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A hair mask is a concentrated treatment that you leave on longer than conditioner. Use one to add moisture, soften frizz or help damaged lengths feel stronger. The best mask depends on your hair: fine hair needs lightweight hydration, curls need slip and moisture, and bleached or heat-damaged hair benefits from bond-building or strengthening formulas. This guide matches popular masks to hair types and explains how to use them for the best results.
Hair Masks Compared
| Hair mask | Best for | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector | Bleached, chemically damaged hair | Pre-shampoo bond treatment |
| Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask | Dry, medium-to-thick hair | Argan oil moisture mask |
| Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! | Dry, damaged hair | Deep conditioning mask |
| Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask | Curly and wavy hair | Nourishing mask |
| Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery | Dry hair on a budget | Drugstore moisture mask |
| Living Proof Restore Repair Mask | Colour-treated, damaged hair | Repair mask |
| SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt | Very dry, breakage-prone hair | Rich protein-moisture mask |
| Kérastase Résistance Masque Thérapiste | Very damaged hair, frizz | Salon-brand repair mask |
Best Hair Masks by Hair Need
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
Best for: Bleached, coloured or chemically processed hair
Olaplex No. 3 is technically a pre-shampoo treatment, not a classic conditioning mask. It is built around the brand’s patented bond-building ingredient, designed to help repair broken disulfide bonds caused by bleaching and chemical services. Apply it to damp hair, leave it on, then shampoo and condition.
Pros
- Targets bond damage from bleach
- Widely used by colourists
- Suits all hair types
Cons
- Not very moisturizing alone, so follow with conditioner
- Premium price
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
Best for: Dry, medium to thick hair
An argan oil–infused mask focused on softness and shine. It works best for coarse, dry or frizz-prone hair. It may feel heavy on very fine hair.
Pros
- Leaves hair soft and shiny
- Signature scent many people love
Cons
- Can weigh down fine hair
- Fragrance is strong
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!
Best for: Dry, damaged hair
A deep-conditioning mask with ingredients such as rosehip and argan oils plus B vitamins. Briogeo formulates without sulfates, silicones and parabens. Use it weekly for dry, brittle lengths.
Pros
- Clean-formula approach
- Good for dryness and damage
Cons
- Results build over several uses
Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask
Best for: Curly, wavy and thick hair
A nourishing mask that adds slip for detangling and moisture for curl definition. It’s a good pick if curls feel rough or frizzy after washing.
Pros
- Helps detangle
- Supports curl softness
Cons
- May be rich for fine waves
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery
Best for: Dry hair on a budget
An affordable drugstore mask with a blend of oils. It’s simple and effective for regular moisture top-ups.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to find
Cons
- Less targeted for severe damage
Living Proof Restore Repair Mask
Best for: Colour-treated and damaged hair
Designed to smooth and strengthen damaged hair while keeping it light, so it works for many hair densities, including fine colour-treated hair.
Pros
- Lightweight feel
- Good for colour-treated hair
Cons
- Higher price
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt
Best for: Very dry, breakage-prone and textured hair
A rich mask with manuka honey, yogurt and shea butter, popular for curly and coily hair that needs moisture and strength. See our best SheaMoisture products for more from the brand.
Pros
- Rich and nourishing
- Affordable for the size
Cons
- Too heavy for fine hair
Kérastase Résistance Masque Thérapiste
Best for: Very damaged, over-processed hair
A salon-brand mask from Kérastase’s Résistance range, aimed at severely damaged hair that needs repair and frizz control.
Pros
- Rich repair for very damaged hair
- Smooths frizz
Cons
- Expensive
- Too rich for healthy or fine hair
How to Choose a Hair Mask
Fine or Oily Hair
Choose lightweight hydrating or repair masks. Apply them only from mid-lengths to ends, and rinse thoroughly.
Dry, Thick or Coarse Hair
Richer masks with oils and butters, such as argan, shea or coconut, add softness and reduce frizz.
Curly and Coily Hair
Look for slip and moisture to help detangling. Our guide on how to reduce frizz in curly hair shows where a mask fits in a curl routine.
Bleached or Damaged Hair
Bond-building or strengthening treatments come first, then a moisturizing mask. For a full plan, read how to repair dry and damaged hair.
Protein Vs Moisture
Hair that feels mushy or overly stretchy often needs protein. Hair that feels rough, straw-like or brittle usually needs moisture. Alternate if you’re unsure.
How to Use a Hair Mask
- Shampoo, then gently squeeze out excess water.
- Apply the mask from mid-lengths to ends, plus the roots only if the label says so.
- Comb it through with a wide-tooth comb.
- Leave it on for the recommended time, usually 5–20 minutes. A warm towel or shower cap can help.
- Rinse with lukewarm or cool water.
- Use once a week for most hair, or up to twice a week for very dry or damaged hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I use a hair mask?
Once a week suits most people. Very dry or damaged hair can use one twice a week; fine hair may only need one every one to two weeks.
Can I leave a hair mask on overnight?
Only if the product says so. Some masks are fine overnight, but leaving heavy masks or protein treatments on too long can make hair limp or brittle.
Is Olaplex No. 3 a hair mask?
It is a pre-shampoo bond-building treatment rather than a conditioning mask, so you still need conditioner afterwards.
Should I apply a hair mask to wet or dry hair?
Most masks go on damp, freshly shampooed hair. Some pre-shampoo treatments, like Olaplex No. 3, are applied before washing.
Conclusion
Choose your mask by hair type and need: Olaplex No. 3 for bleach damage, Moroccanoil or Briogeo for dryness, Amika or SheaMoisture for curls, and Living Proof for colour-treated hair. Use it consistently once or twice a week, focused on the ends, for the best results.
