Hair Masks

Hair Masks covers deep conditioning masks, protein treatments, hair spas and intensive weekly treatments.

Protein or Moisture — This Is the Whole Decision

Almost every mask does one of two jobs, and using the wrong one makes hair worse:

• Moisture masks soften. Hair that is dry, frizzy, rough and dull needs these.

• Protein masks — keratin, amino acids, hydrolysed protein — strengthen. Hair that is limp, mushy when wet, stretchy and snapping easily, usually after bleaching, colouring or heat, needs these.

• Too much protein makes hair stiff, brittle and straw-like — and because that feels like damage, people respond with more protein and make it worse. If your hair has become crunchy since you started a keratin routine, that is the answer. Alternate: moisture regularly, protein occasionally.

Using a Mask Properly

• Clean, towel-damp hair — not soaking. Water in the shaft blocks the mask from getting in, and this is why most masks underperform.

• Mid-lengths and ends only. The roots are the newest, healthiest hair; product at the scalp weighs it down and builds up.

• Comb it through with a wide-toothed comb to distribute it evenly.

• Warmth helps. A towel or shower cap over the top genuinely improves penetration.

• Leave it the stated time. Most masks have done everything they will do within twenty minutes; overnight adds nothing and can over-condition.

• Rinse thoroughly and finish cool. Residue is what leaves hair limp.

• Once a week for most hair, twice for bleached or heavily heat-styled hair.

What a Mask Cannot Do

Split ends cannot be repaired. A treatment glues them together temporarily and they look better until the next wash — but only scissors remove a split, and left alone it travels further up the shaft. A trim every eight to twelve weeks saves more length than any mask.

And if hair has gone limp and stopped responding to everything, that is usually build-up. A clarifying shampoo once a month clears it and hair behaves again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave a hair mask on overnight?

There is no benefit, and with a protein mask there is a real risk of over-conditioning. Follow the time on the pack.

How often should I use one?

Once a week for most hair; twice if it is bleached, coloured or heat-styled often. Every day makes hair limp and greasy at the roots.

Mask or conditioner — do I need both?

Yes. Conditioner every wash for surface smoothing; a mask weekly for deeper treatment. They are not substitutes for each other.

How do I know the product is genuine?

Check the seal, the batch number and the expiry printed on the pack itself rather than on a sticker over it. Everything we sell is sourced to arrive sealed and within date, and if what you receive does not match the listing we will put it right.

How much shelf life will it have?

We stock to arrive well within date and do not knowingly ship anything close to expiry. If you need a specific minimum for a particular order, ask before placing it and we will check the batch.