your scalp going downwards to your hair ends.

Take time to massage the hair mask in gentle circular motions deep into your scalp. Wait for 15 minutes before rinsing off the mask thoroughly.

Shampoo and condition hair as normal.

Whatever your hair type or problem may be, you don’t need a Greek god to give you the gift of healthy hair. The ancient hair secret of using an olive oil hair mask regularly will leave your locks luscious and supple, with plenty of bounce and shine. To discover more diy hair masks and hair solutions or to learn more about growing healthier, longer, stronger hair visit hairfinity.com

Hairfinity is transforming the hair of women all over the world with a unique blend of vitamins, nutrients, and our exclusive Capilsana™ Complex. HAIRFINITY customers have reported improve manageability and overall appearance. Order HAIRFINITY hair vitamins today.