The best hair masks for strong and silky-soft strands A big old hug in a pot By Elle Turner and Lottie Winter Monday 8 February 2021

 It's hard to maintain healthy hair during lockdown. The salons are shut, and we're juggling a million and one things (home schooling anyone?) meaning our pampering regimes have taken a back seat. But
just as beautiful skin makes the best canvas for makeup, you can't create a world class blow-dry or hairstyle unless you're starting with healthy hair. You might have the best heat tools going and be a dab hand with a round brush, but it won't amount to anything if you're hair is frazzled and frayed.

 

It's hard to maintain healthy hair during lockdown. The salons are shut, and we're juggling a million

and one things (home schooling anyone?) meaning our pampering regimes have taken a back seat. But
just as beautiful skin makes the best canvas for makeup, you can't create a world class blow-dry or hairstyle unless you're starting with healthy hair. You might have the best heat tools going and be a dab hand with a round brush, but it won't amount to anything if you're hair is frazzled and frayed. c

Alongside investing in quality heat tools that minimise damage, as well as the best styling sprays, a nourishing hair mask is the gold standard of any winning hair care routine. The right mask will help to control frizz, nourish dry ends and even prolong your hair colour, allowing it to look glossy and healthy for longer.

For anyone still in doubt about the importance of a hair mask, try to think about it in terms of your skincare. You wouldn't keep applying makeup every morning without having a proper skincare regime involving cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising, would you?

 It seems that the haircare market has caught on with innovations in product development giving rise to the "skinification" of haircare, i.e. applying the same targeted approach to haircare as we do to our skincare. That means, active ingredients, multiple steps and superior results. In fact, Jason Hogan, hair supremo at Josh Wood Atelier, says you should ditch your conditioner in favour of a hydrating hair mask.

What are the benefits of a hair mask?

Hair masks can revive and restore lacklustre locks with just one application, and - over time - improve the condition drastically. Jason believes some hair types should be using a mask every single time they wash their hair.

 

"A mask has more of the active ingredients that your hair needs, especially for dry hair, coarse hair, long hair or overly processed bleached hair," he says. "Hair with any sort of length in it is going to be so much older so will need much more attention."

How do I use a hair mask?

Explaining the ideal masking step-by-step, he said: "Towel dry the hair and bring the product through the mids and ends, use a comb or Tangle Teezer to ensure it is evenly distributed and each strand of hair is bathed in product – leave on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse well." If you're in a rush though, we've found in-shower masking to be almost as effective. Slather it on from root to tip (if your hair is uniformly dry) or from the mid-lengths to the ends (if it's dry towards the bottom but more oily on top), leave for as long as you can – you could wash your bod, shave your legs, and make the most of some quality thinking time – before rinsing off.

"If you do experience any kind of build-up, use a cleansing shampoo as it is always nice to refresh the hair.

Should I use a hair mask on fine hair?

As for any hair types who may not benefit, "those with limp or very fine hair, may want to avoid a mask and stick to a light conditioner (or whatever your hair colourist recommends) as hydrating and repairing masks are heavier and can weigh down fine hair," says Jason. "It will feel great but look limp."

 

If not, time to start caring for your hair and scalp in the same way you care for your complexion. Your follicles will thank you.

No matter what your hair type, how much time you have, or how dire the frizz-factor, there's a hair mask for you...

 

SOURCE: glamourmagazine.co.uk