Los Angeles-based hairstylist Mark Townsend adds that hair masks are more tailored to address specific needs and concerns. “Hair masks are deep conditioners that are aimed at specific needs like repairing damage from heat and chemical treatments, improving circulation at the scalp, strengthening the hair follicle, and adding and retaining moisture,” he says.
How to use a hair mask
Most hair masks come with their own specific instructions to follow, but as a rule of thumb, Townsend says to always shampoo your hair before using one to wash away buildup that can mess with your formula’s efficacy. “Masks usually work best on damp hair, not soaking wet, so remove as much water from the hair as possible,” he adds. To ensure you remove as much water as possible, Brooklyn-based hairstylist Latoya Moore suggests wrapping your hair in a microfiber towel to soak excess water before applying your mask. “Apply a generous amount from mid-shaft to ends, try to avoid directly on the roots,” she suggests.
To ensure every strand is coated, both Townsend and Moore recommend combing your hair immediately after applying. “Use a wide-tooth comb or fingers to evenly distribute the mask to ensure every strand is coated,” says Moore. Both hairstylists also suggest covering your hair with a shower cap or warm towel as you treat your strands to help the mask penetrate more.
Usually, you won’t have to follow up a hair mask with your usual conditioner since the former is, essentially, a more concentrated version of the latter. With that being said, always read the product’s instructions, regardless if it’s a leave-in or rinse-out treatment, to ensure proper use for the best results.
How often should you use a hair mask?
Multiple hairstylists we chatted with agree that each hair mask’s formulation is totally unique, so follow the instructions. Some hair masks can be used once per week, while others can be used as a daily treatment—it all depends on what the brand directs you to do. Going on your own course of action won’t necessarily ruin your hair, but rinsing out a hair mask too quickly or not using it often enough will lead to less significant results, and leaving one in for too long can leave a greasy residue behind.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?