Make an Avocado Mask

Avocado is not only super healthy if you eat it, but it also works wonders on your skin and hair! Combined with other beneficial ingredients, such as honey, yogurt, or olive oil, an avocado mask can help hydrate your skin and hair. Depending on what else you add to it, it can also help brighten your skin, or moisturize it further. This mask can get a little messy, however, so be sure to wear something you don't mind getting dirty!

Steps

Making a Hydrating Face Mask

1. Peel, pit, and mash half of an avocado in a small bowl. Use the back of a fork to smoosh the avocado up well, and to get rid of any lumps. Avocado is great for the skin, because it is full of healthy fats and oils. These fats and oils help moisturize and nourish your skin.
   • Save the other half of the avocado for eating later, or for another mask.
2. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon (22.5 grams) of honey. Honey is one of the best things you can put on your skin. It is naturally hydrating, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. This means that it can help moisturize your face while killing off acne-causing bacteria.
3. Add 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of plain yogurt. Yogurt is very beneficial to the skin. Not only is it naturally hydrating, but the lactic acid in it helps kill acne-causing bacteria. The lactic acid in it is also gently exfoliating as well. It may also help restore your skin's pH.
   • The higher the fat percentage, the more moisturizing your face mask will be. If you have very dry skin, try full-fat, Greek yogurt. If you have oily skin, however, try low-fat yogurt instead.
4. Wash your face with warm water. Face masks are meant to nourish and hydrate your skin, so you need to start with a clean face. Use warm water, and if necessary, a little bit of facial cleanser, to wash your face. The warm water is important, because it will open up your pores, and make it easier for your skin to absorb all those nutrients in the mask.
5. Apply the mask to your face. You can apply the mask using your fingertips or a clean foundation brush; take care to avoid the eye and lip area, however!
6. Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the mask to do its work. Sit or lay down some place comfortable. You can pass the time by listening to some music, reading a book, or watching a show. The less you move around, the less likely the mask will be to drip everywhere!
7. Wash your face with warm water, splash it with cool water to seal your pores, then gently pat it dry with a soft, clean towel. After this, you can follow up with your usual skincare regime, such as toner and moisturizer. You may not need to use any moisturizer, however, due to how moisturizing this mask is!

Making a Brightening Face Mask

1. Peel, pit, and mash half of an avocado with a fork in a bowl. Avocado is filled with healthy fats and oils that may help moisturize and nourish your skin. It is also packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
   • Save the other half of the avocado for another recipe or face mask.
2. Add 1 tablespoon (22.5 grams) of honey. Honey is one of the best things you can put on your face. It is naturally moisturizing and hydrating. It's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties can also help manage pimples and acne.
3. Add ½ teaspoon of freshly-squeezed lemon juice. Lemon juice is great for your skin because it is a natural astringent and clarifier. This means that it can help manage pimples and acne to a certain extent. The citric acid found in lemon juice can also help brighten your skin.
   • Avoid using pre-squeezed lemon juice from a bottle. It tends to lack many of the benefits that freshly-squeezed lemon juice has due to the way it is processed.
4. Mash everything together with a fork. Keep mashing and mixing until everything is evenly mixed together and smooth.
5. Wash your face with warm water. If you are wearing any makeup, or if your face is feeling oily, use some of your usual facial cleanser. This mask is supposed to nourish and hydrate your face, not clean it, so you want to start with a clean face.
6. Spread the mask over your face, taking care to avoid the eye and lip area. You can do this using your fingers. If you want a more luxurious feel, however, you can use a foundation brush instead.
7. Let the mask sit on your face for 20 minutes. To prevent the mask from dripping, consider laying down on your bad, or sitting back in a comfortable chair, and relaxing. You can also read a book or watch a show during this time.
8. Rinse the mask off with warm water, then splash your face with cool water. The cool water will help seal your pores. After this, you can follow up with your usual skincare regime, such as toner and moisturizer.

Making a Hair Mask

1. Peel, pit, and slice 1 ripe avocado, then add it into a bowl. Avocado is not only good for your health, but also for your body. It is full of healthy fats and oils, which can help repair damaged hair, and nourish dry or brittle hair.
2. Pour in 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil. Putting olive oil into your hair may sound like a greasy idea, but olive oil is actually very good for your hair. It helps hydrate it, leaving behind soft, silky locks.
3. Add 2 tablespoons (45 grams) of honey. Honey is not only good for your skin, but also for your hair. It is a natural humectant, so it draws moisture into your hair. It is also full of vitamins, which may help strengthen your hair.
4. Consider adding 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil. While this is not necessary, it will give your hair mask a lovely scent. If you use this mask on your scalp, the lavender essential oil may help relieve itching and dryness related to dandruff.
   • If you aren't a fan of lavender, you can try another essential oil, such as rosemary, mint, or eucalyptus. All of these have a nice, refreshing scent.
5. Blend everything together until the mixture turns pale and smooth. You can do this with a hand-held mixer. If you don't own one, you can use a stand mixer, or even a food processor fitted with whisks. If you don't have any of those, a blender or even a plain, old whisk would work.
   • If you are using a plain whisk, consider mashing the avocado up slightly with a fork first.
6. Set the mixture aside and dampen your hair with warm water. This will open up the cuticles in your hair, and allow your hair to more readily absorb the nutrients in this mask.
7. Spread the mask through your hair, focusing on the ends. The ends of your hair are the parts that tend to be the most damaged, so you should apply the mask to them first. If you have any mask left over, work your way up to the roots.
   • Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to help spread the mask through your hair.
8. Tuck your hair under a shower cap. If you have very long hair, consider pulling it up into a loose bun and clipping it in place first.
9. Heat your hair with a hairdryer for 15 minutes using a low or medium heat setting. If you do not own a hairdryer, or if you don't feel like using one, you can sit outside in the sun for 30 to 45 minutes—just don't forget the sunscreen! The heat will help your hair further absorb the nutrients in this mask. The shower cap will keep the moisture and heat in, and prevent the mask from drying out.
10. Take the shower cap off and rinse the mask off in your shower. Follow up with your usual shampoo and conditioner. Olive oil can be difficult to remove, so you may have to shampoo your hair twice.
11. Dry and style your hair as usual. If you choose to blow dry your hair, remember to use a heat protectant spray. Because of how rich this mask is, you likely won't need to use any extra creams and oils.

Tips

• The amounts for these masks are merely suggestions. If you have very long hair, you may need to double the amount. If you have very short hair, then you can use half the amount.
• Put some cucumber slices over your eyes while the mask is soaking. The coolness from the cucumber reduces puffiness.
• To make face masks extra-refreshing, pop them into the fridge for a few minutes before applying them.
• Face masks are best used on skin that has been cleansed and toned.
• Face masks absorb into the skin better when the pores are open, so it would be best to use them after a bath or shower.
• Face masks and hair masks can get messy. It might be a good idea to wear an old shirt that you can get in and out of easily—something that buttons up would be ideal.
• If you are doing a face mask, consider pulling your hair back and away from your face so that it doesn't get dirty.

Warnings

• Lemon can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. If you are using a lemon juice-based mask, it would be best to apply it in the evening rather than in the morning.

Things You'll Need

Making a Hydrating Face Mask

• Mixing bowl
• Fork
• ½ avocado
• 1 tablespoon (22.5 grams) organic honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) plain yogurt

Making a Brightening Face Mask

• Mixing bowl
• Fork
• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon (22.5 grams) honey
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice

Making a Hair Mask

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (45 grams) honey
• 2 to 3 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• Bowl and hand-mixer
• Hair clip (for longer hair)
• Shower cap
• Hair dryer

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Sources and Citations

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