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9 Best Hair Masks for Stronger, Smoother Strands in Minutes
The best hair masks are powerful additions to any hair-care routine and require as little effort as your usual conditioner, but deliver even deeper hydration and repair. Your hair goes through daily wear and tear, so using a weekly treatment infused with nourishing, moisturizing ingredients such as biotin, castor oil, collagen, honey, peptides, and shea butter can be a fast track to healthier hair. Even better? Whether you’re working with a few split ends or need a complete overhaul after years of bleach, hot tools, and color treatments, there’s a treatment to tackle damage and give your hair the TLC it deserves. With that, scroll ahead for the absolute best hair masks our editors have tested, tried, and approved for smoother, shinier strands.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque, $69
- Best for Type 4 Hair: Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, $39
- Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, $75
- Best for Frizz: Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask, $38
- Best for Thinning Hair: Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask, $44
- Best for Dry Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, $39
- Best Overnight Mask: Crown Affair Overnight Repair Serum, $58
- Best for Fine Hair: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Plumping Hair Mask, $49
- Best for Mature Hair: Alterna Caviar Multiplying Volume Masque, $45
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque
Why it’s worth it: Reveal your softest hair ever with Oribe’s Gold Lust Transformative Masque, which leaves strands smoother than the silk pillowcase you might lay them on. This mask wins our best overall spot, as it’s not too heavy on fine or thinner hair, but is still rich enough to bring thick, coarse hair back to life. Infused with Oribe’s proprietary bio-restorative complex, a heavy-hitting blend of collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide, this intensive cocktail reinforces damaged surface layers of your strands while boosting softness and shine. The antioxidant-rich formula also contains a mix of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts that protect against environmental stressors while intensifying color. And, like all Oribe products, it smells like its signature Côte d’Azur fragrance, which has notes of bergamot and sandalwood.
“To keep my hair glossy, I apply the Oribe Gold Lust mask once a week. I use a lot of hot tools on my hair daily, but this mask helps perk up my ends and keeps them looking long and strong.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
- Key ingredients: bio-restorative complex (collagen, caffeine, biotin, niacinamide), Oribe signature complex (watermelon extract, lychee extract, edelweiss flower extract)
- Who it’s for: all hair types
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: after shampooing, massage into hair, leave on for five to 10 minutes, then rinse—using it in place of conditioner at least once per week
Best for Type 4 Hair: Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
Why it’s worth it: Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner is a dream for anyone with curly or coarse hair, since it’s formulated with some of the most nourishing ingredients on this list. It’s packed with 12 moisturizing butters and oils to bring dry strands back to life, plus squalane to smooth the cuticle, hyssop extract for added shine, and hyaluronic acid to help lock in hydration. For best results, apply it evenly from root to tip on clean, sectioned hair. Want to level it up? Throw on a plastic cap (like Allure’s editor in chief, Jessica Cruel, does) and add heat with a hooded dryer, a steamer, or even just a warm towel before rinsing. Bonus: It works on both natural hair and wigs, because all hair deserves moisture.
“I gave up on protein treatments for my hair after my first time using Aphogee in the early 2000s. Hair as hard as a helmet was not worth it. But the hair around my edges seems to snap the moment I begin to pull it back into any sleek style. So, I use this mask every six weeks to strengthen my coils. It feels a bit like glue, but it doesn’t harden. I pop on a heating cap for 20 minutes, then detangle with a moisturizing mask. Over time, I have noticed my hair can better withstand the tugging of braids, blowouts, and silk presses.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
- Key ingredients: glycerin, hydrolyzed elastin, castor oil, olive oil
- Who it’s for: all hair types
- Fragrance-free: yes
- How to use: once or twice a week, apply evenly from root to tip on clean, sectioned hair, then cover with a plastic cap and add heat using a hooded dryer, steamer, or warm towel before rinsing thoroughly
Best for Damaged Hair: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Why it’s worth it: There’s a reason K18’s Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask is so popular among our editors and readers (hence its Readers’ Choice Award win in 2024). This mask, which also acts as a leave-in conditioner, can mend damaged hair and leave it looking like you just walked out of a salon, no matter how brittle it originally was. The brand’s namesake peptide is the key to its reparative benefits: It helps fortify broken polypeptide chains that otherwise secure the hair shaft, making it feel smoother and softer once your hair is dry. One thing to note: You don’t rinse this out. It’s an in-shower treatment that stays in, so it cuts your in-and-out-of-the-shower time in half.
“I put my hair through so much—the blow-drying, the flat-ironing, the re-curling!—my split ends were practically visible from outer space. It wasn’t until I diligently started using this now-classic leave-in mask that I believed you could actually undo years of damage. There’s a learning curve to using it; you need to essentially emulsify the product in your hands, then apply and wait a few minutes, and then continue to style. You also can’t use conditioner before applying. Sure, it’s a bit finicky, but this stuff works—seemingly instantly. I got heaps of compliments after using it for a consistent month; people thought my hair was shinier when blown out, and my curls were brought back to life; their pattern restored, their joie de vivre revived!” —Shanna Shipin, senior shopping director
- Key ingredients: biotech-developed peptides, hydrolyzed wheat protein, glycerin
- Who it’s for: color-treated, damaged, or over-processed hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: towel-dry hair, work dime-size amounts from ends to roots, let sit for four minutes without rinsing, then style as usual and use for 4–6 washes before switching to maintenance mode
Best for Frizz: Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask
Why it’s worth it: Shakira’s new brand, Isima, makes a powerful debut with the Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask, a treatment that takes a three-step approach to restoring hair from scalp to ends. At the root, nonapeptide-3—a restorative, retinol-like ingredient—helps keep the scalp balanced and healthy without irritation. Within the cortex, the brand’s gluconabond technology rebuilds broken bonds, while soy and rice hydrolyzed proteins replenish lost keratin to reinforce strength from within. Finally, on the surface, proprietary fiberseal steps in to smooth and reseal lifted cuticles caused by heat, color, and daily stress, leaving hair softer, stronger, and visibly renewed from every angle.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
“A hair mask needs to be seriously hydrating to make a difference in my thick, frizzy, wavy hair. I absolutely love this one from Isima because it has a creamy, super-satisfying texture (like a really good body butter) and actually gives me results I can see after one shower. It only has to sit for 5 to 10 minutes—after rinsing it out, my wet hair already feels softer and smoother. Then, after drying, I notice that my hair looks way healthier and shinier. It tames frizz and provides results that last until the next time I use it (usually about a week). I’m obsessed!” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Key ingredients: nonapeptide-3, gluconabond, soy proteins, rice proteins, fiberseal
- Who it’s for: people with damaged hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: after shampooing, apply the mask from roots to ends, leave on for five to 10 minutes, then rinse—using it weekly in place of conditioner
Best for Thinning Hair: Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask
Why it’s worth it: If you’ve always associated deep moisture with weighed-down hair, Olaplex’s Weightless Nourishing Mask will change your mind. This treatment features the brand’s volume boost complex, which instantly adds lift while helping prevent snapping and breakage for long-term length and body retention. It’s also infused with Olaplex’s signature bond-building technology to repair internal damage, while nourishing oils like avocado, sunflower, and coconut deliver deep hydration. It’s designed for weekly use, because you won’t need it more often than that: The moisture lasts through up to five washes, helping protect against breakage and support length retention over time.
With naturally fine, fragile hair that’s endured several bouts of hair loss, I’ve finally accepted that my hair’s never going to be the longest or most bountiful out there. These days, my sole hair care goal is to make it through my showers without losing massive clumps of it. Preventing dryness and tangles is paramount, and that’s why I jumped at the chance to test Olaplex’s Weightless Nourishing mask. Like the rest of the brand’s range (which I’ve used religiously since the brand debuted all those years ago), this mask uses patented bond-building tech to repair hair from the inside out—but this formula is far, far thicker in consistency than any of its siblings. So thick, in fact, that I tend to duck my hair under the running water while I’m applying it to help it spread. That thickness definitely lends itself to deep hydration, though; I can feel the difference as soon as I rinse it out of my hair.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
- Key ingredients: volume boost complex, avocado, sunflower, and coconut oils, shea butter, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people with flat, limp hair that needs moisture and volume
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: after shampooing, apply generously to wet hair from mid-lengths to ends, leave on for three to five minutes, then rinse well and use weekly for best results
Best for Dry Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
Why it’s worth it: A six-time (!) Readers’ Choice Hall of Fame winner, Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask has earned its fan-fave status. This ultra-rich treatment revives dry, brittle hair with a nourishing blend of avocado, almond, rosehip, and argan oils that replenish essential moisture without leaving behind residue. Biotin helps strengthen weak strands, while a trio of hydrolyzed corn, wheat, and soy proteins restores elasticity and shine. Meanwhile, aloe vera and ginseng extracts soothe and condition hair, leaving it soft and smooth. It’s the ultimate rescue remedy for dry, overworked hair—and we doubt you’ll need further convincing, because one use is all it takes to see (and feel) the difference.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
“This is a fantastic mask for literally breathing life back into my hair. With color-treated and heat-styled hair, I find myself gravitating towards conditioning and hydrating products that add strength and shine. This mask has a decadent, creamy texture that absorbs easily into my hair. The scent is also incredible, especially the Vanilla Birthday Cake edition! It’s such a treat, and a very effective product.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
- Key ingredients: argan oil, aloe vera, ginseng, biotin, hydrolyzed corn, wheat, and soy protein
- Who it’s for: people with dry, overworked hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: after shampooing, massage evenly into hair from root to tip, leave on for at least ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly and use weekly instead of conditioner
Best Overnight Mask: Crown Affair Overnight Repair Serum
Why it’s worth it: Many of the masks on this list get rinsed out after a few minutes, but when your hair is seriously dry or damaged, reach for something that can go the distance. Crown Affair’s Overnight Repair Serum does exactly that, delivering deep nourishment while you sleep. Its proprietary superfood blend repairs and strengthens brittle strands to prevent breakage, while a blend of tsubaki seed and meadowfoam oils weightlessly hydrates from the inside out for a softer, more resilient texture. Rosemary leaf extract boosts shine and fullness, so hair looks as healthy as it feels. It sinks right in for softer hair by morning (and you don’t even have to rinse it out).
“Before I tried Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum, I didn’t think my hair was all that damaged: I don’t color it, and I only heat-style a couple times a week. But after just one application of this lightweight, lotion-like formula, I realized my hair’s true potential: My strands were left softer, shinier, and stronger-feeling.” —Dianna Singh, features director
- Key ingredients: flaxseed, chia, tsubaki meadow’s blend, rosemary
- Who it’s for: people with fine, dry hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: before bed, apply one or two pumps to dry hair from mid-lengths to ends, comb through, and leave overnight without rinsing; repeat up to three times a week
More hair masks we love:
Best for Fine Hair: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Plumping Hair Mask
Bumble and Bumble
Thickening Plumping Hair Mask
Why it’s worth it: If you’re after not just volume but also touchable fullness, Bumble and Bumble’s Thickening Plumping Hair Mask delivers both. “This mask gives instant plumpness and lift thanks to its proprietary strand-plumping technology. It feels weightless, spreads easily, and in just two minutes you can see a visible difference in volume and strength,” says Marcos Diaz, a hairstylist based in New York City. A nourishing blend of pea and wheat proteins, biotin, and sweet almond and argan oils strengthens and smooths, so even feathery hair feels thicker and healthier every time you treat yourself to this mask.
- Key ingredients: pea protein, wheat protein, biotin, sweet almond oil, argan oil
- Who it’s for: people with fine to medium hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: after shampooing, apply the mask from root to tip, massage it in, leave for two to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly
Best for Mature Hair: Alterna Caviar Multiplying Volume Masque
Alterna
Caviar Multiplying Volume Masque
Why it’s worth it: For hair that’s thinning, aging, or just feeling a little lackluster, Alterna’s Caviar Multiplying Volume Masque brings back body and strength. Formulated with caviar extract, hydrolyzed keratin, and a blend of rice and pea proteins, it helps fortify fragile strands while adding lightweight hydration. “This mask adds density and body in a way that feels natural,” says Diaz. To boost softness and shine, ingredients like squalane, sunflower oil, and vitamin E smooth the cuticle and restore a silky, healthy finish. “The formula conditions the lengths while plumping the roots, so thinning hair looks fuller without feeling stiff or untouchable,” he adds.
- Key ingredients: rice proteins, pea proteins, caviar extract, hydrolyzed keratin, squalane, sunflower oil
- Who it’s for: people with mature hair
- Fragrance-free: yes
- How to use: after shampooing, massage into wet hair from root to tip, leave on for two to five minutes, then rinse
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hair mask?
What makes a hair mask different from, say, your conditioner, is higher doses of ingredients to supercharge your strands, according to New Jersey-based hairstylist Michelle Cleveland. “A hair mask is very similar to a daily conditioner in that it restores the hydration of the hair after shampooing. However, a mask contains higher concentrations of vitamins, oils, and butters that will penetrate deeper into the hair when left on for longer periods of time than a traditional conditioner,” she explains. “The result is a higher level of hydration to the hair, which ultimately leads to repairing dry, damaged, and/or dehydrated hair.”
On top of that, hair masks are more tailored to address specific needs and concerns, says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Mark Townsend. “Hair masks are deep conditioners that are aimed at specific needs like repairing damage from heat and chemical treatments, improving circulation at the scalp, strengthening the hair follicle, and adding and retaining moisture,” he says.
How do you use a hair mask?
Most hair masks come with specific instructions, but as a rule of thumb, Townsend says to always shampoo your hair before using one to wash away buildup that can affect the formula’s efficacy. “Masks usually work best on damp hair, not soaking wet, so remove as much water from the hair as possible,” he adds. To ensure you remove as much water as possible, Brooklyn-based hairstylist Latoya Moore suggests wrapping your hair in a microfiber towel to soak up excess water before applying your mask. “Apply a generous amount from mid-shaft to ends, try to avoid directly on the roots,” she suggests.
To ensure every strand is coated, both Townsend and Moore recommend combing your hair immediately after applying. “Use a wide-tooth comb or fingers to evenly distribute the mask to ensure every strand is coated,” says Moore. Both hairstylists also suggest covering your hair with a shower cap or warm towel as you treat your strands to help the mask penetrate more.
Usually, you won’t have to follow a hair mask with your usual conditioner since the former is, essentially, a more concentrated version of the latter. With that said, always read the product’s instructions, whether it’s a leave-in or rinse-out treatment, to ensure proper use for the best results.
How often should you use a hair mask?
Multiple hairstylists we chatted with agree that each hair mask’s formulation is totally unique, so, yet again, make sure you follow the instructions. Some hair masks can be used once per week, while others can be used as a daily treatment—it all depends on what the brand recommends. Taking your own course of action won’t necessarily ruin your hair, but rinsing out a hair mask too quickly or not using it often enough will lead to less significant results, and leaving one in for too long can leave a greasy residue behind.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness, thinning) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best hair masks, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Check out more Allure editor-approved hair products:
