The Best Hair Masks
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I put my hair through the wringer on a regular basis. Naturally, it’s honey-colored, but every few months I bleach it to death and coat it in neon-pink hair dye. I wear it up too often. I pelt it with styling products. I rinse it in hard water and subject it to all sorts of environmental torment. I’m no stranger to hair treatments, and I’ve spent the last few months testing them out to find the very best options on the internet.
A hair mask is basically a more intensive version of your typical daily conditioner. If you wash your hair frequently, conditioner will probably get the job done. But if you’re like me and you wash twice per week, a heavy-duty hair mask can help replenish moisture and nutrients more intensively than a lighter-weight conditioner. Hair masks can also come in handy if your hair is going through a tough time (like in drier winter months or post-lightening), or if you want specifically targeted treatments (like bond repair or toning). Depending on your age, you might remember seeing magazine articles calling for a homemade hair mask that had some version of egg whites, honey, avocado, mayonnaise, or olive oil. These masks below will get you targeted treatments for shine or moisture without using up all your sandwich ingredients.
Somewhat confusingly, hair masks and deep conditioners are not necessarily the same thing, though they are closely related. A deep conditioner is a hair mask, but a hair mask is not necessarily a deep conditioner. And their effectiveness will vary based on how often you wash, how long you use them for, your hair type, and any color treatments or processes your hair has gone through. If your hair is dry or curly, look for keywords like “hydrating” or “moisture repleneshing.” If your hair is very fine, look for keywords like “lightweight” or “daily use.” These can help clue you in on what might be best—as can the recommendations below.
Be sure to check out our related buying guides, including the Best Diffusers for Curly Hair, the Best Hair Straighteners, and the Best Dry Shampoos.
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How We Tested and What’s Up Next
I followed the instructions on each mask exactly, and if a range of instructions was offered (such as letting the mask sit for a range of time, or using it under a plastic cap for better absorption), I tested each method. I used each mask at least three times over the course of at least one week. I didn’t follow the masks with conditioner unless instructed to or specifically noted otherwise. We have several more masks to test, including protein masks, toning masks, bond repair systems, and more, so stay tuned for updates.
More About Our Hair
I have thick, long, curly, mixed-race hair ranging from curl type 2A to 3A. It’s low-porosity and usually dry and damaged. I have hard water in my home, and I very rarely heat-style it.
Editor Kat Merck has thick, long, dark hair that she heat-straightens on a daily basis.
Common Ingredients, Keywords, and Terms
You might see some or all of these words buzzing around the hair mask scene. Here’s a bit of insight into what they mean.
Sulfates: Sulfates are cleansing agents that are usually found in shampoos and conditioners. They can be drying if used too much, so if you have dry hair, you might want to avoid them.
Color-safe: Color-safe isn’t a regulated term, but it usually indicates that a product is free of intensive cleansing agents that might fade your hair. I’ve had some color-safe products strip my hair color and others that didn’t pull any pigment out. If you have colored hair, I recommend doing a patch test on a small section near the back of your head before slathering a product all over it.
Alcohols: Short-chain alcohols like propanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol evaporate quickly, which can make your hair dry out. Fatty alcohols like stearyl alcohol can actually moisturize the hair. Not all alcohols are created equally. A product being alcohol-free doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be more moisturizing.
Silicones: Silicones coat the hair shaft to make it smoother and shinier. But if they aren’t water-soluble, they can build up over time, leading to duller and drier hair. Ultimately, whether you use silicones comes down to personal preference. I try to avoid them, but I also use a deep-cleansing shampoo once a month or so that’s full of sulfates to “reset” my hair and get rid of any lingering buildup from any of the products that I use.
Active ingredients: Most masks list their “active ingredients” (and I’ve broken key ingredients down further in the non-exhaustive lists in the tables under my recommendations). These can be things like oils, butters, plant extracts, and keratin. Certain ingredients do not promise certain results. For example, my hair loves some products with shea butter and really hates it in other products. Ingredients can give you an idea of what the mask is trying to achieve, but the best way of figuring it out is just to try it. It can also be helpful to look at reviews from other people with hair types similar to yours.
A Note on Protein
Many hair masks contain hydrolyzed protein for strength and elasticity, including some of our picks below. Scientifically, there’s no evidence behind “protein overload,” but sometimes people using protein-rich products report experiencing dullness, limpness, and brittleness that has become associated with using too much protein in your hair care. The good folks at the Haircare Science subreddit have a few theories here, including that proteins don’t stick to hair very well (so protein-heavy products may be less conditioning). Other people theorize that ”protein overload” is actually just product buildup. In any case, if you’re using a protein-rich product and you’re not happy with your hair, you might just need to follow it with a more intensive conditioning treatment. It’s not that the protein is bad, it’s that the rest of the product isn’t good enough. And as anyone with hair knows, sometimes nailing the right routine can be trial and error. I usually follow protein-rich treatments with a treatment that doesn’t contain protein because my hair gets buildup easily. Don’t be afraid of using protein!
Best-Smelling
I adore Sol de Janeiro’s perfume sprays, which smell like sun-drenched summer days. So it makes sense that I absolutely love the sweet smell of this 8-ounce hair repair treatment. It has notes of pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine, vanilla, salted caramel, and sandalwood. It reminds me of the beach in the middle of July—a little tanning oil, a little fruity drink, a little sun-warmed botanical garden. It smells straight-up edible (it is not edible). It’s color-safe, sulfate-free, and paraben-free. The strong fragrance lasts for two days on my hair, and I spent the whole testing period waving my locks around like a model in a ’90s shampoo commercial just to bask in the glory.
The mask has cupuaçu, murumuru, and tucumã butters that originate from Brazilian trees. These plant butters help to lock in moisture and nourish your hair. My hair was a bit softer after using the mask, but ultimately the product didn’t leave it feeling particularly amazing or deep-conditioned. It did cut back on some frizz and flyaways. However, I have previously used this product in the summer in humid environments, and it worked wonders for me then. If you’re seeking everyday moisture, if you have thinner or finer hair, or if you aren’t in a very dry or cold environment, this could likely work well year-round. I also appreciate the packaging of this hair mask. The tub has a textured ring that makes it easier to grip to twist the lid off while you’re in the shower. And the inner plastic lid has a tab for easy removal if you choose to leave it on to prevent water getting inside like I do.
Scent Notes Pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine, vanilla, salted caramel, and sandalwood Active Ingredients Cupuaçu, murumuru, and tucumã butters (for hydration, nourishment, and breakage resistance). Shea butter, açaí, brazil nut oil, and coconut oil (for hydration and shine). Keratin (a protein to smooth the hair). Purported Claims Mends split ends. Hair feels more moisturized. Hair is noticeably smoother. I think it did a good job at all of these, though I wouldn’t say the moisture levels were dramatic at all. Leave-in Time 10 minutes minimum Color-Safe? Yes Best for Most Hair Types
This 8-ounce vegan deep-conditioning mask left my hair noticeably softer in the cruel Illinois winters. It’s heavy enough that it works well, creating a lot of slip in the shower for detangling and leaving my hair moisturized after rinsing, but it’s not so heavy that it weighs down my curls. It smells like a salon product—fresh and clean but not necessarily sweet. The formula is free from parabens, silicones, and pthalates. I noticed less breakage, and my hair felt stronger, without veering into the crunchy dull territory that comes with using too much protein (the mask does contain some protein).
After a while, it reaches its full saturation—by the fourth use, I noticed that it wasn’t improving the condition of my hair anymore. I think using it every other week would lead to favorable results and also make the product last you a big longer. I also think it would be even more moisturizing for people with smoother, finer, or thinner hair than I have.
Scent Notes Clean soap, white musk, floral woods Active Ingredients Rosehip oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, sandalwood oil, and almond oil (for hydration and frizz reduction). Algae extract (nourishing and strengthening). Biotin (for enhanced shine). Hydrolyzed protein (for strength). Purported Claims Reduces hair breakage, strengthens hair, and moisturizes. It did all of these things. Leave-in Time 10 minutes minimum Color-Safe? Yes
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Best for Curly Hair
My dry, curly hair loves this 16-ounce mask from The Doux. The mask contains honey and aloe, lending it a slippery texture that’s great for detangling. I used this mask once for 15 minutes, once for 30 minutes with a plastic cap, and once for 30 minutes with a hair steamer from Pattern ($169). All three times I was left with intensely moisturized, slippery-smooth hair—a texture that I find very difficult to achieve. I definitely noticed improved absorption when leaving it on longer and pairing it with a steamer or plastic cap. My curls were bouncier, shinier, and more defined. I could run my fingers through them—again, something that is impossible under normal circumstances.
The fragrance smells sweet but not cloying—it reminds me of honey and sugar cookies mixed with Play-Doh, which I find appealing. The mask has lots of slip and clings to my hair while processing. It might be a little too heavy for people with very fine hair, or people who don’t have dry hair. But of all the masks I’ve tried so far, this is the one I’ll personally repurchase.
Scent Notes Ooey, gooey honey. Active Ingredients Honey (for frizz reduction, shine, and moisture). Aloe (for hydration, damage repair, and strength). Keratin and silk amino acids (for strength and smoothness). Purported Claims Restores condition of hair and scalp. Hydrates, improves texture, reduces friction, and prevents breakage. I think it did all of these things. Leave-in Time 15 minutes minimum Color-Safe? Yes (though the company says “color-safe doesn’t mean bulletproof,” which is true for all hair products) Best for Fine Hair
I’ve tried a few products from Amika, and I generally like the brand. The 8-ounce Soulfood Nourishing Mask wasn’t the best for my hair type. I could tell that it was trying its best, but ultimately it didn’t give me the moisture levels that my damaged curly hair craved. It did help with my split ends, frizz levels, and shine levels, and it left my hair softer—it just wasn’t moisturizing enough for me personally.
However, I have a friend with straight hair who raves about this hair mask, as do many people on the internet. The formula contains jojoba seed oil and sea buckthorn, which are full of fatty acids and vitamins. If you don’t need intensive moisture, or you find typical moisturizing masks to be too heavy for your locks, this one is absolutely worth trying. And it smells amazing—like a floral orange and grapefruit.
Scent Notes Vanilla, sandalwood, orchid, rose, orange, grapefruit Active Ingredients Jojoba seed oil (for hydration and nutrition), sea buckthorn (for elasticity and hydration); Amika has an excellent ingredient explainer worth checking out Purported Claims Hair is more manageable. Hair feels and looks softer, silkier, and more hydrated. It did do all of these things. Leave-in Time 5 minutes minimum Color-Safe? Yes
Best Damage Treatment
SpoiledChild products have a few things in common. They all come in futuristic capsule packaging, wrapped in fogged plastic and looking like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. They all address something very specific. They’re all expensive. And they all work (at least, the ones I’ve tried). I love the eye cream and the skin serums, and I also love this mask. It’s hard to describe the way the M26 damage reverser worked its magic on my hair. It’s really expensive at $45 for just 3 ounces. The brand says you can get “up to 10 uses” out of it, but I think that’s probably only true if you have fine hair and a pixie haircut.
A little does go a long way—the brand recommends using a quarter-sized dollop—but I have a freakish amount of hair, so I used this mask as a treatment before conditioning. And my hair started repairing itself from the inside out. At first I didn’t really notice a difference—sure, my hair was softer and shinier, but I’d also used the M26 mask with conditioner afterward. And then I noticed how much less my hair was breaking and shedding. How much faster it dried. How my curl pattern was holding itself without needing to be coaxed. It almost feels like this mask acts as a shield against future damage while slowly negating the damage I already have. And every time I use it, my hair feels stronger, shinier, and softer. The effects have been exponential in my experience. The formula contains collagen, keratin, argan oil, avocado oil, and camellia oil. And the fragrance is fantastic—it smells expensive, which makes sense given the price. Like a centerpiece bouquet or the inside of a very girly safe. If you’re desperate to repair your hair, I highly recommend it. Just maybe not on its own.
Scent Notes None listed, but it smells great. Like a high-end salon product. Floral, woody, fruity. Active Ingredients Collagen (for moisture and damage repair). Keratin (for frizz reduction and smoothness). Argan oil (for shine and moisture). Avocado and camellia oil (for breakage prevention, hydration, shine, and damage reduction). Purported Claims Visible improvement, including softer, smoother, and shinier hair after first use. Stronger, less breakage-prone hair after four weeks. Results without hair being weighed down. I think it lived up to these claims over my two-week course of testing it. Leave-in Time 10 minutes minimum Color-Safe? Yes Best for Shine
Balmain is probably best known for its hair accessories (like claw clips) and hair perfume. But this 6.7-ounce mask deserves more attention. It smells like a luxurious salon experience, with notes of woods, florals, fruits, and spices, and the formula contains argan oil, a wide array of vitamins, and cashmere protein. It smells a little soft and cozy, and a little wild and floral. The scent is very elegant. The formula is free of parabens and sulfates. I didn’t notice anything particularly amazing about the moisture levels it left behind—my hair was definitely softer and silkier, but not drastically more than from the other great masks I’ve tried.
What really stood out was the shine. I find it very difficult to get my coarse curls shiny, and this formula left my hair more lustrous than any others. It had an almost pearlescent quality to it that lasted for a few days. If your primary hair concern is dullness, this mask might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Scent Notes Woods, florals, fruits, spices. Active Ingredients Argan oil (for moisture and damage repair). Vitamins E, F, and P (for damage repair and prevention). Cashmere protein (for strength). Melanin and wasabi (combined to a formula called AC Colorplex) for UV protection and color retention. Purported Claims Replenishes, moisturizes, and reinforces the hair. Restores elasticity and sheen. I didn’t notice a ton of moisture, but I definitely noticed improved shine and manageability. Leave-in Time 5 minutes minimum Color-Safe? Yes
Best for Breakage Prevention
This mask from Pattern was formerly known as the Transition Mask, and it was designed to help people transitioning from protective styles to their natural hair. It’s been rebranded as the Breakage Barrier mask. I don’t usually wear my hair in protective styles, so I can’t speak to the effectiveness of that. But I can absolutely attest to the breakage prevention of this mask. The formula is infused with honey and white tea, both of which retain moisture. It’s free from parabens, silicones, and phthalates.
The mask feels super slippery, almost like you’re applying a lacquer to your head. I used it once on its own and once with the Pattern Steamer. After you let it sit, you rinse it and follow it up with shampoo and conditioner. Every time I used it, it immediately made my hair feel stronger, less brittle, and more manageable. I noticed less shedding and breakage when brush-styling after a wash. My hair was shinier, stronger, and smoother. I liked it on its own but highly recommend using it in conjunction with a steamer if your primary hair concern is breakage.
Scent Notes None specifically listed. Smells herbal, green, and sweet, like tea and honey—but not too food-like. Active Ingredients White tea (to reduce shedding). Manuka honey (to prevent damage, prevent breakage, and maintain moisture balance). Purported Claims Reduces breakage. Offers balanced moisture. It did both of these things. Leave-in Time 10 minutes minimum Color-Safe? Yes
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More Masks We Tried
FoxyBae Sunlit Silk Instant Shine Mask for $15: Infused with biotin, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and red raspberry seed oil, this translucent, slightly viscous amber liquid purportedly seals the hair cuticle for a smooth and silky result. Leave-in time is only one minute, but I can truly feel a difference in the softness of my hair when I use this. However, I didn’t notice any real increase in shine, and the scent strikes me as vaguely medicinal. The bottle is also fairly small at 4 ounces. —Kat Merck
R+Co On a Cloud Baobab Oil Repair Masque for $44: I tried this 5-ounce mask twice—once for the recommended five minutes and once for the “deep repair” 10. Senior commerce editor Kat Merck also tried it a couple of times. We both agreed that the mask smells pleasant and leaves hair relatively moisturized without being too heavy. I used it immediately after bleaching and dying my hair, and I was surprised that it didn’t feel weighed down. But it also didn’t feel super-hydrated. The formula does have protein, which will lend strength to stressed hair, and it might be a good option if you’re seeking balanced moisture without going over the top.
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FoxyBae Insta-Bae 3-Minute Hair Mask for $17: The consistency of thick conditioner, this white cream in a 7-ounce tub contains a proprietary blend of 12 moisturizers and vitamins (monoi oil, shea butter, argan oil, and baobab extract, among others). It’s got the same slightly medicinal scent as the Sunlit Silk mask, which isn’t my favorite, and I didn’t have particularly noticeable results. —Kat Merck
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L'Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Hair Mask for $50: This unique chelating mask is part of a larger treatment regimen that includes a sulfate-free shampoo ($45) and heat protectant oil ($36), both of which I tried and also liked (though the heat protectant oil, which I tested for my guide to heat protectants, is extremely heavy). The whole Metal Detox line is designed to reduce breakage and preserve hair color by removing metal particles, which can accumulate on hair fibers through diet and hard water. I didn’t notice a ton of difference after several uses of this thick cream mask, which requires leaving on towel-dried hair for one minute before rinsing out, but I imagine the benefits will come over a longer use period. (Which will be easy to complete, as the tub contains a generous 8.5 ounces.) —Kat Merck
