We test a lot of hair masks for our Beauty Awards each year—it’s always a stacked category. There are masks for different hair types and concerns, and for my hair, I personally gravitate toward the ones that offer deep-conditioning benefits while also reviving and protecting my color-treated hair. Different than my needs for a gloss, which is meant to enhance shine, a conditioning mask is meant to nourish and rejuvenate. I’ve made a point to add hair masks into my weekly routine, and every time I use the ELEVEN Australia Miracle Hair Mask ($30), I get the same ooh-and-aah feeling. That feeling like you just left a salon (even though sadly you had to do the work yourself): My hair is silky-smooth, smells great and looks super healthy. Here’s my honest review.
The Benefits of This Miracle Hair Mask
I was first introduced to ELEVEN Australia last year and immediately fell in love with the products. Echoing what I said above, I’ve tried many a hair mask in my day, and not all are created equal. Some leave behind a residue or weigh my fine hair down; others make my color look dull. This one suits my long, fine, balayaged hair perfectly. It leaves my hair feeling soft and hydrated, and my color always looks brighter. And speaking of color, if you are someone who bleaches your hair or gets highlights, using a mask like this weekly (or twice a week if your hair needs more TLC), can make a huge difference in how your strands look and feel.
Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients. “Rosemary leaf nourishes the hair,” says Aussie hairstylist Joey Scandizzo, the brand’s founder and co-creative director (he’s also been named Australian Hairdresser of the Year four times). “Aloe vera is great for conditioning and leaves the hair smooth and shiny. Sweet almond oil reduces dryness and improves the texture of the hair. Jojoba seed oil helps strengthen hair. White water lily can help increase the volume and body, as well as the elasticity of brittle hair. Pomegranate is packed with antioxidants.”
How to Use It
After washing your hair, squeeze out the excess water (if you don’t, it will dilute the formula). I squeeze out a good amount (maybe the size of two quarters; I have long hair), rub it between my palms and apply it from my mid-lengths down. The rich cream texture makes it easy to cover everything thoroughly. Then I press whatever tiny bit is leftover on my hands onto the upper part of my hair and my roots. My hair is really fine, so I always avoid putting too much on my roots, no matter which mask I’m using.
The brand recommends leaving the mask on for five to 15 minutes, and I typically do five. But, I’ve also been in a rush and only left it on for two or three minutes and still had an amazing result. My hair feels smooth as silk and smells so good (the mask has a fruity-floral scent), even after being blasted by my blowout brush for 15 or 20 minutes (my hair really retains water).
The full size is 6.8 ounces, but I love that it also comes in a mini size ($6), which is great for travel (and so cute). There’s also a nod to sustainability, as the mask’s pouch packaging is fully recyclable.
