This post contains affiliate links.
I’ve been testing the Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask for a while now, and here’s my honest experience using it on dry, thick, frizzy hair.
Because my hair tends to feel rough and dehydrated — especially after heat styling. I’m always on the lookout for a mask that delivers real moisture without making my hair feel heavy or greasy. Amika Soulfood has been everywhere, so I decided to use it consistently and see how it actually performs.
How I Used the Amika Soulfood Mask
After shampooing, I applied a generous amount to damp hair and left it on for 15 minutes. The texture feels thick and rich when you scoop it out, but surprisingly lightweight once applied. It spreads easily and provides good slip, which made detangling much easier.
One thing that helped was warming the product slightly between my palms before applying. It seemed to help the oils distribute more evenly through my hair.
After the treatment, I rinsed with lukewarm water and blow-dried my hair.
How My Hair Felt After Rinsing
I followed this same routine for 2–3 washes.
Each time, my hair felt extremely soft after rinsing, almost to the point where it felt limp at the roots. For someone with fine or easily weighed-down hair, this could be an issue. My hair is thick, so I personally didn’t mind the flatter finish.
On my next wash, I reduced the leave-in time to 10 minutes, and that made a difference. My hair still felt soft and smooth, but with slightly better balance at the roots..
Results Over Time (Day 1–3)
Day 1: My hair feels soft and hydrated.
Day 2: I can still feel the softness and hydration. My hair is flat at the roots but silky overall.
Day 3: This is when the smoothness starts to fade.
For me, the hydration from this mask lasts about two days, with day three being the cutoff.
Using Amika Soulfood as a Conditioner
Because I didn’t find this mask deeply repairing, I started using it more like a regular conditioner.
I now leave it on for about 5 minutes instead of using it as a full deep treatment. Used this way, it works really well. It softens the hair without weighing it down and feels more suited for surface hydration rather than intensive repair.
Amika Soulfood vs. K18 Hair Mask
For coarse, thick, dry, frizzy hair like mine, Amika Soulfood is genuinely hydrating, just not long-lasting.
I was previously using K18, and while I wanted to take a break from it due to concerns about potential protein overload, the hydration and strength from K18 definitely lasted longer on my hair.
The difference comes down to how the products work:
- Amika Soulfood relies on ingredients like sea buckthorn berry, jojoba oil, and vitamins, which are excellent for moisture and surface softness.
- K18 uses a bioactive peptide that penetrates the hair cortex and focuses on bond repair, which explains why the results feel more durable.
If your main concern is repairing damaged or chemically treated hair, Amika is not a replacement for K18. It’s better suited for improving softness, manageability, and frizz on a surface level.
Who This Mask Is (and Isn’t) For
Works best for:
Thick, coarse, or frizz-prone hair
Hair that needs softness and manageability
Anyone looking for a lighter, non-repair mask
Not ideal for:
Severely damaged or breaking hair
Anyone looking for long-term bond repair
Fine hair that gets weighed down easily
Tips for Maximum Effect
- Warm the mask slightly before applying for better absorption.
- Focus on mid-lengths to ends, where hair tends to be driest.
- Use a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the product and detangle.
Amika Soulfood is a softening and smoothing mask, not a repair treatment. It makes hair feel great immediately after washing, but the results don’t last beyond a couple of days. If you’re looking for instant softness and frizz control, it’s a solid option but if your priority is repairing damage, you’re better off with something like K18.
If you’re curious to check it out, I’ve linked it here.
This post contains affiliate links.
