“Textured or curly hair types will benefit from a rich mask infused with butters and natural oils to nourish and retain moisture in the hair, whilst defining the natural curls of this hair type,” says Dr Sharon. And for damaged hair, “choose masks which contain plenty of amino acids which are the building blocks of protein to help strengthen the hair strands,” Dr Sharon says.
How do I use a hair mask?
Explaining the ideal masking step-by-step, Jason says: “towel dry the hair and bring the product through the mids and ends. Use a comb to ensure the mask is evenly distributed and each strand of hair is bathed in product – leave on for 2-3 minutes [or whatever the mask directs] and then rinse well.”
If you’re in a rush though, we’ve found in-shower masking to be almost as effective. Slather it on from root to tip (if your hair is uniformly dry) or from the mid-lengths to the ends (if it’s dry towards the bottom but more oily on top), leave for as long as you can – you could wash your bod, shave your legs, and make the most of some quality thinking time – before rinsing off. And, “if you experience any kind of build-up, use a cleansing shampoo as it is always nice to refresh the hair,” says Jason.
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What ingredients should I watch out for?
Just like skincare has some holy grail ingredients (retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid), hair has a few key go-tos that can help our hair. “For hydration, look for humectants such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin,” says Dr Sharon. “For moisturising (retaining hydration in the hair), look for shea butter and natural oils like coconut oil and argan oil. And, for strengthening and smoothing out surface damage look for amino acids, hydrolysed proteins (eg hydrolysed wheat, keratin or silk protein).
Should I use a hair mask on fine hair?
All hair types can benefit from a hair mask in terms of condition, but when it comes to aesthetics, “those with limp or very fine hair, may want to avoid a mask and stick to a light conditioner (or whatever your hair colourist recommends) as hydrating and repairing masks are heavier and can weigh down fine hair,” says Jason. “It will feel great but look limp.” So maybe reserve masking for the days when your social calendar is looking a little more empty.
Now that we’ve gotten some of the FAQs out of the way, we’ve put together a full edit of the best hair masks available on the market in order to help you come to a final decision. We’ve made sure to include a range of options for price and preference. Enjoy.
Shopping for more haircare products? We’ve got buying guides for the best dry shampoos, best hair serums, best bond builders and the best soothing shampoo for itchy scalps and dandruff.
