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Hair

30 Best Hair Masks to Repair Dry and Frizzy Hair, According to Experts

 

The benefits are undeniable.

Whether your curls are limp, your ends are fried, or you bleached your roots on a whim, the best hair masks can come to the rescue. Essentially conditioners on steroids, hair masks are fortified with nourishing oils and deeply hydrating ingredients, quickly working to repair split ends, revive color, and restore softness—no matter your hair type, length, or texture.

“Hair masks are deep-conditioning treatments, packed with nutrients, that completely saturate your hair and produce noticeable long-lasting results,” says Devin Toth, a stylist at Salon SCK in New York City. “Their incredible benefits are undeniable.”

How to find the right hair mask

Of course, certain formulas work better than others depending on your specific concerns. “Look for a mask that targets what hair is in need of most,” says Raven Hurtado, hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “For instance, if your hair feels damaged or has split ends, opt for a mask with bond rebuilders. A mask that has conditioning oils would also help dry or frizzy hair.”

Similarly, a bond repair mask like Olaplex's does wonders to bring heat- or color-damaged hair back to life, while a deep-conditioning treatment is key if it's strong, bouncy curls you're after. And if your color is looking dull? Consider a toning mask your new best friend.

As far as ingredients are concerned, "look for oils, butters, and other emollients that add moisture to the hair,” adds Bumble and Bumble hairstylist and educator Joey Gallagher. For those with fine, straight hair, go for a lightweight mask that delivers the nutrients your hair needs without weighing it down. However, others with thick hair types, like curly, coily, or natural hair, can opt for more nourishing masks—and can even partially rinse them out so they work like a leave-in conditioner.

How to apply hair masks

As a general rule of thumb, use a hair mask once or twice a week to avoid drying out hair. New York City–based hairstylist Mikel Slate also recommends lightly towel-drying the hair before applying, then combing it through the ends to ensure an even application. Leave it on for at least 10 to 15 minutes (keeping a claw clip and a comb stashed in your shower will help if you have long or natural hair), and rinse with cold water, which will help boost shine. “Wash your hair two times if you need to,” says Slate.

Now that you've got that down, keep scrolling for the best hair masks that experts say actually help (and have also achieved rave reviews…and awards from Glamour editors).

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Hair Mask Overall: Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3

For anyone with color-treated or bleached hair, this best-selling at-home treatment strengthens the bonds in the hair to keep it from looking like a sad pile of overgrown straw. But it's not only for color-treated hair. No matter your texture, if your hair is compromised in any way—think damaged, dry, or frizzy—you'll see a marked improvement in its look and feel. It’s not cheap, but if you're regularly shelling the cash to dye your hair or haven't been into the salon in a while, it's worth it.

Best Hair Mask for Blonde Hair: Shu Uemura YÅ«bi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Mask for Blonde Hair

Is your blonde starting to fade or turn brassy? Toth suggests YÅ«bi's Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Hair Mask to bring the color back to life. “This mask is excellent for blondes that are trying to prevent and rebalance brassy yellow and orange tones,” he says. Think of it as a super-hydrating purple shampoo.

Best Bond Repair Treatment: Bumble and Bumble Bond-Building Repair Treatment

“For hair repair, I use Bb.Bond-Building Repair Treatment,” says Gallagher. “It’s powered by a Honey Bond-Building Complex that builds new bonds to strengthen hair and helps repair damage from the cortex to the cuticle. The weekly treatment goes deep to help reverse the look of past damage, fortifies hair fibers to protect against future damage, and smooths the cuticle. It’s also color-safe.”

Fastest Hair Mask: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

This easy-to-use mask is a client favorite for those dealing with dryness, dullness, and damage, says Slate. Not only does it deliver serious results, but it’s also not a huge time commitment. “It’s a mask that gives immediate results and the application time calls for four minutes, so you’re not spending 10 minutes in the shower patiently waiting,” he says. The Glamour team agrees, with our reviewer calling it “shampoo-worthy hair in a bottle.”

Best Hair Mask for Chemically Treated Hair: Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Hair Mask

Dan Williams, stylist and salon owner at Studio Dan Williams, suggests Oribe's Gold Lust Transformative Hair Mask for anyone with chemically treated, hair. “I love this for its transformative moisture and strengthening properties,” he says. “It leaves the hair incredibly conditioned, soft, and noticeably stronger with each use. It's great for chemically treated hair or hair that needs some strengthening with a moisture punch, like kinky or curly hair.”

Best Drugstore Hair Mask: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Waves Deep Conditioner

Few things are more satisfying than an effective drugstore find. This affordable must-have is a godsend for hair that’s prone to frizz—it's no surprise it took home a Glamour Beauty Award. Glamour creative director Allie Folino says “it smells absolutely delicious and leaves my hair feeling moisturized and refreshed.”

Best Hair Mask for Wavy Hair: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Mega Moisture Superfood Mask

Hello, hydration! The ingredients list for this hair mask reads like a Pinterest recipe, with avocado oil to nourish and condition, kiwi fruit and spinach extracts rich in protective antioxidants, plus chia seeds and cocoa seed butter to help lock in and retain moisture. After just 10 minutes, hair is noticeably softer and shinier—like magic but not.

Best Drugstore Hair Mask: Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask

Hurtado loves Arvazallia's Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask, which you can conveniently find on Amazon. “Not only is it good for dry hair, but also damaged hair,” she says. “It resorts and repairs hair while leaving it soft, silky, and manageable.”

Best Hair Mask for Brassy Hair: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Purple Intense Repair Hair Mask

“Amika's Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Purple Intense Repair Hair Mask is such a rich and luxurious mask packed with vegan proteins and plant-based butters,” says Williams. “It helps strengthen while providing rich moisture and the purple pigment is amazing for blonde refinement and even on natural gray hair.”

Best Luxury Hair Mask: Sisley-Paris Regenerating Hair Care Mask With Four Botanical Oils

Celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena recommends the lightweight Sisley-Paris Regenerating Hair Care Mask with Four Botanical Oils as it nourishes both the scalp and hair. Formulated with plant-based extracts, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, as well as shea, macadamia, camellia, and hazelnut oils, this multitasking product invigorates the scalp and supports hair strength.

Best Hair Mask for Thick Hair: Leonor Greyl Masque à l'Orchidée

Both Toth and Mena use and recommend the cult-favorite Leonor Greyl Masque à l'Orchidée. “It's incredibly moisturizing, vitamin rich, and contains organic shea butter and organic jojoba oil,” says Toth. “In fact, 97% of their ingredients are completely natural!”

Best Hair Mask for Curly Hair: TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask

This hydrating mask isn’t too heavy, which is key for type 2 and 3 curls; heavier masks can weigh down your hair and lead to more breakage, which is the exact opposite of what you want. The sweet honey scent is mild enough that it'll turn your routine shower into a luscious, tropical getaway—but it doesn't linger for hours, which makes it great if you're sensitive to strong fragrances.

Best Lightweight Hair Mask: Living Proof Restore Repair Mask

Straight, superfine hair is prone to heat damage and is easily weighed down by anything too deep conditioning, which is not an ideal situation when you need to repair it and most masks are simply too heavy to handle. However, this is one of those rare finds that strike the perfect balance of nourishing and reparative.

Best Overnight Hair Mask: R+Co Bleu Sleep Masque Night Repair Serum

Prefer wearing your mask at night? You might want to invest in R+Co's overnight option. “The Sleep Masque Night Repair Serum repairs parched, damaged hair while you sleep with its green caviar algae that's rich in oligoelements, vitamins, and minerals,” says Toth. “It nourishes, rebuilds, and revitalizes your hair.”

Best Hair Mask for Fine Hair: Ouai Treatment Masque

Fine strands can fall flat under the weight of heavy hair masks, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need the extra hydration hair masks can provide. Enter the Ouai Treatment Mask. Specifically formulated for medium-to-fine hair types, this lightweight formula repairs damage (owing to hydrolyzed keratin) and minimize frizz without leaving hair greasy or stringy.

Best Hair Mask for Damaged Hair: Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Hair Mask for Very Damaged Hair

A favorite for all hair types, this nourishing treatment is a go-to for Toth. “This is an amazing mask that revitalizes hair,” he says. “It doubles the shine and prevents breakage.” Not to mention it imparts a gorgeous earthy scent that will turn your shower into a spa-like experience.

Best Hair Mask for Straight Hair: R+Co Television Hair Masque

The shine, softness, and overall way this mask makes your hair look is chef’s kiss. Even in low light, it makes your hair look glossy, all thanks to the coconut oil and murumuru butter in the formula that intensely hydrate and strengthen your hair—without making it feel sticky or heavy.

Best Hair Mask for Coily or Kinky Hair: SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Hair Masque

Type 4 curls dry out quickly, which is why oils like jojoba and castor are a must-have in masks for this hair texture. This moisture mask does the trick with a combination of nourishing oils (like mafura and baobab) as well as honey and shea butter to deliver soft, shiny curls in a matter of minutes.

Best Hair Mask for Strengthening: Kérastase Genesis Strengthening Hair Mask

Toth and Hurtado both recommend the Kérastase Genesis Strengthening Hair Mask for strands in need of support and strengthening. “This mask will help nourish any breakage and split ends that also conditions to provide smooth hair,” says Hurtado.

Best Pro Hair Mask for Curly or Coily Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Mega Strength + Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment

Another 2022 Glamour Beauty Award winner, this product is a must-have for curls according to our panel of judges. Packed with rice water, which for centuries has been used to revive dry or brittle hair, it's great if you're after thicker, shinier hair. (Rice water contains many nutrients, including inositol, which is meant to improve strength and shine.) “My hair wasn’t as frizzy after just one use, and with continued use I will definitely see even more of an improvement,” one tester said.

Best Deep-Conditioning Hair Mask: Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner

This mask is the perfect moisture mask for braid-outs, twist-outs, and other protective styles, and ups the luxury factor with a subtle scent and velvety texture. It boosts elasticity while softening and hydrating hair, making detangling a cinch. Plus, the packaging looks incredible—no wonder it’s been flying off the shelves ever since it launched at Sephora.

Best Hair Mask for Split Ends: Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Mask

If you’re one of those people who put off a hair appointment even if their ends are screaming for a trim, then this mask is the TLC they deserve. ABC makes great vegan products in general, but this mask’s moisturizing ability is nothing short of impressive. Applying it to damp hair—even just five minutes will do—will deliver noticeably bouncier strands and smoother ends.

Best Hair Mask for Frizzy Hair: Crown Affair The Renewal Mask 

After just one use, this hair mask instantly smooths and nourishes worn-out hair. It eases hair’s natural frizz to deliver more gentle, relaxed curls. Topping it off is the soothing scent and all-natural ingredients. 

Best Hair Mask for Brittle Hair: Carol’s Daughter Monoi Intense Repair Inner Strength System

Since this mask needs to be left on only for a minute, it’s ideal for days when you don’t have time for a whole self-care ritual in the shower (i.e., most days?). And after regular use, you’ll notice curls feeling healthier, less prone to breakage, and generally more resilient.

Best Hair Mask for Dry Hair: DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Matcha Butter Conditioning Mask

This mask does it all: Coarse, thirsty hair soaks it right up, and it rinses out easily and leaves dry curls incredibly soft and shiny—so you can feel less guilty after blow-drying your hair every morning. Slather it on, chill out for 15 minutes, and erase any signs of fried, crispy damage.

Best for Heat Damage: Chi Argan Oil Rejuvenating Masque

If you have dry, damaged ends thanks to years of heat styling, than this deep-conditioning mask is a surefire way to maintain healthy hair; it helps keep stressed hair nourished, silky, and soft with a blend of argan, moringa, and sunflower seed oils. If you're permanently attached to your hot tools, it's a must.

Best Hair Mask for Sun-Damaged Hair: Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Reparative Hair Mask

Using avocado and olive oils, this cult favorite delivers much-needed moisture to sun-damaged hair. It’ll instantly turn dry, broken hair into a shiny healthy mane that can protect itself against environmental stressors over time. And if that weren’t enough, the mask needs to be left in the hair for a minimum of only three minutes, making it great for those who don’t have a ton of time. 

Best Leave-In Hair Mask: IGK Antisocial Overnight Bond-Building Dry Hair Mask

Powders can be difficult to brush out of curly, thick strands, but this little gem is different. You can use this silky dry spray at night and work it through in small sections at a time, then tie your hair up and style as usual in the morning. It’ll feel softer and stronger the next day for a gorgeous, goddess-like mane.

Best Hair Mask for Travel: Mane Club Cry Baby Deep Conditioner

As incredible as the travel-friendly packaging is, the product inside is also super effective. Ideal for dry, damaged, or bleached strands that need a little loving, this on-the-go formula leaves hair so soft and strong. It also has a fruity scent that isn't too overpowering.

Best Scalp Treatment: Sienna Naturals Plant Power Repair Mask

There’s nothing more frustrating than an itchy, irritated scalp. This vegan hair masks tackles that concern with blue tansy oil—while also helping improve hair’s shine, strength, and overall health.