Key Takeaways

• Curly hair is prone to dryness, making hair masks a must-have in your haircare routine.
• Hair masks can help control dryness, frizz, tangles, and breakage.
• If you have fine to medium curly hair, try the Weightless Nourishing Hair Mask. 
• If you have medium to thick hair, try the Rich Hydration Hair Mask.

Jump to

• What Exactly Is a Hair Mask?
• Are Hair Masks Good for Curly Hair?
• Signs Your Curly Hair Needs a Hair Mask
• How Do You Apply a Hair Mask to Curly Hair?
• The Best Hair Mask for Fine to Medium Curly Hair
• The Best Hair Mask for Medium to Thick Curly Hair

Why Your Curly Hair Is Better with OLAPLEX® Hair Masks

Does your curly hair crave moisture? You may need to add a moisturizing mask to your routine. Find out more about hair masks and how they benefit curly hair.

What Exactly Is a Hair Mask?

Most hair masks provide deep moisture to each strand of hair. OLAPLEX hair masks work above and beyond by also locking in lasting moisture and delivering repair, strength, and style benefits. They are formulated to:

• Make hair softer and shinier
• Add moisture to hair
• Manage frizz
• Minimize hair breakage and strengthen hair

Are Hair Masks Good for Curly Hair?

Yes, hair masks are good for curly hair. Curly hair is inherently more prone to dryness due to its structure—even more so than other hair types. It’s harder for scalp oils to travel down the hair when it’s curly. Hair masks can help lock in the moisture that your curly hair needs.

Curly hair is also more prone to frizz because it’s drier and more porous than other hair types. Hair masks can also help smooth frizzy, curly hair.

Signs Your Curly Hair Needs a Hair Mask

There are a few easy ways to tell if your curly hair needs a mask:

If you’ve noticed dry hair, frizz, lack of shine, breakage, or tangles, then it might be time for a hydrating hair mask that helps you reach your curly hair goals.

How Do You Apply a Hair Mask to Curly Hair?

You’ll apply a mask to the mid-lengths to ends of your hair, leave it on, and then wash it out. You typically only need to use a hair mask once per week in place of conditioner.

How to Choose a Hair Mask for Dry, Curly Hair

When choosing a hair mask for curls, pick one that’s formulated for your hair texture. You don’t want your curls to be weighed down or not receive enough moisture. As a reminder, the three hair textures are: 

Luckily, OLAPLEX has two hair masks created for your hair texture: Weightless Nourishing Mask and Rich Hydration Mask.

The Best Hair Mask for Fine to Medium Curly Hair

If you have fine to medium curly hair that needs moisture, reach for OLAPLEX Weightless Nourishing Mask. This hair mask locks in lightweight hydration for up to five washes without weighing your hair down.* It reduces and prevents breakage for length retention over time, and its Volume Boost Complex creates 2x all-day instant volume.

To use the Weightless Nourishing Mask:  

1. Apply the mask after shampooing on the mid-lengths to the ends of damp hair.
2. Leave the mask on for 3-5 minutes. 
3. Rinse well. 

For best results, use the Weightless Nourishing Mask weekly. 

If you have fine curly hair, you might also benefit from a shampoo and conditioner that’s specifically formulated for it. Before using Weightless Nourishing Mask, try N°.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo to strengthen, repair, and prevent future hair damage.** This ultra-light volumizing shampoo for fine hair removes buildup to leave your hair clean and soft with lasting volume, body, and bounce. You can also try a shampoo that’s specifically formulated for curly hair, like N°.4CURLBond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Shampoo. This shampoo uses 3D Bond Shaper Technology for instantly strong, defined, lasting curls. On days when you don’t use a hair mask, finish with N°.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, a weightless fine hair conditioner that hydrates while building lasting volume, or N°.5 CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Conditioner to deeply nourish and detangle hair while smoothing frizz and defining curls.

The Best Hair Mask for Medium to Thick Curly Hair

If you have medium to thick curly hair, choose the Rich Hydration Mask. This deeply restorative, moisturizing hair mask locks in instant hydration and prevents breakage for up to five washes.† It keeps hair smoother and shinier while creating all-day, humidity-resistant frizz control. When you use this hair mask, you’ll also notice stronger hair. 

To use the Rich Hydration Mask: 

1. Start strong with a shampoo with 3D Bond Shaper Technology for instantly strong, defined, lasting curls like N°.4CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Shampoo. 
2. Apply the mask to the mid-lengths to the ends of wet hair. 
3. Leave the Rich Hydration Mask on for 3-5 minutes, then rinse well. 

For the best results, use the Rich Hydration Mask weekly. On days when you don’t finish with a hair mask, moisturize your curls with N°.5CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Conditioner. This curly hair conditioner deeply nourishes, detangles, smooths frizz, and enhances curls.

The right hair mask can help your curls look and feel their best. If you’re looking for more curly haircare tips, learn how to get your curls back with OLAPLEX, or take the Hair Mask Quiz to find out which mask is right for you. 

*On virgin hair tresses

**When used with Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner.

†On bleached hair tresses

Sources

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-hair-mask 

2. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/curly-hair-care