Blake Lively claims she NEVER uses conditioner – but hair stylists issue stark warning as to why it is ‘absolutely essential’

Blake Lively has finally shared the secret behind her signature, messy-chic hair – and it involves skipping a common step in her shower routine.

After the star of controversial new movie It Ends With Us launched her own haircare line earlier this month, she revealed that she doesn’t use conditioner, and instead applies a hair mask in its place.

Lively, 37, insisted to Vogue that she ‘doesn’t know anyone’ who uses conditioner in the entertainment industry, and customers will see that reflected in her new lineup of Blake Brown products, which doesn’t include any conditioner. 

‘People think of hair masks as more of a specialty product or a one-off treatment,’ the former Gossip Girl star recently told the outlet.

‘But I use it every single time like I use conditioner,’ she added.

Lively said that she doesn’t use conditioner, and instead uses a hair mask on her strands

The It Ends With Us actress recently released her own haircare line, Blake Brown, which doesn’t contain conditioner, only a hair mask

But while Lively claims that swapping conditioner for a hair mask is the ultimate key to her long, full locks, is it actually healthy for your tresses?

According to multiple hairstylists, using a hair mask every day isn’t exactly best practice. 

‘Using a mask in place of a conditioner is not necessarily healthy for your hair,’ Arizona-based hairstylist Melissa Gordon of Hainsworth & Company Salon told DailyMail.com.

The stylist broke things down even further by explaining that conditioner and hair masks are very similar products, masks being the thicker and ‘more fortifying’ version of conditioner.

Still, just because hair masks have these benefits doesn’t mean that it will translate into healthy strands.  

‘In fact if the mask is a reparative or protein enriched mask, it has the chance to overload your hair with protein, leaving it brittle and at-risk,’ Gordon continued, noting that masks can be very ‘thick and heavy,’ something that’s not always ideal for different hair types. 

‘Using a quality conditioner as a regular staple in your shower is absolutely essential to the health of your hair,’ Gordon said. 

Gina Rivera, hair artist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, echoed Gordon’s sentiments to DailyMail.com, explaining that having too much moisture in your hair can actually make your stands drier.

FEMAIL consulted hairstylists Melissa Gordon (left) and Gina Rivera (right) to find out whether or not using a hair mask instead of conditioner is healthy for your strands

‘Using a mask in place of a conditioner is not necessarily healthy for your hair,’ Gordon explained to DailyMail.com of Lively’s method

Lively, seen in 2008 in Brooklyn during her Gossip Girl days, has always been fawned over for her luscious blonde locks

‘Too much of anything can have an adverse effect on the hair,’ Rivera said. ‘Your hair can only absorb so much, which can turn into product waste.

‘Daily conditioners are typically lighter and are great for finer hair that easily tangles.’

To figure out what’s right for you and your hair, she suggested consulting with your stylist to come up with a conditioning regimen. 

But while you might not want to swap a hair mask for your regular conditioner every day, it doesn’t mean that they’re not a good tool every once in a while – Gordon said that they can be ‘extremely beneficial’ when used correctly. 

They can reduce breakage in color-treated hair, make your hair look shinier due to a smoother cuticle, and even prevent some frizz, according to Courtney Gerics, senior hair colorist at LRN Beauty in New York City.  

The amount of times per week or month that you will want to apply a hair mask on your tresses will depend on your hair type. 

‘For example, someone who has curly or coarse hair has less moisture naturally than someone with fine hair, therefore they would definitely benefit from using a mask more often,’ Gerics told DailyMail.com. 

‘If you have fine hair and use a mask regularly your hair may become oily and greasy,’ she suggested. 

Rivera said that having too much moisture in your hair can actually make your stands drier (stock image)

Lively, above with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, told Vogue that she ‘doesn’t know anyone’ who uses conditioner in the entertainment industry

Blake rose to fame starring on the hit show Gossip Girl from 2007 to 2012. She went on to star in films like The Town (2010), Green Lantern (2011), and The Shallows (2016); seen in 2014

‘If you have fine curls, a mask used too often may make your hair feel weighed down.’

At her salon, Gordon recommends her clients use a hair mask once or twice per month.  

Once you find the right mask for your hair type, there are some pointers you can use to ensure your strands are reaping all of the benefits, too. 

Gerics suggests combing your hair with a wide-tooth comb while the product is still on, in order to evenly distribute the mask on every last lock.

Expert Courtney Gerics also weighed in on the debate

She likes to use the $46 Comb No. 002 by viral brand Crown Affair, which can also help to detangle your hair if its curly. 

When you’re ready to rinse it out, Gerics stressed that you should always use cold water to do so, as it will ‘close the cuticle,’ making your hair look extremely shiny and reduce frizz in the process. 

You can use the same comb to brush your freshly-rinsed hair out, or use a Wet Brush.

Finally, before you start styling, it’s important to apply a primer to your hair, especially if it’s color or keratin treated.

The senior hair stylist recommends the $32 Smoothing Cream from brand AIIR. 

‘It helps lock in moisture from the mask and will protect your hair from any heat styling,’ Gerics said. 

So, if you’re still tempted to bite the bullet on Blake Lively’s new haircare line, just be sure you have a conditioner to go hand-in-hand with their shampoo – and save the hair mask for a special occasion.