Hair has a mind of its own in summer. Usually well-behaved locks can feel parched and straw-like, and you may find your usual basic haircare routine isn’t cutting the mustard. Curly hair in particular may be crying out for moisture, evidenced in the frizz or wiry feel of your strands.
If you’ve never used a hair mask, now is the time to consider it.
Using conditioner regularly is important to help maintain shine and softness, but you may think adding a hair mask as well is overkill. Think again.
A hair mask is basically a super-powered conditioner and standing in the shower for those extra few minutes a hair mask takes to work, will pay dividends, deeply nourishing and strengthening your strands.
They typically contain rich ingredients with natural oils, that are heavier in concentration than conditioners and go deeper, as well as reparative ingredients like proteins, peptides and antioxidants. These can ultimately help reduce hair breakage, smooth frizz, make hair more manageable, enhance shine and help it look and feel less dry.
“Using a mask or treatment regularly is important, especially if you have coloured hair, chemically-serviced hair or long hair in general,” says evo hair creative director Nicole Kae.
“Every hair type needs love and TLC on the regular.“
How to use a hair mask
Start with clean hair: Shampoo your hair to remove any build up so the mask can penetrate better. Skip conditioner before applying the mask.
Hair should be damp, not dripping: Remove excess water for hair to prevent the mask from sliding off and to allow for better absorption.
Section your hair: Divide your hair into sections for even application, especially if you have thick or long hair.
Focus on problem areas: Apply generously to the mid-lengths and ends where damage is most common, avoiding the roots if your hair tends to get oily.
Use a comb: Distribute the mask evenly using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers.
And wait….. Leave on for recommended time, which is generally between 5-30 minutes
Rinse away: No need for extra conditioner, just rinse and dry.
One hack to try
If you find standing around waiting for it to work a pain, try combing a mask through dry hair and rocking a slicked-back pony or bun for the day.
Most masks are the perfect product to smooth down fly-aways for a chic, sleek look while adding goodness to your strands. Just rinse out next time you’re in the shower.
The best hydrating and repairing hair masks
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
Easy to use, easy to get your hands on and great for all hair types – what’s not to love?!
Briogeo is a clean, cruelty-free haircare brand from the US known for its natural, scientifically-backed formulas that has leapt to prominence in recent years. This is arguably its best product, a clean, hydrating and smoothing hair mask you can scoop out and slop on and get great results in minutes.
Made with rosehip oil, B-vitamins, and algae extract, the antioxidant-rich formula restores moisture to dry, brittle, coloured, stressed or over-processed hair.
Redken All Soft Heavy Cream Treatment
Another great all-rounder that’s especially good for bleached or very dry hair.
We love that unlike many other hair masks, this one is easy to dispense from the tube, which also makes it good for packing on beach holidays and other trips.
The moisturising formula has natural argan oil and helps tame and smooth frizz.
We’ve had good success restoring softness and shine with this one.
Garnier Fructis Hair Food Aloe Vera Mask
This comes from a range of affordable hair masks with different aims, but if you’re after quick, easy hydration, this is a winner.
It’s sold in supermarkets so it’s easy to pop in the trolley, and is suitable for normal to dry hair for a pick-me-up.
It contains aloe vera and vitamins C, E, F, and is light enough to be used more regularly in place of conditioner, if needed.
Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense Riche Mask
Kérastase is the Rolls Royce of haircare, the ultimate in luxury, but with reliable results too.
The brand really drills down on hair types, so it’s best to ask a hairdresser or expert which product best suits your own locks, as there are specific masks for curly, bleached hair, those with breakage, excessive hair-fall and more.
This version is for intense hydration so its great if you’re tackling dryness, but even then, there are two versions, one for fine hair, and a richer one for thick and very dry hair, so make sure you’re choosing the right one.
Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Masque
Far be it for us to get caught up in the little things, but we also love a product with a pump that’s easy to dispense in the shower!
This also has plenty of other things going for it. With essential oils, vitamins and rosehip oil it, seriously delivers on softness and shine. It also contains bergamot extract, evening primrose oil, shea butter and kakadu plum, so plenty of natural goodness in there to nourish your hair.
L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Professional Mask
The one to reach for if you colour or lighten your hair, or you have serious damage you’d like to go some way to repairing. It helps improve strength, elasticity and movement.
It also has a good dose of hydration so you’ll be getting a number of benefits in one treatment.
Speaking of, this mask promises to repair 2 years of damage in one use! It does so with peptides and amino acids, delivering the good stuff right to the core of each strand.
Davines Naturaltech Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Mask
We’ve carried this lovely natural, vegetarian mask with us in previous summers and it’s been a lifesaver!
It’s thick and rich so you don’t need a lot to make a big different to hair and it detangles beautifully after a swim in the sea.
We also love the fact this company is dedicated to sustainability and research and development of advanced natural ingredients. This one contains Vegetal Keratin, a combination of rice protein and a mix of amino acids, as well as a Biacidic Bond Complex that helps seal strands for smoother shinier hair.
