The hair mask is the single most underrated product in the bathroom. It takes ten minutes a week and is the difference between hair that feels soft in March and hair that feels like straw.
Moisture or protein – choose the right one
Most hair masks belong to one of two families, and they solve different problems.
- Moisturising for hair that feels dry, rough and hard to brush. KIS KeraMoist Treatment or Royal Smooth Masque.
- Strengthening with protein for hair that feels limp, stretches a lot when wet and breaks easily. KIS KeraMax Treatment or Royal Repair Masque.
Not sure? Take a wet strand of hair and pull gently. If it stretches a long way and snaps without springing back, your hair needs protein. If it snaps almost immediately without stretching at all, it needs moisture.
How to do it
- Wash your hair and squeeze out the water thoroughly. A mask in dripping-wet hair gets diluted and runs straight through.
- Apply from ear level downwards, with the most on the ends.
- Comb through with a wide-tooth comb so it reaches every strand.
- Leave on for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Rinse with cool water until your hair no longer feels slippery.
If you have hair extensions or a wig
Keep the mask away from attachments, seams and the wig base. Softening products are meant for the hair strand, not for the glue or the knots. On curly extensions, you can add KIS Curl Hydrating Leave-In Mask, which can stay in between washes.
How often
- Normal hair: once a week
- Dry or bleached hair, or extensions: once or twice a week, with moisture as the base
- Fine and thin hair: every other week, on the lengths only
The most common mistake
Using a protein mask every week on hair that is actually dry. The hair feels stronger the first few times and then turns rough and brittle. Alternate – protein when your hair feels limp, moisture the rest of the time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave a hair mask in overnight?
With moisturising masks it's usually fine and can really help very dry hair. Protein masks, however, shouldn't be left on longer than directed – too much protein makes hair stiff. Protect your pillow with a towel or a shower cap.
What's actually the difference between conditioner and a hair mask?
Conditioner sits on the surface, smooths the cuticle and makes hair easy to detangle straight after washing. A hair mask is more concentrated and works further into the hair strand. They don't replace each other – conditioner every wash, a mask once a week.
Do I have to rinse the mask out completely?
Yes, unless the packaging says otherwise. Leftover residue weighs hair down, flattens the roots and can build up a layer that stops the hair absorbing moisture. If your hair feels slippery, it isn't fully rinsed.
See our full range of hair masks and treatments.