How to do a protein hair mask

Hair masks are all the rage right now but it’s hard to know what your hair type needs! A protein mask is what you do when your hair has been feeling a little flat or lifeless. It can add shape and shine, and helps to define curls or add volume to straight hair. Protein hair masks are great for healing damage and breakage or preventing frizz. They strengthen your hair for healthy, happy locks. In this blog we share a step by step guide for how to use a protein hair mask and how often you should (and shouldn’t!) mask.

I do a hair mask once every two weeks. My favorite is this volumizing protein mask but sometimes I’ll throw in an oil hair mask for a deep conditioning. The regular masking plus using the cocoa butter conditioner bar has made my curls more defined than ever before. Just in time for my mini wedding this summer! I actually did a protein mask a few days before we got married, but I also styled my hair by swimming in the ocean the morning of my wedding day. It's all about balance y'know? 😉

So how do you know when your hair needs a protein mask?

If your hair feels a little dull or lifeless and it doesn't have the volume and movement you want even after your normal styling routine, a protein mask can be just the thing. If you are noticing a lot of breakage or shedding, you might have a protein deficiency and doing a mask with wheat or rice protein helps to heal and seal your hair follicles. Our protein mask has aloe, meadowfoam seed oil and wheat protein and is formulated to add strength, shine and volume. It’s great for all hair types because it offers deep conditioning for straight hair and adds bounce to curls.

How to do a protein hair mask:

To do a protein hair mask, start by getting your hair wet. You can do your whole shower routine (check out our shampoo and conditioner bars for a popular zero waste option!), or you can just soak your hair. Then pat dry with a cotton t-shirt or a bamboo hair towel (a regular bath towel can make curls frizzy).

Get a dollop of the protein mask and work it into your hair, moving from the roots to the tips, scrunching it in and massaging it into your scalp so it all gets worked in nicely. I usually use about a palm full, sometimes more to really coat my hair. Leave the mask in for 3-5 minutes and rinse it out. Dry and style your hair as normal and voila! You should have lots more bounce and shine. If you have curly hair, your curls will be defined, shaped and conditioned. If you have straight or wavy hair, you'll have added volume and a healthy shine.

Our volumizing hair mask is packed with really good ingredients for hair health like aloe and meadofowam seed oil. Since I started doing the protein masks, my curls have never been happier. It's truly the secret to longer, healthier hair and definition in your curls.

How often to do a protein hair mask:

You don’t want to do a protein hair mask too often or you can dry out your hair, but with proper use it adds strength and fortifies the hair follicle so you can grow out your hair, maintain healthy locks and go longer between haircuts and salon appointments. Once you find the right frequency, they keep your hair shiny and healthy for weeks at a time. For curly hair we recommend once every two weeks, and for straight hair about once a month.

Try the protein hair mask and tell us what you think!