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We at Healthy-Food believe that if there is a miracle product in the world that can change lives for the better in 5 minutes, then this is a hair mask. True, there is no universal recipe for a transformative formula that suits everyone. We hope this article will help you make your choice and find your hair mask.
The benefits of cosmetic hair masks
The mask is the most intensive hair care product. Due to the high concentration of active ingredients, the formula is able to revive dull, dehydrated, hard, brittle strands in just five minutes. The list of problems that the mask solves can be continued.
Relatively recently, a cosmetic mask was used exclusively in professional salon care, but, fortunately, those days are behind us. Now you can buy a hair mask and apply at home as needed.
You can find out which hair mask is right for you right now with the help of our test.
Variety of masks for hair care
There are so many hair masks available that it can make your head spin. To make it easier to navigate this “masquerade”, you can conditionally distribute them into three large groups: moisturizing, nourishing and regenerating.
Moisturizers
Perhaps the masks in this category are the most common, as dryness, dehydration and the resulting dullness are very common problems. Moisturizing masks for dry hair smooth hair, give it shine, saturate it with moisture, while, as a rule, without the effect of weighting.
Mask for fine hair “Lavender [Moisturizing Essence]” Botanicals Fresh Care, L’Oréal Paris
Cosmetic hair mask without silicones with lavender oil perfectly moisturizes the strands without weighing them down, which is very important for fine hair.
Fructis Superfood Hair Mask “Macadamia. Smoothing” for dry and unruly hair, Garnier
The combination of moisturizing ingredients (water and glycerin) and nourishing ingredients (macadamia, almond and jojoba oils) will appeal to dry and unruly hair – under the influence of this mask they will become like silk.
Mask for hair in need of moisture and softness, Fructis SuperFood “Aloe. Hydration, Garnier
In this mask, the emphasis is on one of the best natural moisturizers – aloe, and not in vain: after using the product, the hair immediately becomes flexible, smooth and pleasant to the touch.
L’Oréal Paris Color Expert Elseve Laminating Mask for Colored or Highlighted Hair
All masks for colored hair have pronounced moisturizing abilities. This mask is no exception. In addition, it adds shine and helps to prolong the durability of the color, as if sealing it.
Nutrient
A distinctive feature of nourishing masks is in a fair amount of oils in the composition, due to which the products have pronounced emollient properties and perfectly fight dryness. Shine, silkiness – attached.
Fructis Triple Recovery Oil Mask 3-in-1 for very dry and damaged hair, Garnier
A set of excellent oils known for their ability to positively affect hair is responsible for intensive nutrition: shea, macadamia, jojoba, almond. Thanks to the balanced formula, the mask does not make the hair greasy, despite the oil composition.
Nourishing hair mask with olive oil Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak, Kiehl’s
A mask with olive, avocado and lemon oils will appeal to dry and damaged hair.
Botanic Therapy Nourishing Coconut Milk Mask, Garnier
The original mask for nourishing hair in the milk format combines a fluid consistency and a nourishing composition. The formula with coconut oil, almond oil and aloe juice softens hair and adds shine.
Nourishing hair mask Elseve “Luxury 6 oils”, L’Oréal Paris
This mask only takes a few minutes to restore shine, silkiness, softness and beauty to your hair.
Mask for very dry hair Superfood “Extra nutrition. Banana, Garnier
Banana, which is responsible for moisturizing, goes well with olive, sunflower, shea and coconut oils, which give the mask nourishing properties, and curls – smoothness, softness, shine.
Restorative
Effective restorative hair masks often contain oils and, most importantly, structural elements – keratin, vegetable proteins, amino acids. It is they who help fill the voids in the cuticle, correct porosity and thereby help the hair retain moisture, acquire not only softness and silkiness, but also elasticity, elasticity, and strength.
Express mask with a complex of prokeratin, reconstructing the surface of the hair, Vichy
The mission of this mask is to fill microdamages in the hair cuticle and make them smooth along the entire length. Prokeratin and Vitamin B5 formula completes the task in minutes.
Rescue mask for long damaged hair with keratin Elseve “Dream Length”, L’Oréal Paris
The long hair mask boasts a formula with vegetable keratin, vitamin B5 and castor oil – everything you need to revitalize damaged hair at home and return them to a luxurious look.
Elseve Complete Repair 5 Repair Mask for Damaged Hair, L’Oréal Paris
Amino acids and ceramides are responsible for complete restoration, smoothing and protecting the surface of the hair.
Revitalizing mask for split ends and damaged hair Dercos Nutrients Nutri Protein, Vichy
How to choose an effective hair mask
If you are looking for a shampoo by the type of scalp, then hair care, in particular masks, is chosen depending on the specific problem and the condition of the hair at the moment.
Everyone needs moisturizing masks, since in the modern world we are constantly faced with factors that provoke dryness. Especially intensive moisturizing is useful for thin hair, prone to fluffiness and electrification. And even if there are no pronounced problems, a moisturizing mask is still worth having in your arsenal. Use it once every 1-2 weeks – your hair will be grateful.
Nourishing masks are vital for very dry, hard, dull, frizzy and curly unruly hair. The oils in the composition of such masks help retain moisture, give strands softness, make them more manageable, shiny, and prevent tangles.
Revitalizing masks are addressed to damaged hair: dyed, very dry, porous, brittle, with split ends.
How to make a hair mask at home
Despite the fact that the hair mask is not in short supply and there is a product in stores for every taste and budget, the alternative DIY format continues to live and flourish. Why not? After all, it is not difficult to prepare a hair mask at home.
Another thing is that home-made masks have to be kept on the hair for a long time, they are washed off worse, they require head insulation (otherwise it is uncomfortable to withstand the mask), and they do not have proven effectiveness. But can these arguments stop those who love to create beauty with their own hands! What hair mask you can make yourself and how – now we will tell.
Masks for dry hair
Honey banana mix
This mask is good because it can be applied to both wet and dry hair, it is aged for 30-45 minutes, it moisturizes the strands well and makes them more elastic. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and yogurt plus 1 banana.
We recommend whipping the mixture with a blender to grind the banana as much as possible, as its pieces can get stuck in the strands and make it difficult to wash off the composition.
Aloe and yogurt mask
This light mask is suitable for moisturizing dehydrated fine hair. Apply before shampooing for 30-40 minutes.
One tablespoon each of olive oil and aloe vera gel are mixed with two tablespoons of yogurt.
Avocado mask
This natural nourishing mask will help coarse and unruly hair become soft and silky. It should be applied to dry hair for 30-45 minutes, and then wash your hair as usual.
Mix half an avocado with honey and melted coconut oil (two tablespoons each).
Masks for dull hair
Gelatin mask
This mask has a laminating effect, which means it can give the hair a glossy shine. True, you will have to tinker: apply the composition to wet, freshly washed hair (do not use balm), put on a shower cap or film, wrap your head with a towel. You need to keep the mask for one hour, warming your head with a hairdryer every quarter of an hour, right on top of the towel.
Important: gelatin mask can not be applied to the hair roots!
Soak 1 tablespoon of gelatin in 3 tablespoons of room temperature water (double for long hair) for half an hour. Then warm the gelatin mixture in a water bath or low heat so that the composition becomes liquid and easily distributed. Add 1 tablespoon of your favorite balm. The mask for beauty and shine of hair is ready.
Oil mask
This hair mask recipe is worth adopting for owners of hard, dry, tangled strands. First, the head must be washed with an intensively cleansing shampoo and dried. The mask is aged under the cap for one hour. Washes off with shampoo.
1 tsp coconut oil;
1 tsp glycerin;
2 Art. l olive oil.
Mix the ingredients and heat in a water bath, do not boil! Check the temperature of the mixture on a small area of the skin so as not to burn yourself. The mask should not be hot.
Mask for damaged hair
Egg-honey mask with coconut
This mask moisturizes the hair, restores elasticity. The main thing is to wash it off with cool water so that the yolk does not “cook” on the head.
1 yolk;
1 st. l. honey;
1 st. l. coconut or olive oil.
Apply to damp hair for 60 minutes, put on a cap, do not heat with a hairdryer.
Sour cream mask with honey
This recipe uses live sour cream, and oil is added to the mask for additional nutritional properties. The composition is applied for half an hour to an hour before washing the head. After distributing the composition through the hair, put on a cap and wrap your head with a towel.
2-3 tbsp. l. fat sour cream;
1 st. l. honey;
1 yolk;
1 st. l. olive oil (or coconut)
How to use a hair mask after washing
We tell you what the rules for using hair masks are. Please note that we are not talking about homemade masks, but about ready-made factory products.
The mask is not applied to wet hair. Therefore, they must first be squeezed out, blotted with a towel, and only then distribute the product.
The dosage depends on the length of the hair, the volume of a walnut goes to the strands to the shoulders.
To distribute the composition evenly, you need to comb the hair with your fingers (or a comb with sparsely planted teeth). Do this comfortably by tilting your head forward so as not to touch the scalp.
The mask is kept on the head strictly according to the instructions, no longer.
The hair mask is thoroughly washed off with plenty of water. Some believe that if you do not completely wash off the balm or mask, then the product will work longer, caring for your hair non-stop. This is wrong – if the product (mask) is washable, it is necessary to act according to the recommendations for use and rinse it thoroughly from the hair. “There is a simple technique that allows you to determine whether the care is completely washed off: you need to lightly rub the strand with your fingers, and then rub your fingers together. If they slide, the product has not been completely removed. If you managed to achieve a feeling of cleanliness, a “squeak” between your fingers, cleansing is enough, ”explains Vichy expert Altana Bazyleva.
After washing off the mask, you can use the conditioner.
As a rule, masks are used 1 time per week or every time after shampooing for 1 month.
Summary results
Briefly about the main thing.
What are hair masks?
Masks can be conditionally divided into three large groups: moisturizing, nourishing and regenerating, it is written in detail here.
How to choose the right hair mask?
Masks are selected depending on the condition of the hair and the problem that needs to be solved. The most versatile masks are moisturizing ones, since any hair suffers from dryness to one degree or another and needs intensive moisturizing from time to time. How to choose a mask is written in this chapter.
What are the main mistakes when using a mask?
There are three common mistakes:
Apply more product than needed.
Overdo the product on the hair.
Rinse off the mask completely.
How to use a hair mask correctly is written here.
What ingredients can be used to make a mask at home?
Enough oil or a mixture of oils: olive, coconut, burdock. The oil should be warmed up to a comfortable temperature, distributed over the hair and left for at least an hour. The best homemade hair mask recipes (in our opinion) are collected here.