If you’re looking to get the best hair of your life, there’s one product you should be sure to include in your routine: a hair mask. Anyone can use a hair mask—it doesn’t matter what texture your hair is or how much damage it has. In fact, hair masks are essential for getting healthy, bouncy, and soft hair. Think of a hair mask as a DIY spa treatment for your hair.
Hair masks get a bad rap for being super thick. “When people hear ‘hair mask,’ the general conception is of a heavy and deep conditioning product,” says Fekkai SoHo colorist Lorik Rockefeller. “[Because of] that, a lot of people, especially the ones with finer hair, tend to avoid them.” But hair masks come in all different consistencies for all different hair textures and densities.
Using a hair mask helps you maintain your haircut a bit longer, ward off split ends, and repair and prevent damage. Whether you want to improve the health of your hair or give your strands some major TLC, there’s a hair mask out there for every hair type, texture, concern, and price point.
I spoke with stylists and Who What Wear beauty editors to find the best hair masks. Keep reading to find the hair mask that’s right for you.
Who What Wear associate editor Shawna Hudson swears by this mask to keep her hair healthy. “This mask is so great for thick, curly hair,” she says. “It’s hard to find a deep conditioning mask that actually keeps my hair hydrated, but this one really does, and it makes my hair look so healthy.” Pros: Hydrating, sulfate-free, good for all hair types. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps. Customer review: “My hair was on the verge of falling out from bleach, but this mask helped me grow out my hair and rehydrate all of my fried-off hair.”
WWW beauty director Erin Jahns regularly uses Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector to keep her strands healthy. “It’s been my saving grace ever since I started bleaching my hair, and I swear it’s the reason I only lose about three strands when I carefully comb through my fragile blonde strands,” she says. “That said, it’s great for every hair texture and every level of damage. It’s one of those products anyone with hair on their head needs in their arsenal.” Pros: Hydrating, repairing, good for all hair types. Cons: Can only use on damp hair. Customer review: “No. 3 is number one in my heart. I use it once a week (or twice after a recent hair dye), and my hair is so happy with the results. I’ve had stronger strands and thicker roots since the first month of use. Worth every penny.”
This mask is perfect for anyone with finer strands. “I have fine hair that tangles easily and is super prone to split ends,” says associate beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. “It drives me crazy, and keeping it soft and moisturized feels like a full-time job. This mask is like an IV drip of hydration for my thirsty strands. Each time I use it, my hair is instantly revived.” Pros: Hydrating, helps frizz, good for all hair types. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps. Customer review: “I have fine but curly hair that I highlight blonde. My ends are very dry, frizzy, and porous. This made my hair soft and hydrated but not weighed down. I enjoy the light scent. It’s kind of on the vanilla side but not overpowering.”
“The Fekkai Super Strength+ Repair Mask is one of the most amazing hair masks out there for everyone,” says Rockefeller. “It has three functions in one: bonding, repairing, and protecting the hair while leaving it feeling and looking healthy.” According to Rockefeller, vitamin-rich jojoba and coconut oil help prevent hair breakage and strengthen the hair shaft. “The consistency of the product is incredibly smooth and is easily distributed,” Rockefeller says. “I recommend this mask to all my clients as it works for all hair types. It is extremely effective for chemically treated hair, in particular, including bleached and colored hair and hair that’s been damaged from too much sun exposure or hard water. Many clients have told me they believe it’s helping combat frizz as well!” Pros: Hydrating, bond-building, good for all hair types. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps. Customer review: “I applied to damp hair, placed my hair in a low bun, and left it on for several hours before showering and washing my hair out. This mask left my hair feeling so silky, thick, and strong after just one treatment.”
This mask is a triple-whammy for moisture, shine, and protecting hair from further damage. “Anyone looking to restore elasticity and shine back into their hair needs to try this,” says celebrity hairstylist M.J. Snyder. “It’s a super hydrating formula that’s amazing for all curly hair textures or anyone looking to repair color-treated hair that needs a little TLC. I recommend it for all hair types because we all can use extra hydration, repair, and shine.” Pros: Repairing, bond-building, adds protection. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps, heavy consistency. Customer review: “Great conditioning mask! I leave it in for 10 minutes a few days a week, and my hair is frizz-free and manageable.”
“Two of the most common hair problems are dryness and breakage,” says trichologist and hairstylist Shaniqua Garcia. “The combination of increased sun exposure, heat, and humidity can wreak havoc on our hair, leading to these frustrating conditions. To combat these woes, incorporating a hair mask like Originals by Africa’s Best Olive and Shea Deep Conditioner Masque into your routine can provide extra nourishment and protection against dryness.” Pros: Budget-friendly, hydrating. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps. Customer review: “I have a head full of very tight curls. When I deep condition with this product, it makes my hair soft and manageable.”
This hair mask is the perfect solution for seriously dried-out hair with split ends and breakage. With babassu oil to moisturize, shea oil to nourish, and moringa oil to strengthen, this mask has it all. “The Hair Rituel by Sisley Restructuring Nourishing Balm is actual magic,” Jahns says. Pros: Moisturizes, strengthens, smooths. Cons: Pricey. Customer review: “I have very delicate strands. I have a lot of hair, but it is very fine and long. I like that this goes on dry hair before washing and gets rinsed out. It works very well—I trust it over all other hair masks, and my locks stay looking long and healthy. It is expensive but worth it.”
If you’re looking for a mask that can penetrate deep into the hair’s cuticle, this mask is your new best friend. “[This] is a great option if you struggle with very dry, damaged, or overworked hair,” says pro stylist and Director of Artist Education of Blo Blow Dry Bar, Becca Nilsson. “Its protein-based formula helps to resurface rough and dry cuticles.” Pros: Repairing, bond-building, adds protection. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps. Customer review: “Love this. I had very damaged hair from heat and bleaching. I took a color break and did many hair masks…this one is the best.”
This is one of my favorite hair masks of all time. I have super thick hair and love using masks that help nourish it without weighing it down. This mask helps keep my hair super healthy thanks to ingredients like squalane and hemi-squalane, and camellia seed oil moisturizes hair without weighing it down. Pros: Moisturizes, strengthens, smooths. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps, and some dislike the tube packaging. Customer review: “I’m sad I didn’t find this product sooner. On the first wash after using it, my long hair had a beautiful shine and felt so moisturized. My new favorite. It smells very, very luxurious—like a very expensive perfume but not too overwhelming.”
If you want a serious boost of moisture, you can sub this mask in for your usual conditioner whenever you want. It works well on every hair type and has jojoba seed oil and sea buckthorn oil to nourish and strengthen hair. Pros: Moisturizes, strengthens. Cons: Scent may irritate sensitive scalps. Customer review: “A staple in my hair care routine, by far the best hair mask I’ve ever used. Leaves my hair so soft and shiny.”
If you color your hair, chances are this product will be your new best friend. Having a mask that can overcorrect any unwanted tones in your hair that pop up is key to extending the life of your color. This one comes in five different shades that work across most hair colors. Pros: Moisturizes, evens, and tones hair color. Cons: Best for color-treated hair. Customer review: “I’m very pleased with the results. I have hair that is fine and on the thinner side. This masque has made my hair thicker, has helped the color last longer, and my hair is more manageable, too.”
This leave-in mask works like a miracle for repairing hair damage. It’s clinically proven to reverse damage in four minutes, thanks to bond-building peptide technology that deeply penetrates the hair shaft. Pros: Moisturizes, repairs. Cons: Should be used sparingly rather than in place of conditioner every wash. Customer review: “This product works. I use this on my baby-fine, dry, curly hair. I do not wear my hair curly. I blow-dry and style after every wash. I have noticed a big difference after using this treatment.”
