What is Hair Masking? Plus 6 Treatments to Try

If you’re not using a hair mask yet, your haircare routine is missing out. These deeply nourishing formulas can mean the difference between a good hair day and a bad one. They’re essential for enhancing and maintaining hair health – no matter your hair type – and whether you’re dealing with dryness, damage or oiliness, they help restore balance to your strands.

So, let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about hair masking, including six deep treatments that will transform the look and feel of your hair. Keep scrolling…

FIRST, WHAT IS A HAIR MASK?

Like a face mask but for your tresses, hair masks are deep treatments with supercharged results. They’re packed with concentrated ingredients to give your hair more of what it needs – whether that’s extra nourishment or frizz control. You can even try tinted hair masks to refresh your colour, or sebum-absorbing clay masks to balance oil and improve scalp health. In the Wella collection, there’s a hair mask for every hair concern – and you can find yours below.

SHOULD I USE BOTH CONDITIONER AND A HAIR MASK?

You don’t need to. Hair masks are nourishing enough on their own, so unless the instructions on your mask say otherwise, you won’t need to follow with a hair conditioner. Instead, use conditioner on your usual wash days, and introduce masks as a weekly or even fortnightly treat to maintain healthy hair.

WHAT'S THE BEST MASK FOR MY HAIR CONCERNS?

For Deeply Damaged Hair in Need of the Most Transformative Repair

While Ultimate Repair Conditioner isn’t technically a hair mask, it’s just as deeply nourishing, with a skincare-inspired blend of AHA to rebuild bonds within the hair shaft and Omega-9 to replenish the outer layer. It takes a truly powerful treatment to target all the signs of hair damage, but Ultimate Repair Conditioner nails it in one. The rich formula is a saviour for stressed-out strands exposed to heat, pollution, friction and colouring – basically all the things we put our tresses through on a day-to-day basis.

Use the ultra-creamy conditioner after the Ultimate Repair Shampoo and before Miracle Hair Rescue to give all hair types (from fine to coarse) the TLC they deserve. Together, they promise 12x smoother strands*, 99% less hair breakage**, and damage repair in just 90 seconds***. You can leave the conditioner on for up to three minutes – or just 30 seconds if your hair is finer – before rinsing to reveal fresh, clean hair that feels beautifully nourished.

For Colour-Treated Hair That Craves a Boost of Added Vibrancy

Coloured hair looks its best when it’s brimming with shine, so give it a boost using INVIGO Brilliance Vibrant Color Mask. It harnesses Lime Caviar Extract and antioxidant properties to improve the hair surface, so you get enhanced colour vibrancy from one wash to the next. Plus, there are two versions available: one suitable for fine or normal hair, and a richer formula to care for coarser locks.

Use it as the final step in your haircare routine by smoothing a scoopful of the Vibrant Color Mask through clean, damp mid-lengths and ends – avoiding the roots. Leave on for up to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Hair will be ready for drying, styling and shining until your next wash.

For a Colour-Depositing Hair Mask with a Touch of a Tint

If colour correcting and shade refreshing is high on the agenda, reach for one of the 13 hues in the Color Fresh Mask collection. (Psst... you can now also choose between the 150ml tubes or the 500ml jars!) This pigmented treatment veils hair in a sheer tint that’s suitable for all hair types – whether you’re subtly enhancing virgin hair, boosting colour-treated tresses or experimenting with a new, soft shade.

All you have to do is apply your chosen Color Fresh Mask to clean, damp hair, focusing on the areas where you want the tint. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute it evenly, then leave on for up to 10 minutes. That’s all it takes. Finally, rinse thoroughly, then dry and style as usual. Because the mask is packed with nourishing ingredients, there’s no need for a conditioner afterwards.

For Curly Hair or Coily Hair That Wants Extra Hydration

Curly and coily hair can be prone to dryness, which can lead to a host of other challenges – think breakage, split ends and frizz. So, to celebrate the beauty of your curls and coils, try a specially formulated mask that dials up moisture and definition. The rich ingredients in NutriCurls Deep Treatment for Waves & Curls make it a must in every curly hair kit.

Luxuriously rich and creamy, it packs in Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E – two hydrating heroes that top up moisture levels to leave curls touchably soft. Plus, the intense nourishment helps to improve curl definition, so your shape really pops. Apply weekly to clean, damp hair, leaving on for five minutes to enjoy all the bounce-boosting benefits.

For an Oily Scalp Calling Out For a Balancing Mask

3 TIPS TO BOOST YOUR HAIR MASK APPLICATION

1. Don’t Apply a Mask to Soaking Wet Hair

Always squeeze out excess water before applying your mask. If hair is too wet, it can’t soak up all the nourishing goodness, so the effects are diluted. You may even want to towel-dry ahead of applying your treatment – this helps the restorative ingredients absorb more deeply for enhanced results.

2. Wrap Hair Up in a Microfibre Towel

Take your masking routine to the next level with a microfibre towel. While your hair soaks in the deep-conditioning treatment, wrap it up to help the ingredients penetrate deeper.

3. Rinse Out Your Mask With Cool Water

Once your treatment time is up, rinse out your mask with warm water, then follow with a final cool rinse to boost shine. Cold water helps to close the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and adding gloss. It’s a win-win.

*Instrumental test vs non conditioning shampoo

** vs. non conditioning shampoo

***When using Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue"