DIY hair conditioners for normal, fine and dull hair

Nurturing conditioners and fortifiers add vitality, suppleness and silky lustre to your crowning glory. Fortunately, nature provides the right ingredients for every hair type.

• To make a henna poultice that will leave your hair silky, stir together 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of neutral henna with one egg yolk, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of olive oil and enough warm water to make a spreadable paste. Massage into washed hair and leave in for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
• For a healthy scalp and lustrous hair, mix three drops each of neroli, chamomile, lavender and sage oil in the palm of your hand and spread through your freshly-washed hair. Do not rinse off.
• To make a natural hair fortifier, mix together 500 millilitres (two cups) of warm water, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of honey, five millilitres (one teaspoon) of cider vinegar and three drops of lemon oil. After shampooing, spread through your hair and let it dry — do not rinse it out.

• Make a weekly egg and beer poultice that can add body to lank locks by stirring together 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) of beer and one egg. Massage into hair, cover with plastic wrap and a towel and leave on for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair gently with a mild shampoo.
• To make a hair fortifier that will add lustre and body to fine hair, dissolve five millilitres (one teaspoon) of honey in 200 millilitres (seven ounces) of warm stinging nettle tea and add five millilitres (one teaspoon) of fruit vinegar. Massage the liquid into washed, still-wet hair and let it dry.

• For shiny hair try a cider vinegar rinse. Mix 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of cider vinegar, five drops of lavender oil and 500 millilitres (two cups) of warm water and rinse your washed hair with it. Do not wash out.
• You can also quickly make a lustre rinse with tea. Mix 500 millilitres (two cups) each of chamomile and orange blossom tea and apply while still warm.