Hair Mask: What is It, Benefits, How to Apply Hair Mask, & More!

What is a Hair Mask? Explore its benefits, usage and how to apply

Indulging in frequent chemical treatments, using heat styling tools, excessive sun exposure, and more can take a toll on your hair. While regular washing helps, harsh elements call for deep nourishment to keep the hair healthy and strong. Enter hair mask – your complete hair care solution. It’s a powerful and effective way to nourish, repair, and revitalize your hair, and certainly a must-have in your regular hair care regimen.

Consider this as an ultimate guide, where the L’Oréal Professionnel talks about what is hair mask, its benefits, how to apply hair mask, and more! Prepare to discover the secret to your best hair ever!

What is Hair Mask?

Hair mask is a deep-conditioning treatment, designed to target various hair concerns including damaged hair, dryness, frizz, etc. Formulated with a high concentration of moisturizing and active ingredients and vitamins (oils, protein, vitamin B6), hair mask penetrates deeper into the hair shaft, delivering intense nourishment, repair, strength, and vitality. Now that you know what a hair mask is, let’s move on to learn the benefits of using a hair mask.

What Does a Hair Mask Do?

Learning about what is hair mask isn’t enough! You need to know the reasons or benefits of adding it to your regimen. Damaged, dry, or stressed-out hair needs deep nourishment and repair that a hair mask can easily provide. Here are some of the benefits of using a hair mask:

Intense Nourishment

Enriched with nourishing ingredients, hair mask deeply moisturizes and hydrates dry and brittle hair, allowing it to revive its natural shine and elasticity. For best results, Absolut Repair mask.

Damage Repair

When you use heat styling tools or go for chemical treatments frequently, your hair pays the price. Thanks to the damage repair hair masks, you can now easily rebuild and fortify the hair shaft, minimize breakage, and split ends. Consider using Absolut Repair Molecular mask, Absolut Repair Molecular leave-in mask, Inforcer mask for optimal damage repair results.

Tames Unruly Hair

Wondering what is hair mask used for? Hair masks, like a dedicated anti-frizz hair mask, help detangle hair, tame flyaways and unruly hair, and seal the hair cuticle.

Targeted Treatment

Hair mask offers a tailored solution for your specific hair needs. For instance, you can use a color-protect hair mask to lock in vibrancy, or curly hair to define and control.

Improved Smoothness and Shine

Moisturised hair with natural shine is a sign of healthy hair. However, if your hair lacks shine and appears dull and lifeless, you can resort to a hair mask. A professional hair mask can smoothen the cuticle, making your hair feel extremely soft and easy to manage.

You can also check out our detailed guide on the benefits of hair mask to understand why it’s an essential step in your routine.

Who Should Use a Hair Mask?

Now that you have answers to what is a hair mask and what does a hair mask do, let’s move on to learn who should use a hair mask. Though everyone can benefit from using a hair mask, some hair types and concerns will find even greater use:

  • Dry and Damaged Hair: Hair masks are a godsend for those struggling with dry, parched, brittle hair.
  • Color-Treated Hair: The advanced formula of hair masks increases color performance, ensuring that color doesn't fade and your hair stays bright.
  • Chemically Treated Hair: Treatments like perms, relaxers, and chemical processes can leave the hair weakened, so masks are essential to regain strength and avoid dryness.
  • Curly and Coily Hair: Curly hair is typically drier, so deep hydration is imperative to maintain defined, healthy curls.
  • Fine Hair: Fine hair can also use hair masks. Use light formulas to give volume and strength without weighing it down.
  • Oily Hair: Yes, you can use a hair mask for oily hair too! Use masks formulated with clarifying agents like clay or tea tree oil to rebalance the scalp and remove excess sebum, build-up, and impurities.

How to Apply Hair Mask?

Follow these steps on how to apply hair mask at home for best results:

Step 1: Shampoo Your Hair

Cleanse with a shampoo formulated for your hair type. It will help remove dirt and grime, allowing the mask to penetrate better.

Step 2: Towel Dry

Squeeze out excess water gently, ensuring your hair is damp, not soaking wet.

Step 3: Apply the Mask & Massage

Take the required amount of hair mask (if your preference) and apply it uniformly from mid-lengths to the ends. Not all hair masks are designed for scalp applications, hence, read the instructions carefully. Massage gently for even distribution and easy absorption. You can also twist your hair for maximum product penetration.

Step 4: Wait

Now, wait for the specified time (read the instructions on the product). For more penetration, you can wrap your hair in a towel while it's warm or use a shower cap.

Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly/Leave-in

Rinse your hair well with cool water or leave-in. Finally, style as usual.

Regular use of a professional mask will make your hair softer, shinier, and more manageable!

How Often Should You Apply Hair Mask?

Now that you have learned how to use hair mask, let's understand frequency.

  • For most hair types, you can apply a hair mask once or twice a week.
  • For those with oily scalp, overapplication can at times cause product buildup. Hence, use wisely.

If you’re planning to add one to your routine, here are more questions to ask before investing in a hair mask to make sure you choose the right one for your hair needs.


We hope this guide has answered your queries - ‘what is hair mask’, ‘how to use hair mask’, ‘what is hair mask used for’, ‘what does a hair mask do’. Now, go ahead, and pick a hair mask that caters to your unique requirements. Also, you know how to apply a hair mask at home, so don’t wait anymore and give your hair the TLC it deserves.

For further assistance, pay a visit to your nearest salon and let the L'Oréal Professionnel pros suggest the best hair care solutions for you.

Need help with your hair care routine? Take the L'Oréal Professionnel Hair Care Quiz and get customised routine and product recommendations in just 2 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions on Hair Mask

  • 1. What is the best hair mask?

    The best hair mask should address your specific hair, be it dryness, frizz, damage, etc. Along with it, the best hair mask offers deep nourishment and adds shine. Consider selecting a professional hair mask from the wide collection of L’Oréal Professionnel.

  • 2. When to apply a hair mask?

    You should apply a hair mask post-cleansing your hair with a shampoo, when the hair is damp. This helps the beneficial ingredients penetrate the hair shaft easily for better results.

  • 3. Do hair masks make your hair greasy?

    Though hair mask doesn’t make your hair greasy, however, over-application can cause product build-up and weigh down your hair, leaving it feeling heavy, greasy or limp.