*ETA: Please note that this was written when I my hair was relaxed. I am currently natural and no longer do an avocado masque treatment for the following reasons.
I have always found the love-hate relationship I have with "Diva!" has always been an interesting one. I rarely feel like I love her (which may be part of the problem), but when I love her--I really love her. I recently tried a homemade avocado mask and it was WONDER-F-U-L, emphasis on the "full". My hair felt thicker, fortified and strong, without feeling brittle or rigid. Once I followed up with my moisturizing conditioner it was silky and just lovely. And breakage?--what breakage? Now that may not seem like much success to the rare women that experience absolutely no breakage during their wash routine, but given the drama I have been experiencing over the last four weeks, it is a pleasant change. My hair air dried beautifully and looked thicker, if that is possible.
I have always found the love-hate relationship I have with "Diva!" has always been an interesting one. I rarely feel like I love her (which may be part of the problem), but when I love her--I really love her. I recently tried a homemade avocado mask and it was WONDER-F-U-L, emphasis on the "full". My hair felt thicker, fortified and strong, without feeling brittle or rigid. Once I followed up with my moisturizing conditioner it was silky and just lovely. And breakage?--what breakage? Now that may not seem like much success to the rare women that experience absolutely no breakage during their wash routine, but given the drama I have been experiencing over the last four weeks, it is a pleasant change. My hair air dried beautifully and looked thicker, if that is possible.
In its natural state avocado can be used as a protein conditioner, which is how I used it. I typically do a protein conditioner the week after a relaxer to replenish the lost protein and nutrients following such a harsh chemical treatment. Up to this point I have always used Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor, but this masque whooped that conditioners butt hands down. I say this, not because the Aphogee 2 Minute is a bad product, or even because it is hard on my hair. Unlike most protein conditioners it has never left my hair stiff or hard. I say this simply because the avocado masque is all natural--and hello-- it cost me roughly $1.95 (per use) when you take the cost of the avocado, the egg and the oils used. Compare that to Aphogee, which cost me $13-15 CDN a bottle. No real contest. Here is the recipe I used and how I used it:
1 small hass avocado
1 egg
1 tbsp each of EVCO, EVOO, JBCO
1 tbsp honey
I applied the mask to dry hair, from root to tip with an application brush, wrap with saran wrap, plastic cap and then two scarves to protect my pillow. I left it in over night and in the morning rinsed it out. I then used a moisturizing shampoo gently on my scalp in sections allowing the suds (not my fingers) to wash my hair and followed with my moisturizing conditioner/oil mix for 2 1/2 hours without heat. Finally I applied my ACV herbal rinse as a final rinse, (I did not rinse out the ACV herbal rinse), applied my moisture based leave in(s) and air dried as usual. That's it.
Initially, I was worried because it wasn't drying as soft as I like, but once it was completely dried, it was very soft and strong. It also dried a lot smoother and shiner than it typically does. Overall, I am very pleased with the results. Eventually, I want to be able to replace all my synthetic based hair products, so I am very happy that this worked out so well. I just need to make sure I don't overdo it.
