Curly locks or stick-straight ones; wash every day or once a week; chemically treated or au naturale–no matter how you describe your hair, a hair mask is a must.

Hair masks are a universal way to add moisture, nourishment, and strength to your hair. In the winter, you need to combat dry air; in the summer, your hair is recovering from the sun, sand, salt, and maybe even some chlorine; and in the spring and fall, you’re going through those weird transition months, which can snap from one extreme to another in just a few hours.

The trick to getting the most from a hair mask is learning to find one that’s tailored to your hair type and needs. Then it’s all about how you use it.

How to find the right hair mask

Not all hair masks are made the same, and they certainly don’t all have the same ingredients. Learning your hair type, and then figuring out what works best with that type, will help you narrow down your search for the perfect mask.

♦ Fine hair. Fine hair is easily overwhelmed, so a lightweight mask is important. Coconut oil tends to work well on fine hair.

♦ Coarse hair. Coarse hair often wards off anything that comes close to it, so a deeper nourishing formula with lots of oils is most effective.

♦ Curly hair. Many people with curls also battle frizz and tangles, which means that masks with natural, plant-based oils work well. If you feel your hair is damaged or prone to damage, then look for some protein or keratin, too.

♦ Chemically treated hair. No matter what chemicals you use to treat your hair, you’re going to need some deep conditioning to repair the damage and return your hair to health. Look for deep hydrating masks with protein and ones that have UV protection.

♦ Natural hair. Natural hair can easily fall victim to temperature changes, which means that deep hydration is essential to maintaining elasticity.

♦ Scalp issues. Sometimes it’s not your hair that needs the nourishment, but your scalp. If you want to help your scalp, look for masks loaded with nutrients, protein, and lightweight moisture. If this is your concern, you might want to rethink your diet and consider adding Hair La Vie Clinical Vitamins.

When you understand that a hair mask is meant to deeply condition and nourish your hair, it’s easier to see how the ingredients and the concentration of those ingredients are important. 

How to mask your hair

Now that you’ve got an idea of what to look for in a mask, the next step is to figure out how to use it. These tips will help you make the most of your mask.

♦ Read the directions on the mask you’ve purchased because each one will have an application method that’s best for it.

♦ The technique is important, and there are three basic ways to use a mask:

1. Apply the mask before your shower and leave on for 20-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly, and shampoo and condition as normal.
2. After washing your hair, skip your normal conditioner and use the mask for as long as recommended. Rinse clean with water.
3. Apply the mask before bedtime, and wrap your hair in a hair cloth or shower cap and leave it on overnight.

♦ Use a wide-toothed comb to gently distribute the mask from roots to ends.

♦ Use shampoo to rinse out an oil-based mask and water for a water-based mask.

♦ For deep moisturizing, use an oil-based mask on dry hair.

♦ How often you use a hair mask depends on your hair. The general rule of thumb is once a week, but hair that is dry, damaged, or coarse might need a mask more frequently. Thin and fine hair might get too weighed down by weekly masks and work better with a bi-weekly application.

Hair La Vie Mask

One reliably moisturizing mask is the Hair La Vie Mask. Made of 11 naturally derived ingredients that are scientifically proven to nourish, strengthen, and restore your hair, it leaves your locks feeling refreshed without being weighed down. 

The key to getting the most out of your mask is by using it regularly and letting the ingredients work exponentially over time. Here’s what you can expect:

♦ Month one. You'll notice a significant improvement in hydration, which will make your hair visibly smoother, more manageable, and shiny.

♦ Month two. The keratin proteins will really show an improvement in strength, and you’ll see less shedding.

♦ Month three. You’ll begin to feel the thickness and strength of your hair improve, and it will start growing healthier.

♦ Month four. You’ve reached the pinnacle of hair health, and a continued regimen with a weekly hair mask will keep it at this state.

Final thoughts

Hair masks can work wonders on all hair types. They are designed to deeply nourish and condition your hair to give it strength, shine, and resilience. No matter what environment you’re in or what you do to your hair to style it, using a mask will improve its health.

Finding the right mask for your hair type will put you ahead of the curve. Look for a mask that has ingredients that support your hair health without weighing it down or under-conditioning it.

Applying a mask correctly can be a little trickier than you’d think. Make sure to follow the directions for your particular mask to make the most of the ingredients. Always use a wide-toothed comb to evenly disperse the ingredients. Always clean thoroughly after use. 

Determining how often to use a mask depends on your hair. Start with the standard once a week, and see how your hair is responding. You might need more or less to make the most of a hair mask.