Table of Contents
Updated November 2026
To make an essential oil hair mask, stir 2 to 6 drops of essential oil into about 2 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil. Work it through damp hair, leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then shampoo and rinse. Once a week is plenty.
Daily stress, seasonal changes, and heat-styling tools can leave hair dull and dry. Below you'll find what each ingredient does, two easy hair mask recipes (lavender rosemary and honey lavender), a lavender patchouli scalp oil, oils you can swap in, and tips for using them. For more lavender ideas, see my full lavender essential oil guide. Jump to the recipes.
The Base Oils
Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil is a favorite all-natural beauty product that most of us already have at home. It's rich in fatty acids that soak into the hair strand, which is why it's so good for conditioning dry, damaged hair. Here is my favorite brand (affiliate link).
- Conditions dry, damaged hair
- Adds shine to dull hair
- Helps tame frizz
- Helps reduce breakage from brushing and styling
Olive Oil
Olive oil coats the hair strand, which makes hair that's been through dye, blow dryers, and flat irons feel softer, smoother, and silkier. It stays liquid at room temperature, so it's easy to mix and rinse.
Raw Honey
Honey in your hair? I know, that was my first thought too! But honey holds onto moisture, so it leaves hair soft and shiny, and it rinses out easily with warm water.
Essential Oils for a Hair Mask
The essential oils are mostly there for scent, so pick the ones you love. A few drops are all an essential oil hair mask needs.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a gentle oil with a soft, floral, herbal scent that makes a hair mask feel like a spa treatment.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole) has a fresh, green, herbal scent and is a favorite in hair and scalp care. Lavender and rosemary blend beautifully together.
Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) has a deep, earthy, slightly sweet scent. A little goes a long way, and it pairs nicely with lavender's soft floral notes in a scalp oil.
Oils You Can Swap In
- Cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica) or Virginian (Juniperus virginiana): warm and woodsy. Ages 2+.
- Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata): rich and sweet floral; 1 drop is plenty. Ages 5+.
- Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): fresh and earthy; use fresh oil. Ages 5+.
- Peppermint (Mentha × piperita): cool and tingly; 1 drop is plenty. Ages 6+.
Not sure what to swap? See my essential oil substitution chart.
A Few Safety Basics
• No essential oils for babies under 2.
• The lavender rosemary mask is for ages 6 and up, the honey lavender mask for ages 5 and up, and the lavender patchouli scalp oil for ages 12 and up.
• Patch test first if you have a sensitive scalp, keep the mask away from your eyes, and stop if your scalp stings, itches, or turns red.
• If you're pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife first. For the first 16 weeks I use only six oils, and only in a diffuser or inhaler: lavender, sweet orange, lemon, ginger, cedarwood (Virginian), and frankincense. After that, skin blends stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• Store bottles where pets and little hands can't reach them.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Essential Oil Hair Mask Recipes
| Recipe | Base | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender Rosemary Hair Mask | Coconut oil | 6+ |
| Honey Lavender Hair Mask | Olive oil and honey | 5+ |
| Lavender Patchouli Scalp Oil | Jojoba or fractionated coconut oil | 12+ |
Lavender Rosemary Hair Mask
Hair mask · Ages 6+ · 6 drops for one treatment
A rich, conditioning mask with a fresh herbal scent. Makes one treatment; double or triple it for longer or thicker hair.
- 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 3 drops rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole)
- 2 Tbsp virgin coconut oil (affiliate link), or olive oil
Directions:
- In a small bowl, stir the essential oils into the coconut oil. Room-temperature coconut oil is soft and easy to mix.
- Dampen your hair with a spray bottle of water.
- Drape a towel over your shoulders, then work the mask through your hair with your hands or a brush (affiliate link). Comb it through to spread it evenly.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes. A shower cap helps keep it from dripping.
- Shampoo before you rinse: work shampoo into your hair first, then rinse with warm water. Finish with a burst of cool water.
Note: You can make this ahead and store it in a 1 oz glass jar with a lid.
Honey Lavender Hair Mask
Hair mask · Ages 5+ · 2 drops for one treatment
A softening mask for dry hair, with just a whisper of lavender. You probably have everything in your kitchen already.
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 1 Tbsp raw honey (affiliate link)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (affiliate link)
Directions:
- Stir the lavender into the honey, then mix in the olive oil.
- Brush your hair, then work the mask through with your hands. It works best on unwashed hair.
- Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, with a shower cap if you like.
- Shampoo, then rinse well with warm water.
Note: Wear an old shirt, since honey can drip!
Lavender Patchouli Scalp Oil
Scalp oil · Ages 12+ · 2%
A quick pre-shampoo scalp massage with a warm, earthy floral scent, for days when you don't have time for a full essential oil hair mask. Makes one treatment.
- 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 3 drops patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
- 1 Tbsp jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil (affiliate link)
Directions:
- Stir the essential oils into the carrier oil in a small bowl.
- Part your dry hair in sections and massage the oil into your scalp with your fingertips.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Shampoo before you rinse, then rinse with warm water.
Note: Patchouli's scent is strong and lingers. If you're new to it, start with 1 drop patchouli and 3 drops lavender.
Hair Mask Tips
- Once a week is plenty for an essential oil hair mask or the scalp oil.
- Leave it on up to an hour. I don't leave essential oil masks on overnight, since longer contact makes scalp irritation more likely.
- Shampoo before you rinse. Oil and water don't mix, so working shampoo in first lifts the oil out of your hair and keeps it from coating your drain.
- Use fresh oils. Older oils are more likely to irritate skin. Here's how to tell if essential oils have expired.
- Try a rinse too. For a light, buildup-lifting option, see my apple cider vinegar hair rinse with lavender and rosemary.
Share on Pinterest
31 PC Deluxe Essential Oils Kit: Aromatherapy Supplies
$ 39.99
NEWLY UPDATED 31 PC Deluxe Essential Oils Kit! Jars added and a BONUS accessories pack. Aromatherapy supplies include a variety of tools needed for making DIY products with your essential oils. Use this kit to make roll on blends, inhaler… Read More
