Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editor and brandsSave this storySave this story
The best hair masks ask for a few extra minutes in your shower routine, but the payoff is well worth it. Your hair goes through daily wear and tear, so using a weekly treatment infused with nourishing, moisturizing ingredients such as biotin, castor oil, collagen, honey, peptides, and shea butter can be a fast track to healthier hair. Even better? Whether you're working with a few split ends or need a complete overhaul after years of bleach, hot tools, and color treatments, there’s a treatment to tackle damage and give your hair the TLC it deserves. Scroll ahead for the absolute best hair masks our editors have tested and approved for smoother, shinier strands.
Our Top Hair Masks
- Best Overall: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, $75
- Best for Mature Hair: Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask, $38
- Best for Curly Hair: Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, $40
- Best for Dry Hair: Pureology Smooth Gloss Mask, $45
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What is a hair mask?
- How do you use a hair mask?
- How often should you use a hair mask?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
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K18
Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask
Amazon
Sephora
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask.
Shanna Shipin
Why it's worth it: There's a reason K18’s Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask is so popular among our editors and readers (hence its Allure Readers' Choice Award win in 2024). This mask, which also acts as a leave-in conditioner, can mend damaged hair and leave it looking like you just walked out of a salon, no matter how brittle it was. The brand's namesake peptide is the key to its reparative benefits: It helps fortify broken polypeptide chains that otherwise secure the hair shaft, making it feel smoother and softer once your hair is dry. One thing to note: You don’t rinse it out. It’s an in-shower treatment that stays in, so it cuts your in-and-out-of-the-shower time in half. “For hair that’s been pushed to the limit from bleach, heat, extensions, or chemical services, this is one of the most impressive products to restore strength while making hair feel healthier and less fragile,” says Mia Santiago, a hairstylist in Columbus, Ohio.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“I put my hair through so much—the blow-drying, the flat-ironing, the re-curling—my split ends were practically visible from outer space! It wasn't until I diligently started using this now-classic leave-in mask that I believed you could actually undo years of damage. There's a learning curve to using it. You need to essentially emulsify the product in your hands, then apply and wait a few minutes, and then continue to style. You also can't use conditioner before applying. Sure, it's a bit finicky, but this stuff works—seemingly instantly. I got heaps of compliments after using it consistently for a month. People thought my hair was shinier when blown out, and my curls were brought back to life, their pattern restored, their joie de vivre revived!” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: biotech-developed peptides, hydrolyzed wheat protein, glycerin
- Who it’s for: color-treated, damaged, or overprocessed hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: Towel-dry hair, then work dime-size amounts from ends to roots, let sit for four minutes without rinsing, then style as usual and use for four to six washes before switching to maintenance mode.
Best for Mature Hair: Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask
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Isima
Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask
Ulta Beauty
Allure executive beauty director Jenny Bailly after using the Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask.
Jenny Bailly
Why it's worth it: Shakira, Shakira, the hair-care brand founder you are. Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Hair Mask, a treatment that takes a three-step approach to restoring hair from scalp to ends, picked up a 2025 Best of Beauty Award for best repairing hair mask. At the root, nonapeptide-3, a restorative, retinol-like ingredient, helps keep the scalp balanced and healthy without irritation. “Nanopeptide-3 helps to enhance collagen production, support skin cell renewal, and strengthen the skin barrier,” New York City-based cosmetic chemist Marisal Mou previously told Allure. Until this product, she says she associated this star ingredient exclusively with skin care.
Within the cortex, the brand’s gluconabond technology rebuilds broken bonds, while soy and rice hydrolyzed proteins replenish lost keratin to reinforce strength from within. On the surface, proprietary fiberseal steps in to smooth and reseal lifted cuticles caused by heat, color, and daily stress, leaving hair softer, stronger, and visibly renewed from every angle.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“After using this three times in one week (once I left it on for 10 minutes, the other times I rinsed it out after maybe two minutes), my hair was much softer and less fuzzy. The musky-sweet fragrance I could do without, but it doesn’t stick around once my hair is dry, so fine, I’ll deal with it for the silkier hair. And the packaging is 10/10—the soft-touch/matte finish doesn’t slip around in the shower, and the lid has a little doohickey (I think that’s the official term) on the edge that lets you easily open it with wet hands.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: nonapeptide-3, gluconabond, soy proteins, rice proteins, fiberseal
- Who it’s for: people with damaged hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: After shampooing, apply the mask from roots to ends, leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse, using it weekly in place of conditioner.
Best for Curly Hair: Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
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Cécred
Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
Ulta Beauty
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner.
Jessica Cruel
Why it's worth it: Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner is a dream for anyone with curly or coarse hair, since it’s formulated with some of the most hair-nourishing ingredients. It’s packed with 12 moisturizing butters and oils to bring dry strands back to life, plus squalane to smooth the cuticle, hyssop extract for added shine, and hyaluronic acid to help lock in hydration. For best results, apply it evenly from roots to tips on clean, sectioned hair. Want to level it up? Throw on a plastic cap (like Allure’s editor in chief, Jessica Cruel, does) and add heat with a hooded dryer, a steamer, or even just a warm towel before rinsing. Bonus: It works on both natural hair and wigs because all hair deserves moisture.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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"I gave up on protein treatments for my hair after my first time using Aphogee in the early 2000s. Hair as hard as a helmet was not worth it. But the hair around my edges seems to snap the moment I begin to pull it back into any sleek style. So, I use this mask every six weeks to strengthen my coils. It feels a bit like glue, but it doesn't harden. I pop on a heating cap for 20 minutes, then detangle with a moisturizing mask. Over time, I have noticed my hair can better withstand the tugging of braids, blowouts, and silk presses." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, hydrolyzed elastin, castor oil, olive oil
- Who it’s for: all hair types
- Fragrance-free: yes
- How to use: Once or twice a week, apply evenly from roots to tips on clean, sectioned hair, then cover with a plastic cap and add heat using a hooded dryer, steamer, or warm towel before rinsing thoroughly.
Best Thickening: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Plumping Hair Mask
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Bumble and Bumble
Thickening Plumping Hair Mask
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Plumping Hair Mask.
Deanna Pai
Why it's worth it: The bad news: No mask or styling product can permanently make individual strands thicker. The good news? This two-minute treatment is like a push-up bra for fine hair. Every time you "wear" Bumble and Bumble's Thickening Plumping Hair Mask, its proprietary strand-plumping technology instantly makes hair look and feel fuller. Hydrolyzed rice protein adds body and bounce without weighing strands down, while kukui seed and coconut oils keep everything soft and smooth, not stiff or crunchy. “It feels weightless, spreads easily, and in just two minutes you can see a visible difference in volume and strength,” says Marcos Diaz, a hairstylist based in New York City.
Pai before applying the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Plumping Hair Mask.
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Plumping Hair Mask.
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“My hair has gone limp and flat after months of postpartum hair loss, so I'm desperate for anything that lends even a temporary lift. I don't usually have time for hair masks, especially with two little ones underfoot, but Bumble and Bumble's version has made it as quick and convenient as possible. I work it into my hair in place of conditioner, shave my legs, and then rinse. Even a single use makes a huge difference in the volume of my curls; they look bigger and feel softer than ever. It's become my new holy grail.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pea protein, wheat protein, biotin, sweet almond oil, argan oil
- Who it’s for: people with fine to medium hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: After shampooing, apply the mask from roots to tips, massage it in, leave it on for two to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Best for Split Ends: Color Wow Money Masque
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COLOR WOW
Money Masque
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying Color Wow Money Masque—and the results.
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: Color Wow's global creative director, Chris Appleton, created Money Masque to capture his signature glossy, red carpet-worthy finish in a treatment that hydrates without weighing hair down. Unlike traditional rich creams that can leave hair feeling coated, Money Masque has an unusually lightweight, almost gel-cream texture that sinks into the hair instead of sitting on top. Blue sea kale helps strengthen damaged keratin, while a Mediterranean sea kelp and algae blend floods dry strands with hydration. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein smooths the hair cuticle, helping rough, frayed ends look sleeker. (FYI, masks can't permanently repair split ends, but they can temporarily smooth and seal them so they're less noticeable.) “This is the mask I recommend most often because it delivers that expensive, ‘healthy hair’ look without weighing hair down,” says Santiago. “It gives incredible slip, makes blowouts look polished, and leaves hair feeling luxe.”
Lee before applying the Color Wow Money Masque.
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Color Wow Money Masque.
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“Ever since I moved to the suburbs eight years ago, I haven't been able to find a stylist I love. So once, maybe twice a year, I make the trek back into New York City to see my beloved stylist. I don't get trims in between, which means split ends are pretty much inevitable, especially since I heat-style my hair regularly. Add in the occupational hazard of testing beauty products every day (some of which leave my hair feeling dull and dry), and my ends are usually crying for help. I wasn't convinced the lightweight, gel-cream texture of Color Wow’s Money Masque would do much for my hair at first. Instead of rinsing it out right away, I applied it, answered a few emails, and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes (a bit longer than the instructions on the package). It absorbed so quickly that it almost felt like I didn't even need to rinse it out.
"After rinsing and styling as usual with my trusty Dyson Airwrap, I was surprised by how soft and silky my ends felt. Nothing actually repairs split ends (they can only be trimmed off if they bother you), but this mask made them look and feel healthy enough that I can probably stretch a little longer between salon appointments.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: blue sea kale, sea kelp, algae, hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: After shampooing, apply the mask from roots to tips, massage it in, leave it on for three to five minutes (or up to 20 minutes for a more intensive treatment), then rinse thoroughly.
Best for Dry Hair: Pureology Smooth Gloss Mask
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Pureology
Smooth Gloss Mask
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han with the Pureology Smooth Gloss Mask.
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: If you've written off hair masks as glorified conditioners, you haven't met Pureology Smooth Gloss Mask. Inspired by the amino acid structure of silk, the formula pairs serine to attract and retain moisture with glycine to smooth the hair's surface and alanine to help repel excess humidity, so dry strands stay hydrated and frizz-free (for up to 72 hours, according to the brand). Glycerin replenishes moisture, while sunflower seed extract provides antioxidant protection for color-treated hair. Plus, it has a lovely beachy scent—a blend of creamy vanilla and warm sandalwood—that lets you mentally escape to a tropical vacation while it sinks in for three to five minutes.
Han before applying the Pureology Smooth Gloss Mask.
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Pureology Smooth Gloss Mask.
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Regular conditioners rarely do much for my dry, color-treated hair, so I have to reach for a hair mask at least once a week to soften my strands. This Pureology mask smells divine, and I appreciate that it’s literally made for my hair type (color-treated and frizzy). It does a much better job of minimizing frizz than most hair masks, even though I’m not particularly skilled at blowouts. And I love that it works fast. I can’t be bothered to stand in the shower for 10 minutes waiting for a mask! It’s thick but not heavy, which is the perfect balance for my fine but dense hair. Post-shower, my hair actually has a sheen to it, which is truly a feat.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: serine, glycine, alanine, glycerine
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with dry or color-treated hair
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: After shampooing, apply the mask from roots to tips, massage it in, leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Best for Minimizing Breakage: Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask
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Olaplex
Weightless Nourishing Mask
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Former Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen with the Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask.
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why it's worth it: If you’ve always associated deep moisture with weighed-down hair, Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask will change your mind. This treatment features the brand’s volume boost complex, which instantly adds lift while helping to prevent snapping and breakage for long-term length and body retention. It’s also infused with Olaplex’s signature bond-building technology to repair internal damage, while nourishing oils like avocado, sunflower, and coconut deliver deep hydration. It’s designed for weekly use because you won’t need it more often than that: The moisture lasts up to five washes.
Dall’Asen before applying the Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask.
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after applying the Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask.
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from former senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“With naturally fine, fragile hair that's endured several bouts of hair loss, I've finally accepted that my hair's never going to be the longest or most bountiful out there. These days, my sole hair-care goal is to make it through my showers without losing massive clumps of it. Preventing dryness and tangles is paramount, and that's why I jumped at the chance to test Olaplex's Weightless Nourishing Mask. Like the rest of the brand's range, which I've used religiously since the brand debuted all those years ago, this mask uses patented bond-building tech to repair hair from the inside out—but this formula is far, far thicker in consistency than any of its siblings. So thick, in fact, that I tend to duck my hair under the running water while I'm applying it to help it spread. That thickness definitely lends itself to deep hydration, though. I can feel the difference as soon as I rinse it out of my hair.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, former senior news editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: volume boost complex, avocado, sunflower, and coconut oils, shea butter, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people with flat, limp hair that needs moisture and volume
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: After shampooing, apply generously to wet hair from mid-lengths to ends, leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse well. Use weekly for best results.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Kérastase Première Anti-Breakage Repairing Mask
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Kérastase
Première Anti-Breakage Repairing Mask
Amazon
Sephora
Why it's worth it: For the amount of time—and money—you spend in the salon chair when you’re getting your hair colored, it's hard to believe it can still end up feeling dry, rough, or prone to breakage. But that's often just part of the territory with chemically treated hair. Kérastase Première Anti-Breakage Repairing Mask tackles all of the above with a formula centered on glycine, an amino acid that penetrates the hair fiber to help reconnect weakened keratin bonds, alongside peptides that reinforce strands and reduce breakage. The rich, creamy texture leaves hair feeling smoother, stronger, and softer after just one use without sacrificing movement.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycine, peptides
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with color-treated hair or calcium buildup from hard water
- Fragrance-free: no
- How to use: After shampooing and towel-drying, apply the mask from roots to tips, massage it in, leave it on for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hair mask?
What makes a hair mask different from your regular conditioner is higher doses of ingredients to supercharge your strands, according to New Jersey-based hairstylist Michelle Cleveland. "A hair mask is very similar to a daily conditioner in that it restores hydration to the hair after shampooing. However, a mask contains higher concentrations of vitamins, oils, and butters that will penetrate deeper into the hair when left on for longer periods of time than a traditional conditioner," she explains. "The result is a higher level of hydration, which ultimately leads to repairing dry, damaged, and/or dehydrated hair." If you're looking for masks for damaged hair, these deep conditioning treatments can deliver a level of nourishment your everyday conditioner simply can't.
On top of that, hair masks are more tailored to address specific needs and concerns, says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Mark Townsend. "Hair masks are deep conditioners aimed at specific needs like repairing damage from heat and chemical treatments, improving circulation at the scalp, strengthening the hair follicle, and adding and retaining moisture," he says.
How do you use a hair mask?
Most hair masks come with specific instructions, but as a rule of thumb, Townsend says always shampoo your hair before using one to wash away buildup that can affect the mask's efficacy. "Masks usually work best on damp hair, not soaking wet, so remove as much water from the hair as possible," he adds. To ensure you remove as much water as possible, Brooklyn-based hairstylist Latoya Moore suggests wrapping your hair in a microfiber towel to soak up excess water before applying your mask. "Apply a generous amount from mid-shaft to ends, and try to avoid the roots," she suggests.
To ensure every strand is coated, Townsend and Moore recommend combing your hair immediately after applying. "Use a wide-tooth comb or fingers to evenly distribute the mask to ensure every strand is coated," says Moore. Both hairstylists also suggest covering your hair with a shower cap or warm towel to help the mask penetrate.
Usually, you won't have to follow a hair mask with a conditioner since the former is, essentially, a more concentrated version of the latter. Always read the product's instructions, whether it's a leave-in or rinse-out treatment, to ensure proper use for the best results.
How often should you use a hair mask?
Multiple hairstylists we chatted with agree that each hair mask's formulation is totally unique, so, yet again, make sure you follow the instructions. Some hair masks can be used once a week, while others can be used as a daily treatment; it all depends on what the brand recommends. Taking your own course of action won't necessarily ruin your hair, but rinsing out a hair mask too quickly or not using it often enough can lead to less significant results, and leaving one in for too long can leave a greasy residue.
Meet the experts
- Michelle Cleveland is a hairstylist based in New Jersey.
- Marcos Diaz is a hairstylist in New York City.
- Jerome Lordet is a hairstylist in New York City.
- Latoya Moore is a hairstylist in Brooklyn.
- Marisal Mou is a cosmetic chemist in New York City.
- Mia Santiago is a hairstylist and the owner of Headspace by Mia in Columbus, Ohio.
- Mark Townsend is a hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness, thinning) or to work most effectively for a hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls, right?
For our review of the best hair masks, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
