When I made the decision to stop chemically straightening my hair back in 2010, I didn’t know what products my natural hair needed. I’d read good things about Argan Oil (Moroccan Oil), so I went on a quest to various health shops to find it. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy; clearly the product was not yet the mainstream.

Eventually, I spotted the brand Moroccanoil in a magazine. The write up was positive and I set off to find it. The first place I spotted it was Jacks of London, a barber shop in Wimbledon. And so my love affair with the Morocconoil brand began. Prior to trialling the Morocconoil Intense Hydrating Mask, I’d used the Oil Treatment - Heavy, Intense Curl Cream and the Hydrating Styling Cream. It’s fair to say that the three aforementioned are staple hair products of mine. Based on the results of the other Moroccanoil products I’ve used, I was excited to try their Intense Hydrating Mask.

I’ve been wearing my natural afro hair for over four years, but I’ve begun to colour treat it. Colour treated hair is prone to getting dry and breaking. I’ve been told in the past, that once the natural state of the hair has been chemically altered, it must be treated as damaged. Therefore, I’m always on the lookout for products that promise treat my damaged hair. Although I sometimes use products that are not specifically for damaged hair but good results can be hit and miss. To date, even with my colour treated hair, the Moroccanoil range has been a hit for me. I’m guaranteed a good hair day, if I use my staple products from their range and their mask was no exception.

I used the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask (75m). I would say that my hair has thin-medium thickness and it's shoulder length. I got two uses from the tube. While the mask is thick, I would say it’s more the thickness of a good conditioner than a mask in my opinion. It’s hard to describe the fragrance except to say it’s mild, pleasant, and unisex. It’s similar to the other products that I’ve used in their range. On both occasions for my trial, I applied a generous amount because by the weekend my curly hair is badly tangled. I have to use generous amount of product with good slip to detangle to avoid too much stress to my strands. I was able to detangle my hair quickly and easily with the mask.

Once my hair was detangled I left the mask on for 7-10 minutes. According to the directions, it should be left for 5-7 minutes. When I rinsed out the mask my hair felt uber soft, and springing. My curls pinged and ponged into place. I then applied my usual styling products and dried my curls using a diffuser. On the second trail the only difference was that I parted my hair into twelve sections and two-strand twisted each section. I then blasted my hair with the blow-dryer for about 10-15 minutes to dry the excess water, then left it to finish air-drying. My hair looked full and felt soft and bouncy all week. On the Moroccanoil website, it’s suggested that for thick, dry and coarse hair types teaspoon of the Moroccanoil Hair Treatment can be added for extra shine and elasticity.

The Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask is a good product to have in stock. I think it would be suitable for any hair type. It’s excellent for those times when you are in a rush and don’t have the time to apply a treatment that takes up to 45 mins to do its job. However, taking lifestyle and hair length and thickness into consideration, I’d recommend a full sized product. It will last much longer.

For more information about the Moroccanoil range please visit their website.