5 Hair Masks to Add to Your Hair Care Routine: A Buyer’s Guide

hair masks, woman in bathtub with towel on her head, at home hair care

We all shampoo and condition our hair but how often do most of us give our hair a real treat? If you want to keep your mane looking healthy and shiny, using hair masks or intense treatment is an excellent way to do this. These products offer the type of nourishment that can’t be delivered in regular hair products and yet, they are still something that a lot of us omit from our beauty routines.

One of the reasons that a lot of people are put off using a hair treatment is that they aren’t sure which one to use. The market is overwhelmed with hair masks claiming to boost vitality, shine, and volume. Each of them vying for your attention in a shameless manner. However, once you take away a lot of these claims, you’ll find that most hair masks won’t deliver when it comes to results.

Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair Restoring 60sec Treatment 200mL
Helps Reduce Breakage
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-In Treatment For Distressed Hair, 8.1 Ounce
VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Hair Mask, 5 Fl OZ | Repairs Damaged Hair In 3 Minutes | Vegan, Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free
Intense Hydrating Mask
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, 8.5 Fl. Oz.
Defy Damage Protective Masque | For Color-Treated Hair | Strengthen Bonds & Preserve Hair Color | With Moringa Seed Oil & Arginine | 5.1 Fl Oz
Product
Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair Restoring 60sec Treatment 200mL
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-In Treatment For Distressed Hair, 8.1 Ounce
VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Hair Mask, 5 Fl OZ | Repairs Damaged Hair In 3 Minutes | Vegan, Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, 8.5 Fl. Oz.
Defy Damage Protective Masque | For Color-Treated Hair | Strengthen Bonds & Preserve Hair Color | With Moringa Seed Oil & Arginine | 5.1 Fl Oz
Key Ingredients
Lipids
Fortifying Proteins
Alpha Keratin 60ku, Baobab Seed Oil
Argan Oil
Moringa Seed Oil
Formulated For
Dry or Damaged Hair
Preventing Breakage
Shine & Moisture Without Weight
Improving Hair's Texture
Defense Against Heat
Paraben Free
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)
B01NCWTPXR
B00VJ2PSH8
B08156SKQG
B002N5MKMG
B07NZVTRR9
Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair Restoring 60sec Treatment 200mL
Product
Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair Restoring 60sec Treatment 200mL
Key Ingredients
Lipids
Formulated For
Dry or Damaged Hair
Paraben Free
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)
B01NCWTPXR
Helps Reduce Breakage
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-In Treatment For Distressed Hair, 8.1 Ounce
Product
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Anti-Breakage Leave-In Treatment For Distressed Hair, 8.1 Ounce
Key Ingredients
Fortifying Proteins
Formulated For
Preventing Breakage
Paraben Free
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)
B00VJ2PSH8
VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Hair Mask, 5 Fl OZ | Repairs Damaged Hair In 3 Minutes | Vegan, Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free
Product
VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Hair Mask, 5 Fl OZ | Repairs Damaged Hair In 3 Minutes | Vegan, Sulfate-Free, Paraben-Free
Key Ingredients
Alpha Keratin 60ku, Baobab Seed Oil
Formulated For
Shine & Moisture Without Weight
Paraben Free
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)
B08156SKQG
Intense Hydrating Mask
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, 8.5 Fl. Oz.
Product
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, 8.5 Fl. Oz.
Key Ingredients
Argan Oil
Formulated For
Improving Hair's Texture
Paraben Free
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)
B002N5MKMG
Defy Damage Protective Masque | For Color-Treated Hair | Strengthen Bonds & Preserve Hair Color | With Moringa Seed Oil & Arginine | 5.1 Fl Oz
Product
Defy Damage Protective Masque | For Color-Treated Hair | Strengthen Bonds & Preserve Hair Color | With Moringa Seed Oil & Arginine | 5.1 Fl Oz
Key Ingredients
Moringa Seed Oil
Formulated For
Defense Against Heat
Paraben Free
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)
B07NZVTRR9

So, we decided to put a few to the test and this led us to discover some of the most wonderful products that absolutely do what they claim to. We couldn’t keep these to ourselves, so let us share them with you!

The Best Hair Treatments/Hair Masks

Finding the best hair treatment for your tresses doesn’t need to be a pressing task. We love the following products because they do exactly what they claim to and contain beautifully natural ingredients that are a genuine treat for your hair!

What To Look For In A Hair Treatment

As we discussed earlier on, there are a lot of hair masks on the market that make big claims that they cannot live up to. While the hair treatments on our list are exceptional, it is still important to look at what a mask is able to do and compare this with your hair needs. Let’s take a look at what you should consider when buying a hair mask.

Weight

When you use heavy products on your hair, this can weigh it down and make it look lifeless. While you might think that that thick, creamy formula is perfect for your hair, it may not be doing it much good at all. That isn’t to say that all creamy masks are bad, but you want to make sure that they are lightweight and won’t weigh on your locks.

However, you should also keep in mind that some of the poorer quality hair treatments may be lightweight, but this may be at the sacrifice of certain nourishing ingredients. It can be tricky to find the correct balance but it is certainly worth looking at to find a product that will be effective.

Hydration

One of the main reasons that people use hair masks is to nourish and hydrate their hair. In modern times, so many of us use heat, color, and a huge range of products on the hair that ultimately dries it out and damages it. For this reason, we must focus on replacing this lost moisture if we want to keep our hair looking shiny and luscious.

A good hair mask will contain natural oils that can benefit the hair intensely when it comes to moisture. Furthermore, an oil-based mask will be lightweight which, as we have already learned, is super important.

Hair Length

Believe it or not, the length of your hair will play a role in the type of hair treatment you choose. What we mean by this is that longer hair may have much more damage than short hair. This is because when your hair is short, the strands are much fresher and haven’t had time to become as damaged.

However, many people with short hair tend to go for a bolder, more intense color to make a statement. If you have used a lot of bleach on your hair then the chances are that you will still need to go for a highly nourishing mask to keep the hair looking healthy.

Hair Texture

When you have very straight hair, the type of mask you require will differ from if you were to have curly or coarse hair. This is to do with the level of hydration in the treatment. While you certainly want your straight hair to look shiny and glossy, there is a fine line between this and it looking greasy, which can easily happen with smooth, straight hair.

blowdrying can damage hair, hair masks buying guide
Heat styling can damage hair

When choosing a hair treatment, think about the texture of your hair and select accordingly. You will often notice that the product has details of which hair type it suits and will display words like coarse, fine, or curly.

Ingredients

Nobody wants to put anything on their hair that is going to cause more harm than good. Yet surprisingly, there are still beauty manufacturers out there that sell hair treatments that contain some pretty horrible ingredients.

natural oils used in haircare, hair mask buying guide
Natural oils like Argan, Avocado, and Jojoba improve hair

Of course, one of the first things that you want to look out for is whether the product contains any animal ingredients. If you follow a vegan lifestyle then this is super important. But even those that don’t are becoming more aware of the importance of cruelty-free beauty products.

The best hair masks contain ingredients that are natural and have a range of benefits. While there may be many that can be used, these are some of the ones that will bring the most advantages.

  • Coconut oil is a deeply hydrating ingredient that features in many hair treatments made specifically for dry or damaged hair. It has the ability to calm frizz and will leave the hair looking super shiny and nourished.
  • Shea butter is another great moisturizing ingredient. This ingredient contains fatty acids which can help to not only provide hydration but also lock in the moisture so that your hair stays healthy over time.
  • Argan oil often features in hair masks for extremely dry hair. It is a natural oil that is known for its intense hydrating purposes and is particularly useful for people who have damaged their hair through styling and colorings.
  • Avocado oil is great if you want to restore the hair and provide a deep level of hydration. It is also excellent for people who find that their hair is tricky to style and will detangle leaving your hair much more manageable.
  • Jojoba oil is very similar to the natural oils produced by the skin, including on the scalp, This means it is great for bringing hair back to life and encouraging natural regrowth. It will help to prevent split ends and keep the hair looking in excellent condition.
  • Olive oil is one of the lesser-used ingredients in hair treatments but it certainly deserves a mention. Not only will it provide your hair with an incredible amount of hydration but it is filled with antioxidants too.

Our Favorite Hair Masks

There is undoubtedly a lot to choose from, but we are confident that these hair treatments and masks are among the best. If you are looking for tantalizing tresses then watch out world; here they come!

Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair

Who has time to wait around for a hair treatment to work? We know we don’t. With busy lives and a wealth of commitments, a fast-acting hair mask is a must but the Goldwell rich repair treatment works in as little as 60 seconds. You could be forgiven for thinking that this wouldn’t be enough time to really penetrate the hair but thanks to the creamy formula, this is entirely possible.

Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair

Buy on Amazon

The hair treatment is free from nasty ingredients like parabens and alcohol and also boasts a gluten-free formula. It is gentle on your hair while delivering intense moisture and restoring damage from color and styling. This is the perfect mask if you have severely dry or brittle hair.

If all of that wasn’t enough, this beautiful hair treatment also boasts a delightful fragrance that will linger delicately around you after using. It’s as simple as applying, waiting for one minute, and rinsing. You’re then good to go with shiny, soft, manageable hair.

REDKEN Extreme Anti Snap

While it is important that a hair mask restores your hair and reverses signs of damage, which this one does, it is also important that it can fortify the hair against future damage. Let’s face it, we aren’t going to stop styling our hair and this means that there is a risk of it becoming continually damaged. However, using this rich Redken anti-snap treatment, your hair will gain a layer of excellent protection.

The formula is designed to be used alongside other products in the range for maximum care and will rebuild the hair thanks to the inclusion of proteins. Furthermore, this intense treatment will prevent the hair from breaking and will leave it looking soft and shiny.

REDKEN Extreme Anti Snap

Buy on Amazon

When used regularly, this hair mask will drastically reduce the appearance of split ends, making your hair look healthier and more full of life. When it is used with the anti snap shampoo and condition, this product could help to reduce up to 75% of your hairs damage; we like the sound of that figure!

VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Mask

One of the best things about this stunning hair mask is how lightweight it is. Using it won’t make the hair feel weighed down but will deliver shine, strength, and hydration by the bucket load! The Virtue hair care range is one of the few that uses Alpha Keratin 60ku(B) which is a protein that closely mimics the keratin produced by humans. This means that the mask can help to rebuild and restore damaged hair in one of the most natural ways possible.

VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Mask

Buy on Amazon

There are so many benefits associated with this hair care product including thicker and fuller hair as well as up to 95% split end repair. If your hair is very dry and brittle, this will likely work wonders for you.

Alongside the keratin, this hair treatment is filled with gorgeous hydrating ingredients. It contains baobab seed oil for intense moisture as well as brown algae which can help to protect the hair against heat styling.

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Hair Mask

For those of you who are looking for a true spa-like experience then the Moroccanoil intense hydrating mask may be right for you. Draw yourself a hot bath, pop on a face mask, and apply this rich and luxurious mask to your hair. Now all you need to do is lie back and relax for five to seven minutes, before rinsing to reveal gloriously rehydrated hair.

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Hair Mask

Buy on Amazon

It might sound too good to be true, but this hair mask is packed with ingredients to boost your hair’s hydration and condition. Argan oil has long been used to restore dull, brittle hair and as the key ingredient, you will benefit from nourished hair and a host of antioxidant properties.

But what we really love about this treatment is its gorgeous scent. Fragranced with floral notes, amber, and musk, that spa experience just got a whole lot more realistic!

JOICO Defy Damage Protective Masque

Unlike some hair masks that cannot effectively penetrate the hair, the Joico defy damage mask gets right down into the hair shaft delivering much-needed moisture and restoration. This formula is the perfect defense for heat styling and prevents breakage leaving you with soft and silky-looking hair.

If your hair is already damaged, it takes an intense treatment to bring it back to life but the Joico damage defy mask is ready for the challenge. It contains moringa seed oil which is filled with vitamins, antioxidants, and silica, perfect for creating strong, vibrant hair.

JOICO Defy Damage Protective Masque

Buy on Amazon

If you have colored hair, this might be a good mask to try since it is proven to help retain color by up to 90% over the course of ten washes. Furthermore, it is perfect for curly or wild hair and contains no sulfates.

The mask also contains arginine which has been shown to restore and rebuild the hair bond leaving each strand stronger and more resilient to damage. It is easy to use and can be applied for five minutes and simply rinsed off. You’re then free to style your hair and go out to wow the world!

Conclusion

Finding the right treatment for your hair can often feel like one of the most stressful tasks in the world. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s all about finding products that suit your hair type and your unique needs. Once you begin to understand this, you will find that choosing a hair mask becomes a lot less daunting.

However, even after you have considered the important factors, you’ll find that there are many hair masks and treatments on the market. If you don’t want to spend hours trawling the internet to find the best, then our guide to the best hair masks will introduce you to some of the most remarkable and beautiful products out there right now.

Last update on 2023-04-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API