One Small Change Made My Hair Thicken Crazy-Fast

Box
braids are one of my favorite protective hairstyles. They’re
low-maintenance, give me tremendous length, and offer a much-needed
break from using heat
tools on my delicate natural hair. I’d say these stylish plaits
are an all-around win, except that after a couple months of
carefree living, my strands are left in serious need of help in the
thickness department. That’s where hair masks come in to save the
day.

These handy pots of nutrient-dense goodness are a catchall for
any
hair problem you might be experiencing that’s causing your
tresses to appear more thin than you’d like. My post-braid thinness
is mainly perpetuated by the overuse of clarifying shampoo, which I
have to use for a few days to get my hair clear of product and
scalp debris. Not to mention the weeks of routine hair shedding
that’s finally free to fall, a shedding process I can only imagine
is akin to that of a husky losing his winter coat. Yes, it’s that
intense.

So you get it—hair masks are an absolute must
for getting my hair back to its thick, lively self after it has
been braided, but they can help also thicken up hair that’s
suffering from dehydration, over-styling and more. Here, you’ll
find 10 of the best masks out there to help you achieve the thick
hair of your
dreams. Happy scrolling!

This
mask makes my hair feel soft and manageable. The almond oil, aloe
butter and shea oil make detangling a lot much easier, so I’m
causing less stress fallout, and in turn, my hair looks thicker and
healthier.

Apple
cider vinegar is one of those miracle products that seems to fix
everything, so it’s really no surprise it makes for an excellent
hair mask ingredient too. This one by DP Hue employs a coconut
oil– and keratin-infused formula, and balances your hair’s PH.
Don’t mind the smell.

When
I need to stop breakage dead in its tracks, I reach for this mask.
It’s packed with good stuff like B vitamins, rose-hip oil,
collagen, and more naturally derived ingredients that strengthen
the hair and help it recoup that coveted thickness.

Many
buzzy ingredients have come out to play recently, but argan oil is
one of those OG haircare ingredients I know my hair responds well
to. I love that this one is also free of harmful sulfates and
parabens.

I
can be heavy-handed when it comes to hair masks, so this is a solid
option that lets me go hard without the guilt of a high price
tag.

I
was #influenced to try this when I saw a few beauty pros posting
about it on Instagram, and I’m actually happy about it. This mask
is both moisturizing and strengthening, and it makes my hair feel
super soft and also healthy.

Remember
when I said I was heavy-handed? Well, I’m careful to control myself
with this one. The price is up there, but this new range by Oribe
works wonders on hair that needs an extra injection of
moisture.

The
first time I ever heard about Olaplex, my then-roommate’s stylist
had given it to her to maintain her bleach-blonde hair. Since then,
we’ve learned that its restorative properties go well beyond
color-treated hair, and it’s been in my treatment rotation for a
while now.

I
love when a hair product also takes scalp health into account.
Although I’ve yet to get my hands on this detoxifying mud with
green tea, lactic acid, and vitamin E, it’s high on my to-try
list.

Here’s
another super-affordable option that helps my hair look like its
best, thickest self. I can apply handfuls at a time without
worrying about rinsing too much money down the drain. Next, I Spend
a Lot of Money on Hair Color—Here Are the 8 Things I Do to
Protect It