TRESS TREATS
TRANSFORM PARCHED OR DAMAGED HAIR WITH THESE MASKS
Masking your problems is only advised if it’s your hair that’s the issue. Just like face masks, hair masks are pastes packed with natural ingredients to nourish your hair and scalp.
Used in addition to your regular shampoo and conditioner, a mask can boost strength, shine, softness and hydration, as well as soothe an irritated or oily scalp.
Noughty Haircare beauty botanist Jennifer Hirsch says the treatment feeds nutrients back in after we’ve stripped them out by styling, colouring and just being out in the elements.
“A hair mask is a targeted treatment for the hair — a product that supercharges your conditioning routine,” Jennifer says.
“In general, masks put back what we take out of our hair through airconditioning, heating, sitting in the sun, flat ironing … you get the picture. Hair masks are about undoing, as much as is possible, this damage. So expect them to hydrate, moisturise, deeply condition, strengthen, add gloss, flexibility and shine, and generally nourish and boost the overall appearance of the hair.
“In cultures across the globe, we’ve been using plant ingredients and even clays to spread on our manes as masks for their conditioning benefits for millennia. This is old-school hair care with heritage.”
Masks are usually designed to be applied in between shampooing and conditioning. Jennifer says to gently squeeze hair first. “Too much water in the hair will dilute the mask and make it less effective,” she says.
“Add a generous dollop of mask to the hair. If you have dry hair, you can work it through from root to tip.
“If your hair tends to be oilier, work it through the mid-lengths and ends. Your fingers are the perfect tools for this, although a comb, working through from tip to root, will help ensure the mask is spread evenly.”
Before picking up a mask pot, it’s important to work out what you’re trying to treat. Jennifer says you can easily combine masks for different areas, separated on to different parts of the head and hair.
“From hydration to UV protection to fade reduction to strengthening, from oily hair to heads with curls, there is a mask — or two — for you,” Jennifer says. “Start with a scalp mask designed for your skin type — there are good options out there for dry and flaky, oily and even congested scalps.
“Then pick a mask that addresses the concerns of your mane. Dry only at the ends? Consider a heavier mask focused on intensive conditioning (and apply to the ends).
“And pick a nice hydrating mask for the hair in between.
“A word to the wise: masks for scalps are designed for skin, so unless it says it works on both skin and hair, keep scalp masks on skin and multimask with a treatment designed specifically for hair.”