Natural Hair Talk - Bentonite Clay Hair Mask

Monday, January 11, 2016



I first discovered bentonite clay masks on YouTube. Two of my favorite natural hair vloggers had posted their recipes for homemade bentonite clay masks on their channels. Ever since then I was hooked. I knew I had to try this out for myself and see if it really worked for cleansing and making my natural curls look amazing. Most people have never thought about using this product in their hair, but I'm here to tell you that you should try it! My hair loves this stuff and with my 2016 goal of using more natural products in my beauty routine, this will be a staple for a long time. If you're curious about the benefits of bentonite clay masks for hair, keep reading!

Ingredients Needed:

- 1 cup bentonite clay. I like to use this brand that you can buy on Amazon or at The Vitamin Shoppe.
- 1 cup of water. Some people use distilled water, but I just use tap.
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (ACV). Any kind will do as long as it's pasteurized.
- 3-4 drops any essential oil of your choice. I used tea tree oil for its antiseptic properties.
- You'll also need: a bowl and utensil to mix your ingredients, 4 clips to separate your hair, and a spray bottle of water for help apply the mixture to your hair.

My clay mixture ingredients. This recipe is based on my personal preferences. I went through a lot of trial and error to find what works for me and my hair. I suggest you do the same and don't copy this exactly!

The benefits of each ingredient:

  • Bentonite clay - Detoxifying, healing, conditioning, moisturizing, clarifying
  • ACV - removes excess buildup on the scalp
  • Tea tree oil - treats dandruff and dry scalp, promotes hair growth

Let's get started!

Measure out and pour clay into a bowl then add the ACV. Let the mixture bubble and fizz for a minute then add water and oil. Carefully mix until mixture is smooth, pudding-like consistency. You can always add more water or clay if your mixture isn't the right consistency. Part hair in four manageable sections. Mist first section with mixture of water and aloe vera juice until slightly damp (not soaking wet). Apply clay mixture to smaller section of hair, finger detangling as you evenly distribute product from root to ends of hair. Make sure to massage some of the mixture into your scalp using the pads of your fingertips. Apply to all four sections and let sit for 30 minutes. You shouldn't let this harden in your hair so keep an eye on the time. Save remaining mixture in an airtight container for later use or use for deep cleansing facial mask. Rinse mask and follow up with conditioner or deep conditioner of your choice. 


The Results:

After using this detoxifying mask on my hair my curls are extremely soft and super defined. My scalp is no longer irritated or itchy and I've seen a serious dandruff reduction. My skin also loves this mask, but it can be a little drying so I follow up with a moisturizer right after.

Here's a photo of my hair fresh out of the shower. My curls are super defined and shiny! I love using this mask just before I do a wash and go.

Tips (read before attempting):

  • If you're not applying this in your bathroom, I would suggest covering your workspace with a towel. This can get messy!
  • Don't use a metallic bowl or utensil as it can adversely react with the clay.
  • If you're going to use only ACV let it bubble before mixing to reduce the amount of lumps in your mixture.

This mask is so versatile in that you can add whatever ingredients you want based on your hair's needs. Honey, aloe vera juice, and essential oils are great alternatives to water and apple cider vinegar. I suggest playing around with the ingredients each time you make it to find out what works for you and your hair. Bentonite clay masks have replaced shampoo in my hair regimen and one step closer to using all natural products in my hair journey. If you have any suggestions for additions to this recipe or one of your own, leave it in the comments below!

Happy Monday!

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