How to Apply a Hair Mask

In between your salon visits for a hair spa, your hair can suffer damage from the excess chemical buildup from all the hair products you have been using. I think I just heard them cry for vitality. It is economic and easy to opt for a good homemade hair mask.

✦ Make sure your hair is clean or the surface will not be able to absorb the nutrients due to build-up.

✦ Choose a mask according to your hair's need - dry, frizzy, damaged or dull.

✦ Make sure you brush your hair before applying a mask to untangle hair.

✦ Use a blender to mix ingredients equally in a homemade mask.

✦ It is important to remove excess water from wet hair before application.

✦ Generously massage your scalp with your fingertips while applying the mask.

✦ Apply dry masks on damp hair. For example, masks bought from outside are generally available in powder and solid forms.

✦ Hair tends to be healthier near the roots and damaged towards the ends.

✦ Apply on the entire length.

✦ For excessively dry or damaged hair, apply two coats of the mask.

✦ For better results, rinse you hair with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a mug of water after shampooing. It can transform oily hair into lustrous and voluminous hair.

✦Leave mask on for a minimum duration of 20 minutes. Recommended duration is an hour.

✦ You can wrap hair post-application in a plastic wrap or a warm towel. It improves conditioning. You can even use a blow dryer on low heat over the wrap for 10 minutes. It provides further heat and makes hair soft.

✦ After rinsing off, finish it off with a rinse under cold water for a minute. It seals the hair cuticle and makes them look glossy when dry.

✦ Always let your hair air dry. Do not rub with a towel or use a blow dryer unless necessary.

✦ Over application for more than once weekly can lead to greasy hair.

✦ Use alternate masks every week.

✦ Some masks need to be left overnight. In such a case, apply it an hour before your bed-time so the mask has plenty time to dry out. Then wrap with a shower cap/plastic wrap followed by a towel. Do not forget to layer your bed linen with towels. Wash it off the first thing when you wake up in the morning.

Apply it on dry hair as it is already in the liquid form. Start from the roots and apply excess on the length of the hair. Do not forget to shampoo hair later. Do not use hot water to rinse else it will cook the egg yolk in your hair and make it difficult to wash off. You may add a few drops of lemon to counter the pungent smell of egg. Adding conditioner can give the mask some consistency. It may take you 2 hair washes to get rid of the smell. Egg white masks need to be applied for a very short duration. You can leave it in and wash off after 20 minutes.

This is a very sticky mask. Brush hair before applying it. Do not apply large quantities as it tends become thinner due to the scalp's heat. Start application from scalp and gradually move towards the ends spreading the excess quantities to the lengths of the hair. Wrap hair with a towel else the mask will keep dripping off your head. Rinse off with cold water. Also, you can freeze the banana overnight in the freezer before using it in your mask. This helps prevent it from becoming chunky during application.

It is suitable for oily hair but pay attention during application and start applying on your hair at least 1 inch away from scalp. If the mixture is too thick, soak the mask in some water for 15 minutes before application. This mask may be used twice a week for very oily hair.