We all want to look our best, and a big part of that is beautiful, healthy hair. But it’s one thing to want it, and another thing to know how to achieve it. If you’ve got thin, dry, brittle, or otherwise damaged hair, it might seem like a daunting task to find a hair repair routine that is both effective and natural. How can you achieve the long, flowing locks that you’ve always dreamed of?

There are plenty of natural hair care suggestions (some good, some bad) available on the internet. You’ve probably already come across advice about which products are the best, what kinds of brushes or flat irons to use, etc. All of that can be a bit overwhelming. So instead of the same old advice, here are some natural, easy, and slightly unusual methods that will help you keep your hair beautiful and healthy.   

Apply Avocado

Avocados are full of vitamins, minerals, and fat (the good kind), and they are considered “nutrient boosters” because they help your body absorb nutrients. So eating avocados is good for your hair, not to mention your skin and other parts of your body.

But the benefits of avocados don’t stop there. You can apply a homemade avocado conditioner straight to your hair to help restore shine and luster. Avocados are a good source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that your hair needs to stay healthy. You can mash an avocado (adding an egg or essential oils if you prefer) and leave it in your hair for around 15-20 minutes before washing it out. This can be done anywhere from once a month to once a week, depending on how damaged your hair is.

Bring on the Booze

You read that right: booze. But it’s not for you to drink, it’s for a beer hair rinse. Turns out that beer contains natural sugars, B vitamins, proteins, and other ingredients that are nourishing to your hair. Just mix beer with a little honey and pour it over your hair after shampooing. Then rinse your hair and condition it like normal. The result is hair that looks shinier and feels smoother.

Enjoy an Egg

It seems that eggs are a tried and true solution to a lot of things, and that includes hair care. Both the whites and the yolk can be useful, depending on your personal situation. If your hair is dry or you have a hard time growing it out, try egg yolks. Seperate the whites from the yolks, and then mix the yolks together with some lemon juice or essential oils. You can then use this solution as a shampoo to wash your hair, or you can work it into your hair and leave it in for 20 minutes before rinsing it out and washing your hair like normal. Just make sure you rinse it out with cold or lukewarm water, as hot water can cook the eggs into your hair.

On the other hand, if you have excessively oily hair, you can use egg whites to help repair damage while keeping excess oil at bay. Just use the same routine as with the egg yolks, leaving the whites in for 20 minutes before rinsing out with cool water. Either egg routine is helpful about once or twice a month.

Put It in a Ponytail

We all know that we should wash our hair, but it’s important not to overdo it. According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic research in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospital, “Washing your hair too often can make the hair dry and brittle and lead to irritation of the scalp.” It can seem counterintuitive, but for healthier hair, try to wash it less. Instead of washing your hair everyday, try wearing it down one day and then rocking a ponytail when it starts to get a little greasy. Just make sure you’re not putting your hair up everyday or sleeping with any accessories in your hair as this could cause breakage.

Sleep on Silk

This is a random tip, but helpful nonetheless. Just like we need to be aware of what we’re putting in our hair, we also need to pay attention to what happens around our hair, and this includes what we sleep on. When you sleep, your hair is in contact with your pillowcase or mattress the entire time. If you’re waking up with matted or tangled hair, you might want to try a silk pillowcase, which is slippery and less likely to pull on your hair. Your ideal hair may not appear overnight, but this is one way that you can literally achieve healthier hair in your sleep.

Beautiful, healthy hair can be yours, so don’t fret about those split ends or tangled tresses. Try one or all of these tips to see what works for you. Who knows, you just might discover your new favorite hair care routine from something as simple as an egg, a beer, or a pillow.