Viral Japanese Hair Masks Fino vs Tsubaki ー Which One Should You Buy?

Japanese hair care has been becoming quite popular globally in the past couple of years. With products such as the Fino Hair Mask and Tsubaki Hair Mask going viral on social media platforms like TikTok. Which of the two Japanese hair masks is better though? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the viral Fino hair mask and Tsubaki hair mask so that you can determine which one will suit your hair best. 

What Is The Fino Hair Mask?

The Fino Hair Mask is one of the most popular hair masks in Japan made by Shiseido, and its popularity has surged over the past year due to positive reviews on TikTok. This hair mask repairs damaged hair, restoring its energy, strength, smoothness, and elasticity, while also providing a glossy look that helps retain hair color for longer. 

Ingredients In The Fino Hair Mask

Fino contains ingredients like sorbitol, dimethicone, squalane, and royal jelly extract, among others, to strengthen and smooth hair strands while providing intense shine. But what exactly does each of these ingredients do for the hair? 

• Sorbitol – a sugar alcohol commonly used in hair products for its moisturizing properties. It helps the hair strands maintain hydration while reducing dryness and brittleness.
• Dimethicone – a type of silicone that’s known for its conditioning and protection properties. It also provides the hair with plenty of shine. (Don’t let the word silicone scare you!)
• Squalane – another super moisturizing agent commonly used in hair care. It’s also lightweight and non-greasy. 
• Royal Jelly Extract – a protein-packed substance produced by honeybees known to nourish and strengthen hair strands. This may be one of the more notable ingredients included in Fino’s formulation.

What Is The Tsubaki Hair Mask?

The Tsubaki Hair Mask is another super popular Japanese hair mask also made by Shiseido but under the Tsubaki line, but it’s different from Fino. As the name suggests, the Tsubaki mask is focused on the ingredient tsubaki oil or camellia oil which is known for its beauty and hair benefits. The Tsubaki mask is intended to moisturize and smooth hair follicles instantly. It also has an enchanting floral and honey-like scent.

Ingredients In The Tsubaki Hair Mask

Tsubaki contains ingredients like lauryltrimonium chloride, long-lasting hyaluronic acid, tsubaki oil, and glycerin to relieve frizz and make hair styling easier. Let’s look at each of these ingredients below. 

• Lauryltrimonium chloride – helps to condition the hair by providing a smooth, silky feel. It’s commonly used in hair products as a conditioning agent.
• Hyaluronic acid – just as it does for the skin, hyaluronic acid also moisturizes the hair. In addition to its moisturizing properties, hyaluronic acid also improves the elasticity of the hair strands and aids in providing volume.  
• Tsubaki oil – a lightweight oil that moisturizes and adds shine to hair. Since it is so lightweight, it also aids in smoothing down the hair shaft, preventing frizz. 
• Glycerin – provides hydration to the hair strands, prevents breakage, and controls frizz. 

Who Is Fino Hair Mask Good For?

The Fino Hair Mask is thought to be designed for individuals with dry or damaged hair caused by harsh weather, UV rays, or treatments such as coloring, highlights, or perms. One notable thing to mention is that it does contain many protein-based ingredients which may not be as suitable for those with low porosity hair. 

Who Is Tsubaki Hair Mask Good For?

Tsubaki, on the other hand, contains less protein than the Fino mask, so it may be more suitable for those with low porosity hair. Those with finer and/or frizzier hair strands may also find the Tsubaki mask to be more suitable for them. Due to the addition of glycerin, Tsubaki may also be more suitable for those with curly hair as glycerin helps to enhance curl definition. 

How To Use Fino & Tsubaki Hair Masks?

So how do you use these Japanese hair masks most effectively? When it comes to Fino, we have a whole article dedicated to how to use it, but we’ll briefly summarize the steps below.

Fino

1. Lightly towel dry hair after shampooing.
2. Apply 2 teaspoons of Fino Hair Mask to damaged areas (adjust the amount based on hair length). Do NOT apply the mask to the scalp.
3. Leave the mask in for 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
4. Follow up with hair oil for added shine.

Note: some people have noted that mixing the Fino mask with a couple of pumps of the Fino hair oil and then applying it to their hair was also extremely effective.

Tsubaki

1. Shampoo and condition your hair like you normally would. 
2. Wring excess water from your hair, and apply 2 teaspoons from the mid-to-ends of your hair (adjust amount to your hair length). Do NOT apply the mask to the scalp. 
3. Rinse the mask immediately. Blow dry and style your hair as you normally would. Recommended to use in conjunction with other Tsubaki products.

If your hair is on the more damaged side, you could also try applying the Fino or Tsubaki masks to dry hair 30 minutes to one hour before showering and then washing/conditioning your hair as you normally would. 

How Often To Use Fino & Tsubaki Hair Masks?

While many Japanese hair products are designed for daily use, it is recommended to use hair masks such as Fino and Tsubaki only once or twice a week. This is because these hair masks are packed with beauty ingredients that, with overuse, may weigh down the hair. Think of these masks as a special treatment to use in addition to your regular hair care routine, but less frequently.

Where To Buy Viral Japanese Hair Masks?

You can find both the Fino & Tsubaki hair masks on the Japanese Taste website. We also offer the Fino mask in a 3-pack option. Looking for more Japanese hair mask recommendations? Be sure to check out this article. 

Are you team Fino or team Tsubaki? Let us know in the comments below.