DOS AND DON'TS OF HAIR MASKS
Miami, Florida
You may hate having to stand in the shower for those extra few minutes, but using a hair mask is integral to caring for your tresses. They’re potent treatments made to target concerns that trouble your lengths—dryness, frizz, damage, and overall lack of nourishment. So, let’s start with the Dos before I tell you all the things that are not recommended.
1 Clarify hair before applying a hair mask.
Clarify, rinse, and apply the hair mask. I personally like Davines - SOLU color-safe clarifying shampoo. You can find it in my Amazon Shop. A clarifying shampoo will ensure the hair cuticle is cleansed of all build-up and ready for the benefits of the hair mask. This is an important step, however, if you just colored your hair give it a couple of weeks before using a clarifying shampoo. Now, that your hair is ready for a mask, leave the mask only for the recommended amount of time. The more you leave in doesn't mean the product will work better.
Pro tip: If you feel you need an extra boost, condition with your daily conditioner after you rinse out your hair mask.
2 alternate products
Just like with skincare, it’s important to alternate products. So make sure you have at least two hair masks to alternate. Masks are designed to do many different things so chances are you need more than one. I recommend having one mask for hydration/ and one for repair. I absolutely love Oribe’s Signature mask for moisture and Oribe’s Gold Lust. It contains protein, which is exactly what you need to repair damaged hair. Both are available at House of Mane, we carry the entire line.
Pro tip: Add heat! This opens your cuticles even more giving you the most benefits. You can simply use a warm microfiber towel, make it wet and place it in the microwave for 1 minute. You can also use a heated shower cap (shop here) or if you have access to a steam room, you can mask while enjoying some steam.
Now to the Don’ts…
DON’T sleep with your mask overnight
I don’t recommend overnight masks especially not when they are not meant to be overnight. If you wear a mask overnight you are creating a barrier over the cuticle, not allowing the hair to breathe for a long period of time ESPECIALLY if the mask contains high levels of proteins, which will lead to breakage. (Simply put any mask that says “repairing” falls into this category.)
DON’T Brush fully wet hair
Hair that is wet and filled with moisture is more fragile than hair that is dry, which could result in breakage when brushing. There are some wet brushes but those are only to be used in the shower. I do recommend you invest in a good brush, it will save your hair! Shop here
DON’T apply a hair mask to dry hair
Essentially, you would just waste product because your cuticle is closed and will not absorb any of the benefits the hair mask is supposed to provide.
DON’T use too much product
This is a big no-no, especially for fine hair. If you use too much product you will create more build-up and this might create a greasy scalp and weighted-down strands.
Make sure to ask your stylist what mask works best for you. Schedule your next appointment at House of Mane.
Hope this helps!
xx
