Ultimate Guide to Hair Masks - What It Is, Benefits, How To Use

By Upasana KakatiAug 20, 2024 5 mins read

What is a hair mask?

Types of hair masks - Choose the suitable mask as per hair type

What are the benefits of using a hair mask?

How to use a hair mask correctly?

Tips to Maximize the Effectiveness of a Hair Mask

FAQs

References

Frizzy, dry, and damaged hair is quite the killjoy, taking you multiple steps away from flaunting your gorgeous hair. Your hair undoubtedly experiences a lot of wear and tear every day—blame it on heat styling, layering strands with products, and exposure to external aggressors. If the regular conditioner is not enough to nourish and hydrate your hair, it's time to add a hair mask to your hair care routine.

Think of a hair mask for frizzy hair as a powerful boost of nutrition that goes the extra mile in nourishing hair. Weekly use of deep conditioning hair mask restores hair health and leaves hair bountifully smooth, soft, and B-YOU-tifully manageable. Whether you have treated or natural hair that refuses to be disciplined, hair masks are recommended for every type. Scroll down to learn all about the product, the best hair mask for your hair type, and how to use it correctly.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Hair Care

What is a hair mask?

A hair mask is a deep conditioning treatment that strengthens, hydrates, and intensely nourishes hair strands. Weekly use of hair mask restores dry, damaged, coarse strands, leaving it frizz-free. In simple terms, it is a superior and more powerful version of the regular conditioner. According to Darrius Peace , Birmingham-based hair expert, instructor, and author - "Masks are known for reducing frizz because of their oil properties that seal the hair cuticle, which causes it to repel outside moisture that could compromise definition and create puffiness."

Hair masks are heavier in formulation and help with intensive restorative hair care than conditioners. However, regular conditioners are usually lightweight and act as a moisturizer for hair. Hair masks deeply condition shafts and deliver nutrients, helping to smooth and strengthen strands. Depending on what your hair needs, there are different hair mask formulations.

Types of hair masks - Choose the suitable mask as per hair type

Now that you know hair masks add extra oomph to your hair care routine, choosing the suitable mask for your hair type is also crucial. Skin types have different needs, so addressing hair concerns with the right product is critical. Here's how to choose the best hair mask according to your hair type:

Strengthening Hair Masks

These hair masks are known for their bond-building formulation, which repairs damaged disulfide bonds in the hair. As a result, these hair masks for damaged hair strengthen the hair shaft, reduce breakage, and improve elasticity. As they absorb into the cuticles, they repair highly damaged hair that's either overprocessed or exposed to excessive heat styling. These masks are rich in ingredients like wheat protein, sea buckthorn oil, algae extract, etc.

Deep Moisturizing Hair Mask

Buy Now - Deep Conditioning Hair Mask | Moehair

The moisturizing hair mask replenishes your strands with much-needed moisture and hydrates dry strands. The formulations are best suited for dry and coarse hair, helping to reduce frizz and soften strands. Such hair masks are rich in natural oils, shea butter, humectants like hyaluronic acid and cocoa butter. You can use Moehair Luxx Deep Conditioning Hair Mask , enriched with argan oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower seeds oil, green tea oil, shea butter, etc.

Clarifying Hair Mask

These are also known as scalp masks, formulated for deep scalp cleansing. The masks are applied to the scalp to help slough off dead skin cells and prevent clogging of follicles. However, they are not recommended for regular use, and it is better to limit their use to once or twice a month. Common ingredients in clarifying masks include charcoal, tea tree oil, etc.

Volumizing Hair Mask

Formulated for thin and limp hair, these masks help add volume and bounce to hair. They also help retain moisture levels, prevent breakage, and give thin hair a fuller body. Look for ingredients like peptides, rice protein, castor oil, etc., that improve thin hair, nourish it, and promote better growth. According to research, bioactive peptides help encourage hair growth with advantages like low toxicity, high selectivity, and targeted localization.

Color-Protect Hair Mask

Buy Now - Violet Deep Conditioning Hair Mask | Moehair

These hair masks are formulated for color-treated hair, preventing hues from fading and keeping it intact for prolonged periods. Deeply nourishing hair masks hydrate colored hair without stripping off the color. The purple hair mask helps remove unwanted yellow or orange tones while maintaining color vibrancy. We recommend trying the Moehair Luxx Violet Deep Conditioning Mask , which is infused with purple pigments and helps remove brassy tones.

Overnight Hair Masks

These are saviors for extremely unruly, dry, and damaged hair, as overnight application helps replenish moisture. The overnight hair mask for frizzy hair restores damage, improves manageability, and enhances elasticity. Whether you have overprocessed hair or it feels under the weather due to breakage, the reparative ingredients in the mask help with ultimate hair repair.

What are the benefits of using a hair mask?

Nourishment, moisturization, and hydration—yes, a hair mask provides hair with all of these. Adding a hair mask to your hair care routine is a game-changer; try it and thank us later! Need some more convincing? Here's laying out some benefits of using a hair mask:

Intense hydration — Like your body, your hair needs hydration. A hydrating hair mask is your go-to haircare product that hydrates hair and infuses it with much-needed moisture. This improves manageability and reduces dryness.
Deep moisturization—Hair needs moisture to stay healthy and maintain elasticity. It is also crucial to maintaining overall texture, especially for curly and coarse hair. Using a moisturizing hair mask coats the outer surface of strands and prevents them from losing moisture. This helps ease tangles and reduce frizz.
Smoothens hair —The restorative ingredients nourish hair, leaving it soft, smooth, and shiny. The formulations are absorbed through the cuticles, leaving hair frizz-free and separating unruly strands.
Repair damage—Overprocessing hair, excessive heat styling, and exposure to external aggressors damaged strands, making them prone to breakage. A hair mask delivers much-needed nutrients and hence revives damaged hair.
Strengthens hair - Bond-repairing hair masks, for example, strengthen hair by mending damaged disulfide bonds. This enhances hair quality, which restores normal growth and reduces breakage.
Helps better styling — A hair mask eliminates frizz, tames flyaways, and detangles knots, easing the styling process.
Tones down brassiness — Purple hair masks are formulated to eliminate brassy yellow and orange tones. They are infused with purple pigments that keep hair color vibrant while deeply nourishing and hydrating hair.
Boost healthy growth - Hair growth masks are enriched with ingredients that stimulate follicles and boost circulation. As a result, it improves hair vitality and helps with unhindered hair growth.

Also Read: Benefits of Using Hair Serum

How to use a hair mask correctly?

Hair masks are easy to use, making them a perfect addition to a regular hair care routine. However, the mask's method varies depending on the hair type and purpose of the product. Every mask is formulated differently, so how long you must keep it on before washing might vary. For example, a clarifying or scalp hair mask requires application on the scalp, followed by gentle massage and keeping on for 20 minutes before rinsing. This helps reset the scalp by sloughing off dead cells and removing buildup. However, the application process for a deep moisturizing hair mask or hydrating hair mask differs.

Here's how to use a regular hair mask as part of a hair care regime:

Gently cleanse hair with shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Applying a hair mask to clean, freshly shampooed hair helps better product absorption through the cuticles.
Squeeze out excess water to prevent the hair mask from diluting. Scoop a generous amount and apply it from mid-length to the hair tips.
Leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes or read the label instructions to keep the hair mask for the required time.
Rinse thoroughly with cold or lukewarm water. Gently towel dry.

Pro-Tip: If you have curly, coarse, and brittle hair, apply the hair mask and wrap a hot towel. Leave on for 10 - 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing with water.

Tips to Maximize the Effectiveness of a Hair Mask

Depending on your hair type, choose the right kind of hair mask and how many times you need the product in a month. For coarse and curly hair, you can easily use a hair mask instead of a conditioner every time you shampoo. For thin and limp hair, you can use a hydrating or moisturizing hair mask once a week.
For dry and damaged hair, opt for a deep-conditioning hair mask. For frizzy hair, choose a hydrating hair mask to improve manageability.
Don't rinse the hair mask immediately. As the product instructions mention, keep the mask on for 3 to 5 minutes or the required time. This ensures proper absorption of the product, leaving hair nourished and hydrated.
Avoid applying the hair mask to soaking wet hair, as this will dilute the product. Instead, use the mask on damp hair for maximum effectiveness.
If you have recently colored hair, it is best to wait some time before applying the mask. Also, opt for a color-protect hair mask for the best result.

We have all the reasons to add a hair mask and improve your hair care game. It works magic on all hair types, from maintaining overall health to nourishing and restoring strands. However, do a quick ingredient check to pick the correct formulation that moisturizes and hydrates your hair.

Also Read: How to Maintain a Daily Hair Care Routine

FAQs

1. Which is better - a normal hair mask or an overnight hair mask?

It is important to understand that the purpose of both products is different, and so is the formulation. A normal hair mask can be used weekly as part of a regular hair care routine. However, an overnight hair mask acts as an intense moisturizer and is recommended once or twice a month.

2. Can a hair mask be applied to dry hair?

Hair masks are formulated to be applied to damp hair to maximize their absorption into the cuticles. Cleanse hair with a gentle shampoo, rinse well, and apply a hair mask to damp hair. Leave it on for the required time before rinsing off.

3. Is it important to apply conditioner after a hair mask?

You can skip using a conditioner when you apply a hair mask, as it often leads to double conditioning. The hair mask is enough to moisturize, hydrate, and detangle hair.

4. What type of hair mask is suitable for colored hair?

Use a color-safe hair mask if you have colored hair, as it preserves the vibrancy and fades-proof the hair. We recommend trying Moehair Luxx Violet Deep Conditioning , as the purple hair mask tones down brassiness.