Nelson J Moisture Healing Mask- $23

For the longest time I was using the Amika Nourishing hair mask-a huuuuge tub that lasted an entire year. So the Winter FabFitFun box came at just the right time to provide inside this hair mask to try out. While there are multiple ways of using this product, I used it the typical way hair masks are used: in the shower and rinsed out after 5-10 min. 

Specs: 

• Size: 100mL 
• Scent: Coocnut
• Color: Beige
• Applicator: Tube

Ingredients: 

Water (Aqua), Cetyl Alcohol (Derived from Coconut), Amodimethicone (Derived from Volcano Rock), Cetrimonium Bromide, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Butter, Argania Spinosa Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane (Derived from Volcano Rock), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Ethylhexyl Stearate (Plants Oil), Tocepheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Citrus Acid, Jojoba Crystal, Dimethicone, Scent, Phenoxyethanol (Plants Derived), Ethylhexylglycerin (Vegetable Derived), Yellow 11 and Red 17.

Claims: 

Detangles, controls frizz, prevents hair color fading, seals split ends, protects from chlorine and salt water, restores silkiness & shine, enhances natural body.

Claims (continued): 

Ok, first of all, lets think about the claims for a little bit. All of them seem like very normal claims except for a few. Let me just point out that there is absolutely no way for hair masks to seal split ends. Even pro stylists agree that the only way to really get rid of them is to get a haircut. But using any kind of hair conditioner doesn't seal split ends, but only makes the hair shaft smoother temporarily. So that claim is bogus. 

Also, keep in mind that any kind of hydrophobic (water-fearing) substance like oil/creams are going to repel water. So naturally any kind of hair mask once applied would help protect the hair from chlorine and salt water. 

Let's just keep these things in mind. Minus these 2 claims, the rest just seems like a regular conditioner right? Makes sense since I guess hair masks are basically intensely hydrating conditioners. 

Performance: 

Naturally, I have really thick, heavy hair. I will say off the bat that the coconut scent isn't as natural as you'd think it is. It was not my favorite, but not enough to make me stop using it. The formula was surprising to me. It wasn't greasy at all, but very noticeably silicone-y. At first I wasn't a fan  since it was silicone-based, but amodimethicone has an EWG rating of 1 and is simply just used as a hair conditioning agent. The formula was easily spreadable and easy to squeeze out of the flexible tube packaging. After leaving it in my hair for at least 5 minutes, the product did wash out nicely and didn't leave any residue or greasy feeling behind. Though I had to use a lot of product, my hair did indeed feel smooth, soft, and detangled. After blowdrying, usually my hair poofs up like crazy until it flattens the next morning, but using this didn't seem to do anything more amazing than your favorite conditioner. 

Verdict: 

I really have no complaints about this hair mask. It did last me almost 3 months now using it 1x/week, but honestly besides acting like a good conditioner, it didn't "heal" my hair in any way like the name suggests. This is a fine product, but for $23, I'd rather use that money towards the Livingproof conditioner instead or the Briogeo hair mask that everyone raves about. 

Save Some $: 

I've seen one FFF member say that they found this same exact product at TJMaxx for $5, so that's totally a steal! Otherwise, I've also heard that Nature Republic also makes an amazing Argan oil hair mask (200mL) that's less than $15 so give it a try and let me know what you think!