By Tara Young

Why wait until the throws of winter when your hair is windswept, dry and dull before addressing your hair concerns? Stay one step ahead of the curve and prevent frizzy damaged hair in exchange for soft silky tresses that are easy to manage, on any damn day of the week.

We're talking hair masking. An effective update to your weekly haircare regimen and a lovely treat for your hair that will help restore moisture, strengthen fragile strands, and reduce damage caused by chemicals or heated tools. Whether your hair is wrecked beyond belief and verging on major haircut territory, unmanageable and a real product of its surroundings (read: the weather), or you simply wish to maintain glossy, healthy hair - a luxurious hair mask is a perfect addition to your shower shelf.

Lock yourself in the bathroom, let's get a handle on things and invest in a little "me time" because who doesn't love that?

Supercharged treatments such as a deep conditioning hair mask are formulated to provide the hair with a concentrated dose of nourishment, moisture, and repair.

Penetrating deep within the hair shaft to hydrate and soften the hair, a hair mask will target concerns such as dryness, damage, frizz, and lack of shine. They combine potent ingredients such as botanical oils, proteins, and vitamins to repair and rejuvenate your locks.

On face value, you can expect soft, moisturised hair that's shiny, easy to manage and looks healthier overall. Delve deeper and your hair mask will work to hydrate from within while strengthening and mending strands to prevent hair breakage. This is why using a hair mask regularly is great for hair maintenance - not just the hard work when your hair has had enough.

It depends on the condition of your hair and your main concerns - everyone's hair has different needs. If it's really damaged or dry, you might want to start off masking once or twice a week. Whereas if you're masking for upkeep once a week to twice a month should suffice.

Step 1: Wash Your Hair

First, wash your hair and cleanse your scalp, so it’s free of excess oil and dirt. Deep conditioning treatments and masques work best when applied to clean hair after your cleanse.

Step 2: Apply your mask

Apply the deep conditioning hair mask to your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up. Use a wide-tooth comb and evenly distribute it throughout your strands.

Step 3: Leave on

Leave your deep conditioning hair mask in for 5-30 minutes, or even as long as overnight. Different products come with instructions, so follow the directions that come with the product.

Step 4: Rinse with cool water

Rinse your hair with cool water to seal in moisture and close the hair cuticles. We recommend letting your hair dry naturally for the best results.