How to Make an Avocado Mask for Hair

Co-authored by Laura Martin

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

Avocado is not only great for your health and skin, but also for your hair. It is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, making it ideal for dry, damaged hair. If you combine the avocado with specific ingredients, such as olive oil, honey, or egg, you can cater the mask to your hair's specific needs, such as extra hydration or shine.

Things You Should Know

Avocado moisturizes and replenishes your hair because it contains a variety of vitamins, proteins, and fatty acids that will keep your hair healthy.
You can combine the avocado with other ingredients, like 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey, 1 egg, or 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil, depending on your hair’s unique needs.
An avocado hair mask is an especially strong option if you’re looking for a boost of volume and shine.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Repairing Mask

1
Pit a ripe avocado. Cut a ripe avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop the meat out with a spoon and place it into a blender or food processor. Avocados are full of vitamins and fatty acids. They help damaged hair by making it stronger and resistant against breakage.^{[1]
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- If you have hair that is fine or shorter than shoulder length, then you will only need about ½ of an avocado. If your hair is longer than shoulder length, then you will need a full avocado. If your hair is long and very dry or thick, then you may need more than 1 avocado.
2
Blend the avocado with some water. Add 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of water to the avocado. Pulse the blender or food processor on high speed until you get a chunky puree. This will take about 1 minute.^{[2]
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- If the puree is still too chunky, add 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 milliliters) more of water.
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3
Stir in 1 to 3 teaspoons of olive oil. Olive oil is full of healthy fats that help nourish and hydrate dry hair without weighing it down.^{[3]
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Research source} If you tend to get dandruff, consider using 2 to 4 teaspoons of melted coconut oil instead.^{[4]
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4
Apply the mask to wet hair with your fingers. Dampen your hair first. Scoop the mask up with your fingers, then apply it to your hair, starting from the roots if you have a dry scalp or starting from the ends if you have dry or damaged ends. Massage it into your scalp if starting there, and work it down towards the ends. Or, work it into the ends and work up towards your scalp.^{[5]
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- Stop the application a few inches from the roots if your hair is fine. Applying avocado to roots may weigh down fine hair.
- If your hair is very long or thick, consider parting it into quadrants. This will make the mask easier to apply. Divide your hair from ear to ear and from your forehead to the nape of your neck to create 4 sections.
5
Pull your hair into a bun and secure it with a plastic clip. Metal clips can react with the oil and stain your hair, so make sure to use plastic clips. If you want to make the mask even more effective, cover your hair with a plastic shower cap. This will trap the heat and allow the mask to penetrate the hair strands.^{[6]
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6
Wait 10 to 25 minutes before rinsing the mask off. Do not leave the mask on for more than 30 minutes. It may dry out and go rancid as well. Start with plain, tepid water first, using your fingers to loosen and comb the mask out. Once you have the mask completely rinsed out, follow up with some shampoo.^{[7]
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- Repeat once weekly or less often.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Hydrating Mask

1
Peel and pit one ripe avocado. Cut an avocado in half, then remove the pit. Scoop the flesh out with a spoon and place it into a bowl. Avocado is great in this mask because it contains fats and oils that help repair dry, brittle hair.^{[8]
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- Plan on needing ½ of an avocado for fine/short hair, a full avocado for longer/thicker hair, and more than 1 avocado for very long/thick/dry hair.
2
Add some olive oil and honey. You will need 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil and 2 tablespoons (45 grams) of honey. Olive oil and honey are both hydrating. While olive oil helps protect your hair against further damage, honey helps make it stronger.^{[9]
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3
Add 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil, if desired. You can leave the essential oil out if you want to, but it will help give the mask a nice fragrance. It is also great for treating dandruff.^{[10]
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4
Whip everything together on high. You can do this using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer. Keep blending until the mask is light in color and smooth in texture.^{[11]
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5
Apply the mask to damp hair. Get your hair wet first, then squeeze out the excess water. Apply the mask to your hair, starting from the ends. You can even massage the mask into your hair, if you want to.^{[12]
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- Don’t apply the mixture to your roots if your hair is fine. Stop the application a few inches away from the roots.
6
Cover your hair with a shower cap and heat it for 15 minutes. Pull your hair up into a loose bun first, then cover it with a shower cap. Blow dry your hair for 15 minutes. If it is a warm, sunny day, you can sit out in the sun for 30 to 45 minutes instead.^{[13]
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7
Rinse the mask out, then follow up with shampoo and conditioner. Rinse the mask out with lukewarm water first. Once your hair is clean, wash it with shampoo and conditioner as you normally would.^{[14]
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- You can repeat this treatment once per week, but no more than that.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Shine-Boosting Mask

1
Cut and pit half of an avocado. Cut an avocado in half. Cover and refrigerate the half containing the pit. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh from the remaining half. Avocado is full of healthy fats that plump and condition your hair. They also help make your hair soft and shiny.^{[15]
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- You will only need about ½ of an avocado for fine/short hair, a full avocado for longer/thicker hair, and you may need more than 1 avocado for very long/thick/dry hair.
2
Blend the avocado flesh until it is smooth. It is best to do this with a blender or food processor; a fork won't give you the same smoothness.^{[16]
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Research source} If you need to, add ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) of water to help loosen the avocado up.
3
Add in an egg and 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. Eggs contain protein, which helps make hair stronger and repair split ends. They also help make your hair appear thicker and shinier. Olive oil, on the other hand, contains fatty acids, which help make dry hair smooth. It also contains vitamin E, which can help stimulate hair growth.^{[17]
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4
Mix everything together. Pulse the blender on high until the avocado, egg, and olive oil are all mixed together. You want the color and texture to be consistent, with no streaks or swirls. If you want to, you can transfer the mask into a small bowl to make it easier to use in the shower.^{[18]
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5
Start with a clean scalp. This mask is very rich, so it is important to have a clean scalp. Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo, making sure to massage it into your scalp. Rinse the shampoo out and squeeze the excess water from your hair. Leave your hair damp.^{[19]
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6
Apply the mask to your hair, starting from the ends. Scoop up some of the mask, and massage it into the ends of your hair and work towards your scalp. Keep applying the mixture as needed to cover your strands.^{[20]
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- You may also apply the hair mask to your scalp if you have a dry scalp. However, do not apply the mixture to your roots if your hair is fine. This will weigh your hair down. Stop the application a few inches away from your roots.
7
Put your hair up into a bun. If you can you, you can cover your hair with a shower cap, and wash the rest of your body.^{[21]
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8
Wait 5 minutes before rinsing the mask off with tepid water. It is very important to use tepid or cool water, otherwise you risk cooking the egg in the mask. Once your hair is clean, follow up with your usual shampooing regimen.^{[22]
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- Repeat this treatment no more than once per week.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can avocados make your hair grow?

Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Avocados moisturize the hair and scalp which helps create an optimal environment for growth.
Question

What does Avocado do to your face?

Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Avocado hydrates, stimulates collagen production, and protects against free radicals. It makes skin look younger and smoother.
Question

How do I make an avocado mask?

Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Mash up half an avocado and mix with other ingredients that are beneficial to the hair such as raw honey, coconut oil, and/or lemon juice.