I Noticed a Difference in My Hair the Second I Rinsed Out This Mask

I'm hard to impress when it comes to hair masks. As someone with fine hair, they run the risk of weighing it down, plus it's hard to anticipate the effect it will have on my waves. Still, as any good beauty editor would, I give every mask that crosses my metaphorical desk (which is actually just my kitchen table in a post-COVID world) a fair shake by testing it diligently. Over the years, I've found plenty of formulas that are nice, but every once in a while, one really stands out. That's how I felt when I discovered the JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask ($34) from Jonathan Van Ness's brand. In short, it blew me away.

JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask

From

$34

$34 at Sephora

If you've yet to find a hair mask that impresses you, keep reading to learn more about why I love this product.

My issue with most hair masks is they don't provide tangible results right away. They either require you to use them for weeks before you can notice a difference, or they just feel like a fancy conditioner but nothing more. With the JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask, however, I noticed an instant difference in my hair. And I'm talking while I was still in the shower. Occasionally my ends will still feel a little dry after I rinse out my conditioner, but with this product, I was immediately able to feel how silky it made my hair. This is likely thanks to the amino acids in the formula, which help seal the cuticle.

Out of the shower, even while still wet, I could tell that my hair was less frizzy than normal, but the real magic happened after I dried it. To really test its capabilities, I used this mask before both heat-styling and air-drying, and both times, I experienced the same results. My roots had significantly less frizz, and my ends felt more hydrated and glossy than usual. The shine it provided was also impossible to miss and lasted for days after washing.

Then there's the scent. I'm someone who prefers the fragrance in my skin care to be subtle, but with my hair products, the more the merrier. The JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask smells of a warm mixture of amber woods and musk, with a hint of apple and violet leaf. It's comforting and invigorating at the same time and snags me a compliment from my fiancé every time I use it.

The brand recommends you use the JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask in place of your conditioner on the mid-to-ends of your hair, leave it on for three to five minutes, and rinse. I apply about a golf-ball-size scoop of product to do just that and disperse it with a wide-tooth comb. Instead of leaving it on for just five minutes, I go for about 10, as I personally like to wash and condition my hair first when I get in the shower and allow my conditioner (or mask) to sit while I do things like wash my body and shave.

After I finish the rest of my body-care routine, I rinse it out and towel-dry my ends with a microfiber hair wrap. The styling products to follow vary depending on the day and my mood.

The JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask is suitable for all hair types and textures, but keep in mind that it is incredibly thick and rich. Depending on your hair, I wouldn't recommend leaving it on for too long as it may weigh your ends down or give your hair protein overload. The duration of your shower should be more than enough.

It's also worth noting that a little bit of product goes a long way, so it should last you a while if you're only using it once or twice a week in place of your normal conditioner.

The JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Hair Mask is available at the brand's website and Sephora.

Rating: ★★★★★