Have you been taking care of your crowning glory? Beyond the standard rinse and go, pampering yourself weekly with a hair mask can help repair and rejuvenate your tresses, especially if they’re frizzy or damaged due to air pollution, dust, chemical treatments and other factors.
How are hair masks different from conditioners?
Hair masks tend to have a richer, thicker consistency than conditioners. (Photos from: theouai.com and kerastase.com)
Hair masks and conditioners are similar as they are both designed to nourish and hydrate your tresses. However, hair masks tend to have a richer, thicker consistency than conditioners and they work on a deeper level to address various hair concerns. You are also recommended to use a hair mask on a weekly basis, compared to a conditioner, which you can apply daily after your shampoo, depending on your concerns and needs.
Ready for your hair-mazing transformation? Read on as we round up 9 hair masks that address different hair types and concerns — from intensively moisturising hair masks for dry and dull hair to smoothing masks for curly tresses.
1. For all-rounded care: Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Hair Masque
The Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Hair Masque is sulfate-free and cruelty-free. (int.cocoandeve.com)
This 5-in-1 treatment from Coco & Eve contains nourishing ingredients such as AcquaSeal coconut to hydrate and strengthen hair, vitamin-rich fig extract to neutralise free radicals and shea butter to detangle hair without weighing it down. It not only revives and restores hair to its pure “virgin” state but also repairs, conditions and tames the hair such that it’s smooth, manageable and lustrous.
How to use: After shampooing, distribute an even amount of the product onto towel-dried hair. Comb the product through the hair and leave it for five to 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. For an even more intensive masking experience, keep the product on overnight with a towel wrap and wash out the next morning.
This product retails for SGD57.90 per 212ML at cocoandeve.com and it comes with a complimentary Coco & Eve Tangle Tamer.
2. For nourishing hair with superfoods: Farmskin Hair Mask
The Farmskin Ultra-Moisturising Hair Mask (above left) helps to lock in moisture and add volume to lacklustre and dry hair. (Photo from: @farmskin_sg)
You’ve heard of superfoods for your skin and body — did you know there are healthy concoctions designed to nourish your tresses too? The Farmskin Ultra-Moisturising Hair Mask Blackberry Complex contains a high concentration of cranberry, raspberry and blackberry to “instantly” moisturise and care for dry hair. It’s also designed to combat frizziness and split ends. Check out TBL Bureau’s review of the Farmskin Ultra Nourishing Hair Mask here.
How to use: Wash your hair and towel it dry. Gather your hair in a bun and slip on the mask bag. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse off the product with lukewarm water.
This product retails for SGD12.90 per piece at Lazada.
3. For smelling hair-mazing: OUAI Fine To Medium Hair Treatment Masque
The OUAI Hair Treatment Masque features a rose fragrance called ‘Melrose Place’. (Photo from: theouai.com)
Strong, lustre locks? Check. Next on the wish list? An amazing scent that leaves you feeling beautiful and confident for the rest of the day. The OUAI Hair Treatment Masque is scented with Melrose Place, the brand’s rose fragrance that has hints of bergamot, lychee, cedarwood and musk. It also has shea butter, panthenol and hydrolysed keratin to restore hydration, fight frizz and smooth split ends.
How to use: Apply product generously to wet, clean hair from roots and ends. Comb through with fingers and leave on for five to 10 minutes. Rinse off the product with water.
This product retails for SGD61 per 236ML at Sephora.
4. For texturising fine hair: Morrocanoil Weightless Mask
The Morrocanoil Weightless Mask is designed to hydrate and condition fine dry hair. (Photo from: morrocanoil.com)
Don’t let your fine tresses get you down. As its name suggests, the Moroccanoil Weightless Mask aims to revive lifeless, dry hair with its formula that hydrates and conditions fine hair while “dramatically improving” its texture, elasticity, shine and manageability. Rich in argan oil and nourishing ingredients, this five-minute mask claims to have a creamy yet lightweight texture as well.
How to use: Apply a generous amount of this product to towel-dried hair and comb through. Leave it on for five to seven minutes and rinse thoroughly after.
This product retails for SGD64 per 250ML at Zalora.
5. For repairing weakened, brittle hair: Kerastase Genesis Anti Hairfall Masque
The Kerastase Genesis Anti Hairfall Masque (first from left) aims to reduce hair fall due to breakage with its blend of ingredients including AHAs, vitamins and ginger root extract. (Photo from: @kerastase_official)
Is your hair prone to breakage every time you brush through it? This may signify that your is weakened and is in need of TLC. The Kerastase Genesis Anti Hairfall Masque is an “intensely rich and creamy” mask that is designed to reduce hair fall due to breakage from brushing. It contains ingredients such as AHAs, vitamins and ginger root extract to nourish and hydrate your hair.
How to use: Apply the mask from the ends to mid-lengths of your hair. Avoid product at the scalp. Twist hair into a top knot and allow your hair to absorb the mask for five minutes. Rinse out with water.
This product retails for SGD76 per 200ML at Sephora.
6. For managing unruly, curly hair: Kerastase Oleo Relaxing Smoothing Hair Masque
The Kerastase Oleo Relaxing Smoothing Hair Masque contains virgin coconut oil and shorea butter to ease your hair’s frizz. (Photo from: kerastase-usa.com)
Blessed with curly locks? Keep those natural waves in place and ease the frizz with the Kerastase Oleo Relaxing Smoothing Hair Masque. This mask helps to make curly, unruly hair softer and more manageable with its blend of nourishing ingredients. It features shorea butter (moisturising), virgin coconut oil (penetrates hair fibre) and rose muscata fruit oil (protects)
How to use: After shampooing, apply a quarter-sized amount of product from the ends to mid-lengths of your hair. Massage product into hair and pay attention to your ends. Come through for even distribution. Leave on for five minutes and rinse with water.
This product retails for SGD76 per 200ML at Sephora.
7. For calming chemically treated hair: Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector Treatment
The Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector Treatment features Bond Building technology to strengthen damaged hair from within. (Photo from: olaplex.com)
Known for its patented Bond Building technology, haircare brand Olaplex is a favourite among trendsetting celebrities such as Kim Kardashian. The No.3 Hair Perfector Treatment addresses damaged and compromised hair but can also be used on all hair types. It has antioxidants and AHAs to repair damaged strands and restore locks to their healthy shine.
How to use: Apply a generous amount of the product onto damp, towel-dried hair. Work the product through from roots to ends. Let it set for a minimum of 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.
This product retails for SGD46 per 100ML at Sephora.
8. For maintaining coloured hair: Oribe Masque For Beautiful Colour
Tame frizz and add life to coloured hair with the Oribe Masque For Beautiful Colour. (Photo from: oribe.com)
Having coloured hair is fun, but making its vibrancy last can be quite a head-scratcher. Add the Oribe Masque for Beautiful Colour to your routine as it’s designed to keep hair in the best condition, both in response to and in preparation for ongoing colour treatments. It’s packed with Oribe Signature Complex to defend hair from oxidative stress, bioflavonoids to protect hair from fading and discolouration and phytoceramides to provide enhanced colour protection.
How to use: Massage product into hair after shampooing. Let it absorb for five to 10 minutes. Rinse with water.
This product retails for SGD95.23 per 175ML at shunjimatsuo.com.sg.
9. For hydrating dry hair: Virtue Labs Restorative Treatment Mask
The Virtue Labs Restorative Treatment Mask “actively rehabilitates hair” without weighing it down. (Photo from: virtuelabs.com)
Your hair is susceptible to dryness if you use heating tools frequently or if you’ve been using a shampoo product with harsh ingredients. Restore gloss and shine to your tresses with the Virtue Labs Restorative Treatment Mask, which “actively rehabilitates hair” without weighing it down. It is infused with Alpha Keratin 60ku® to intensely hydrate and condition hair.
How to use: Remove excess water from your hair after washing and apply a generous amount of product to your hair. Leave on for two to three minutes before rinsing the product off.
This product retails for SGD99 per 150ML at Sephora.
10. Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask
Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask promises to repair and replenish your hair with the help of seven beauty ingredients. (Photo from: watsons.com.sg)
This hair mask contains seven hair-nourishing ingredients that promise to bring back your tresses' natural beauty. There's Royal Jelly EX for moisture, trehalose + sorbitol for moisture control, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid for hair strength, phytosterol for hair strength, lipidure EX for smoother hair, squalane + dimethicone for hair texture, and glutamic acid for hair colour retention.
How to use: After rinsing off your shampoo, towel dry your hair. Next, apply the hair mask liberally, especially on dry and damaged areas. Rinse off after maximum of 10 minutes.
This product retails for SGD14.85 per 230G at Watsons.
Want to give yourself a mini hair makeover? Try hair tinsels.
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