Hair Masks: A Case for Elevating Your Hair Care Routine

This is your complete guide to hair masks. Here, we cover everything from how to use hair masks to which mask to use depending on your hair type.

WE PUT OUR STRANDS THROUGH A LOT OF STRESS

Heat styling, chemical colouring, and exposure to the elements can cause damage and leave hair feeling dry, limp, frizzy, or brittle. 

Nothing quite compares to an in salon pampering to nurture hair back to luscious status. But if you can't make it to the salon, there is the next best thing.

Enter: The hair mask. Hair masks are designed to help repair damage and nourish your scalp and strands through deep hydration.

Read on for everything you need to know, from how to use hair masks to our top product recommendations that will leave your strands smooth and revitalised. 

WHAT IS A HAIR MASK?

Just like a face mask nourishes and hydrates the skin, a hair mask works to improve the condition of your hair. 

You might see hair masks referred to as deep conditioning treatments or intensive hair conditioners. A hair mask is essentially an intense conditioner that coats the hair to infuse it with strength and hydration.

No matter whether your hair is heat damaged, dry, oily, coloured, curly, or ageing, all strands can benefit from a mask treatment.

Even if your hair is healthy, the changing seasons can be tough on your hair, and a hair mask can help to combat the damage inflicted by the natural elements. 

Hair masks differ from instant conditioners because they are more concentrated and often target specific hair concerns. They are also left on the hair for much longer, anywhere from five minutes to overnight. 

The best hair masks on the market contain rich, natural ingredients like oils and butters that will penetrate your strands and lock in moisture, or absorb excess oils if your hair is oily. 

If you’re into DIY, you can even make your own hair mask at home, using common household ingredients like bananas, honey, or egg yolk. 

DO I NEED A HAIR MASK?

As mentioned, practically everyone can benefit from a hair mask, even if you consider your hair to be healthy. 

Whether you have dry, oily, or damaged hair, regular use of a hair mask can help to maintain your hair health and strength. 

For dry hair, the added moisture from a hydrating mask can help to nourish and repair dry strands. 

Chemically-treated hair that is brittle or breaks easily can benefit from a protein mask, which can help to strengthen the hair shaft and prevent further damage. 

If you have oily hair, a clay mask can help to absorb excess oils and fight against dandruff and greasiness. 

THE BENEFITS OF HAIR MASKS INCLUDE:

+ Moisture retention

+ Reduced damage

+ Less frizz

+ Shinier hair

+ Softer hair

+ Stronger hair

+ A healthier scalp

+ Less environmental and product damage

HAIR MASKS WE LOVE

Let’s dive into the good stuff: Our favourite hair mask products! These are our top picks. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DO HAIR MASKS?

The frequency of your hair mask use will depend on how damaged your hair is. 

Regardless of the state of your hair, the best way to maintain healthy, nourished hair is to implement a hair mask routine. 

Using a hair mask once a week is usually sufficient for most hair types, but if your hair is especially damaged or if you use heating tools often, consider using a mask twice or three times a week.

As a general rule of thumb, below are our frequency recommendations based on your hair type.

+ Fine hair –  Use your hair mask once a week. Overuse will cause your hair to become weighed down and limp.

+ Thick hair – You can use a mask once or twice weekly. Hair masks targeting specific concerns can be used twice a week, but if you’re using the mask just for hydration, once a week will be enough. 

+ Curly hair – If you have curly hair, use your hair mask once or twice a week. We recommend using a mask specifically designed for curly hair that will keep your coils bouncing beautifully! 

+ Straight hair – Use your hair mask once a week if you have straight hair. Frequent use may add too much weight to your hair. 

+ Dry hair – Dry hair will benefit from a twice-weekly hair mask treatment. Your strands need that extra dose of moisture, so let them soak it up! 

+ Oily or greasy hair – Pop on a hair mask once a week and make sure the mask is designed to absorb excess oils and moisture. 

+ Damaged hair – Damaged hair will benefit from frequent hair masks, so apply the mask two to three times a week. The more damaged your hair is, the more regularly you should use the mask. Once it’s back to its pre-damaged condition, you can cut back on your usage. 

THE DO´S AND DON´TS OF HAIR MASKS

Generally, if you follow the instructions on your hair mask product, you’ll reap the rewards. 

However, there are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind regardless of which product you choose. 

HAIR MASK DO´S

Keep these points in mind when choosing and applying your treatment for the best results.

+ USE THE RIGHT MASK FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE

Just like skincare products, hair care products target different needs. 

If your dry hair requires a little extra hydration, go for an intensely rich, nourishing mask. 

As mentioned, a greasy scalp will benefit from a clay-based mask that absorbs excess oils. 

To tame curly hair, opt for a moisturising mask that contains plant oils. These ingredients will help to keep the frizz at bay. 

+ APPLY THE MASK PROPERLY

Slapping the product onto the ends of the hair and rinsing after 30 seconds won’t give you the results you’re looking for.

Applying a hair mask properly takes a little extra time and effort, but it’s well worth it. Remember to begin with wet hair for best results (unless you’re using an oil-based mask) and apply evenly, focusing on the damaged parts of the hair and scalp. 

Be sure to leave the mask on for the required amount of time and condition as normal after use.

+ CHANGE UP THE MASK YOU USE

Don’t be afraid to try different masks! You can even alternate between sessions to target different hair concerns.

For example, if you have curly hair, you might want to use a hydrating mask once a week to target dryness, and use a curl-specific mask fortnightly to target frizz. 

You can also try using multiple hair masks at the same time. Think of it like layering your skincare. 

You’ll only need two masks for this layering technique; the first will target the end and middle sections of the hair with nourishing ingredients, and the second will be a moisturising mask to be used on the scalp. 

+ ADD HEAT

Heat speeds up the rate at which the chemicals work on the hair, so applying heat will help the ingredients absorb better. 

Apply a warm towel over your hair while your mask is on, or give your mask a light blow dry. 

HAIR MASK DON´TS

Avoid these mistakes when applying your hair mask.  

+ DONT APPLY TO DRY HAIR

Unless you’re using an oil-based hair mask, avoid applying your hair mask to dry hair.

It won’t necessarily harm your hair, but applying a mask to wet hair generally yields better results, so there’s no use wasting your product on dry strands!

The lack of dirt and oils on clean, wet hair allows the nutrients to penetrate your hair better. 

+ DON´T GO OVERBOARD

Stick to the recommended application frequencies mentioned above. 

Using a hair mask every time you wash your hair can lead to a greasy scalp and limp hair, which is not the result we’re after.  

+ DON´T USE TOO MUCH PRODUCT

Your hair mask will state how much product you need to apply per use. 

Have another question about how to use hair masks? We’re here to help! Get in touch with us to discuss all things hair care.