How to Do a Maple Syrup Hair Mask

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: March 6, 2020 References

Maple syrup has natural humectant properties that can give dry hair a boost of hydration. There are many different kinds of hair masks that incorporate maple syrup for the moisture it can provide. Applying maple syrup by itself as a mask can be deeply hydrating. Other maple syrup masks make use of the nourishing properties found in avocado, banana, almond milk, olive oil, honey and coconut oil for increased benefits. These ingredients are all-natural and 100% vegan.

Ingredients

Nourishing Vegan Maple Syrup Hair Mask^{[1]
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1/2 avocado
1 banana (peeled)
3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) almond milk
2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Nourishing Vegan Maple Syrup Hair Mask

1
Mash the avocado and banana together. Place ½ of an avocado and a whole, peeled banana into a medium sized bowl. Use a fork to mash the two ingredients together. Continue to mash them with your fork until they are evenly mixed together.^{[2]
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- If your hair is very long, you may need to double all of the ingredients to end up with enough mask.
2
Add the remaining three ingredients to the bowl. Measure out the almond milk, pure maple syrup and olive oil and put each into the bowl with the mashed avocado and banana mixture. Stir all five ingredients together with a spoon until they are completely mixed together.^{[3]
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- Be sure to use pure, real maple syrup. Other syrups are filled with high-fructose corn syrup and will not have the same effect on your hair.^{[4]
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3
Apply the mixture to your hair. Use your fingers to scoop up some of the mask mixture and start applying it to your hair. Work it through with your fingers. Continue until you’ve spread the mask all over your hair. Run a wide-toothed comb through your hair to ensure the mask is evenly distributed.^{[5]
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- You can apply the mask to damp or dry hair.
4
Leave the mask on for fifteen to twenty minutes. Make sure you’ve fully covered your hair with the mask mixture. Use a few clips to twist your hair up and out of your face. As the mask dries, your hair will start to feel slightly crunchy. This is normal.^{[6]
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- Put a shower cap on over your hair if you’re worried about getting the mask on your clothing or furniture.
5
Wash the mask out of your hair with a natural shampoo. Hop in the shower to rinse the mask from your hair. You will need to shampoo the mask out – plain water won’t get all of it out. Make sure you use a natural, nourishing shampoo. If you use a regular shampoo, which includes chemicals and sulfates, it will strip your hair of the nutrients provided by the mask.^{[7]
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- After shampooing, condition your hair as you normally would.
- Use this mask on dry and damaged hair every two weeks for best results.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Other Variations

1
Use maple syrup by itself. If you don’t have all of the mask ingredients on hand, you can apply the maple syrup to your hair by itself and still receive the hydrating benefits it provides. Pour the pure maple syrup over your dry hair and run a wide-toothed comb through to distribute the syrup evenly. Leave it on your hair for about twenty minutes.
- Rinse the syrup out by shampooing and conditioning your hair as you normally would.^{[8]
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- Feel free to apply the syrup to your frayed ends only, instead of your whole head of hair, if you prefer.
2
Mix maple syrup with honey to create a mask. Stir three tablespoons of real maple syrup and one tablespoon of honey together. Put the mask on your dry hair and then run a comb through it to distribute it. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Leave the mask on your hair for twenty minutes. Rinse it out of your hair, then shampoo and condition it like you normally would.
- Honey is an excellent natural moisturizer and it can provide a large dose of antioxidants and nutrients to your dry strands. When paired with maple syrup, which is also very moisturizing, you get a very hydrating and simple hair mask.
3
Mix equal parts maple syrup and coconut oil to create a mask. Mix approximately two (or more) tablespoons of real maple syrup with two tablespoons of coconut oil. Make sure you use virgin unrefined coconut oil for best results. Pour the mixture on your hair and then comb it through. Leave the mask on for about an hour. Rinse it out with water.
- Follow the rinse up with a gentle shampoo and conditioner.^{[9]
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- Coconut oil is extremely hydrating and makes an excellent mask for dry hair when paired with maple syrup.