When caring for our hair, there are so many do’s and don’t these days, it can be hard to know what is actually good for your hair, and what might be causing damage! We’ve read countless articles about how to wash it, condition it, style it, color it, and more. We just don’t always know how, or how often we should be doing these things. 

Enter: Multi-masking.

What is it? Does it really help your hair? Is it a realistic treatment to maintain?

All of these questions and more will be answered below! Simply keep scrolling to discover all you need to know about what this trending haircare process can do for those precious locks of yours…

What is Multi-Masking?

If you’ve ever used the multi-masking technique on your face, you might already have some idea of what we’re talking about here. If you haven’t, don’t worry. We will explain all! 

Multi-masking is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s simply layering different types of hair masks onto different areas of your hair all at once. Each mask will be designed to treat something different and will work to help mend the particular area of your hair you put it on.

Why Should I Multimask My Hair?

Now, we won’t tell you that you should multi-mask your hair. However, in our experience, it’s something we would highly recommend. 

Firstly, whether there are things about your hair that consistently bug you or your hair is only problematic at certain times, this could solve all of your visible hair-related issues in one simple practice.

For example, you may have hair that doesn’t always behave its best during colder weather. Perhaps it looks dry, flyaway, or frizzy. On the other hand, you might find your hair hates the humidity that warm weather brings. Whichever is true for you, we guarantee, there’ll be a mask out there (or several) that can help to fix it.

What’s more, when multi-masking your hair, you’re able to combat a whole host of hair-related issues in a time-saving manner. How? By targeting each specific area with a mask to cater to its specific needs. 

Besides all of this, you’ll quickly find that multi-masking is super fun and relaxing too. Perfect for a little ‘you’ time, that’s something we’re always happy to get on board with.

What Will it Do For My Hair?

Depending on the condition of your hair and the concerns you have for it, multi-masking will do different things for different hair types.

Need to know more specifics?

We thought so!

Let’s say you have very oily roots, but your ends are super dry. Or, perhaps you have a lack of moisture throughout your hair and also want to add some volume. When you have two or more hair concerns like this that you want to address, using only one mask is unlikely to solve your problem.

In fact, using one type of mask all over the hair can sometimes cause more issues as it works for one concern but not for the others. If you use a mask designed to hydrate and moisturize, for example, those dry ends will love you for it. However, the oily roots will have something else to say!

This is why it makes so much sense to add the masks you need only to the areas they’ll work best on. Afterward, you’ll find your hair feels softer in places it was dry before, overly oily parts look more balanced, plus your hair will be much easier to manage overall.

How Often Should I Be Multi-Masking My Hair?

Once again, the answer to this question lies in how your hair behaves usually, and how it responds to multi-masking. So, there may be some trial and error work involved. 

As a rule of thumb, we suggest applying a hair mask once a week. With multi-masking, we often find its customized effects last a little longer so you can happily leave more time in between. 

This suggestion aside, if your hair needs more attention or if it’s very long, simply increase how frequently you multi-mask. 

If you feel it’s becoming overworked and weighed down by too many treatments or your hair is much shorter and doesn’t require too much conditioning, maybe try once every ten days or every two weeks.

One thing we really would suggest though is not overdoing it on the hair masks. Whilst the majority of them are great for your hair and provide huge benefits for its overall appearance, applying masks too often will usually make your hair feel super heavy and often oily from the richness of the ingredients. 

Try and stick to a once-a-week schedule or less where possible for the best balance.

How Long Do the Effects of Multi-masking Last?

Whenever we try out a new beauty treatment, we always want to know how long the effects will last. After all, if we put in all that effort to see a result for just half a day, it hardly feels worth our time.

Well, you’ll be glad to know that the effects of multi-masking last much longer than that. Again, it will differ a little from person to person but, overall, this technique is designed to make a real difference.

Most recommended hair masks suggest you use them once a week so you get to enjoy the effects for around 7 days. With multi-masking, however, your hair has an all-round pamper session so we find it usually lasts a little longer than that. 

Considering how amazing your hair feels after this simple, customizable treatment, we’d say it’s definitely worth your time. 

Is Multi-Masking Affordable?

As with all cosmetic products, hair masks come in an overwhelmingly large number of colors and scents. All are designed to offer specific fixes, all have different price points. Therefore, it’s really going to depend on what you’re willing, or able, to spend on them when it comes to affordability.

There are plenty of high-end products out there of course, but we’ve come across hundreds of low-cost masks that work just as well!

Is Multimaksing Good For All Hair Types?

The short answer to this question is, yes! Absolutely.

Firstly, get to know your hair type really well before you commit to purchasing lots of different masks to treat these glorious tresses.

When diagnosing what our hair is like, we often get sucked into defining it all with one word. 

Why?

Haircare products are advertised to target hair that is ‘fine’, or ‘frizzy’, or ‘dry’, or ‘oily’. Therefore, you may be used to thinking your hair falls into just one of these categories. 

However, now you know you can treat each part of your hair individually, really assess it and take into consideration how it behaves from day to day. You wouldn’t apply a hydrating face mask to your overly oily T-zone. Think about your hair in the same way.

Is it really fine, or has it just become a little dry and fly away since your last cut? Do you have oily roots, or could it be a build-up of product that’s making it feel weighed down? 

Once you know the answers to these questions, you can move onto the really fun part, choosing and purchasing your hair masks!

Can I Multi-Mask Dyed Hair?

You’re right to be cautious trying out new techniques on hair that’s been colored. However, multi-masking is perfectly safe, and even provides amazing benefits, for those with colored hair.

Our recommendation here is to ensure before you start that the masks you choose are suitable for your hair and will not strip the color out. 

When Should I Multimask My Hair?

The truth is, multi-masking your hair feels great and makes our hair look even greater! Therefore, you should absolutely multi-mask your hair whenever you want to treat yourself and get your hair in pristine condition. 

Understandably, this may seem unrealistic to you. Maybe it’s the time it takes, perhaps it’s the cost. It could even be true that you just don’t enjoy doing it at all!

Whichever sounds right, we get it. And, we’ll offer just one piece of advice. If you’re only going to multi-mask your hair once in a blue moon, save it for special occasions. 

Birthday coming up? Multi-mask. You have an important work event to attend? Multi-mask. Your wedding day is around the corner? Definitely multi-mask!

How to Multi-Mask Your Hair

Now that you know which masks to purchase, how long the process takes, how it might affect your hair and more, you’re probably wondering how you actually do this thing!

Need a step-by-step guide?

Your wish is our command…

1. Choose Your Masks

Firstly, just how many masks should you be using to multi-mask? At least two. This may be all you need, especially if your hair is on the shorter side. 

Most will find they need one type of mask for the top, and one for the mid-lengths to the ends of their hair. For example, one mask that helps the feeling of over oily strands at the top, another that combats the look of dry, split ends at the bottom.

Looking to add a new hair mask to your beauty arsenal?

Try the Herstyler Argan Oil Hair Mask – it will leave your hair looking noticeably thicker, shinier, and healthier.

2. Understand When You Should Apply Them

Next, when should you apply your hair mask? We already know how frequently we should apply them, but at what stage in our haircare routines should we be smoothing them onto our locks?

The answer is simple.

Always do this after shampooing!

Making sure your hair has been thoroughly cleaned is the ultimate way to get the most out of the ingredients in your chosen masks. It will break down any build-up of product and remove any dirt that naturally makes its way into our hair daily.

3. The Application

How you apply your hair masks really depends on how accurate you want to be. If you have short hair and you’re using two or more very different masks for different areas, you’ll likely need to make your application very accurate. This will avoid each mask coming into contact with the wrong part of your hair.

In this instance, we suggest getting your hands on a mask applicator brush. This will allow you to separate sections of your hair and apply the mask precisely where you want it to be.

On the other hand, if you have very long hair and are using just two masks, you might find you’re okay to apply with your hands. 

That said, we always favor a brush for how precise its application is, and how it makes us feel like a professional hairdresser in our very own bathroom!

4. Comb it Through

It might feel like you got every last strand but unless you use a comb to evenly distribute the product, it’s unlikely! Use a wide-tooth comb with rounded edges and gently comb out your hair making sure to work from root to tip. This will avoid pulling at the roots of your hair which can stress out your strands and cause breakage.

5. Set Your Timer

Taking your masks off before they’ve had time to work their magic is just as bad as leaving them for way too long and causing your hair to become overly saturated. Always make sure you check the back of your mask for directions on how long you should leave it on. Then stick to it.

6. Rinse (Carefully) And Enjoy

As tempting as it is to rinse out your hair with soothing warm, or even hot, water, we recommend using only luke-warm temperatures. Unfortunately, hot water tends to strip our hair of natural oils. It also likes to take all the products with it as it works through our hair.

To get the most out of your treatment and keep your hair feeling silky smooth, colder water is the answer. It’ll take away all the product that needs to come out but won’t stop your hair from reaping the benefits.

Now, you can enjoy your silkiest, strongest, and shiniest hair to date, and it’s all thanks to the wonders of multi-masking!