18 of the best hair masks, tried and tested by the WH beauty team
Whether your hair is curly, straight, fine, or thick, there’s one thing we can all agree on: nothing beats the transformative power of a great hair mask. These concentrated treatments are like a tall glass of water for thirsty strands, offering hydration, nourishment and repair in just one session. But with so many options on the market, choosing the right hair mask for your hair type and needs can feel overwhelming – especially when every product promises to be the answer to your hair woes.
That’s where we come in. At Women’s Health, we’ve done the hard work for you. Our beauty team has tested, reviewed, and carefully selected the best hair masks on the market, giving you a definitive edit of the products that really deliver. Whether you’re looking to repair post-holiday damage, tame frizz, or simply give your locks some TLC, we’ve rounded up options that cater to all hair textures and concerns.
Hair masks can be a game-changer in any haircare routine, and they’re more versatile than you might think. Use them to deeply hydrate curls, smooth split ends, or even extend the life of your colour. Depending on your hair type, you might reach for a mask once a week for a moisture boost or lean on a protein-rich option to strengthen brittle strands. And the benefits? Expect shinier, softer, and healthier-looking hair after just a few uses – especially if you’re consistent.
Below, we’ll guide you through the very best hair masks – from affordable drugstore gems to luxe salon-worthy formulas worth the investment. Whatever your hair goals for the year ahead, there’s a treatment on this list that will help you get there…
L'Oreal Elvive Colour Protect Anti-Brassiness Purple Mask 250ml
The purple pigments in this intense mask knock out the unwanted yellow tones in blonde and grey strands, whilst leaving the hair soft and nourished.
Elasticizer
Used as a pre-shampoo treatment, this deeply conditions and hydrates preventing your shampoo from stripping your strands and leaving your hair soft, shiny and supple.
£21.00 at philipkingsley.co.uk
Deeper Love 5-minute Intense Treatment Mask
Created by legendary hairdresser Sam McKnight, this hardworking hair mask is made with shea butter and plant keratin to stop split ends in their tracks and restore hair health.
K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Designed to restore the hair in just four minutes, this leave-in treatment works at the innermost layer of the hair, boosting core strength and elasticity.
Color Wow and Chris Appleton Money Masque
This one-step-prep deep conditioning treatment hydrates, restores visible strength, and promotes a silky, healthy appearance. It's perfect for that mirror-like, gloss finish.
The Intense Nutrition Hair Care Mask
Perfect for a salon-worthy treatment at home, this ultra-luxe mask works to transform dry, dehydrated hair – improving the look and feel of hair in as little as five minutes. It also contains a blend of five nourishing oils and kokum butter, which work together to leave the hair with a silky-looking shine.
Restore Repair Mask
For colour- or chemical-treated hair, this nourishing mask with tucuma butter leaves hair smoother and more easy to style. Apply from root-to-tip and it works in just five minutes.
Virtue® Restorative Treatment Mask
With its key ingredient being keratin, which is naturally found in healthy hair, this rebuilds your strands from the inside-out so they are healthier and stronger after just one treatment.
Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask by Briogeo
Packed with rosehip, sweet almond and argan oils, as well as vitamin B5 and biotin, this zeroes in on damage and leaves even the most frazzled and dry hair looking glossy and smooth again.
Nº.3 Hair Perfector
Olaplex drives deep into the strands to repair broken bonds from heat styling, colouring or chemical processing that leaves hair weak. For stronger hair, Olaplex is a go-to.
Pureology Hydrate Superfood Deep Treatment Mask 200ml
Pureology has quite the cult following and this superfood mask is packed with avocado and coconut oil to leave parched hair nourished. It also prevents colour-treated hair from fading.
JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Mask
This innovative formula, featuring Keratris, a vegan alternative to keratin derived from upcycled oranges, helps to increase hydration and shine while reducing frizz. Hemisqualane, derived from bio-fermented sugarcane, further enhances hair health and strength for a noticeably smoother and stronger look.
Briogeo Superfoods™ Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask
Formulated with 97% natural ingredients, Briogeo Superfoods™ Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask is inspired by phytonutrient-rich smoothies. Packed with superfood ingredients, including spinach, cocoa seed butter and chia seeds, the mask helps to restore, maintain and lock in moisture to the strands.
Bleach Reincarnation mask
When it comes to colour, Bleach London knows its stuff. With sunflower seed extract and micro wheat proteins this mask boosts elasticity.
Fine/Medium Hair Treatment Masque
Fine hair can often be left flat after an intensive treatment, but this clever mask ensures the swishability thanks to its lightweight but hardworking formula. It combines shea butter, panthenol and hydrolized keratin to fight frizz and enhance moisture levels while tackling damage from the very root.
Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask
This weekly hair mask can also be used as a daily conditioner to nourish and hydrate the strands. Rich and creamy, it works on the hair without weighing down the strands.
Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
Perfect for afro hair types in need of some TLC, this masque is made with pure shea butter, so it's great for replenishing damaged or chemically treated locks. A must-have for super-parched strands as it instantly hydrates and adds shine.
Equi Botanics, Babassu Deep Treatment Hair Masque
This reparative mask is jam-packed with Brazilian butters, Tucuma and Murumuru seed butter, as well as revitalising oils to nourish your hair from the inside out. Perfect for curly girls.
You Might Also Like
