:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hairmasksocial-f91525a4c0bb41bfa28653a4cc101df0.jpg?resize=1500%2C600&ssl=1 "Celebrity Stylists Reveal the Top 5 Types of Hair Masks We Should All Be Using")
Has your hair been looking less than stellar lately? While your first instinct may be to reassess your cut-and-color routine or even the pillowcase that you sleep on, we’re here to remind you: The secret to gorgeous, healthy-looking hair could be hiding in your shower. And we’re not talking about your go-to shampoo-and-conditioner regimen. Nope, it’s all about hair masks.
“Just like your skin, masks for your hair are important for maintaining healthy luscious locks,” says celebrity hairstylist Emma Willis. “The hair follicles need nourishment just like skin. Regular use of masks will help maintain the overall strength and elasticity of the hair over time and also help prevent breakage and split ends.”
Of course, it depends on which hair mask you use. Because like skin care, there are many, many formulations to choose from. With that in mind, we chatted with a few celebrity hairstylists to determine the top five hair mask categories. Ahead, learn the benefits of each, who they’re best for, and which masks are worth trying first.
Choosing the Best Mask for Your Hair Type
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Before diving into the different types of hair masks, let’s discuss how your hair type plays a role. After all, not all hair masks are suitable for all hair types.
“Just like skin, different hair has different needs,” says celebrity hairstylist Hayley Heckman. “This can all depend on your environment, prior heat-and-color damage, or stress. So much of our everyday life plays into our hair health.”
That said, take a moment to address your tresses. Do you have flyaways and an aggressive amount of split ends? A strengthening mask or bond-repairing mask is the way to go. Does your hair look dry and dull? You’ll want to pump up the moisture. Do you use a ton of products on your hair and regularly experience build-up? Give your scalp a break with a scalp mask. Does it seem like your hair needs more than 15 to 20 minutes of TLC—or do you simply not have the time or patience to wait for processing? An overnight mask will become your BFF. Meanwhile, if you have color-treated hair, opt for a color-depositing mask to elongate the time between appointments. But that’s just the basics. Keep reading to learn the benefits of each type of hair mask, below.
Strengthening / Bond-Repairing
Strengthening hair masks (or bond-repairing hair masks) are designed to repair damaged hair. According to Willis, they work wonders to keep hair looking and feeling thicker, fuller, and longer. The reason? The stronger your hair is, the less likely it is to break mid-shaft or develop split ends.
More specifically, stylist Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair Care, says that “bond-repairing masks target and mend damaged disulfide bonds in hair, improving strength, elasticity, and resilience.”
Common hair-strengthening ingredients include algae extract, banana, sea buckthorn oil, and hydrolyzed wheat protein. These ingredients deeply nourish strands, promote elasticity, and prevent further damage.
Overall, Izquierdo says that these strengthening masks are best for folks with chemically treated or highly damaged hair, whether it’s via coloring or excessive heat. For best results, he says to use strengthening, bond-repairing masks one to two times a week “to maintain strength and repair damage.”
Moisturizing
Moisturizing hair masks are like a tall glass of water for dull, dehydrated hair. “Moisturizing masks hydrate dry hair, improve elasticity, reduce frizz, and add shine,” Izquierdo says. “They are often rich in oils, butters, and humectants.” A few common ingredients include prickly pear seed oil, rosehip oil, cocoa butter, and algae extract.
For best results, Izquierdo says to use moisturizing hair masks one to three times per week, depending on how dry your hair is and how often you wash it.
Fun Fact: While some hair masks can weigh strands down, making them ideal to use before lazy hair days, Willis says moisturizing masks can actually prep hair for beautiful styling. Specifically, she says they make strands shinier, glossier, and more vibrant—not to mention more manageable overall.
Color-Enhancing
If you have color-treated hair, you’re likely all too aware of just how quickly your strands can fade. Thankfully, at-home color-enhancing hair masks (sometimes marketed as conditioners) exist. “These masks help maintain and enhance hair color, add shine, and improve overall vibrancy,” Izquierdo says. “They often contain color-depositing ingredients or UV protectants.”
For best results, Izquierdo says to use color-enhancing masks bi-weekly for optimal vibrancy and shine.
Overnight
If your hair feels particularly depleted, treat it to eight hours of TLC via an overnight hair mask. According to Izquierdo, overnight hair masks—which feature a combination of moisturizing and reparative ingredients—are recommended for deep nourishment and can be used one to two times a week to replenish dry, damaged, lackluster strands. These masks can be used beyond nighttime, though. They’re a great option for anyone low on time, looking for a convenient solution for deep hair repair. Simply spray or massage the mask into your strands, brush or braid them into your chosen style, and let the formula get to work while you do your thing. They’re perfect to add to your strands before diving into a workout, as the heat from your scalp will help them work harder.
Scalp
Last but not least, we have scalp masks. These masks slough away follicle-clogging dead skin cells and product build-up to promote a more stable scalp. This makes it better suited to yield healthier potentially longer hair. Common scalp mask ingredients include tea tree oil, charcoal, and alpha-hydroxy acids.
As far as use, consider your typical hair-care and styling routine. If you use a bunch of products, a weekly scalp mask is beneficial. Otherwise, every two weeks or so is ideal.
