Hair masks are without question a Holy Grail beauty product, but we find ourselves asking- why aren’t more people using them? Although there are a lot of myths behind hair masks, such as they make your hair greasy, they’re too heavy for certain hair types or what have you- I guarantee you there is a mask out there for everybody.
When it comes to masks, the most important thing you can do is read the packaging. Odds are if a hair mask is making your hair greasy or ‘crunchy’, it’s not for your hair type. Another reason you may be seeing less than positive effects it’s because you’re using the mask wrong. Some hair masks are designed for weekly use, daily use, monthly use and so on and so forth. If you’re using a ‘once a month’ mask once a week, there you have it. Myth debunked! However, you should be using masks fairly regularly (we’re talking once a week, ladies and gentlemen)- especially during the changing of seasons. Altered temperatures and sun exposure can wreck total havoc on all hair types, so it’s best to play it safe and throw on a moisturizing mask every now and then to prevent dry and brittle hair. When applying a hair mask, be it on wet hair or on dry hair, it is crucial that you focus on the ends of your hair. Focusing on this part of your hair with a mask mixed with regular trimming will prevent breakage and split ends, giving your hair a more sleek appearance overall.
It’s also important to shampoo and condition your hair after applying a mask. Once the mask has done its thing, grab a gentle shampoo and conditioner and make sure to thoroughly cleanse the hair. Oil based masks especially will leave a greasy appearance towards the scalp if not properly washed out, so it is key that you spend a little extra time washing the hair to ensure a soft and shiny result.
More so than moisturizing the hair itself, regular use of hair masks can prevent dandruff. There are some masks geared specifically towards dandruff prevention, however any mask with healing ingredients and natural oils will soothe and moisturize a dry scalp.
Having adequately moisturized hair will also prevent fading when it comes to coloring your hair. You should start using a hair mask at least two or three weeks prior to getting color applied to the hair if you aren’t already. After coloring, you will want to keep up this routine to help retain as much moisture in the hair as possible, which will make the color look more vibrant and help protect the hair from becoming brittle.
Any time is a great time to start using hair masks, it’s never too late to start taking better care of your hair. As much of a hassle as hair masks may seem, there’s a mask for practically everyone and anyone’s schedule. Masks are designed for all time frames- 5 minutes, overnight, 20 minutes…the list goes on. You can even throw on a mask in the shower. leave it on while you shave your legs and rinse it out when you’re done, it’s that simple and will benefit your hair tenfold in the long run.
Here are some masks to try: Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus (Dry/Damaged Hair), It's A 10 Miracle Hair Mask (Dry/Damaged Hair), Ouidad Melt-Down (Curly Hair), Wella Age Restore (Aged/Coarse Hair), Alterna Bamboo UV+ (Damaged/Color treated hair), Keratin Complex Blondeshell (Blonde Hair)