8 hair masks that deliver smooth, shiny hair
If your hair is feeling dry, brittle and damaged, here is an expert-approved, super hydrating solution that works in minutes.
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If your hair is feeling dry, damaged and decidedly lacklustre, there’s an easy, fuss-free solution. We’re talking about hair masks.
Like conditioner on steroids, and with added benefits, hair masks are a great way to improve the strength and feel of your hair.
So, for the uninitiated, what exactly do hair masks do? Award-winning hairstylist and co-founder of hair brand ELEVEN Australia, Joey Scandizzo, says they’re a hardworking product worthy of your hair routine.
“A hair mask is a repairing treatment with high doses of moisture and hydration to help penetrate the hair shaft,” Joey tells news.com.au.
“It can have many purposes, but it’s generally looked at as a treatment used to deeply condition and nourish hair so that it transforms into being much healthier and stronger.”
HAIR MASKS TO TRY
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Coconut Oil Mask, $7.80 Amazon
This hair mask is intensely moisturising without weighing your hair down thanks to its lightweight formula.
ELEVEN 3 Minute Repair Rinse Out Treatment, $29.95, Adore Beauty
In just three minutes, this product uses moisture-rich, strengthening ingredients (hello shea butter and hydrolysed wheat proteins to repair and condition hair.
Glow Lab Hair Mask, $12, Amazon Australia
Formulated with keratin, vitamin E, shea butter and argan oil, this mask ensures your hair feels smooth and silky.
Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask, $62.50, Adore Beauty
Keratin and Moroccan oil enriched, this hair mask restores and revives dry, dull hair.
Wella SP Reverse Mask, $42.40, Adore Beauty
A hardworking mask designed to help restore elasticity and moisture to hair.
Garnier Fructis Smoothing Macadamia Hair Food, $6.99, Amazon Australia
A smoothing and nourishing formula with 98% natural origin ingredients that smells heavenly.
Ouai Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque, $58, Sephora
This colour protecting hair mask leaves hair glossy - and the addition of artichoke leaf extract to seal unruly cuticles is welcome.
Christophe Robin Color Shield Mask, $50, Adore Beauty
Enriched with antioxidants, macadamia oil and omega-9, this rich hair mask will protect your colour while nourishing and strengthening hair.
WHAT DO HAIR MASKS DO?
With a range of different hair masks on the market, it’s key to choose one tailored to your needs.
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“As most of us either colour, chemically-treat or use heat styling tools on our hair, the need to deeply nourish and keep our hair hydrated is important to keeping hair looking and feeling it’s best,” Joey says.
“If it’s feeling a little fragile due to the chemicals or heat you’ve been putting it through, then you can find a treatment packed with protein and nourishing antioxidants to help repair dry, damaged hair.”
Joey recommends using your hair mask “at least once a week” to help repair and hydrate your hair. Simply shampoo and condition as normal, then apply a the mask to your hair, massage in and leave it on for as long as the product’s instructions stipulate (generally between three to seven minutes), then rinse out.
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