Hairdresser-colorist Oksana Koroleva told how masks, balms and conditioners differ from each other, and in which case which tool is more appropriate.
The expert notes that often clients do not understand the differences between the above mentioned means and often use them for other purposes. As a result, instead of the expected effect, they only make their hair worse.
“Hair mask is a product that has the maximum concentration of ingredients put in by the manufacturer and the least amount of water, which gives the maximum consistency density. Also, masks have the lowest content of silicones, for this reason they give less shine to the hair, but nourish them more. That is why the mask needs to be “closed” on top with air conditioning,” the specialist explains.
The balm differs from the mask primarily in its consistency, it contains about 20-30% more water. Therefore, they are more liquid and less thick. That is, in fact, it is a less concentrated mask. At the same time, the properties of these products are very similar.
Due to the lower concentration of care components in the composition of balms, they can be used more often than masks without fear of oversaturation and weighting of the hair.
Air conditioner is the easiest tool of the list. Its main task is film formation over the hair. The conditioners contain a lot of silicones and a minimum of care and nutrition products.
Due to the low ph level, the conditioners close the cuticle scales and make the hair smooth. The effect obtained from their use is more superficial, visual. 
Oksana Koroleva Beauty Hairdresser-colorist, technologist