My Best Tips for Applying a DIY Coconut Oil Hair Mask

My best tips for applying an ultra-moisturizing, DIY coconut oil hair mask to help soothe the scalp, & help combat hair damage, while also adding in shine, & hydration!

A few weeks ago I shared the process of applying a coconut oil hair mask on my dirty hair, a.k.a., the last possible day of my wash! You may already be familiar with the process of oil-training your hair, which I am a BIG believer of! I’ve been oil training my hair for almost five years now, & I truly believe it has contributed to tremendous hair growth & really has helped repair many years of damage which came as a result of overusing heat & bleach! Something my fellow blondes can probably relate to! So today I wanted to share this super simple DIY hair mask using just coconut oil, which will really help with your hair texture, scalp, overall hydration, & oil control!

The Benefits of Applying Coconut Oil to Your Hair

Not only is coconut oil super inexpensive, but it’s REALLY hydrating & nourishing when applied to your hair…it also has anti-bacterial properties which can be really beneficial for your scalp. Applying an occasional coconut oil hair mask can also help with stimulating hair growth, preventing breakage, & hair hydration levels in general. Coconut oil can add shine back in your hair & can also soften the texture!

For me, I really like the occasional coconut oil mask because since I don’t often wash my hair, my scalp can get pretty dry & flaky sometimes. My hair is also extremely course, thick, curly, & definitely tends to be on the drier side! So I love using coconut oil to not only soothe my scalp, but to also add some much needed moisture back into my hair!

How To Apply A Coconut Oil Mask To Your Hair

1. Brush or comb through your hair because you’re going to be working the coconut oil through each strand of hair & you don’t want your hair to be tangled with any knots.
2. Scoop your desired amount of coconut oil out of the jar & warm the oil up in your palm. You want to make sure the oil is runny & soft…not solidified.
3. In small sections, begin to work the coconut oil through your hair. You can start at your ends & then work your way up to your roots. Or you can start at your roots & work your way down to your ends.
4. Using a comb, comb the oil through your hair, making sure each strand is coated.
5. With your fingertips, give yourself a scalp massage to work the coconut oil in even more. If you struggle with a dry scalp like I do, maybe spend a little extra time doing this, plus it feels SO good!
6. Next you’ll want to get your hair off of your face/neck, so tie your hair up in a bun, or low pony if you have short hair!
7. Leave the coconut oil on your hair for your desired amount of time (up to 24 hours!) & then wash it out!

Additional Tips for Applying a Coconut Oil Hair Mask:

• Apply the coconut oil mask on dirty, dry hair. Not on hair that is already wet!
• If you have thin or greasy hair already, start with a small amount of coconut oil & add more oil as needed.
• If you have thick hair, damage, or extra dryness, don’t be afraid of adding too much. I have extremely thick & unruly curly hair, so my hair can handle a lot!
• I get my organic unrefined coconut oil from either Trader Joe’s or Whole Food’s. It’s no more than $7-8ish depending on the brand!
• Apply this coconut oil mask anywhere from once a month to once a week for best results!
• If you struggle with dandruff or a dry scalp, you can add a drop of Tea Tree Oil to your coconut oil & work the coconut oil into your hair following the six steps above!

Any Negative Effects For Applying Coconut Oil to Your Hair?

There aren’t any negative effects that will happen when applying coconut oil to your hair, but your hair can become weighed down & even more greasy if you use too much. For example, if you have thin hair, try starting with just a little coconut oil, maybe just a tablespoon, & work your way up from there, rather than slathering a ton on right away! The same goes for those with an oily scalp…maybe when applying your coconut oil hair mask, focus solely on the ends of your hair or areas where your hair needs a little more hydration rather than applying the oil directly to your roots!

How Do You Remove All Of The Coconut Oil From Your Hair?

Especially if you apply a good amount of coconut oil to your hair, you might have trouble getting it all out. I’ve learned that the best tip for getting all of the coconut oil out of your hair is to lather your shampoo onto you hair/scalp BEFORE you wet your hair! Try to work the shampoo into your scalp as much as you possibly can before putting your hair under the shower head. I also would recommend a second shampoo, wash/rinse cycle to ensure you’ve rinsed everything out! Follow with conditioner!

How Long You Should You Keep The Coconut Oil Mask On Your Hair?

You can keep the coconut oil hair mask on your hair from anywhere between 30 minutes, overnight, or all day! I personally like to apply my coconut oil onto my hair & scalp in the morning, so that way, I can just throw my hair up in a bun & leave it be for the rest of the day. At the end of the day, I then shower & wash the coconut oil out of my hair. Especially since most of us are staying home right now, I think it’s the perfect time to apply your coconut oil mask & leave it on for the day!

Tips For Sleeping In Your Coconut Oil Hair Mask?

So if you want to apply the coconut oil at night & leave it on overnight, you’ll definitely want a protective layer between your hair & your pillow case. I’d recommend wearing a soft shower cap, a head wrap, or lay a towel over your pillow so the oil won’t ruin your sheets. If you sleep with the coconut oil in your hair, you’ll want to rinse it out in the morning!

Have you ever applied coconut oil to your hair? Let me know your thoughts below!