How To: Make your own all-natural hair conditioner

Commercial hair conditioners aren't just expensive, they're loaded with chemicals. Why don't you whip up something more natural at home?

Step 1: Use green tea
Green tea is rich in compounds that make hair shiny and silky. Pour two cups boiling water over two tea bags and steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Let cool, remove bags, and pour the tea over your hair after shampooing. Rinse after three minutes.

Step 2: Make a banana smoothie
Make a banana smoothie for your hair: Combine half a ripe banana, two tablespoons plain yogurt, and one tablespoon of olive oil. Work into damp hair, let sit for ten minutes, then rinse.

Step 3: Have an apple fizz
Have an apple fizz: Blend one peeled red apple, one-third cup seltzer water, and two tablespoons baking soda or cornstarch until smooth. Apply to damp hair for 15 minutes and rinse.

Step 4: Make hair minty fresh
Make hair minty fresh by steeping fresh mint leaves in two cups boiling water. Remove the leaves when the mixture cools, pour over hair, leave on for a few minutes, and rinse.

Step 5: Make an avocado-mayo mash
Make an avocado-mayo mash: Combine one avocado with a half-cup of mayo and apply to hair. Leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing. Avocado is loaded with hair-strengthening vitamins, and the fats and oils in mayonnaise moisturize the hair.

For even healthier hair, take a B-complex vitamin that contains biotin, proven to keep hair strong and shiny. You can also find biotin in foods like corn, peanuts, and cauliflower.

Step 6: Pop open a beer
Pour a can or a bottle of flat, warm beer over your hair and leave on for three minutes. The malt and hops contain proteins that repair damage and smooth split ends, and the natural sugars keep hair shiny.

Step 7: Make a citrus paste
Combine the juice of two citrus fruits-like grapefruit, orange, or kiwi-with just enough cornstarch or baking soda to thicken into a paste. Work through the hair, leave on for five minutes, then rinse.