If your curls, coils, or other natural hair textures feel drier than usual, your regular conditioner may not be enough. That’s where a hair mask can come in. Adding one to your wash day gives you more time to condition your hair before you move on to styling.
The key is knowing how to use a hair mask and where it fits into the rest of your routine. From applying it evenly to giving it enough time to work, a few simple steps can help you get the most out of your mask without making wash day more complicated than it needs to be.
What Does a Hair Mask Do for Natural Hair?
A hair mask is a conditioning treatment that you can add to your wash day when your hair needs more than your regular conditioner. Masks are typically left on the hair longer than everyday rinse-out conditioners, giving your curls and coils more time with the conditioning formula before you move on with the rest of your wash day.
They can be especially useful when your hair feels dry, rough, or like it could use more conditioning than usual. You may also find them helpful if you have high-porosity hair, which tends to absorb moisture easily but can lose it quickly, and for low-porosity hair that resists it. Depending on the formula, a mask can help hydrate and nourish your hair and make detangling easier.
You don’t necessarily need a mask every time you wash your hair. Think of it as something you can work into your routine when your hair could use a little more conditioning.
When Should You Use a Hair Mask?
You don’t have to use a hair mask on a rigid schedule. On some wash days, your regular conditioner may do the trick. On others, your curls and coils may need a little extra conditioning.
So, how do you know when it might be time for a mask? A few things to look for include:
- Your hair feels harder to manage during detangling. Maybe your ends feel a little rough, or your curls aren’t feeling as soft as they normally do after conditioning.
- You’re dealing with more breakage. If you’re noticing short, broken pieces while detangling or styling, you may want to add a mask to your next wash day.
- You’ve been reaching for your heat tools more often. Frequent blow-drying, flat ironing, or other heat styling can damage your hair, so your next wash day may be a good time to work in a mask.
- You just took down a protective style. After wearing braids, twists, or another protective style for a while, you may want to give your curls and coils some extra conditioning during your next wash day.
- Your usual routine isn’t cutting it. Sometimes there isn’t one obvious reason. If your hair still feels dry or could use a little more conditioning after wash day, a mask may be worth trying.
How to Use a Hair Mask for Natural Hair
1. Start With Clean, Damp Hair
Start by washing your hair with your usual shampoo to remove buildup, excess oil, and leftover hair products. If you’re building a Moisture Miracle wash-day routine, you can start with the Moisture Miracle Moisture Shampoo. Once you’ve rinsed out the shampoo, gently squeeze out some of the excess water.
Hair masks are often used after shampooing, but take a quick look at the directions on your product before applying. Some formulas may have their own instructions on how wet your hair should be or how the product should be applied.
2. Work in Sections
Once your hair is clean, divide it into a few sections that are easy to work with. There’s no magic number. Just use enough sections to make it easier to work the mask through your curls and coils without missing any areas.
You can loosely twist or clip each section out of the way as you go.
3. Apply the Mask Evenly
Working one section at a time, apply the mask throughout from the roots to the ends of your hair. Use your fingers to work it through your curls and coils, making sure you’re not skipping the ends or any areas that feel drier than others.
If the mask gives your hair enough slip, this can also be a good time to gently detangle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Start at the ends and slowly work your way up to help minimize damage while you detangle.
4. Let the Mask Sit
Once the mask is worked through your hair, leave it on for the amount of time listed on the package. This can vary from one formula to another, so check the directions rather than guessing how long to leave it in.
Some masks may also call for wrapping your hair in a plastic cap or adding gentle heat while you wait. Check the product label to see what’s recommended.
5. Rinse Thoroughly
Once the recommended time is up, rinse the mask completely from your hair. Take a minute to work through each section to make sure you’ve rinsed out all the product, especially if you have thick or dense curls and coils.
6. Moisturize and Style
Once you’ve rinsed out your mask, move on to the rest of your usual wash-day routine. Apply a leave-in, such as Moisture Miracle Leave-In Cream, followed by any other moisturizing or styling products you normally use.
From there, jump into your regular styling routine, whether that’s a twist-out, wash-and-go, braids, or another favorite style.
Adding the Moisture Miracle Moisture Mask to Your Routine
Some wash days call for a little more moisture than others. If your curls or coils are feeling particularly dry, try working the African Pride Moisture Miracle Moisture Mask into your routine. It combines Moroccan red clay, which helps clarify the hair by removing impurities and product buildup, with shea butter to replenish moisture and strengthen your hair. The result is softer, more hydrated curls and coils.
After shampooing, section your clean, wet hair and apply the mask generously from roots to ends. Cover your hair with a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer for up to 15 minutes. No hooded dryer? Wrap your hair with a plastic cap and a warm towel instead, then let the mask sit for up to 30 minutes. Once you’re done, rinse it out and move on with the rest of your wash day.
How Often Should You Use a Hair Mask?
There’s no need to put your hair mask on a strict schedule. You might reach for it more often during some stretches and less during others, depending on how often you wash your hair and how your curls and coils are feeling.
A good place to start is with the directions on the product. After that, see how your hair responds. If your regular conditioner is doing the job, there’s no reason to add a mask just because it’s part of your usual routine.
Hair Mask Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping sectioning: It can be tempting to apply your mask quickly and move on, but working in sections makes it easier to spread the product throughout your curls and coils without missing areas.
- Leaving it on longer than directed: More time isn’t necessarily better. Stick with the processing time listed on the product instead of leaving your mask on for hours or overnight.
- Assuming every mask works the same way: Some formulas may have different application or processing instructions. Take a quick look at the directions whenever you try a new one.
- Not matching the mask to your hair type: Before reaching for a mask, think about what you’re hoping to get from it. If your curls and coils are feeling especially dry, for example, you may want to reach for a moisture-focused mask that wash day.
Make a Hair Mask Part of Your Wash Day
Learning how to use a hair mask is mostly about finding where it fits into the wash-day and hair routine you already have. Pay attention to how your curls and coils feel, follow the directions for the mask you choose, and reach for one when your hair could use some extra conditioning.
If moisture is your focus, explore the African Pride Moisture Miracle collection to find products you can work into your wash-day and styling routine.
FAQs
Do you use a hair mask before or after shampooing?
In most cases, a hair mask comes after shampooing. Once your hair is clean, work the mask through your curls and coils and let it sit for the recommended amount of time. Just be sure to check the directions on yours since every formula is different.
Can you use a hair mask instead of conditioner?
Yes, depending on the product. On wash days when your hair could use more conditioning, you may choose a mask instead of your regular conditioner. Check the directions on your mask to see how it’s meant to fit into your routine.
How long should you leave a hair mask on your hair?
There’s no need to keep a mask on for hours to get the most out of it. Stick with the time listed on the package, since the recommended processing time can vary from one formula to another.
Should you apply a hair mask to wet or dry hair?
Take a look at the directions before you start, since this can vary by product. The Moisture Miracle Moisture Mask, for example, goes on clean, wet hair after shampooing.






