We put our hair through a lot. Heat from styling tools, product buildup and the weather can stress out your strands but you can always count on a fortifying hair mask to nourish, repair and restore vibrancy and leave you with a salon-worthy swish. Whatever your concern, here’s our roundup of the best hair masks for dry hair, damaged hair, bleached hair - you name it, there’s a mask that’ll save it.
A: A hair mask is a deep conditioning treatment intended to nourish and improve the health of your hair. Experience dryness, damage, frizz, and lack of shine? Hair masks hold numerous moisturising ingredients made with intensive care to help address concerns like these. Oils, Butters, hydrating hair mask agents and more, all help to restore and retain moisture in hair. For ultimate hair repair, reach for hair masks with Amino Acids, Proteins, and Vitamins. These get big ticks from us for strengthening the hair shaft, reducing hair breakage, and improving overall hair health.
If it's smoothness and shine you're after, hair masks can give you it. They coat your hair cuticle in goodness, preventing frizz, resulting in a more polished appearance. Some are formulated to protect and extend the life of colour-treated hair, and others can help with scalp issues like dryness or irritation.
A: Unsure how to apply hair masks? Start with clean, damp hair. Shampoo your hair as you normally would to ensure it's free of any styling products. Then gently towel-dry it to remove excess water so it's not dripping wet. For long, thick hair, you could divide it up into sections to apply the mask evenly, focusing on the lengths and ends. Gently massage the mask into your hair using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. This helps to detangle any knots and ensure you reach every strand.
If we can enhance the effectiveness of a hair mask, we will. You can too by covering your hair with a shower cap or warm towel. This is great for trapping heat, opening up the hair cuticle and allowing the mask to work more deeply. After leaving it on your hair for the recommended time, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Follow with conditioner for extra moisture and style as desired. More happy hair days? On the way!
A: Depending on the formula and product instructions, you might need to leave your hair mask on anywhere from three minutes to 30 minutes - sometimes even more! Adjust the leave-on time based on your hair's needs. If your hair’s especially dry or brittle, leave it on for as long as possible before rinsing out. You can even sleep in an overnight hair mask for intensive treatment and enjoy luscious locks when you wake. Just wrap a shower cap around your head and lock in with a microfibre towel to trap in heat while your hair mask works its magic. No product transfer to your bedding, either. Win, win. Trust us when we say you’ll get even more impressive results.
A: How many times you should use a hair mask depends on your hair's condition, the type of mask you're using, and your unique hair care routine. If you're one of the lucky ones who doesn't require intense hair repair, use a hair mask as needed. Or stick to a good maintenance schedule and use one every two weeks.
Even if you think your hair is in healthy condition, it’s a good idea to use a mask weekly to keep your strands hydrated and protected. If your hair’s coarse, curly, long or thick, you might want to apply up to twice weekly as your lengths crave even more moisture.
If too much heat styling, chemical treatments, or exposure to environmental stressors affects your hair's health, you might notice increased dryness or damage. Try using a hair mask more often for a period until you see improvement. You might have to be patient to see results, and this could lead to product build-up. But neglecting to use a hair mask regularly may not provide your ultimate hair goals. See how your hair responds. It might just change your life.
By Sephora UK Haircare Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 4 December 2023
Elasticizer
Working wonders on even the most frazzled strands, the iconic Philip Kingsley Elasticizer treatment offers salon-worthy results, racking up countless awards and die-hard fans for good reason. Originally formulated in 1974 for Audrey Hepburn to remedy her over-styled locks without weighing her hair down, it’s packed with hydrating Castor Oil and Olive Oil, which work in tandem to reduce breakages while adding elasticity, bounce, shine and manageability. The world’s first pre-shampoo conditioning hair treatment, leave it on for as long as you can just once a week before washing.
Tried and tested: “After using this product is the only time my hair resembles anything remotely like Kate Middleton’s. It’s super bouncy without that weighed down, heavy feeling that using multiple styling products would leave. And, given that one is sold every two minutes, I’m certainly not alone in my opinion of how great it is.” - Marie Claire
Intense Hydrating Mask
Promising a big moisture hit, elasticity and shine in just seven minutes, Moroccanoil’s bestselling mask has an allegiance of fans. Brimming with the brand’s signature ingredient, Argan Oil, it’ll make your locks feel more silky and manageable after just one application. It’s an added bonus that it smells beautiful, too, and even comes in a useful travel size version. Our tip? For added shine and bounce, mix a teaspoon of Moroccanoil Treatment into the mask - you’ll thank us later.
Tried and tested: “I have very thick, very long, chemically-processed, textured hair - it’s dry and coarse, looks frizzy, with many flyaways. Fantastic results first try. Hair has been saved from my disaster of a decision to use harsh and very drying store-bought shampoo. I am genuinely impressed and haven't been this content with my hair in a while. Feels wonderfully hydrated and smoother than before.” - Miranda, Customer Review
Chris Appleton Money Masque
Renowned for his trail-blazing hair styles and the name behind many of JLo’s iconic hair looks, Chris Appleton’s Money Masque in collaboration with WOW is a haircare hero. Think of it as a primer for the hair. Loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients like Blue Sea Kale to repair damaged Keratin in hair, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Complex to strengthen the cuticle, and Sea Kelp Algae to hydrate and boost moisture levels, you can now create a weightless, big bouncy blow-dry finish and enjoy infinite shine in minutes.
Tried and tested: “My hair is fine and this doesn't make it lank or greasy afterwards. It smells amazing and makes my hair super shiny and feels moisturised.” - Georgie, Customer Review
Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
Say goodbye to weak, brittle and damaged hair with this cult hair mask. Infused with ingredients that help to dramatically reduce future breakages and split ends, we have strengthening Biotin, scalp-restoring Algae Extract and hydrating Rosehip, Sweet Almond and Avocado Oils to thank for such dramatic results. Suitable for all hair types (including fine hair), it’s Sulphate and Silicone-free - which means saying hello to healthy hair and scalp.
Tried and tested: “This is such a beautiful hair mask if you need an extra boost of moisture and care! I use this 1-2x a week in place of a normal conditioner because my hair is quite damaged from heat styling, and a tub lasts me about 4-6 months because a little goes a long way! My hair condition has definitely improved since using this product, plus the smell is gorgeous. Highly recommend to anyone with super long hair, it’s even lightweight so I think you will still get along with this if you have finer hair!” - Megan, Customer Review
Repairing hair mask - Repair + Nourish
Looking for a foolproof damaged hair remedy? Look no further than this sellout Sephora Collection mask. Leaving our hair shiny, soft and replenished after just a few weeks of use, it’s one we can always rely on to deliver results. It wouldn't be a nourishing hair mask without Shea Butter and natural oils, so it's jam-packed with healthy hair ingredients to repair split ends, prevent breakage and give our strands that gorgeous, glossy finish. Add this mask to your normal hair routine twice a week, and watch how it works its magic.
Tried and tested: “This hair mask is so rich and moisturising! I love how soft my hair felt after applying. It smoothed out any stray hairs I had, especially with my blow drying brush it was the perfect combo! The scent is so beautiful and the formula does not weigh down my hair which is a plus especially right now that I’m going through postpartum hair loss. My favourite of it all is how affordable it is! Hair masks tend to get pricey and this gives you such a great formula for a small price.” - Sila, Customer Review
Blond Extreme Blond Absolu Masque Cicaextreme
If you're wondering, which Kérastase mask should I use? We have the answer for natural blonde or bleached blonde locks. This Kérastase hair mask has been specially designed to boost your blonde while keeping it soft, silky and hydrated. Created with blonde hair in mind, it’s our go-to for helping damaged hair thanks to its potent blend of Hyaluronic Acid technology and Edelweiss Oil. Strengthening hair fibres from the inside, we use this product in our weekly hair routine for the best results.
Tried and tested: “This is by far my most favourite product from the Kérastase Blond Absolu line. I have always struggled with dry and frizzy hair even before I started lightening it 12 years ago. This product is the only thing that keeps my hair super smooth and frizz free. Haven’t had the need to put any other hair products in my hair for years as a result, making my hair stronger, healthier and it also grows a lot faster now because my follicles aren’t getting clogged up with gels, mousses or sprays. Highly recommended and will continue using for as long as they make it!” - Angie, Customer Review
Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Restore strength and softness to damaged hair with K18 - hair nourish-meant for you. Perfect for all hair types, this leave-in treatment mask clinically reverses damage in just four minutes! Overuse of bleach, colour, chemical or heat? Its patented peptide technology works to transform hair into smooth, bouncy strands. Let our study results speak for themselves; on hair that was bleached eight times, Biotech-powered K18Peptide restored hair damage by up to 82% - after only two uses! Trust us, it will make your hair feel out of this world. Apply one or two dime-sized amounts of the mask to towel-dried, damp hair for the product to work best. Start by using it after your first 4-6 washes, then whenever needed for a boost of smoothness and bounce.
Tried and tested: “The K18 mask has massively improved my hair, it was extremely dry and damaged from bleaching, toning, and heat styling. It did take four consecutive applications to start to see the difference but from then on it was very noticeable. The texture of my hair is much improved. It's more hydrated, smoother, feels silkier, has less split ends and I have finally got the extra few inches in length I wanted.” - Emma, Customer Review
Acidic Bonding Concentrate 5-min Hair Mask
We love taking time for hair masks. But smoother, healthier hair in just five minutes? It's all yours. Redken's Acidic Bonding deep conditioning masks provides immediate detangling and intense conditioning for all hair types and textures. Formulated with their most concentrated Conditioning Care Complex of cationic agent and conditioning oils, one touch and your hair will feel instantly smooth - without the weight!
Tried and tested: “Absolutely amazing! I have purchased the whole ABC range and it has done wonders for my hair. It has made my hair so smooth and soft. It now feels healthy after decades of bleach damage. Not just blonde bleach damage but 'neon colours changed every few months' type of bleach damage. Will definitely be buying again!!” - Abi, Customer Review
No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Forget hair damage from heat and styling or ponytails and brushing. Instead, make fragile strands as strong as your hair care regime with Olaplex Hair Mask. Containing patented bond-building technology (as with all Olaplex products), deeply quench, nourish and soften with this at-home mask treatment for your healthiest hair yet. The results? A visible transformation from dry, dull hair into moisturised locks with added body and shine. After using your Olaplex shampoo and Olaplex hair conditioner, apply this multi-benefit mask weekly to clean, damp hair, working through your mid-lengths to ends. Start with two pumps for shoulder-length hair, more for longer, thicker hair, or less for fine, short hair. Leave on for 10 minutes, rinse fully, then style as usual.
Tried and tested: “This Moisture Mask is a holy grail for dry hair! I've had my hair bleached so it definitely needs all the love it can get! I cannot get over the softness of my hair after using this! Afterwards my hair is so shiny and manageable! Definitely recommend for anyone needing some added moisture!” - Megan, Customer Review
Blue Tansy Reparative Mask
Our creamy delight, adwoa beauty's Reparative Mask doesn't disappoint. Featuring Plant Protein Extracts which helps to detox, it also deeply conditions and reduces breakage. The combination of Moroccan Lava Clay, Blue Tansy Flower Oil and Spirulina Extract work together to help with detangling, curl definition, and the reduction of frizz. After washing your hair with their shampoo, apply the treatment to the ends and use your go-to tool to detangle, starting from tip to root. Our fave method? Twist hair into four sections, apply heat from a hooded dryer or warm towel with a plastic cap, and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse well and style as your prefer. You can't go wrong.
Tried and tested: “New fave hair mask. I love this mask! As a biracial woman I have been struggling to find a product that really worked for my hair. This is it! I use it on wet hair and rub about a little more than a tablespoon of product and let it sit for five minutes once a week.” - Tara, Customer Review