One Small Change Made My Hair Thicken Crazy-Fast
Box braids are one of my favorite protective hairstyles. They're low-maintenance, give me tremendous length, and offer a much-needed break from using heat tools on my delicate natural hair. I'd say these stylish plaits are an all-around win, except that after a couple of months of carefree living, my strands are left in serious need of help in the thickness department. That's where hair masks come in to save the day.
These handy pots of nutrient-dense goodness are a catchall for any hair problem you might be experiencing that's causing your tresses to appear more thin than you'd like. My post-braid thinness is mainly perpetuated by the overuse of clarifying shampoo, which I have to use for a few days to get my hair clear of product and scalp debris. Not to mention the weeks of routine hair shedding that's finally free to fall—a process I can only imagine is akin to that of a husky losing his winter coat. Yes, it’s that intense.
So you get it—hair masks are an absolute must for getting my hair back to its thick, lively self after it's been braided, but they can also help thicken up hair that's suffering from dehydration, over-styling and more. Here, you'll find 15 of the best masks out there to help you achieve the thick hair of your dreams. Happy scrolling!
1. Carol's Daughter Almond Milk Ultra-Nourishing Hair Mask
2. DP Hue Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Masque
Apple cider vinegar is one of those miracle products that seems to fix everything, so it's really no surprise it makes for an excellent hair mask ingredient too. This one by DP Hue employs a coconut oil and keratin-infused formula, and balances your hair's PH. Don't mind the smell.
3. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
When I need to stop breakage dead in its tracks, I reach for this mask. It's packed with good stuff like B vitamins, rose-hip oil, collagen, and more naturally derived ingredients that strengthen the hair and help it recoup that coveted thickness.
4. Moraccanoil Restorative Hair Mask
5. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque
6. Kerastase Resistance Masque Extentioniste
7. Oribe Moisture Control Deep Treatment Masque
8. Olaplex Hair Perfector No.3
The first time I ever heard about Olaplex, my then-roommate's stylist had given it to her to maintain her bleach-blonde hair. Since then, we've learned that its restorative properties go well beyond color-treated hair, and it's been in my treatment rotation for a while now.
9. Sol de Janeiro Triple Brazilian Butter Hair Repair Treatment
10. Creme of Nature Pure Honey Hair Mask
11. Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment
This sweet-smelling conditioning treatment is perfect for curly and coily hair types. It's packed with nourishing shea butter and Centella extract to help elongate every strand and minimize frizz. More manageable hair means less friction, which leads to thicker, happier hair.
12. Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask
13. Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask
14. Together Beauty Dreamer Overnight Repair Mask
15. Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask
If your color-treated blonde hair needs some extra TLC to reach its full potential, this is the mask for you. Not only does it neutralize brassiness, but it also helps to moisturize parched hair with a mixture of ultra-rich and nutrient-dense oils.
Next, I Spend a Lot of Money on Hair Color—Here Are the 8 Things I Do to Protect It
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previouslyBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's associate beauty editor after spending many years working at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.
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