The 25 Best Hair Masks of 2024

By Alice Ruby On May 24, 2024

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The desire for stronger, healthier hair is pretty universal. While it does require a holistic approach, you can get one step closer to the hair of your dreams with the right hair-care products. And for when you need to give your hair extra T.L.C., you turn to a hair mask.

Featured experts

Ericka Verett is a celebrity hairstylist
Andrew Fitzimons is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzimons

Do hair masks really work?

Hair masks, according to celebrity hairstylist Ericka Verrett, are crucial to your overall hair-care regimen as they can offer a more personalized and intensive treatment and target specific hair concerns. Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzsimons haircare, agrees. “A hair mask is essential to any great hair routine since it helps nourish and hydrate the hair, combatting any dryness or frizz,” Fitzsimons says. “Additionally, a quality hair mask can repair damage caused by heat styling or chemical treatments, promoting overall hair health and resilience. It also helps to strengthen the hair, reducing breakage and split ends, ultimately leading to smoother and more manageable strands [and] enhance the shine and vibrancy of color-treated hair, leaving your hair looking glossy and full of life.”

How often should you use a hair mask?

Using a hair mask is fairly easy to do. This will depend on which type of product you opt for, but Fitzsimons says that most hair masks involve the same few key steps. You’ll either use it pre- or post-shampoo and spread the product evenly, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends where hair is the driest. You’ll leave it on for the recommended time and then rinse thoroughly.

How often you use a hair mask will depend on your hair type, he says. Fine or oily hair types can expect to use a hair mask once or twice a week in place of your conditioner, whereas those with dry and damaged hair can use a hair mask two to three times a week. Then you adjust how you please.

With all that in mind, Fitzsimons and Verrett (and we threw in some of our faves, too) break down the best hair masks for every need and hair type. Scroll down to find the right one for you.

The best hair masks

1 / 25

Best Overall Mask: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask ($75)

This editor and beauty fan-favorite mask from K18 is a viral sensation for good reason: it actually works—and works well. It has a special peptide that treats damage from within the strand to restore hair to its healthiest state and keep your color looking bright. But even if you don’t have color-treated hair, this mask gives you the softest, fullest and shiniest hair after every use. 10/10, no notes.

BUY ON AMAZON – $75

BUY ON SEPHORA – $75

Award Photo: Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask

2 / 25

Best Budget Mask: It’s A 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner ($19)

Aptly named, this deep conditioner is packed with all the hero ingredients you need to really take care of your strands. It is made with aloe vera, apricot and almond oils, sunflower seed extract and keratin to reverse damage done by hot-tool styling and provide nourishment and hydration. Plus, it’s a total steal.

BUY ON AMAZON – $19

BUY ON WALMART – $17

6 / 25

Best Mask For Oily Hair: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment ($24)

Fitzsimons says you’ll need to look for a mask that balances moisture without adding excess oil. “I recommend focusing on lightweight, clarifying ingredients that effectively cleanse and refresh the scalp without stripping it of its natural oils,” he says.

Look for citrus extracts like lemon and grapefruit, which he says have astringent properties to help regulate oil production. You can also look to essential oils such as tea tree oil to prevent buildup and help clarify the scalp without irritation. We love this treatment from Paul Mitchell that uses tea tree oil to soothe and calm irritation while also providing your strands with needed moisture.

BUY ON AMAZON – $24

BUY ON ULTA – $24

10 / 25

Best Mask For Wavy Hair: OUAI Thick Hair Treatment Mask ($38)

Made with ingredients like shea butter, keratin and a blend of almond, olive and macadamia oil, this hair mask works to restore hydration, repair damage, and prevent breakage. You’ll find hair feeling super soft and silky smooth after just one use.

BUY ON AMAZON – $38

BUY ON REVOLVE – $38

11 / 25

Best Mask For Curly Hair: Pattern Treatment Mask ($28)

“For naturally curly, coily hair, it is important to find a mask that provides hydration, defines curls, and reduces frizz,” says Fitzsimons. Packed with nourishing ingredients such as moringa seed extract, hibiscus and rice protein, this treatment mask from Pattern adds definition and length to your natural curls and coils. Plus, it works to keep your natural texture looking—and feeling—strong and hydrated.

BUY ON NORDSTROM – $28

BUY ON AMAZON – $28

12 / 25

Best Mask For Natural Curls: Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Nourishing Mask ($16)

“To deeply moisturize and hydrate your locks, look for masks enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil,” says Fitzsimons. He recommends his mask, which has shea butter, jojoba oil, and the reparative properties of avocado and castor oil to keep curls looking fresh and full of bounce.

BUY ON ULTA – $16

13 / 25

Best Mask For Damaged Hair: SpoiledChild M26 Damage Reverser ($45)

Verrett recommends the SpoiledChild M26 Damage Reverser to help treat the effects of over-processing and heat can have on hair. She says it also has keratin and collagen to mend broken strands.

BUY ON SPOILED CHILD – $45

15 / 25

BestMask For Fine Short Hair: Verb Ghost Hair Mask ($20)

Another hair mask that goes on super lightweight but still packs a punch in the hydration and nourishment department is this one from Verb. It contains moringa oil, which is rich in fatty acids and can smooth out frizz.

BUY ON NORDSTROM – $20

BUY ON SEPHORA – $20

16 / 25

Best Mask For Fine Long Hair: Color Wow Money Mask Deep Hydrating & Strengthening Hair Treatment ($45)

Those with super long strands need a deep conditioning treatment that will not only provide moisture but also strengthen strands to prevent future breakage. Enter Color Wow’s Money Mask. It contains blue sea kale, which bonds with damaged keratin to repair strands and boost hair’s elasticity, a special protein complex to smooth the hair cuticle, and a sea kelp and algae blend for deep hydration.

BUY ON AMAZON – $45

BUY ON SEPHORA – $45

17 / 25

Best Mask For Thick Short Hair: Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair ($52)

Fitzsimons says that thick hair can often be dry and frizzy, so look for a hair mask that will provide hydration. We love the Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask, which uses a vegan silk alternative to keratin to help smooth strands and repair any damage and a blend of oils to give dry ends much-needed hydration.

BUY ON VEGAMOUR – $52

BUY ON AMAZON – $52

20 / 25

Best Mask For Blonde Hair: John Frieda Blonde+ Repair Treatment ($11)

Keep brassiness at bay with a pre-shampoo treatment from John Frieda. This uses a bond-building complex that will restore brittle hair and build new bonds to reveal more vibrant and stronger strands. It also creates a protective barrier to lock in moisture.

BUY ON AMAZON – $11

22 / 25

Best Clean Mask: Innersense Hydrating Hair Mask ($30)

Made with certified organic ingredients, such as shea butter and jojoba and tamanu oil, this nourishing hair mask replenishes lost moisture and protects the hair from future breakage. It suits all hair types and targets your most pressing hair concerns. We couldn’t ask for more, really.

BUY ON CREDO – $30

BUY ON ULTA – $30

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