Key ingredients: glicoamine, glycerin, salicylic acid | Hair this works best for: color-treated or bleached hair | How often to use: weekly or daily, depending on hair needs | Fragrance-free: no | How long to leave in: 1 minute
Best for Flaky Scalps: Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Radiance & Repair Mask
Why it’s worth it: If you’ve been dealing with dry hair and a flaky scalp, the Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Radiance & Repair Mask is perfect for addressing all-around dryness. It features two honey-based formulas (a lightweight gel and a custardy cream) in one tube. The combination of two hydrating hair masks provides a surge of moisture to the hair shaft and scalp while soothing irritation. The results: smooth hair and a flake-free scalp. Since it’s designed for both the hair and scalp, use your fingers—or a scalp massager—to work it into the scalp before working it through the lengths of your hair.
Tester feedback: “Every time I use this lightweight mask my usually frizzy hair feels smoother and my scalp is way less irritated,” says Hussein. “I love that it’s basically two intensely hydrating treatments in one tube.”
Key ingredients: honey, arginine, panthenol | Hair this works best for: dry hair and scalp | How often to use: as needed | Fragrance-free: no | How long to leave in: 10 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hair mask?
What makes a hair mask different from, say, your conditioner, are higher doses of ingredients to supercharge your strands, according to New Jersey-based hairstylist Michelle Cleveland. “A hair mask is very similar to a daily conditioner in that it restores the hydration of the hair after shampooing. However, a mask contains higher concentrations of vitamins, oils, and butters that will penetrate deeper into the hair when left on for longer periods of time than a traditional conditioner,” she explains. “The result is a higher level of hydration to the hair which ultimately leads to repairing dry, damaged, and/or dehydrated hair.”
Los Angeles-based hairstylist Mark Townsend adds that hair masks are more tailored to address specific needs and concerns. “Hair masks are deep conditioners that are aimed at specific needs like repairing damage from heat and chemical treatments, improving circulation at the scalp, strengthening the hair follicle, and adding and retaining moisture,” he says.
How to use a hair mask
Most hair masks come with their own specific instructions to follow, but as a rule of thumb, Townsend says to always shampoo your hair before using one to wash away buildup that can mess with your formula’s efficacy. “Masks usually work best on damp hair, not soaking wet, so remove as much water from the hair as possible,” he adds. To ensure you remove as much water as possible, Brooklyn-based hairstylist Latoya Moore suggests wrapping your hair in a microfiber towel to soak excess water before applying your mask. “Apply a generous amount from mid-shaft to ends, try to avoid directly on the roots,” she suggests.
