Solve Thinning, Frizz, and Dulling With Hair ‘Cocktails’ That Will Make You Miss Summer

Just because we’re moving into fall doesn’t mean our hair care has to move on, too. As it turns out, gorgeous locks and a chilled “cocktail” go hand in hand — some of our favorite sips are packed with nourishing ingredients that, when used topically, can reverse the season’s top hair woes — from thinning to frizz halo’s to dull strands. Read on to discover the “drink” that’s sure to beautify your mane.

Thinning? Boost growth with a ‘mojito.’

Washing your hair every day can dry out your scalp and strands, so most hair experts recommend shampooing once every two or three days for straight hair, and once every four or five days for curly hair. However, sweat and oil can gather on the scalp in that time, clogging hair follicles and stalling growth.

But a lime and mint “mojito” spritz can help. The citric acid in lime removes sweat and oil buildup, says Snehal Amin, MD, a dermatologist in Hampton Bays, New York. And mint’s menthol boosts circulation to the scalp, spurring new hair growth. To do: Add ½ cup of water, 6 crushed mint leaves, and 1 tablespoon of lime juice to a spray bottle; mist on a damp scalp. Use twice a week.

Frizz? Tame it with a ‘banana daiquiri.’

The reason summer’s heat and humidity almost always ruin a good hair day? As hair’s cuticle is opened by the heat, it soaks up all that added moisture in the air, swelling strands so they appear frizzy. For smooth strands: Apply a banana hair mask. The fruit’s water content quenches hair so it won’t seek out extra moisture, while its amino acids seal the cuticle. To do: Mix 1 mashed banana and ½ cup of yogurt (its fats further hydrate hair). Apply all over damp hair; rinse after 15 minutes. Use once a week.

Dulling? Restore luster with a ‘piña colada.’

Time spent in crisp, dry fall air can strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it looking lackluster and feeling straw-like. For an easy and fast fix, rinse hair with the two key piña colada ingredients: coconut milk and pineapple.

“Coconut milk’s lauric acid deeply penetrates to repair damage and supports the building of keratin, the protein that strengthens hair,” says Dr. Amin. And pineapple’s enzyme bromelain dissolves strand-dulling impurities from the hair shaft. The result? Locks that look instantly more lustrous! To do: Combine ½ cup of coconut milk and ½ cup of pineapple juice. Pour all over damp hair and let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing. Use once a week or as needed.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.