Pick the Best
Take the mystery out of choosing the best hair mask for your hair type with these expert tips from top stylist Mark McAlpine.
Oribe Signature Moisture Masque; $59; barneys.com
What are the benefits of hair masks?
"Hair masks are a great way to temporarily fill, moisturize, and add life to dry, damaged and unmanageable hair. Deep conditioning masks enhance shine for healthier, more beautiful hair."
Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment, $42; nordstrom.com
Who would benefit from using masks?
"I usually recommend masks to clients with dull, dry, frizzy hair, or hair that needs a little weight for increased manageability. People with dryness due to excess coloring, heat styling, hormonal changes, and environmental damage are also great candidates for masks. I try to stay away from masks on clients with thin, fine hair that may not need the added moisture."
Klorane Mango Butter Intense Nutrition Repair Masque, $24; amazon.com
How often should masks be used?
"Frequency really depends on a number of factors such as the condition of the hair, lifestyle, and how often the hair is cleansed and styled. An average timeframe is once every other week, but can increase depending on the condition and texture of the hair."
Kerastase Reflection Chroma Captive Masque, $42.69; amazon.com
What sort of results can you expect from using a mask regularly?
"People who use a mask regularly can expect to have more manageable, moisturized, and lustrous hair."
Organix Awapuhi Giner Instant Recovery Mask, $8.99; amazon.com
What are the best types of masks for thin vs. thick hair?
"The Oribe Hair Care Signature Moisture Masque is great for both. This masque can be used almost daily for thick, dry hair in need of extra moisture and care. On thinner hair, the product can be used more sparingly by applying it from middle to end while avoiding roots, at most once a week but preferably once every other week."
Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask, $31; amazon.com
Does hair length matter when choosing a mask?
"I don't think that length is really a factor when choosing a hair mask. However, there are times when a person may have hair that’s too long and in bad condition, in which case a mask may not work. At a certain point, a good trim is the best option!"
Organic Root Stimulator Conditioner, $5.03; amazon.com
Do people with color treated hair have to only use color treated masks or can they use others?
"Masks add moisture and shine regardless of whether the product was specifically designed for color treated hair, but there are masks that have added benefits such as the Oribe Hair Care Masque for Beautiful Color. However, the type of shampoo that is used on color treated hair is very important so be sure to choose wisely, as a regular shampoo can strip or alter the color due to the PH level of the product if it is not specifically formulated for color treated hair."
Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask, $58; barneys.com
Are there any homemade masks that work?
"There are many homemade mask options that can be found on the internet. Recipes include ingredients such as olive oil, which is used around the world for shine and moisture, eggs, which are a great source of protein for the hair, and avocado which is rich in fatty acids and great for adding moisture into hair. These ingredients and more can be found and used at home."
Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo Mask, $3.79; amazon.com
