What the heck is a mayonnaise hair mask? Oh yeah… It’s DIY time! Get ready for the luscious locks you know you deserve!

Who Should Use a Mayonnaise Hair Mask?

A good mayonnaise hair mask is a moisturization miracle for those who suffer from the following:

  • Bleached and color-treated hair
  • Heat damaged hair from blow dryers, curlers, and straighteners. 
  • Sun-damaged hair
  • Chlorine-damaged hair from swimming pools
  • Dry hair that doesn’t produce much natural sebum
  • Frizzy hair
  • Dull hair that lacks shine
  • Dandruff from dry scalp
Dry hair
This is how my hair generally looks without some kind of DIY intervention. The mayonnaise hair mask works wonders on my dry hair!

Mayonnaise for Hair Benefits

Mayonnaise offers many benefits for your hair!

  • Repairs damaged hair through deep conditioning with lasting results
  • Provides moisture that adheres to each strand of hair
  • Soothes and smooths hair frizz
  • Adds a healthy shine 

Who Should Not Use a Mayonnaise Hair Mask?

One of the main ingredients in mayonnaise is oil, often canola or olive oil, which is why the mask is so beneficial for people with dry hair. 

However, if your hair produces a lot of natural oil and sebum, you will probably want to avoid using a mayonnaise hair mask, as it will only make your hair more oily!

How to Use Mayonnaise on Hair

The simplest way to use a mayonnaise hair mask is very effective, so there is no need to complicate things! However, I do plan to try some elaborate hair mask recipes in the future.

  1. For short hair: Mix 5 tablespoons of organic mayonnaise with 2 teaspoons of organic vanilla extract in a bowl, stirring it well. (The vanilla will make it smell better!) For long hair, double these measurements!
  2. Take your mixture to the bathroom, hop in the shower, and wet your hair with warm water. (You may want to wear flip-flops in the shower to prevent slipping and falling! The oils from the mayonnaise can make your shower floor slick! I found some lovely flip-flops on Etsy that are made from sustainable cork!) (That was an affiliate link. If you make a purchase through that link, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you or the seller. My commissions come directly from Etsy.)
  3. Apply a generous amount of the mayonnaise mask and massage it into your hair. 
  4. Set a timer, and keep the mayonnaise hair mask in your hair for about 20 minutes. Do not leave it in for longer than 30 minutes!
  5. After 20 minutes have gone by shampoo and condition your hair as you normally do.
  6. You may have to clean the bottom of your shower so it isn’t slippery and dangerous!
  7. Enjoy your soft, silky, shiny hair!
Mayonnaise Hair Mask

How Often Should I Use a Mayonnaise Hair Mask?

If your hair is very dry and damaged, use a mayonnaise hair mask once every two weeks. My hair is very damaged from bleaching it in the past, and this frequency works well for me!

Side Effects of Mayonnaise on Hair

If Left on for too Long

You may find some websites that advise you to try an overnight mayonnaise hair mask for ultimate conditioning, but I wouldn’t recommend leaving mayonnaise on your hair for that long! 

According to an article on haireveryday.com, “Mayo contains oil and protein, and it can penetrate the hair shaft, making it a great conditioning treatment.”

“However, if left on overnight, it can lead to an excess of protein, which can make your hair brittle and prone to breakage.”

In addition, leaving mayonnaise on your hair for too long can leave it smelling weird and looking greasy as seen in the picture below!

Haireveryday.com recommends leaving a mayonnaise hair mask on for no longer than 30 minutes. I leave my hair mask on for 20 minutes and get excellent results. 

This website also recommends that you simply rinse mayonnaise out of your hair without shampooing it. I do not recommend that unless you want greasy hair as seen in the picture below! 

For best mayonnaise hair mask results, shampoo and condition your hair after using the mask.

Mayonnaise Hair Mask

Allergic Reaction

Some people report allergic reactions from using mayonnaise hair masks. 

Check the ingredients in the mayonnaise to see if you are allergic to any of them. 

You may also test a small portion of your hair and scalp before committing to the mask. 

Why DIY?

You may be wondering, “Why doesn’t this crazy lady just buy hair-care masks like a normal person?” There are many reasons why I like to DIY when possible.

Mayonnaise is Non-Toxic

Sure, there are a few hair masks sold at beauty stores that may make your hair feel soft and shiny, but at what cost to your long-term health?

The FDA admits that “cosmetic products and ingredients do not need FDA premarket approval, with the exception of color additives.” 

So, cosmetic companies in America basically do whatever they want without consequence, until they get caught. When that happens, they usually just pay a settlement and keep slinging products as usual.

Lawsuits against cosmetic companies are more common than people realize because it’s not hot news. You have to actively search for articles about the dangers associated with beauty products like these: “Dozens of Lawsuits Claim Hair Relaxers Cause Cancer and Other Health Problems,” and “Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update July, 2023.”

On the other hand, mayonnaise is non-toxic. 

In fact, it’s so safe you could eat it! In fact, you probably have eaten it! 

Just make sure to use organic mayonnaise and double-check that the ingredients are all-natural. Mayonnaise doesn’t need a bunch of chemical preservatives. Good quality mayonnaise is preserved with lemon juice and vinegar! 

 

Mayonnaise is Cruelty-Free

You could test organic mayonnaise on my dog all day long. He’d love that.

Mayonnaise is cruelty-free so you can feel beautiful on the inside too.

Mayonnaise is inexpensive

I used to do DIY beauty stuff when I was a kid, and I remember my mom always complaining that it was a waste of money. She had a point because kids already have great hair.

However, as adults, it’s considered normal to spend tons of money on fancy hair-care products. But, after educating yourself on the actual ingredients in the store-bought stuff, you realize that it’s all just advertising and fluff.

Why are these cosmetic companies charging so much for chemical-based, cancer-causing garbage? 

Because people buy it.

In contrast, organic mayonnaise is better for your hair than most of the hair masks on the shelves, AND it is cheaper too!

Thanks for Reading!

I hope you enjoy your DIY mayonnaise hair mask! Thanks for reading! Please share this post!