Vogue

Hair

The 13 Best Hair Masks of 2025, According to Celebrity Stylists and Vogue Editors

 

Those looking to streamline their haircare regimes may wonder: Are the best hair masks just… conditioners? Alas, one can’t necessarily stand in for the other, and switching up your regular conditioner with a mask may just give your hair the TLC it’s been missing.

Travis Ogletree, a Los Angeles-based colorist who’s worked with Ariana Grande and Shay Mitchell, explains it best. “A conditioner is meant to maintain your hair’s current condition—whether that’s color, wave pattern, texture, or even density. A mask, on the other hand, is more of a corrective treatment. It targets specific issues to help bring your hair back to a healthier baseline, where maintenance can take over again.”

As a general tip, Ogletree suggests looking for a hair mask that feels rich enough to coat the hair without making it feel greasy or heavy once it’s rinsed out. And speaking of rinsing, don’t skimp on that part of the process. “Hot tip: count to 100 while rinsing to make sure it’s fully out,” Ogletree says.

So, which hair mask should you give the 100-second test to? Keep reading to discover the handful of formulas that industry insiders and Vogue editors rely on to keep their strands shiny, bouncy, and nourished from the inside out.

Bonus: Hair masks give you an excuse to linger in the shower just a little longer, turning a quick rinse into a more indulgent self-care (and haircare) ritual. Happy masking!

Best Overall: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Why We Love It: Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! mask is one of those formulas that, once you start using, you find yourself hooked on. Celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager describes it as “a great deep-conditioning mask that works to lock in moisture and improve shine.” Free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens, this seeks to repair signs of damage across all hair types and textures. Rosehip oil, algae extract, almond oil, and biotin are the star ingredients here, and they come together to promote stronger, shinier tresses. The formula is also loaded with B vitamins to add body and shine while nourishing damaged strands. Plus, it has a great, soapy smell that’s a mix of white musk and floral woods.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, algae extract, almond oil, biotin, avocado oil, hydrolyzed corn and soy protein
Best for: Damage, dryness, dullness
Size: 2 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 32 oz
Scent: A clean and soapy mix of white musk and floral woods
Leave-In Time: 10 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Strengthens, boosts shine, clean ingredients Some users wish it were more hydrating

Best Quick Treatment: Dove 10-in-1 Bond Strength Serum Mask

Why We Love It: Dove’s new 10-in-1 Bond Strength Serum Mask proves that achieving the hair of your dreams doesn’t have to take a while or break the bank. Ringing in at just $11 for a sizable amount of treatment, this mask works to improve 10 hair concerns (think: detangling, reduced split ends, boost shine, and prevent future hair damage) in just 60 seconds. Not to mention, it's full of nourishing ingredients like peptides and proteins to leave hair bouncy and luscious as ever. The product was thoughtfully developed, too: according to the brand, whipping up a salve that addresses 10 hair concerns took just as many years of research.
Key Ingredients: Bio-Protein Care (hydrolyzed soy, pea, and vegetable protein), peptides, glycerin, coconut oil
Best for: Split ends, breakage, detangling, dullness, dryness
Size: 9.2 fl oz
Scent: Clean and fresh
Leave-In Time: One minute
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Quick treatment time, addresses 10 hair concerns Some find the smell overwhelming

Best for Dry Hair: Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask

Why We Love It: Dry, brittle strands don’t stand a chance against Amika’s Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask. Not only is it whipped into a rich cream, but it also features a host of moisturizing salves like jojoba-seed oil and sea buckthorn to deliver all the vitamins and nutrients your strands crave. “This is one of my go-to masks post-color for its intense softening effects,” Ogletree says. “I love using this after big blonde transformations—it helps calm and rehydrate stressed strands quickly. It works on nearly all hair types, and is especially helpful for anyone who’s been neglecting their hair and needs a reset.”
Key Ingredients: Jojoba-seed oil, sea buckthorn
Best for: Dryness
Size: 3.3 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz
Scent: Orange and grapefruit blossom, sandalwood spice, geranium, rose
Leave-In Time: Five to seven minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Moisturizing, softening Though many users like the scent, some feel it’s too strong; others wish it worked better to control frizz

Best for Damage: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

Why We Love It: K18’s TikTok-famous hair mask is a social media phenomenon that proves just as effective IRL. A leading bond-repair treatment, this uses the brand’s biotech-developed peptide to reconnect hair’s broken bonds as a result of bleaching, color, chemical treatments, and heat. Aesthetically, this leaves hair stronger, smoother, and bouncier. What’s more, the mask works in just four minutes. “This is a great option if you’re unsure where to start,” Ogletree notes, adding that its claims of damage-repair aren’t mere marketing jargon. “I’ve seen the most noticeable transformations in my clients’ hair from consistent use of this mask,” he says.
Key Ingredients: K18Peptide, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and wheat starch
Best for: Damage, breakage, frizz, color-treated hair
Size: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz
Scent: A light floral scent with jasmine and peony
Leave-In Time: Four minutes, no rinse-out required
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love it Leave It
Lightweight, repairs damaged hair A little goes a long way, and using more than a dime-size amount may weigh the hair down

Best Nourishing: Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Hair Mask

Why We Love It: “One of my favorites is Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, infused with nourishing hair-loving ingredients that leave strands stronger and shining with each use,” details celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, the pro behind Amal Clooney’s luscious mane. “The smell is great too, with scents of coconut and avocado oil.” Aside from moisturizing agents (think argan oil, glycerin, and linseed extract), the formula features behentrimonium chloride to limit frizz.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, behentrimonium chloride, glycerin, linseed extract
Best for: Dryness, breakage, dullness
Size: 1 oz, 2.5 oz, 8.5 oz
Scent: A mix of spicy amber and sweet florals
Leave-In Time: Five minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Great scent, boosts strength and shine Too thick for fine or thin hair

Best for Fine Hair: Ouai Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair

Why We Love It: Ask someone with fine hair what their hair mask of choice is, and they’ll probably proclaim a penchant for this Ouai treatment. What makes it perfect for fine-to-medium strands is that it smooths, hydrates, and alleviates damage without weighing hair down. A quarter-size dollop applied from ends to roots is all you need. “This is one of those tried-and-trusted products that you can turn to when you need instant results,” says Justin Toves-Vincilione, a hairstylist and content creator in Los Angeles. “It immediately penetrates the hair strands, propelling in shea butter, tamarind seed extract, and hydrolyzed keratin.” He adds that the formula also contains pro-vitamin B5 complex, known as panthenol, to give volume a boost. For those with fine hair, “This is an ingredient list made in heaven,” Toves-Vincilione says. “You won’t experience added weight to the hair, which is a common struggle for those with fine hair needing a deep treatment.”
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed keratin, panthenol, shea butter, coconut water, ginger-root extract
Best for: Fine hair, dryness
Size: 8 oz
Scent: Ouai’s Melrose Place, with notes of champagne, pink peppercorn, berry, lychee, peony, rose, freesia, jasmine, bergamot, amber, sandalwood, white musk, cedarwood
Leave-In Time: Five minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Smooths, hydrates, doesn’t weigh hair down Not for all hair types—those with thick hair should opt for Ouai’s Thick Hair Treatment Mask instead

Best for Split Ends: Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask With Prickly Pear Oil

Why We Love It: “I’m convinced it’s the only reason my hair grew so lusciously during COVID,” Sofia Richie spilled over TikTok, detailing the secrets behind her signature slicked-back bun. Lead by the restorative properties of prickly pear oil, this rich mask helps restore the hair shaft, improve split ends, and achieve overall healthier hair. “I absolutely love the Christophe Robin Prickly Pear Oil mask as it provides nourishment and moisture,” says Eddie M Parra, a senior stylist at Benjamin Salon NYC. “It is particularly great for my clients with curly or coarser hair textures.”
Key Ingredients: Prickly pear oil, vitamin F, glycerin, ceramides
Best for: Split ends, breakage, damage
Size: 2.5 oz, 8.44 oz
Scent: A light, powdery fragrance
Leave-In Time: Five to 10 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Repairs split ends, improves skin health Some find the packaging inconvenient to use in the shower

Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Breakage Barrier Hair Mask

Why We Love It: For some Vogue beauty editors, testing Pattern’s Breakage Barrier Hair Mask—formerly called the Transition Mask—was love love at first try. Whipped into a rich gel that resembles honey, the mask pairs manuka honey with white tea for a nourishing salve designed to boost moisture levels, prevent shedding, and restore curls to their full potential. For Vogue’s senior wellness and beauty editor Margaux Anouba, the mask is a key component of an “Everything Shower” (which, thanks to her line of work, Anouba has pretty much mastered by now). Before even hopping in the shower, “I smooth Pattern’s Transition Mask into the dry strands atop my head,” she says. “I have dyed and heat-destroyed hair, so a pre-shower mask is key to adding back in moisture and shine.” When the product was renamed in the fall of 2024, it stayed largely true to its original formula, though its latest iteration promises to be even more effective for strengthening the hair and preventing breakage. Pro tip from the brand: The Breakage Barrier Hair Mask was re-launched to used in tandem with the Pattern Handheld Hair Steamer. When used together, the steamer and the mask boost curls’ retention and definition while tending to overall hair health.
Key Ingredients: Manuka honey, white tea, castor oil, cellulose
Best for: Curly and coily hair
Size: 15 oz
Scent: White tea, Manuka honey, rose
Leave-In Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Prevents shedding and breakage According to reviews, it can make some hair types feel slightly stiff

Best for Scalp: Nutrafol Scalp Mask

Why We Love It: A healthy scalp is an essential precursor to healthy hair, so give yours some TLC with this Nutrafol mask. Through a physician-formulated blend of AHAs, jojoba esters, and Australian wild berries, this gently removes product buildup and limits excess scalp oils to soothe and nourish your scalp after each use. Taylor Carter, colorist and co-owner of East/West Salon Co. in Boston, signs off on the physician-formulated treatment. “It gently exfoliates the scalp, removing oil and buildup,” she notes. While the treatment won’t grow the hair itself, its exfoliating properties create an ideal scalp environment for growth—after all, it’s tough to foster a long, lush mane when hair follicles are clogged with buildup or dirt.
Key Ingredients: AHA fruit acids, jojoba esters, Australian wild berries, glycerin
Best for: Scalp health, dryness, flakiness, oiliness
Size: 4 fl oz
Scent: 100% natural fragrance
Leave-In Time: Three to five minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Physician-approved, nourishes scalp Can leave residue if not rinsed out well enough

Best for High-Shine: Color Wow Money Masque

Why We Love It: Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton has a roster of A-list clientele, from Christina Aguilera to Ariana Grande to Kim Kardashian. Appleton teamed up with Color Wow to create a hair mask that emulates the ultra shiny hair he’s known for creating on his starlet clients. Unlike other deep conditioning masks, this one features a weightless, gel-like texture that won’t weigh down hair follicles. A powerful blend of blue sea kale, kelp, algae, and a hydrolyzed vegetable protein complex work together here to nourish even the most chemically processed hair. “Chris Appleton’s Color Wow Money Masque is a great option if your hair is feeling dull,” says Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “This mask provides shine, strengthens hair, and helps moisturize a dry and flaky scalp. It also works on all hair types to create healthy, shiny hair.”
Key Ingredients: Blue sea kale, sea kelp, algae, hydrolyzed vegetable protein complex
Best for: All hair types, gloss-like finish, damaged hair
Size: 7.5 oz
Scent: Light, beachy fragrance
Leave-In Time: Three to five minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Works on all hair types, strengthens Some feel there’s not enough product to justify the price; the tub can be inconvenient to use in the shower

Best for Coily Hair: Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask

Why We Love It: Clinically proven to repair damaged hair and visibly improve shine and strength, Cécred’s formula is powered by the patent-pending Bioactive Keratin Ferment. It’s also packed with antioxidants that nourish the scalp, including vitamin E, and has a blend of oils designed to seal up frayed cuticles and make the mane shine. “This is ideal for weakened, curly to coily hair—but it can be used by anyone in need of hydration and repair,” Toves-Vincilione says. “Many people experience periods of limp and lifeless hair, whether it be from heat damage, relaxer damage, protein overload, or lightening processes. Cécred formulated this mask to get in there and get the job done with noticeable results after just one use.”
Key ingredients: Bioactive keratin ferment,
Best for: Curly or coily hair, damage repair
Size: 2.5 oz, 10 oz
Scent: Temple Oud with notes of oud, sandalwood, musk, jasmine, vetiver, and violet leaves
Leave-In Time: 20 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Repairs damaged hair, hydrates, great scent Leave-in time is a bit longer than average

Best Clean Ingredients: Roz Foundation Reparative Mask

Why We Love It: Developed by celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak, Roz’s silicone-free mask protects hair color and hydrates the strands with a mix of natural ingredients such as rice bran and rosemary leaf extracts. “If you’re looking for true clean, botanical-based haircare, Roz is definitely your new bestie,” says Toves-Vincilione. “The plant-powered ingredients in the Foundation Hair Mask nourish hair without the need for fillers like silicone or synthetic waxes. This means that what’s going into your hair isn’t just ‘filling’ your hair, but treating it with natural ingredients. If you take a look at the ingredient list, it’s a clean-girly dream of a lineup.”
Key ingredients: Oil blend, rice bran extract, rosemary leaf extract, patented BotaniComplex
Best for: Dry and color-treated hair
Size: 5 oz
Scent: Vetiver and citron
Leave-In Time: Five to 10 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Protects color, hydrates, strengthens May be too moisturizing for oily hair or too thick for fine hair

Best for Metal Detox: L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Hair Mask

Why We Love It: Anyone who doesn’t bathe daily in a crystal-clear spring—and presumably, that’s most of us—could benefit from L’Oréal’s metal-cleansing mask. “This mask uniquely addresses an issue that more people should be more concerned about—heavy metals and hard water,” says Toves-Vincilione. While it’s almost impossible to prevent heavy metal absorption, L’Oréal’s pro metal detox mask uses a teeny, tiny molecule called glucoamine to penetrate deeply and neutralize heavy metals that work their way, undetectably, into our hair.” He adds that pool water, well water, and even hair color can all contribute to heavy metal exposure. Therefore, “It’s almost always a good idea to incorporate this mask into your regular routine.”
Key ingredients: Glicoamine
Best for: All hair types, preventing breakage
Size: 8.5 oz
Scent: Bergamot, grapefruit flower, guaiac wood
Leave-In Time: One minute
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes

Love It Leave It
Fast treatment time, preserves color, prevents breakage Some find the smell overpowering

Everything You Need to Know

What to Look for in a Hair Mask

When shopping for the ultimate hair mask, take the following factors into account:

• Ingredients: “Look for nourishing, reparative ingredients that actually address your hair’s needs,” Ogletree says. “Oils like argan or jojoba, and humectants like glycerin, help boost hydration and softness.” On the other hand, he notes, “I’d avoid regular use of silicones if your hair is fine or tends to get weighed down easily.”
• Texture: The texture should match your hair type, Ogletree says. “Thicker masks tend to be more hydrating and better suited for coarse or dry hair, while lighter, creamier masks are ideal for finer textures or hair prone to buildup.” That said, “Most masks these days are formulated to work across a range of hair types unless otherwise noted.”
• Concern: Think about your end goal, Ogletree instructs. “Are you trying to repair damage, add moisture, boost shine, or support growth? Choose a mask that’s specifically formulated for that concern.” For example, he says, look for strengthening or bond-repair ingredients to treat breakage; for hair that feels dry or looks dull, focus on masks that are hydrating and smoothing.

What’s the difference between hair masks and conditioners?

“The biggest difference between a hair mask and conditioner is the recommended frequency of use,” says Toves-Vincilione. “Think of conditioners like a body lotion and hair masks like a body butter. Conditioners can be used multiple times during the week as they are expertly formulated with a dilution that won’t oversaturate your hair. Hair masks are intentionally formulated to deliver maximum saturation and aren’t needed or recommended to use more than once a week at the very most.”

Meet the Experts

• Taylor Carter is a colorist and co-owner of East/West Salon Co. in Boston.
• Raven Hurtado is a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Travis Ogletree is a Los Angeles-based colorist and the founder of Treehouse Studio.
• Eddie M Parra is a senior stylist at Benjamin Salon NYC.
• Justin Toves-Vincilione is a hairstylist and content creator based in Los Angeles.