In contrast to a face mask, a hair mask covers only your hair. It works like a deep conditioner to provide your hair the substantial support it needs to get better and stronger, regardless of whether it is dry, heat-damaged, chemically colored, curly, or even just aging. Rich components like natural oils and butters are typically present in hair masks in higher concentrations than in regular conditioners. Not to add that a hair mask can be worn for a long time—from three minutes to overnight. Even if your hair is normally healthy, the changing of the seasons can be extra hard on your strands, signaling it may be time for a hair mask. How to apply a hair mask doesn’t have to be tricky! In this article, we’ll go through what is a hair mask good for, how often should you do a hair mask, and more to ensure you are making the most out of this wonderful hair treatment!

Types of Hair Masks

Masks for Dyed/Bleached Hair: We lose moisture each time we dye our hair. For this reason, color-treated hair masks frequently include ingredients that strengthen and hydrate your hair while also extending the life of your color.

Masks for Damaged Hair: Let’s say you frequently used heated devices and hair products. In that situation, your hair will probably be excessively porous and prone to breakage and dryness. A keratin, essential fatty acid, vitamin, and humectant-rich hair mask can help in this situation.

Masks for Oily Hair: Specially formulated hair masks for oily hair balance sebum secretion. This adds volume to your roots without adding excessive grease and keeps your scalp clean.These kind of masks, unlike the majority of hair masks, are typically applied from root to tip. Natural green or white clays including nettle, burdock, or sage extracts are frequently used in masks for greasy hair. As we’ve already mentioned, these components are fantastic at absorbing extra sebum, which helps to lessen greasiness.

Masks for Curly Hair: Masks containing curl-defining substances are often exceptionally lightweight and suitable for priming curls for long-lasting style.

Hair masks are wonderful inventions. Even the driest and most fragile strands can be made to resemble a dazzling, lustrous mane by using these products. Sadly, a lot of people don’t realize how effective a hair mask can be. They don’t know how it’s different from a standard conditioner, and the one time they used one, they didn’t detect any big differences.

 

Here are 9 dos and don’ts to be aware of if you really want to experience hair mask magic:

DO: Use the Right Hair Mask for Your Hair Type

Hair care products target various needs in the same manner that various skin care products are made for various skin types. If you choose products that aren’t right for your hair type, you can not only see little to no improvement, but you might also develop hair and scalp issues.

Before you go mask shopping for hair masks, think about the goals you have for the mask:

-Look for an incredibly rich mask if you wish to moisturize the feel of dry and damaged hair.

-Consider a clay-based mask to treat a greasy-feeling scalp since it will absorb extra oils.

-If you want to control the appearance of frizz on curly hair, seek for a hydrating mask containing plant oils.

-Look for a mask with nourishing and protecting components to keep the color of your coloured hair.

As you can see, there are a ton of options available. At first, this may seem overwhelming, but the upside is that you’ll probably be able to locate a mask that’s tailored to your skin’s requirements.

 

DO: Try Sleeping in a Hair Mask

Nothing beats waking up with silky-smooth, shiny locks, which is exactly what happens when you spend the night wearing a hair mask.

Now, not every mask is designed to be worn overnight. While protein and clay masks may end up harming your hair if left on for too long, moisturizing and moisturising masks work well when applied overnight.

Are you concerned about how you might sleep in a hair mask without ruining your pillow?

After putting on your mask, cover your hair with a shower hat. A silk scarf also works nicely if the sound of the cap rustling will keep you awake at night. After that, enjoy that stunning sheen by rinsing the mask out of your hair in the morning.

 

DO: Apply it Correctly

You probably won’t be impressed with your hair mask if you simply slathered some product on the ends of your hair, waited 30 seconds, and then washed it off. But this time, it’s not your mask’s fault.

You must use your hair masks in a specific way in order to get the best effects.

How to…

As previously said, starting with wet hair is always recommended. Your goal should be to apply the hair mask to your hair as evenly as you can. However, you should also pay attention to the areas of your hair that are most damaged, which are typically the ends.

Use your fingers to comb the mask through your hair to distribute it uniformly. Use a wide-toothed comb for even better results.

Do you have any doubts about using your hair mask on your scalp?

It depends…

By all means, apply a hydrating mask to your scalp as well if your hair and scalp are dry and you’re using one.

However, unless you’re using a mask with a solution that has been specifically created to absorb excess oil, avoid using it if you have a greasy scalp. Applying a thick mask to your scalp will result in clogged pores, which will only lead to an increase in oil production. Your hair and scalp will therefore feel greasier than before as a result of this.

After applying the mask to your hair and gently massaging it in, leave it on for at least five minutes. You’ll be giving the ingredients more chance to seep into your hair the longer you leave it in.

Again, if you decide to use the mask longer than the suggested time specified on the box, check sure it doesn’t include any substances that can harm your hair or scalp.

After finishing, rinse the mask.

Always shampoo your hair before using a hair mask, and then condition it afterward. Your hair cuticles will be opened by the shampoo, allowing the mask to do more good for your strands. Then, your conditioner and the subsequent rinse will make sure that you get rid of any product residue that can cause your hair to become weighed down.

DO: Alternate the Masks You Use

You’ll quickly develop a favorite hair mask, but this does not imply you should stop using the others.

As was already discussed, hair masks have numerous functions. Use a variety of hair masks because it’s likely that your hair could use a boost in a few distinct areas.

You could either try hair multi-masking or alternately using these hair masks throughout each masking session. Using many hair masks on your hair simultaneously is comparable to multi-masking with skin care products.

How does that function?

Actually, you only need two masks. Targeting the ends and middle of your hair should be the initial step. This necessitates seeking out components, like those in the Evalectric Hair Mask, that leave the hair feeling revitalized.

You should apply the second hair mask on the scalp. For people with dry scalps, a hydrating mask is excellent.

DO: Add Heat

Have you ever tried using a hair mask with heat?

The implications of this could be profound. Heat improves the interaction between products and your hair and accelerates the rate at which chemical reactions occur. Additionally, you’ll discover that warm components feel softer and absorb better.

Do you have any ideas on how to add heat to your hair mask session?

You could try a few of the following:

  • A warm towel – after applying your hair mask, place a shower cap over your hair, and then wrap this in a warm towel.

  • Blow drying your mask – try blow-drying your mask after applying it to give it some direct heat. However, make sure that you distribute the heat evenly around your head, and never allow the mask to get too hot.

  • Heating the mask – this method only really works with oil-based masks. However, don’t be tempted to use a microwave – it will need to be a hot water bath, as gentle heat is important.

  • A heated cap – imagine a shower cap that’s heated – that’s exactly what a heated cap is. You simply place one into the microwave to warm it up before use – you can then apply this directly over your hair and hair mask.

 

DON’T: Apply a Hair Mask to Dry Hair

First things first: yes, you may use hair masks on dry hair. The operative word here is “sometimes,” but they will occasionally function quite effectively.

On the other hand, you’ll see a lot bigger change if you apply your mask to wet hair. In addition to absorbing nutrients more effectively than dry hair, wet hair also indicates that your hair is clean. Additionally, a lack of oil and debris will make it easier for the components in your mask to permeate your hair shafts.

The only exception to this rule is if you are certain that your hair is clean. A hair mask will still be able to function as it should in this situation.

Of course, the guidelines alter slightly if you’re using an oil-based hair mask.

You already know that water and oil don’t mix. If you use an oil-based mask on damp hair, the oils in the mask will push your wet hair away rather than draw it in. In this situation, it would be much more advantageous to apply your mask on dry hair.

DON’T: Overdo it

We understand that hair masks can give your hair a wonderful feel. You’re tempted to use your mask every time you wash your hair as a result. Soon enough, you’ll be applying it even more frequently since you enjoy the shine it gives your hair.

However, a greasy scalp, limp hair, and other issues frequently accompany this.

Why?

Because using hair masks excessively makes your hair particularly weighed down by the product. Additionally, it restricts your scalp’s ability to breathe correctly and raises sebum production on your scalp, which produces the grease.

 

DON’T: Be Tempted to Use a Low-Quality Hair Mask

Not all hair masks are created equal, just like every other product in the world. Some will be miles ahead of the rest.

You may be thinking right now…

All well, but if I want to use a super-expensive hair mask several times per week, I simply cannot afford to do so!

Thankfully, quality hair masks don’t necessarily break the bank. This is particularly true if you choose a jar- or tub-style mask as opposed to a single-use mask.

You might always go for a DIY hair mask if you can’t truly extend your budget to buy one. These, however, require extensive investigation; be sure that each ingredient you use has been shown to be good for your hair or scalp. After all, utilizing the incorrect chemicals could result in major harm to your hair.

DON’T: Use Too Much Product

Each hair mask will be packaged with instructions that detail how much of the product to use each time.

You might be tempted to top up the dollop in your hand with a little extra, but as long as you only increase it little, there typically won’t be any issues. However, if you use three times as much product as you should, your hair may become burdened down and have a greasy scalp.

Always follow instructions when it comes to how much of a hair mask to use in order to avoid injury. Don’t forget to consider the length of your hair as well; those with short hair will require far less product than people with long hair.