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16 Best Hair Masks For Shinier, Stronger Strands

Whatever your hair type, we know just the treatment you need

By and Louise Whitbread
a group of hair maskspinterest

When you've only got ten minutes spare in your day, slathering on a hair mask might not be an obvious priority. There's TV to watch, snacks to eat, naps to be had. However, a good hair mask can be really worth the time, making a big, shiny difference to your crowning glory.

You might already be doing everything right: shampooing (but not too often), spritzing on the heat protectant diligently, and even massaging in a nightly hair growth serum (you show off). But if after all that, your hair isn't quite at TV-advert level, a mask is likely the missing link.

It would be fair to assume little thought is required in choosing a good hair mask, but there are actually a few things to consider before liberally applying the first one you find. Many of today’s best hair masks contain ingredients specifically designed to deal with certain hair issues - be it brittle strands, dryness or lacklustre colour.

First up, dryness. If your hair is dull and brittle, and snaps without stretching when pulled, you need a moisture mask. Many of these can be slathered on in-shower or applied and left to linger – perhaps even overnight – for maximum hydration.

Conversely, if your hair is stringy and overly elastic – like a chewed-up stick of gum – your strands actually need protein (regular bleachers will know what we mean here).

As Ryan Wilkes, stylist at Hershesons explains, 'A protein mask will strengthen and prevent breakage while moisture-based masks add hydration to dry hair. If a client is experiencing breakage or change of texture due to colouring or excessive heat, a protein mask will restore and replenish. If their hair is lacking hydration and shine, a moisture-based mask will hydrate and improve the vibrancy.'

When it comes to protein, you can have too much of a good thing – excess protein can leave hair stiff and breakable – so it’s important not to overdo it. While formulas of course vary in strength and effectiveness, using an at-home protein hair mask once a month is a good rule of thumb, whereas moisture masks can be used as often as you feel you need, and left on for as long as you like.

Below, see the masks that the ELLE beauty team use on repeat.

The Best Masks For Every Hair Type

1
Best Mask For Blonde Hair

Color Wow and Chris Appleton Money Masque

Color Wow and Chris Appleton Money Masque
£39 at Cult Beauty£32 at LookFantastic£39 at Sephora

'With long blonde and overly processed strands, my hair needs all the help it can get,' shares ELLE's Amelia Bell. 'Thankfully, this mask truly works wonders to repair my split ends. I use it as a weekly treatment and will sometimes even leave it in overnight when my lengths are looking especially parched; the next day it feels instantly healthier and shinier and a lot less damaged.'

2
Best Hair Mask For Very Thick Hair

Davines OI Absolute Beautifying Hair Butter

OI Absolute Beautifying Hair Butter

Truth be told, we’d recommend any and every Davines hair mask, but for very thick strands, it has to be the inexplicably named OI Hair Butter. It’s loaded with Amazonian roucou oil and really softens straggly strands, imparting major shine (and a white-floral scent) in the process. Leave it on for ten minutes, or let it linger overnight for the deepest of treatments.

3
Best Hair Mask For Hard Water

Kèrastase Premiere Anti Breakage Advanced Filler Mask

Premiere Anti Breakage Advanced Filler Mask

I've been using Kérastase's most recent line since the start of the year, and honestly I can't quite bring myself to try much else. The matching shampoo works to remove the calcium that damaged hair soaks up (this will ring especially true if you live in a hard water area), then the mask rebuilds the damaged sections of each strand. If your hair is bleached or processed frequently, and a simple moisture mask doesn't quite cut it, don't hesitate.

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4
Best Hair Mask For A Fine Fragrance

Hair By Sam McKnight Deeper Love Treatment Mask

Deeper Love Treatment Mask

There is no-one better placed to create a haircare line than Sam McKnight. Throughout his incomparable career, he has worked on hair of every texture, colour and condition, and it's safe to say he knows exactly what works.

Now, McKnight has finally expanded his eponymous range to include shampoos, conditioners and styling products. The first thing to try? This lightweight yet deeply hydrating mask, which is best used before a big night out: expect shinier hair, less frizz, and a ridiculously delicious green scent (formulated by perfumer Lyn Harris, no less).

5
Best Hair Mask For All Hair Types

Arkive The Future Youth Treatment Mask

On Sale
The Future Youth Treatment Mask
Now 33% Off

Leading stylist Adam Reed is a true Fragrance Head, so when we heard he was to launch his own line, we expected an aromatic treat. And boy were we right: this sensorial wonder imparts notes of fresh flowers and sticky rhubarb with every hair swish.

That's not all: of course, it works wonders on turning around dry, lacklustre lengths too. With shea butter, coconut oil and baobab oil, it's a recipe for seriously glossy strands. If your hair is simply lacking a little life, start with this one.

6
Best Hair Mask For Textured Hair

Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment

Intensive Moisture Treatment

ELLE's Kara Kia recommends Bouclème's curly-girl approved line for anyone hoping to reinvigorate curls, coils, waves and kinks.

'I’ve tried dozens of deep conditioners over the years, and Bouclème’s Intensive Moisture Treatment is hands-down the best,' she says. 'I have multi-textured hair, a mix of 3b and 4a, and using this mask once a week has made a huge difference with frizz, hydration, and definition.'

'The ingredients are super-concentrated, there’s no strong smell, it has incredible slip for easy detangling on thick and Afro hair, and it works beautifully as a leave-in conditioner without weighing down wavy or looser curls. I always go back to this mask for a hair reset – especially after heat styling.'

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7
Best Hair Mask For Looser Curls

Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Mask: Creamy Deep Conditioner

Hair-Mask: Creamy Deep Conditioner

Finally breathing some much-needed life into the textured hair market is Bread Beauty Supply: the name to know if you're looking to make the most of your curls, coils or kinks. This pearly, lemon-scented conditioner delivers incredible slip to curls and ensures curls bounce into shape with serious shine. Trust us, try it.

8
Best Hair Mask For Total Luxury

Oribe Gold Lust Transformative Masque

Gold Lust Transformative Masque

Yes, this one costs as much as a big night out, but I think it's worth every penny. The extra-rich, mega-moisturising formula envelops hair in moisture, resulting in bigger, bouncier blow-dries with an unbelievably glossy shine. The scent is expensive - think Champagne-o-clock in St. Tropez – and the experience truly indulgent. You deserve a treat...

9
Best Hair Mask For Coloured Hair

Sisley Color Beautifying Hair Care Mask

Color Beautifying Hair Care Mask

Sisley's ultra-luxe haircare line really does deliver on its promises. A recent launch, this deliciously scented hair mask has a precise acidic pH that helps to seal the cuticle of each strand, locking in your colour pigments and ensuring a smooth, light-reflecting surface. Ceramides and rich plant oils add plenty of moisture, ensuring even the fluffiest of hair dries smoothly – so much so, you'll likely forget all about the hair straighteners.

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10
Best hair mask for very dry hair

Le Labo Hair Mask

Hair Mask

Yes, London's favourite fragrance house also makes some pretty great hair and body heroes. This moisture mask is as thick as they come and makes even the most parched of ends feel impressively soft. It rinses away with ease, but the scent thankfully lingers: a woody, heady incense blend that's every bit as good as the famous Santal 33.

11
Best Hair Mask For highlighted hair

LOréal Professionnel Serie Expert Metal Detox Mask

On Sale
Serie Expert Metal Detox Mask

Fun fact: the minerals in your shower water are likely preventing those expensive highlights from looking their best. Copper deposits in particular can lead lengths to take on a dull tinge: but thankfully, this clever mask is here to reverse the damage. Unlike a purple shampoo, which adds more colour to balance the warmth, this mask works by removing those unwanted deposits and feeding hair with moisture, resulting in brighter blondes and more vibrant browns. Genius.

12
Best hair mask for fine hair

L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Hair Mask

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Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Hair Mask

Fine hair needs moisture, but so many masks leave thin strands overloaded – and there’s nothing more annoying than blow-drying your hair to find your roots are flat and lengths limp. L’oreal Paris’ jelly-like formula will slick over delicate lengths, imparting moisture while rinsing away with ease, so you’re left with nothing but silky strands. Consider this one proof that you don't have to spend a lot to get a product that delivers.

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13
Best Hair Mask For Protein

Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask

Restorative Treatment Mask

Cult line Virtue takes things one step further than most haircare brands. Central to the line is the brand's patented Alpha Keratin 60ku, which has the exact molecular structure as the keratin protein in our hair.

This means the formula can seek out strands in need of help and sink in seamlessly to repair from within. For hair that's recently been coloured, this is the investment to make.

14
Best Hair Mask For Bleached Hair

Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask

No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask

It's no secret we love the original Olaplex bond-repair treatment, but we admit hopping in and out of the shower to use it is a bit of a faff. Lazy girls, listen up: this mask delivers all of the benefits of the famed original with none of the effort. Simply slick it on after your shampoo, wash your face, and enjoy your sleeker, stronger lengths.

15
Best Hair Mask For Frizz

Fable & Mane Fable & Mane HoliRoots Repairing Hair Mask

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Repairing Hair Mask

Fable & Mane's philosophy is to introduce Indian hair rituals into Western beauty practices – and if you're new to the brand, this hair mask is a great place to start. It smooths cuticles to combat frizz, breakage and stressed strands, with soothing fragrance notes of coconut and banana to keep you smelling sweet.

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16
Best Hair Mask For Breakage

Act + Acre Restorative Hair Mask

Restorative Hair Mask

Act + Acre's trichologist-formulated products are ideal for delicate, breakable hair that needs treating extra nicely. The brand's hair mask contains a little protein alongside a lot of moisture, so it a great one for repairing moderately damaged hair. It's fairly rich, so ideal for thicker hair, and comes in the most genius waste-reducing aluminium packaging.

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