How to Apply a L’Oreal Hair Mask

Co-authored by Ashley Adams

Last Updated: March 10, 2020 References

L’Oreal offers a variety of masks you can use on your hair. For damaged hair such as split ends, apply the Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery mask to wet or damp hair after a shampoo and rinse. The Color Vibrancy Intensive Ultra Recovery mask is for color-treated hair, to be applied to wet or damp hair after a shampoo and rinse. For dry, curly hair, apply the Extraordinary Oil Curls Re-Nourish mask after shampooing, conditioning and rinsing your hair. For oily hair, apply the Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo mask onto dry hair, before shampooing and conditioning.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Applying a Mask for Damaged Hair

1
Shampoo your hair. L’Oreal recommends using Total Repair Extreme Shampoo.^{[1]
X
Research source} Massage enough shampoo into your wet hair to build up a lather. Rinse the shampoo out completely.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal’s Total Repair Extreme Shampoo contains a ceramide formula advertised to repair and renew damaged hair fibers.
- You may need to wash your hair 2 or more times, depending on how dirty your hair and scalp are.
2
Apply the mask to wet or damp hair. Massage the Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery mask into your hair. Work the mask into all of your hair, from roots to ends. Let the mask sit in your hair for three to five minutes.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Mask is advertised to penetrate and heal broken and damaged hair fibers.
Advertisement
3
Rinse the mask out. Conditioner is not necessary. Dry and style your hair as usual. Reapply the mask as often as weekly, if desired.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Applying a Mask for Color-Treated Hair

1
Shampoo your hair. L’Oreal recommends using Color Vibrancy Intensive shampoo.^{[5]
X
Research source} Massage enough shampoo into wet hair to build a lather. Rinse the shampoo out completely.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal Color Vibrancy Intensive shampoo is formulated with an anti-oxidant system, advertised to protect color while repairing dry and damaged hair fibers.
- L’Oreal Color Vibrancy Intensive shampoo contains sulfates. Sulfates may damage hair and cause skin irritation.
- Wash you hair as many times as necessary to completely clean your hair.
2
Apply the mask to wet or damp hair. Massage the Color Vibrancy Intensive Ultra Recovery mask into your hair, from roots through to the ends. Let the mask sit in your hair for three to five minutes.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal Color Vibrancy Intensive Ultra Recovery Mask is advertised to repair visible damage to dry, color-treated hair. It also contains UV protection which may prevent fading of color.
3
Rinse the mask out. Dry and style your hair as usual. Reapply the mask one to two times a week, as desired.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using a Mask for Dry and Curly Hair

1
Shampoo and condition your hair. L’Oreal recommends using Extraordinary Oil Curls shampoo and conditioner. Massage the shampoo into your hair, then rinse it out. Apply conditioner to your hair, then rinse it out.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil Curls products contain oils such as coconut and sunflower, advertised to nourish hair and improve the elasticity of curls.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil Curls shampoo contains sulfate. Sulfates may irritate skin and damage hair.
- Wash you hair as many times as necessary to get it clean.
2
Apply the mask to wet hair. Massage the Extraordinary Oil Curls Re-Nourish mask into your hair, from roots through to the ends. Allow it to sit in your hair for three to five minutes.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil Curls Re-Nourish mask is advertised to nourish and replenish hair while redefining curls.
3
Rinse the mask out. Since you already shampooed and conditioned your hair, only water is needed. Dry and style your hair as usual. Reapply the mask one to two times per week, or more often if your hair is very dry.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Rinse with cool water to seal the hair's cuticle.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using a Clay Mask for Oily Hair

1
Apply the mask to dry hair. Massage the Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo mask onto your roots. Work the mask into a section at a time, until you’ve covered all of your roots. Allow the mask to sit for five minutes.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Since oily hair originates from the scalp, it’s not necessary to work this mask into the body and ends of your hair.
- Use this mask one to two times per week, as desired.
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo mask is advertised to absorb oil and clean the scalp.
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay hair products are okay to use on dyed hair.
2
Rinse out the mask. Massage your scalp gently as you rinse the mask off with water. Feel your scalp with your fingers to make sure that all of the product has been washed out.^{[14]
X
Research source}
3
Shampoo your hair. L’Oreal recommends using Extraordinary Clay shampoo.^{[15]
X
Research source} Massage shampoo into your wet hair until it’s fully lathered. Rinse the shampoo out.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay shampoo is advertised to absorb scalp oils and hydrate hair’s body without weighing it down.
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay shampoo contains sulfate. Sulfates may damage hair and irritate skin.
4
Apply conditioner to your hair. L’Oreal recommends using Extraordinary Clay conditioner.^{[17]
X
Research source} Massage the conditioner into your hair. Allow it to sit for one to three minutes. Rinse out the conditioner.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay conditioner is advertised to clean oily roots while hydrating dry lengths and ends.
- Rinse the conditioner with cool water to seal the hair's cuticle, which locks in moisture and shine.

Expert Q&A

Question

How much developer do I mix with high-color highlights?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

High lift colors are usually mixed 2 parts developer to 1 part color. Make sure you check the mixing instructions of the specific brand you are working with.
Question

How do I use a hair masque?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

This depends on the type of mask but generally, you apply it to the entire length of the hair starting an inch or two away from the roots. You should apply a mask to freshly washed hair once a week.
Question

Can you put a hair mask on dry hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Hair masks won't penetrate the hair as effectively if it's dry. The application will also be more difficult. There's really not any benefit to applying a mask to dry hair.

Warnings

Be careful not to let any hair products get into your eyes.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
L’Oreal hair masks are sulfate-free, but the corresponding shampoos are not. Sulfates can strip oils from your hair, causing dryness and even long-term damage. Sulfates can also cause eye and skin irritation, including severe allergic reactions in some cases. They can also cause frizz.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
You should always check the ingredients list before applying any product to your skin, in case you may be sensitive to an element in the product.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0