20 best hydrating hair masks for every hair type
Locks still looking a little lacklustre, despite finding your perfect shampoo and conditioner? If so, it may be time to introduce a hair mask into your routine.
These underrated beauty buys can maximise your hair’s potential by boosting hydration and even spicing up your colour (potentially saving you a salon trip or two). They can also get to work in a matter of minutes and the ones on our list below start from as little as £7.99.
Which hair masks are the best?
The shelves are overflowing with masks claiming to fix every possible hair concern, so the Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of 681 testers to trial nearly 40 brands.
These were our testers' favourites for all hair types at a glance, but scroll on for their full reviews.
Do hair masks really work?
If you have fine hair or struggle with oiliness, you may prefer to stick to a conditioner, as these tend to have a lighter texture than hair masks. However, for those in need of heavy-duty replenishment, a richer, creamier leave-in treatment can help boost hair health.
These formulas are packed with hydrating oils to help restore moisture and smooth dryness-induced frizz. They nourish the hair cuticle to not only leave you with healthier locks, but they can also help to make hair more manageable, with fewer tangles.
Should I still use conditioner after a hair mask?
It depends. Hair masks described as “pre-wash treatments” are applied before shampooing to protect your strands from stripping, while masks classed as “leave-in treatments” should always be the last step in your routine.
However, the average hair mask is best applied after shampoo and before your conditioner. This is because the shampoo will help prep the hair follicles to absorb all that nourishing goodness more effectively.
Check the brand's instructions, but if in doubt: shampoo, mask, condition. To bolster locks even further, the best bond building treatments and hair oils will complete your “everything shower” routine, particularly if your hair is bleached.
How we test
The GHI asked 681 testers with a variety of hair types to try 40 hydrating hair masks over a fortnight. Our panel then gave detailed feedback on whether their hair looked and felt healthier after use, as well as noting any changes to its colour or frizziness.
Back in the beauty lab, our expert team used a Dia-Stron machine to assess the smoothness of hair swatches before and after treatment, to find the most nourishing masks you can buy.
In our list of favourites below, you'll also find an editor's pick. When you see these in our articles, they haven't been tested by the same stringent standards and protocols as our GHI Approved products (yet), but our team of beauty editors and writers just can't wait to shout about them and have personally tried and loved them, so we wanted to share those with you too.
Here are all our top buys for a little extra TLC this winter.
Bye Bye Dry Hydrating TLC Mask
Score: 90/100
Promising to transform the driest of strands from parched to quenched, this mask was a hit with our panel. Everybody found its spreadable texture ideal for working into their ends, and it left almost everyone with healthier-looking hair.
Hydration-wise, our testers said their hair felt intensely nourished, smoother, less frizzy and shinier after use. Simply apply it to damp hair, leave it for three minutes and rinse.
Color Wow and Chris Appleton Money Masque
Score: 89/100
This mask has been developed in collaboration with Chris Appleton, stylist to the stars (including Kim Kardashian). And it was a real hit with our testers. Chris knows what he’s doing when it comes to styling hair, and restoring life to damaged ends. All those hair colour changes for Kim and her sisters aren’t going to repair themselves, after all.
Color Wow, already famed for its smoothing spray and frizz-softening formulations, developed this mask to add silky shine to straight hair, while defining and softening a head of curls. But did it deliver?
Our testers loved how the one-step prep treatment made their hair look more healthy and nourished, with no tangles in sight. It made lengths easier to comb through and was simple to use, with much of the feedback focused on how “super shiny and silky” it left strands. Almost everyone said their hair felt stronger – a win for colour-treated hair. Tick, tick.
Intensive Moisture Treatment
Score: 87/100
This offering from Black-owned beauty brand Bouclème impressed our panel, making their tresses look and feel noticeably more nourished and bouncy. One particularly happy tester couldn't stop raving about their new “soft and juicy” hair.
It didn't do much for split ends, but testers were pleased with the smoothness of their strands and most agreed that it relieved any dryness. Everyone loved its creamy consistency, which wasn’t too messy to use.
Beauty Supply Hair-Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner
Score: 86/100
Coming in a travel-friendly pouch that packs a generous 354ml of product inside, this mask proved itself a saviour for our testers with afro hair. Everybody praised its texture, saying it didn’t leave their hair feeling heavy or greasy. Most said their hair felt more moisturised, smoother and less frizzy after use, and it added definition to their curls.
It aced our lab test by improving smoothness and boosted shine for most of our panel. Some struggled to dispense it, but its slender packaging does take up less room in your bathroom.
Restorative Treatment Mask
Score: 86/100
Scoring full marks in our lab test for smoothing, this mask is a top pick for anyone struggling with damage after one too many hair colour experiments. Our entire panel loved its scent and how easy it was to wash out, leaving them with shiny, silky-smooth strands.
It didn’t hold back on hydration, either, with many noticing an improvement in the dryness of their ends. Not everyone enjoyed greater vibrancy of colour, but it’s a great option for keeping hair in tip-top condition between salon trips.
Nutritive Masqueintense
Score: 85/100
In desperate need of hydration but find masks weigh your locks down? Here's your perfect match. Ideal for those with finer hair, our panel found it made their strands softer, without leaving them heavy or greasy.
Some testers said the twist-off lid tub was a bit messy to use, but almost all testers found the formula itself a breeze to apply and most loved its lingering floral scent.
Extreme Mask
Score: 84/100
If nothing less than a diamond shine will do, look to this mask. It stood out from the crowd by boosting both hydration and lustre to revitalise neglected hair. It left our full panel with nourished, smoother manes and many loved their newfound gloss.
Its easy-to-rinse texture got the thumbs up too, and it barely left any testers with a greasy finish. Less than half found it helped to minimise breakage, but most were happy with how healthy their hair looked after use.
Revitalising Scalp Mask
Score: 84/100
You can’t have great hair without addressing your scalp first, which is where this mask comes in. Simply apply it to a dry scalp, massage it in and leave for 10 to 20 minutes.
The result? Most testers agreed that it relieved any irritation, leaving them with smoother, shinier locks. Only a few noticed a reduction in dandruff, but most said it boosted hydration and delivered a volume boost.
Eco Therapy Revive Masque
Score: 83/100
This 100% vegan and cruelty-free mask is suitable for those with coloured hair. It helped many of our testers bring dry, frazzled strands back to life and left them with smoother locks. It also scored well in our lab test for smoothing, proving its credentials in this department.
Some of our panel said their hair felt fuller after use, with everybody loving its rich texture. In fact, it's so nourishing some found it left their hair a little too greasy and heavy. Look elsewhere if you have fine hair, but it's a godsend for those in dire need of hydration.
Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Hair Mask
Score: 83/100
Our panel found this great value mask intensely hydrating. Not only did it quench thirsty strands, but it also left most testers with healthier-looking hair and beautifully shiny tresses.
It didn't do much in the way of minimising breakage or dandruff or boosting colour vibrancy, but for its affordable price and heavenly smell, it’s a total bargain buy.
Love Curl Mask
Score: 82/100
Aside from booking in for a trim, there's not usually much you can do to banish split ends. But this mask managed to do the impossible, with most noticing fewer split ends after the trial period. Formulated with renewable and sustainably sourced ingredients, the mask left all our testers with smoother, more hydrated strands. It calmed frizz, too.
Some did describe the packaging as "basic", but it’s a small compromise when you consider it’s made from 100% clean energy, with zero environmental impact.
Hydrate Superfood Treatment
Score: 81/100
Designed to be applied to colour-treated hair, this mask nourishes tresses without stripping your colour. Most testers loved its fruity scent and many found it left their strands silky-smooth.
Some though the five-minute waiting time was too long when they had a busy day ahead, but the majority said their hair looked healthier after use.
Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment
Score: 81/100
Originally designed to revive Audrey Hepburn’s iconic locks after long days of filming, this cult classic has become a staple for celebs, including A-listers like Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett. Apply to ends as a pre-shampoo treatment for a minimum of three minutes (for a deeper condition, leave on for 20) and prepare to be amazed.
Our testers appreciated that it didn’t leave their hair feeling greasy or heavy, instead making tresses softer after just one use. One tester even found their natural curls appeared bouncier and more defined. Our panel did prefer the pump dispenser over the tub, however (less mess).
Ultimate Blends Plumping Hair Food Watermelon 3-in-1 Hair Mask
Score: 81/100
This vegan formula is designed to leave fine hair looking plumped and glossy after styling, and all for a bargain price. Did it really work? The answer is... yes.
One tester described the smell as “delicious” and it left our panel with intensely hydrated strands. It delivered on smoothness too, with most agreeing it left them with a silky finish.
Although some would have preferred a squeezable container and it didn’t boost colour for many, it's excellent value for money given how much you get in the tub.
Nourish Hair Mask
Score: 81/100
The cult-favourite coconut water brand has harnessed the hydration power of its drinks line and branched out into hair care. The formula is vegan and sustainably sourced, while the tub is made from 75% recycled plastic.
It managed to reduce dryness for our panel, who said their hair felt smoother and softer after use. They loved the tropical coconut scent and the majority said it didn’t leave their hair greasy. Only a few saw their split ends replenished, but almost all testers said they would keep using it.
No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Score: 79/100
Known as the Holy Grail for all bleach-related issues, this mask is a more intense version of Olaplex's iconic pre-wash treatment. The thick, creamy texture worked a treat for those needing a pamper session, leaving most of our panel with less straw-like strands, and some with added smoothness to boot.
Almost all our testers were impressed with how well it revitalised damaged tresses, with one noting its “plumping” effect. It’s not cheap – at £28 for 100ml, it’s one of the pricier masks on our list – and one tester did note that they needed to use a lot to cover their hair.
SOS Phase 3 mask pot moisture
Score: 79/100
It can be tricky to find a mask to reduce dandruff, but this vegan option promises to hydrate even the most desert-dry strands and scalps. Jam-packed with nourishing, sustainably sourced Australian macadamia nut oil and avocado, it left most of our panel with less flaking and proved a hit for reviving parched hair, with many enjoying smoother and more nourished locks.
When it came to frizz, most saw an improvement, with one tester loving how “fresh, healthy and defined” their curls looked. Some found it tricky to wash out, but most of those with coloured hair saw their shade revitalised, with hair looking less damaged.
Frizz Ease Dream Curls Deep Conditioner
Score: 78/100
Formulated to nourish curl types ranging from 2A-3A, our testers appreciated the thick, creamy texture that left most of our panel with frizz-free locks.
Our testers noticed an improvement in the appearance of their curls, with hair feeling more nourished and looking sleeker, without feeling heavy. The packaging let it down slightly, with some testers describing it as “inconvenient”.
Botanical Repair Intensive Strengthening Masque, Light 150ml
Score: 76/100
Our testers gave this mask a rave review for boosting hydration, saying it drenched dried-out strands in moisture. Suitable for fine hair, all our panel found it delivered on nourishment, while still feeling lightweight and successfully avoiding any greasiness.
It left most with shinier locks and healthier-looking hair. What let it down slightly was its average lab score – it didn't perform well when it came to smoothness, though this didn’t seem to be the case with our testers.
Editor's pick
Nurture Intense Hydration Mask
With the new series of Queer Eye currently on Netflix, all eyes are on Jonathan Van Ness' enviable lengths again. And the good news is that he also now has his own haircare line, which is one of the most results-verified celeb beauty brands we've seen.
"For me, convenience is key when it comes to hair products," says Florence Reeves-White, the GHI's senior beauty writer. "I'm not sure if you're meant to, but if I want to wear my hair slicked back, I drench it in this, and when I shower it off the next day, my once-tangly, bleached mop is miraculously soft and shiny. I always get hair compliments the day after using this, which can't be a coincidence!"
Coming from someone who's tried their fair share of nourishing oils and brilliant bond builders, we think this mask lives up to its cult status. Plus, you can use it whatever your hair type or texture.
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