Are hydrating masks a myth?

[portugalq]

My hair is incredibly dry.

It feels like I've tried every hydrating hair mask under the sun. Cheap supermarket ones, trendy ones from Look Fantastic and expensive ones from the hairdresser. None of them has ever made any difference.

I'm starting to believe they are a myth but the good people at Mumsnet told me about Dermatica which has completely changed my life and cleared up all my acne so I thought I'd check if anyone has any magical solutions for hair.

Please help!

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They definitely exist, they're not mythical beings... You could try the Style & Beauty board for recommendations.

Have you tried Elvive Wonder Water? Elasticizer? Olaplex? I like all those. Have just started using a JVN one which is great. Also hair oil - messy but I put it on & sleep in it, wash out next day. I have dyed blonde hair and Christophe Robin Baby Blond is my favourite...

What's the rest of your routine like? Hydrating masks won't do all the work. Especially if you have a high usage of heated tools, wrong hairbrush, incorrect shampoo and conditioner, not enough water etc etc

Also worth noting that some hair oils are fab for treatments but when used just before using a hairdryer, they can also cause your hair to be fried...

@LordEmsworth I have tried Olpalex. Just ordered Elasticizer - thanks!

@BatshitBanshee I don't use any heat on my hair, I use a wetbrush, and shampoo and conditioner - I use Clorane Detox shampoo (clarifying) and just a L'Oréal Professionnel Serié Expert Absolut Repair Gold Lightweight Mask to condition. I put Olalplex in for a few hours, then wash, then the mask in for a few hours. Only wash once a week. What do you think?

I really like the L’Oréal hair oil. Made my hair much better

Is there a reason you're using clarifying shampoo? That can be quite drying long term.

How often are you using Opalex? That can also end up being really drying if you use too often

The only one I like is Bleach London (dry wavy/curly frizzy hair).

Someone recommended that, I bought it, useless

@JaneJeffer I think that's why recommendations are subjective and limited value. Elasticizer did nothing for me.

I didn't get on with olaplex either.

Pantene in the gold tube is better.

Is there a reason you're using clarifying shampoo? That can be quite drying long term.

I had the same thought. I used clarifying shampoo in my teens and twenties when my hair tended to be oily, but wouldn't consider it now that my hair is on the dry side.

Elastisizer but on wet hair and use a shower cap for ~20 mins. Don't follow it with a clarifying shampoo though! 😂

Clarifying shampoo is meant to be for occasional use only in order to remove greasy build up or product residue. Are you using it every day? Do you even need to use one?

If you’re using clarifying shampoo every time you might as well be using fairy liquid. No wonder nothing will touch the dryness.

I find hair oil makes the biggest difference to my curly, dry and frizzy hair. Davines Oi oil is really good.

I've tried loads and my favourites are Noughty to the rescue mask and then Superdrug Hyaluronic hair serum. The serum is silicone free so doesn't weigh you down and you can slap extra on very dry areas. It does have a slightly odd smell but you can't smell it on your hair.

I've was stripping colour out of my hair with vosene and chemical strippers and this pair sorted all dryness.

Shu uemura art of hair ultimate reset masque is the only thing that seems to work on my very dry hair. Olaplex was a complete waste of time for me, but this (and the shampoo and conditioner in the same range) has made a massive difference. Expensive but worth it.

we live near the beach and saltwater, sun and wind is really hard on hair.
what seems to help is to use a repair conditioner as leave in conditioner. only a little amount or hair looks greasy and lank.

I started using clarifying shampoo once a week a couple of months ago as I was getting product build up in my hair. My hair had already been extremely dry long before that.

I use Olaplex about once every 2 weeks and then a hydrating hair mask too.

I will try those recommendations, thanks so much!

What is your hair type? Curly? Long?

This is such a drip feed OP. Next you'll say you actually have had bleached hair for years.

Clarifying shampoo shouldn't be used every wash, even if that is just once a week, and especially if your hair was dry beforehand. It will not help anything. If your hair is really that dry, you should be doing a mask treatment every week, not every two weeks.

OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Penetrating Hair Oil For Dry and Damaged Hair

This is good.

Stop using clarifying shampoo.

use tons and tons of conditioner, more than you think, after a nice hydrating shampoo. If you say your budget you’ll get relevant suggestions.

use a leave in oil and it leave in conditioner.

I add oil and hyaluronic acid to my hair most days, you could try the same.

I like hask and Shea moisture.