Best DIY Hair Masks for Protein, Keratin, Shine & Growth
Everyone dreams of longer, thicker, healthier hair—just like we admire that glass-skin glow. After all, skin and hair are the first things people notice, and who doesn’t love receiving compliments on both? But here’s the challenge: you go for a salon volumizing treatment, and the very next day your hair starts craving protein repair or a keratin boost. The problem? These treatments are expensive, chemical-heavy, and not exactly budget-friendly. The good news is—you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve salon-like results. With just a few simple kitchen ingredients, you can create powerful DIY hair masks that cover it all: protein repair, keratin smoothness, mayo magic, instant volume, and growth boosters. These treatments transform dull, dry, lifeless strands into shiny, bouncy, and stronger hair.
The best part? They’re affordable, fun to make, and sometimes even smell better than your midnight snacks. Think of them as a spa-day experience at home—without the price tag.
Note: All these hacks, makeup tips, and celebrity-inspired looks have been tested and approved by the theglowgenius team. We only recommend products we personally try or trust, so you can be sure they actually work.
💆 Why DIY Hair Masks Work Better Than Store-Bought
These DIY hair mask is the perfect alternatives of pricey products and treatments. These helps you to repair damage, add shine, and boost volume, with simple ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. Plus, they’re free of harsh chemicals, which means your scalp and strands get a break. Think of them as mini self-care rituals that actually work.
🥚 DIY Protein Hair Mask for Weak & Brittle Hair
You’ve probably heard about protein hair masks, but maybe you’re not sure when your hair actually needs one, how to make it, or what benefits it really brings. Here’s the simple truth: if your strands feel weak, stretchy, or break every time you brush, that’s your hair screaming for protein. Many people blame water changes, seasonal shifts, or even shampoo—but the real culprit is often protein deficiency.
A protein repair mask works by filling in the tiny gaps in damaged cuticles. This strengthens your strands, restores shine, and makes hair less prone to split ends. Think of it as giving your hair a gym membership—but without the sweat session.
How to Make It:
- Add 1 egg to a bowl.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt and 1 teaspoon of honey.
- Whisk well until smooth and creamy.
- Apply evenly from root to tip, cover with a shower cap, and leave for 25 minutes.
- Rinse with a mild shampoo using cool water only (never hot).
Benefits:
This mask is packed with protein, biotin, lactic acid, and natural humectants. Together, they:
- Strengthen weak, brittle strands
- Smooth hair cuticles and reduce frizz
- Lock in hydration and add shine
- Restore elasticity, bounce, and softness
After just a few uses, you’ll notice your hair feels stronger, silkier, and no longer snaps at the slightest tug.
Shelf Life:
It’s best to use this mask within 1–2 hours at room temperature. If you have any extra, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Discard the mask immediately if you notice a sour smell or a change in texture. Always make small batches that you can use in one application.
💡 Bonus Tip: If the egg smell bothers you, add a few drops of rosemary essential oil.
Best product picks:
🌸 DIY Keratin Hair Mask for Smooth & Frizz-Free Strands
Everyone dreams of that smooth, shiny, salon-style keratin blowout. But the problem is that keratin treatments can be expensive, loaded with chemicals, and sometimes leave your hair flat instead of fantastic. Luckily, you have the option of this DIY keratin mask at home that tames frizz, boosts shine, and makes your strands feel silky without spending a lot of money at the salon.
Keratin is the natural protein your hair is made of. Over time, heat styling, coloring, and pollution strip away keratin, leaving your hair rough and dull. A keratin-rich mask helps “refill” those protein gaps, leaving your hair soft, sleek, and manageable.
How to Make It:
- Take half a cup of coconut milk in a bowl, which is rich in natural keratin-like nutrients.
- Add 2 tbsp fresh aloe vera gel and 1 tbsp olive oil for extra nourishment.
- Mix all these ingredients very well.
- Apply this mask evenly from scalp to ends.
- Leave on for 35–40 minutes under a shower cap.
- Rinse with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo to maintain the effect.
Benefits:
This keratin DIY hair mask smooths frizz and flyaways, deeply conditions without weighing hair down, restores softness and natural shine to hair, and makes hair feel silky, like a mini keratin blowout at home.
Shelf Life:
This DIY keratin mask is best used fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Discard if it smells sour or changes in texture.
💡 Bonus Tip: Wrap your hair in a hot towel; this helps nutrients penetrate deeper for next-level smoothness.
🥄 DIY Mayonnaise Hair Mask for Shine & Softness
Sometimes the best beauty secrets are hiding in your kitchen—you just don’t realize it. Your kitchen isn’t just for snacks—it can double as a beauty salon or mini spa if you use its ingredients wisely. If you wanted to add shine to your hair, you just need one ingredient from your kitchen and apply it to your hair just like you apply it to your sandwich or toast.
The superhero ingredient? Mayonnaise—packed with eggs, oils, and vinegar, making it a natural deep-conditioning treatment for dry, frizzy, or dull hair. This creamy mask locks in moisture, smooths flyaways, and gives your strands that healthy, glossy glow—without needing an expensive salon treatment.
The magic lies in the egg protein, which strengthens hair, while the oils deeply nourish and tame frizz. It’s like giving your hair a rich protein shake from the pantry.
How to Make It:
- Take 3 tbsp mayonnaise, add 1 tbsp honey for extra hydration, and add 1 tbsp olive oil to boost shine.
- Apply evenly from mid-lengths to ends (avoid scalp if your roots get oily fast).
- Leave on for 25–30 minutes under a shower cap.
- Rinse thoroughly with a mild shampoo to remove the mask.
Benefits:
This glow DIY hair mask deeply hydrates dry, brittle strands, smooths frizz, and enhances shine to your hair, strengthening weak hair with egg protein, and makes hair feel softer and more manageable instantly.
Shelf Life:
This mask works best freshly made. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Discard if it smells sour or changes texture. Always make small batches for one-time use.
💡 Bonus Tip: For super frizzy hair, warm the mayo slightly (not hot!) before applying, and for extra-dry ends, apply a little pure mayo directly and wrap them in foil
🎈 DIY Volume Boost Hair Mask for Flat Hair
Flat hair often feels like lifeless hair. It ruins your whole look—no matter how much effort you put into styling. But don’t worry—this DIY volume booster hair mask works like a secret push-up for your strands. It lifts your roots, adds bounce, and makes your hair feel fuller without heavy products.
When your hair looks flat, it’s often due to excess oil, buildup, or weak strands that weigh it down. This mask gently cleanses, strengthens, and adds body so your hair has that natural salon blow-dry volume.
How to Make It:
- Add 2 tbsp rice water, 2 tbsp aloe vera gel, and 1 tbsp honey to a bowl.
- Stir them well and apply from scalp to ends.
- Leave for 25–30 minutes, then rinse with a mild shampoo.
Benefits:
This volumizing DIY hair mask adds natural lift to your hair, strengthens weak roots for long-term volume, reduces oiliness, and leaves strands shiny, bouncy, and lightweight.
Shelf Life:
Best used fresh. If you make extra, refrigerate in an airtight jar for up to 24 hours. Discard if it turns runny or develops a sour smell.
💡 Bonus Tip: Flip your hair upside down while applying the mask, massaging gently into the scalp. This stimulates blood flow and helps create instant root lift when it dries.
Best product picks:
🌱 DIY Hair Growth Mask for Thicker, Longer Locks
Everyone dreams of longer, thicker, healthier hair—but no matter how many products you try, the results often disappoint. The worst part? You’re spending a lot of money on expensive serums and sprays. That’s where this DIY hair growth pack (a favorite from theglowgenius team 💖) comes in. Try it once, and you’ll see why people fall in love—it’s packed with powerful natural ingredients that wake up sleepy follicles, boost circulation, and feed your strands exactly what they need to thrive.
Hair thinning often sneaks in because of stress, weak roots, poor scalp health, or just plain lack of nourishment. This nutrient-rich pack tackles all that—clearing buildup, strengthening roots, and encouraging fresh growth over time.
How to Make It:
- Take 2 tbsp fenugreek seeds, soak overnight, and grind into a smooth paste.
- Add 2 tbsp onion juice (amazing for boosting circulation and growth).
- Mix in 2 tbsp aloe vera gel (soothes scalp + hydrates roots).
- Optionally, stir in 1 tsp castor oil for extra thickness.
- Blend everything until it forms a jelly-like consistency.
- Apply evenly from scalp to roots.
- Leave for 30–35 minutes, then rinse off with a mild herbal shampoo.
Benefits:
This hair growth DIY hair mask stimulates hair follicles for faster growth, strengthens roots and reduces breakage, also improves scalp health, and adds shine, thickness, and strength over time.
Shelf Life:
Use this mask fresh for best results. If needed, refrigerate for up to 24 hours only. Discard if it smells pungent or the texture changes.
💡 Bonus Tip: Apply the mask and wrap your hair with a hot towel or sit under a steamer. The heat opens pores, letting growth-boosting nutrients penetrate deeper.
Conclusion
Your hair doesn’t need luxury salon treatments to look healthy, bouncy, and strong. These DIY hair masks for protein repair, keratin smoothness, shine, volume, and growth are proof that powerful results can come straight from your kitchen. Whether your strands feel flat, frizzy, or weak, these masks bring them back to life.
The best part? These DIY home remedies are dermatologist-inspired, rooted in cultural beauty wisdom, and completely affordable. Now you can glow without spending money.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we truly believe in and personally use.
💬 Your turn: Which one are you excited to try first? Tag us on Instagram or drop a comment with your results—we love seeing your glow-up. Bookmark this guide or share with a friend who needs a hair glow-up