Top Stylists and Editors Agree—These 11 Masks Will Revive Even the Most Damaged Hair
Whether your hair's dry, damaged, coloured or just in need of some love, these are the masks that actually make a difference.
If you're looking to get the best hair of your life, there's one product you should be sure to include in your routine alongside your best shampoo, conditioner or hair oil: a hair mask. Anyone can use a hair mask—it doesn't matter what texture your hair is or how much damage it has. In fact, hair masks are essential for getting healthy, bouncy and soft hair. Think of a hair mask as a DIY spa treatment for your hair.
Hair masks get a bad rap for being super thick. "When people hear 'hair mask,' the general conception is of a heavy and deep conditioning product," says Fekkai SoHo colourist Lorik Rockefeller. "[Because of] that, a lot of people, especially the ones with finer hair, tend to avoid them." But hair masks come in all different consistencies for all different hair textures and densities.
Using a hair mask helps you maintain your haircut a bit longer, ward off split ends, and repair and prevent damage. Whether you want to improve the health of your hair or give your strands some major TLC, there's a hair mask out there for every hair type, texture, concern and price point.
I spoke with hairstylists andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing editors to find the best hair masks. Keep reading to find the hair mask that's right for you.
The Best Hair Masks
- Best Overall Hair Mask: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, was £39, now £27
- Best Affordable Hair Mask: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Hair Conditioner, £3
- Best Hair Mask for Fine Hair: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Luscious Moisture Hair Mask, was £10, now £8
- Best Luxury Hair Mask: Hair Rituel by Sisley Treatment Regenerating Hair Care Mask, was £88, now £70
- Best Hair Mask for Damaged Hair: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, was £70, now £53
1. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
Why we love it: Packed with hydrolysed elastin, castor oil, olive oil and glycerin to boost hydration and lock in moisture, this hair mask was first created by Philip Kingsley for Audrey Hepburn. It's been a cult classic with legions of loyal fans ever since.
Who What Wear editor review: "My hair always tends to feel more dry and brittle during the colder months, says freelance beauty editor andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing contributor, Grace Day. "I always reach for this mask, which doesn't just make hair feel softer and look shinier, but actually strengthens and repairs broken bonds to prevent breakage and that crispy, brittle feeling."
Pros
- Leaves hair stronger
Cons
- Expensive price point
2. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment
Why we love it: Proof that you don't necessarily need to spend a lot to find an effective hair mask, this drugstore favourite has rave reviews for good reason. Aside from being affordable and delivering impressive results, the packaging is super easy to use, and it smells amazing.
Who What Wear editor review: "My biggest gripe with hair masks is that I'm just too impatient to leave them on for longer than 10 minutes, which is why I love Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle deep conditioning masks—and they're really affordable," says beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. "You only need to leave it on for three minutes for it to get to work, making it great if you need a more intensive treatment but are in a rush. This always leaves hair feeling nourished, smooth and shiny."
Pros
- Gets to work in three minutes
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the most luxurious packaging
3. Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Luscious Moisture Hair Mask
Price shown is members' price.
Why we love it: Those with fine hair will love that while this mask is intensely hydrating, it doesn't weigh hair down or leave any greasy residue. Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid and argan oil.
Who What Wear editor review: "This is another hair mask that you don't have to leave on for hours on end to reap the benefits. In just 5-10 minutes, this Beauty Pie mask nourishes parched lengths with argan oil, hyaluronic acid and vegan keratin to ensure hair has bounce and lustre from root to tips," says Vousden. "I'm due a haircut and this mask has helped tide me over to my next appointment by helping my ends look less dry."
Pros
- Gets to work in 5-10 minutes
- Leaves hair bouncy and hydrated
Cons
- Lower price only available to Beauty Pie members
4. Hair Rituel by Sisley Treatment Regenerating Hair Care Mask
Why we love it: The price point may be high, but the quality of this hair mask is reflected in the results it delivers. Expect smoother, glossier hair and a clearer, calmer scalp thanks to the unique blend of nourishing plant-based actives, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Who What Wear editor review: "This hair mask is expensive, but I'd go as far as to say that it's one of the best ones I have ever used," says junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay. "My hair never looks shiny, but this adds salon-worthy radiance that I'm yet to achieve on my own. It features four botanical oils to strengthen hair from root to tip."
Pros
- Adds shine
- Feels luxurious
Cons
- Expensive price point
5. K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Why we love it: Initially exclusive to professionals, this K18 hair mask remains a hairdresser staple, used to support clients' hair before and after colour treatments. It works by strengthening and repairing the bonds within the hair shaft in order to prevent thinning and brittle texture, and is now (thankfully) available for everyone to buy and use at home.
Who What Wear editor review: "This leave-in mask works like a miracle for repairing hair damage," says Vousden. "I have balayage through my lengths, which has left some damage, but this is like a magic wand for repairing. It's clinically proven to reverse damage in four minutes thanks to bond-building peptide technology that deeply penetrates the hair shaft. Plus, you're encouraged to use it in place of conditioner and you don't need to rinse it out, which is a big time saver."
Pros
- Moisturises and repairs
Cons
- Some may prefer a rinse-out formula
6. Hair By Sam McKnight Deeper Love 5-Minute Intense Treatment Mask
Why we love it: This mask is a great all-rounder, making it a good choice for any hair type since it does a little bit of everything—but it's particularly good for dry hair. In as little as five minutes, your hair will feel softer, look shinier, and be noticeably more hydrated.
Who What Wear editor review: "This is, hands down, the best smelling hair mask I have ever used," says Lindsay. "Like all Hair By Sam McKnight products, the scent lingers for days, and it leaves my hair feeling silky soft. Packed with shea butter, I only have to leave it on for five minutes for nourished, hydrated ends."
Pros
- Smells amazing
- Leaves hair nourished
Cons
- More expensive
7. Colorwow and Chris Appleton Money Masque
Why we love it: No one does shiny hair products quite like Color Wow, and this mask is no exception. It smooths and hydrates hair so intensely—as soon as you've set down your hairdryer, you'll notice a glass-like finish.
Who What Wear editor review: "I'm a big fan of Color Wow products, and this hair mask is no exception," says Lindsay. "Leave it on for five minutes and you are left with shiny, strong ends that feel silky soft. The packaging is a little bulky, but I'll let it slide, seeing as the results are so good."
Pros
- Leaves hair ultra-soft and glossy
Cons
- Packaging is bulky
8. Davines Minu Illuminating Hair Mask
Why we love it: Hair masks for coloured hair have to work double duty—both boosting hair health and strength to counteract the side effects of the dye, but also adding enough moisture to prevent colour fading and keep it looking bright and fresh. This underrated mask does both exceptionally well.
Who What Wear editor review: "From a lifetime of bleaching, my hair is often quite damaged and dry. I don't know what magic is in this Davines mask, but whenever I use it, it feels hydrated, glossy and healthy, so I rely on it during those weeks leading up to my next haircut," says senior fashion and beauty editor for branded content, Rebecca Rhys-Evans. "What's more is that I really try to only use cruelty-free beauty products, and Davines are leaders in vegan haircare. Also, it smells sensational!"
Pros
- Nourishes coloured hair
- Chic packaging
Cons
- Struggling to think of any!
9. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Why we love it: If you have curly hair, then you'll know all too well that some hair masks can weigh down curls with unwanted residue. This one is light enough in texture to prevent that from happening, yet adds enough moisture to keep curls looking fresh and buoyant.
Who What Wear editor review:Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing US associate editor Shawna Hudson swears by this mask to keep her hair healthy. "This mask is so great for thick, curly hair," she says. "It's hard to find a deep-conditioning mask that actually keeps my hair hydrated, but this one really does, and it makes my hair look so healthy."
Pros
- Hydrating
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Scent may irritate sensitive scalps
10. Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
Why we love it: Another salon staple, Olaplex's cult No.3 Hair Perfector is less hair mask and more intensive repair treatment. If you regularly colour your hair or use heat tools, you need this on your bathroom shelf.
Who What Wear editor review: WWW US beauty director Erin Jahns regularly uses Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector to keep her strands healthy. "It's been my saving grace ever since I started bleaching my hair, and I swear it's the reason I only lose about three strands when I carefully comb through my fragile blonde strands," she says. "That said, it's great for every hair texture and every level of damage. It's one of those products anyone with hair on their head needs in their arsenal."
Pros
- Hydrating and repairing
Cons
- Can only use on damp hair
11. Fekkai Super Strength+ Mask
Why we love it: Products that do a little bit of everything don't always do everything well, but this hair mask is an exception to the rule. It works to strengthen bonds, protect the hair shaft and boost moisture in one go. It immediately makes hair feel silky and soft, but used regularly (aim for weekly), it will help to improve hair health in the long term, too.
According to Rockefeller, vitamin-rich jojoba and coconut oil help prevent hair breakage and strengthen the hair shaft. "The consistency of the product is incredibly smooth and is easily distributed," Rockefeller says. "I recommend this mask to all my clients, as it works for all hair types. It is extremely effective for chemically treated hair, in particular, including bleached and coloured hair and hair that's been damaged from too much sun exposure or hard water."
Who What Wear editor review: "I don't get tonnes of colour in my hair, just some light balayage once or twice a year, but I always notice a dramatic change in my hair texture when I do," says Day. "I like to use this mask in the run-up to and immediately following my colour appointment to keep it as healthy (and therefore as smooth and soft) as possible."
Pros
- Hydrating and bond-building
- Good for all hair types
Cons
- Scent may irritate sensitive scalps
How to Choose a Hair Mask
Once you've decided to add a hair mask to your routine, the tough part is choosing which one to add. Consider what your main concern is. Repairing damaged hair? Reducing flyaways? Boosting moisture? Or enhancing shine? Then look for a mask that will specifically help with that concern. "To address moisture depletion, a weekly treatment with a deep conditioning mask is essential to add elasticity back to strands, giving them back their stretch, which gives resistance to breakage," says Anabel Kingsley, trichologist and brand president at Philip Kingsley. "For damage and split ends, use a bond repair treatment to repair and strengthen broken bonds and give hair back its strength."
Look for hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, marula oil and shea butter. Keep an eye out for phrases like bond-building and repairing, as these masks target split ends and damaged hair. If your scalp is more sensitive, you may want to avoid fragrances whenever possible.
What Ingredients Should You Look for in Hair Masks?
"Healthy hair growth is as much about what is happening on the inside as what you do on the outside," says Kingsley. "In terms of product formulation, you want to look for stimulating ingredients such as caffeine, and for breakage, look for formulas that contain nourishing, strengthening and hydrating ingredients. Our Elasticizer Deep-Conditioning Treatment contains hydrolyzed elastin, a protein that penetrates your hair shaft and increases its elasticity without weighing your hair down to provide stretchability to the hair to provide strength and resistance against breakage," she adds. "This, along with nourishing olive and castor oil, makes for great moisturising ingredients and makes hair look shiny and healthy."
How We Tested
Each product was trialled over several weeks on a range of hair types, including fine, thick, curly, colour-treated, and damaged, to see how well it tackled dryness, flyaways and breakage. Our editors evaluated texture, scent, ease of use, rinse-out feel, and immediate results, as well as longer-term improvements in softness, shine and strength. We also analysed ingredients, focusing on nourishing oils, proteins, humectants, and the presence of any potential irritants.
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
Prior to her time atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Katie Berohn worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles.
- Grace DayFreelance Beauty Editor
- Eleanor VousdenBeauty Editor,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK
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