A 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.
- Moisturizing for hair that feels dry, straw-like and difficult to brush. KIS KeraMoist Treatment or Royal Smooth Masque.
- Strengthening with protein for hair that feels limp, stretches 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 breaks without springing back, your hair needs protein. If it breaks almost immediately without stretching at all, it needs moisture.
How to use it
- Wash your hair and squeeze out the water thoroughly. A hair mask applied to dripping-wet hair gets diluted and runs straight through.
- Apply from ear level downward, using the most product on the ends.
- Comb through with a wide-toothed comb so it reaches every strand.
- Leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Rinse with cool water until your hair no longer feels slippery.
Do you have hair extensions or a wig?
Keep the hair mask away from bonds, seams and the wig base. Products that soften are meant for the hair strand, not the adhesive or the knots. On curly extensions, you can supplement with KIS Curl Hydrating Leave-In Mask, which can be left in between washes.
How often?
- Normal hair: once a week
- Dry, bleached or extension hair: once or twice a week, with moisture as the foundation
- Fine and thin hair: every other week, only on the lengths
The most common mistake
Using a protein hair mask every week on hair that is actually dry. The hair feels stronger the first few times, then becomes coarse and brittle. Alternate - use protein when the hair feels limp, and moisture the rest of the time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave a hair mask on overnight?
For moisturizing hair masks, this is usually fine and can help very dry hair. Protein masks, on the other hand, should not be left on longer than the recommended time - too much protein makes the hair stiff. Protect your pillow with a towel or a shower cap.
What is the actual difference between conditioner and a hair mask?
Conditioner sits on the surface, smooths the cuticle and makes the hair easy to detangle immediately after washing. A hair mask has a higher concentration and works deeper into the hair strand. They do not replace each other - conditioner with every wash, a hair mask once a week.
Do I have to rinse the hair mask out completely?
Yes, unless the packaging says otherwise. Residue left behind weighs the hair down, makes the roots flat and can build up a layer that prevents the hair from absorbing moisture. If your hair feels slippery, it has not been rinsed thoroughly enough.
See our full selection of hair masks and treatments.