Hair masks and hair oils: how to choose

How to choose hair masks and hair oils

Begin with the result you want from wash day. A mask is the step for softness, slip and a smoother surface: the Collagen Nourishing Hair Mask is a rich 60ml mask with collagen, coconut oil and glycerin for dry, rough hair, while the Collagen and Castor Oil Hair Mask is a 100g mask with collagen and castor seed oil that smooths strands and eases tangles. The Coconut and Keratin Hair Mask is a rich weekly mask with coconut oil and hydrolysed keratin for dry, permed or dyed hair.

An oil is often the finishing step, and the right weight matters. The Jojoba and Castor Hair Oil is a light blend of jojoba seed, batana and castor oils that smooths dry lengths and ends; the Nourishing Hair Essence Oil uses taraxacum root extract and ascorbic acid in a light formula that helps ease combing. For brows, lashes and nails, the Castor Oil Hair and Brow Conditioning Oil brings castor oil, tocopherol and rosemary leaf oil in one small bottle.

Think about the form you will reach for. If you like a mask to stay put while you move about, the Cotton Flaxseed Hair Mask Cap is a cotton cap with a flaxseed fill, cut to a compact 25 cm shape. If your scalp likes a precise application, the Refreshing Scalp Serum Roll-On delivers a light, herb-scented serum through a roller ball. Choose the piece that fits the routine you already keep.

Formulas, finishes and shades

The masks range from cream to rich. The Smoothing Moisture Hair Mask is a cream that spreads through mid-lengths and ends and rinses clean; the Nourishing Moisturizing Hair Mask is thick and creamy, with cetearyl alcohol and polydimethylsiloxane giving it slip. For a glossier finish, the Collagen Nourishing Hair Mask leaves hair smooth, supple and glossy, and the Keratin Protein Hair Mask is formulated with keratin, glycerin and polydimethylsiloxane for a moisturised feel and a glossy look.

Read the ingredients as a guide to texture and purpose. Collagen, glycerin, coconut oil, castor oil, keratin and vitamin E appear across the range, while rosemary leaf oil gives the Castor Oil Hair and Brow Conditioning Oil a faint herbal note. The Refreshing Scalp Serum Roll-On is made with glycerin and hydrogenated castor oil and has no added pigment or alcohol. If you prefer a lightweight finish, look for the light oils and the lightweight formulas rather than the richest creams.

Shades and colour live mostly in the accessories. The Cotton Flaxseed Hair Mask Cap comes in purple, black or leopard print, so you can choose a quiet neutral or a print. The masks and oils themselves are cream, gloss or glossy in finish. Sizes are stated on each piece: the Collagen Nourishing Hair Mask is 60ml, the Collagen and Castor Oil Hair Mask is 100g, and the Nourishing Hair Essence Oil is 30ml.

How to apply and wear them

Shampoo first and squeeze out excess water so the mask can cling to the hair. Apply to clean, damp hair and work through evenly, focusing on mid-lengths and ends. Leave for the time given for that mask: three to five minutes for the Coconut and Keratin Hair Mask, five minutes for the Nourishing Moisturizing Hair Mask, ten minutes for the Collagen and Castor Oil Hair Mask, or twenty minutes for the Smoothing Moisture Hair Mask. Rinse clear.

For oils, warm a few drops between your palms and smooth through dry hair, focusing on mid-lengths and ends. A light hand is enough: the Jojoba and Castor Hair Oil sinks in without a greasy film when you use a small amount. The Nourishing Hair Essence Oil can be worked over scalp and hair to help loosen tangles, and the Castor Oil Hair and Brow Conditioning Oil can be pressed through brows, lashes and nails with a clean fingertip.

To keep a mask close while you get on with your evening, slip the Cotton Flaxseed Hair Mask Cap over hair with your mask applied and settle it comfortably. For the scalp, roll the Refreshing Scalp Serum Roll-On along the parting and massage gently; the roller ball releases a light liquid that settles quickly. Apply to clean, damp hair where the product asks for it, and keep the application even rather than heavy at the roots.

Hygiene, storage and shelf life

Keep the routine clean. Wash your hands before dipping into a jar, and use a clean spoon or spatula rather than fingers if you prefer. Close lids firmly after use, and avoid letting water into a mask or oil bottle. If a product's smell or texture changes, stop using it.

Store masks and oils in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, with bottles upright. Wipe the neck of an oil bottle after use so the threads do not become tacky. Let the Cotton Flaxseed Hair Mask Cap dry fully between uses, and store it flat so the flaxseed fill stays even. Keep the Refreshing Scalp Serum Roll-On upright and wipe the roller ball after use.

Follow any date or period-after-opening symbol on the packaging, and note the month you open a jar if no symbol is printed. Smaller bottles such as the 30ml Nourishing Hair Essence Oil are easy to use up steadily, while a 100g mask is a good size for a regular weekly habit. Store away from heat, and keep the cap on when the product is not in use.

Standout pieces

• Cotton Flaxseed Hair Mask Cap: A cotton cap with a flaxseed fill, cut to a compact 25 cm shape and offered in purple, black or leopard print to hold a mask comfortably in place.
• Jojoba and Castor Hair Oil: A light blend of jojoba seed, batana and castor oils that smooths dry lengths and ends when warmed between the palms.