Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hair mask?
What makes a hair mask different from, say, your conditioner is higher doses of ingredients to supercharge your strands, according to New Jersey-based hairstylist Michelle Cleveland. “A hair mask is very similar to a daily conditioner in that it restores the hydration of the hair after shampooing. However, a mask contains higher concentrations of vitamins, oils, and butters that will penetrate deeper into the hair when left on for longer periods of time than a traditional conditioner,” she explains. “The result is a higher level of hydration to the hair, which ultimately leads to repairing dry, damaged, and/or dehydrated hair.” In other words, if you’re looking for hair masks for damaged hair, these deep conditioning hair treatments can deliver a level of nourishment your everyday conditioner simply can’t.
On top of that, hair masks are more tailored to address specific needs and concerns, says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Mark Townsend. “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 do you use a hair mask?
Most hair masks come with specific instructions, but as a rule of thumb, Townsend says to always shampoo your hair before using one to wash away buildup that can affect the 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 up 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 a hair mask with your usual conditioner since the former is, essentially, a more concentrated version of the latter. With that said, always read the product’s instructions, whether 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, yet again, make sure you 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 recommends. Taking 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, thinning) 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?
For our review of the best hair masks, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Follow along as Outer Banks star, Madelyn Cline, gives us a peek inside her month facial:
