Will Mayonnaise Really Make My Hair Softer? (This and 5 Other Hair Hacks)

Will mayonnaise make my hair softer? According to health experts on Medical News Today, the answer is yes. 

Mayonnaise is chock-full of beneficial ingredients, including both protein and vegetable oil. The protein helps replenish moisture, making your hair less brittle, whereas the vegetable oil helps to make your hair softer. Just remember that, when applying mayonnaise to your head, you should apply it directly to the scalp. You want to make sure you’re getting those roots!

There are a few other benefits of a mayonnaise mask, including treating dandruff and more famously, lice. Regardless of why you’re using it, the benefits of mayo masks extend far past simply making your hair softer. If you want to give it a go, apply it as soon as you get in the shower and then wait for 15 minutes before rinsing it out. 

Mayonnaise hair masks are just one of the many unique hair hacks out there. Here are 5 other hair hacks you should know (or if you want, try!)

1. Apply an Egg Yolk Mask For Shiner, More Moisturized Hair

While we’re on the topic of food, you may want to try out an egg yolk hair mask. It sounds strange, but since egg yolks are so rich in protein, they are ideal for increasing shine on dry, brittle hair. Plus, since they have sulfur in them, they can even promote hair growth. As someone with notoriously slow-growing hair, this is a big win. 

To apply an egg yolk mask, crack it open and mix 3 eggs and a few drops of lemon juice (this is to avoid your head smelling like an omelet (unless you’re into that kind of thing). Once mixed, apply it to your hands and work it through your hair as you would your normal conditioner. Leave on for 20 minutes, covered, if possible. 

Once 20 minutes is up, rinse with cold water. This is an important step because otherwise, the hot water could lead to egg clumps in your hair. Think of it as scrambling an egg; it needs heat. 

Outside of increasing shine, another thing I love about the egg mask hair hack is that it’s also vegetarian-friendly. Instead of egg yolks, you can simply use the egg whites. The process is the same outside of the fact that you’re using less of the egg. Though egg whites won’t help with sheen, they will help moisturize your hair so it feels softer. 

2. Applying Dry Shampoo Before Bed for Refreshed, Clean-Feeling Hair

When it comes to applying dry shampoo, most people – myself included – usually spray it on our hair moments before running out the door. However, one hair hack worth trying is applying it the night before, right before you go to bed. Trust me when I say, it makes a HUGE difference! 

While you sleep, the dry shampoo helps trap any oil in your hair so by the time you wake up, your hair doesn’t just look refreshed, but it feels refreshed too. While I do try to wash my hair as often as possible, this trick has been a godsend on days when I’m just too tired to get all glammed up. 

Plus, when I apply it before bed, I’m not waking up with all of that white powder on my scalp because of how much I tossed and turned at night. 

3. Swap Out Your Pillowcases for Satin to Reduce Frizz

Maybe this isn’t the most unique hair hack, but it has completely changed the quality of my hair, so I highly recommend it. 

As a fabric, satin is safer to sleep on because it minimizes your exposure to bacteria at night. This is great, but when it comes to hair hacks, it’s beneficial for combatting frizz. 

When I was in my early 20s, I made the mistake of getting a perm. Don’t get me wrong, it looked great, but it altered my hair chemistry. The top layer of hair is often straight and frizzy, while the underneath layer is really curly. In other words, I can’t just roll out of bed and have great-looking hair anymore without styling. 

And, honestly, that annoys me sometimes because there are definitely mornings when I don’t feel like doing my hair. But, satin pillowcases have dramatically cut down on the amount of frizz I have on that top layer of hair, so I can now get away with just rolling out of bed and starting my day. It’s also a confidence booster! 

Satin pillowcases aren’t that expensive either. Here’s a pair on Amazon for less than $6. 

4. Use Eyeshadow to Cover Up Gray Roots

I’m in my mid-30s now and choosing to age gracefully, which means I have gray hair. It’s starting to frame my face and showing up in my roots. For as much as I am choosing to age gracefully, a little insecurity still comes with it. There are a lot of times that I don’t fully recognize the woman staring back at me in the mirror. It just feels like I’ve aged so much overnight. 

So when those moments of insecurity get to be a bit overwhelming, I’ve turned to one of my favorite hacks: using eyeshadow to cover up my gray roots. Ideally, you will want to apply an eyeshadow shade that matches your roots, but if that’s not possible, try to get as close as possible. The trick with this hair hack is to apply your eyeshadow sparingly. Remember, less is more. 

5. Get Smooth Hair With Dental Floss

I just went to the dentist, so maybe dental floss is on my mind but did you know that it can be used to get smoother hair? I tend to have a lot of flyaways that always make the top of my hair look unbrushed, but what I recently discovered was that dental floss can be used to smooth it out. 

All you have to do is just grab a thin strand of floss and slide it across your head. Be sure to go in increments. It’s not foolproof, so you will have to do it a few times (I did it three times), but it’s a quick little hair hack to remove flyaways right before a picture, Zoom call, or in-person meeting. 

These are all hair hacks I’ve tried out myself and experienced benefits from. While they can’t be used as a replacement for traditional hair washing, dyeing, or brushing, they have all been useful for giving my hair (and sometimes, confidence) the boost it needs at the moment. Would you try any of these?