Turn to Your Kitchen for Natural Things to Make Your Hair More Shiny

Put away your wallet and save yourself some space in the bathroom. All those products you put in your hair to remove the dirt, tame the frizz, moisturize the ends, promote the curls, pump up the volume, and keep everything in place will, over time, serve to strip away the outer protective layer of your hair, which is rife with natural oils that keep it shiny and healthy. What you're left with is an unmanageable mop that's about as shiny as a weathered old barn.

But the harsh chemicals in your cheap bottle of "hydrating" shampoo and "moisturizing" conditioner and in your favorite styling products are only part of the picture. Environmental factors that contribute to dull hair include overexposure to the sun and chlorine, a high mineral content in your water, repeated dyeing, and the use of heated styling tools. Your health plays a part, too. Nutritional deficiencies, illness, and poor general health will leave your hair — and your skin — looking sad and unhealthy.

There's Hope, Though, And Hope is Cheap

Your kitchen is a veritable hair care pharmacy. You probably have ingredients on hand right now that can strip away the buildup that stripped away your shine, reinstating the shimmer and restoring the sheen.

These three all-natural (for realz) hair treatments will leave you with soft, silky, and manageable hair, and they come with a low-price tag and zero chemicals.

Strip Away the Nasty with an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Hair should ideally have a pH of 4 to 5. A weekly apple cider vinegar rinse regulates the pH of your hair and removes product buildup without stripping away your hair's natural oils. It seals the cuticle to help your hair retain more moisture and to allow more light to reflect off the strands, leaving it soft and shiny. Apple cider vinegar also detangles, treats dandruff, and soothes an itchy, dry scalp.

Once a week, mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water. After shampooing, pour the mixture onto your hair and massage it into your hair. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly, ideally with cold water.

Restore Luster with an Avocado Mask

Avocados are dense with vitamins B and E. These vitamins work at the cellular level to protect and strengthen your hair, promote growth, repair scalp damage, and make it shine like polished patent leather.

Mash up a ripe avocado with two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, and slather it onto your damp hair, starting at the roots and heading down to the dry ends. Cover the whole gloppy mess with a shower cap, and go find something productive to do for a half hour. Rinse, and shampoo as usual.

Repair Damage and Condition with Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a highly-effective conditioner for your hair. It contains fatty acids, and it's rich in vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. It prevents the loss of proteins in your hair, and its low molecular weight means it penetrates the hair shaft like a knife penetrates butter. It can help prevent hair loss, and it shimmers up your locks better than anything you can buy in the hair care aisle.

Let a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil melt at room temperature. Massage it into your scalp and hair, and comb through it to make sure every single strand gets a big ole coconut oil hug. Cover your hair in a shower cap and leave it alone for at least a half hour. You can even leave it on overnight. Rinse, shampoo, and go blind your significant other with your newfound shining glory.