South Asian women are known for their long luscious locks. While I was teased as a kid for having too much hair (i.e. a unibrow), people now ask me for hair growth tips. My perfectly threaded eyebrows are now my strongest feature! The irony that is life!
As a child, an oil-slicked braid was a non-negotiable. In most South Asian families, you do not wait for your hair to hit rock bottom. Rather, you use an oil mask a minimum of once a week. “Castor oil is fantastic for hair growth and shine. [It] is rich in ricinoleic acid — a type of fatty acid found to fight inflammation — so it’s great for fussy scalps. Olive oil is a great hair moisturizer. The molecules of olive oil are small enough to penetrate the hair and fill in any missing ‘holes’ caused by mechanical or heat damage, so I really love the effect it has on split ends,” says celebrity hair stylist David Lopez. “Coconut oil is a great barrier against dryness. Although it can make coarse/frizzy hair feel softer, its true benefit is mostly seen as a way to prevent moisture loss. I love using coconut oil before shampooing on mid-length [hair] and ends to prevent drying out hair from the detergents found in your shampoo,” he adds.
But nothing can compete with grandma’s hair mask! This DIY mask is the only way to go — I still use this recipe weekly.
Ingredients
2 cups of coconut oil
2 cups castor oil
1 tablespoon black seed oil
1 tablespoon fenugreek oil
4-5 eggshells
2 egg whites
Disclaimer: These are loose measurements. I have never gotten a proper answer from family members when it comes to measurements. You are just supposed to “know” when it is right. This estimation tactic is the reason my eggs are always over salted and pasta undercooked.
Steps
- Wash the eggshells and let them dry out in the sun for a day. Grind the eggshells in a food processor, until you get a fine powder.
- Pour two egg whites into a small bowl and mix in the powder to create a smooth paste.
- Transfer the paste over to an empty Mason jar. Then add in the coconut, castor, black seed and fenugreek oils.
- When you are ready to mask, heat up enough of the mask to cover your entire scalp in a microwave-safe bowl. The leftovers can remain at room temperature in a Mason jar for up to six months.
- Massage the mask into your scalp and apply evenly throughout your hair with a comb. Let the mask rest for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Wash out with regular shampoo.
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