Whenever my hair is looking particularly damaged or dull, I know only one of the best hair masks will revive it. I like to think of them as conditioners on steroids, thanks to their nourishing oils and deeply hydrating formulas, which work to quickly repair split ends, revive color, and restore softness.
Over the course of two months, we put more than a dozen stylist-recommended masks to the test on a variety of hair types. Our top pick, the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, received rave reviews from hair stylists, editors, and dermatologists alike for its ability to restore damaged, bleached hair in just a few washes. It doubles as an excellent hair growth mask too. We also included overnight options for silky, next-day strands and budget-friendly drugstore picks.
The best hair masks, at a glance
Featured in this articleBest for Color-Treated Hair
Guerlain Paris Abeille Royale Scalp & Hair Double R Radiance & Repair Mask
Jump to reviewBest for Dry Hair
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
Jump to review
How we chose the best hair masks
We evaluated each hair product on all of the most important attributes: ingredients, consistency, scent, and—of course—whether it delivered on promises like shinier hair or less frizz. We chose masks that had lightweight, yet still rich, consistencies that coated our hair and got in between every strand. We also looked for masks that were easy to wash out and didn’t leave our hair feeling weighed down or greasy after our hair care routine. The best masks gave us long, strong hair so velvety and bouncy you could run your fingers through it without snagging. We also paid attention to the ingredients, looking for formulas with hydrating butters, oils and hair-strengthening additives like keratin.
Best Overall: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
This best-selling, easy-to-use leave-in hair treatment—which gained popularity on TikTok—is a client favorite for those dealing with dryness, dullness, and damage, says Mikel Slate, a NYC hair stylist. Not only does it deliver serious results, but it’s also not a huge time commitment. “It’s a mask that gives immediate results, and the application time calls for four minutes, so you’re not spending 10 minutes in the shower patiently waiting,” he says. (Simply apply it to towel-dry hair and let it activate for four minutes before continuing with the rest of your styling.)
Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore tested it out for a few weeks hoping to reverse “years of bleach damage” that had left her hair looking “scraggly and frail.” In her K18 mask review, she says, “Though it feels somewhat unnatural to skip conditioner and apply a mask fresh out of the shower, after doing it a few times I can’t imagine going back to traditional masks. There’s no killing time in the shower while it does its thing or getting out to let the mask sit and then back in to rinse. The mask quickly absorbs into your hair with minimal residue and is very lightweight—moreso than a traditional conditioner or leave-in—making it a great option for finer hair like mine.” Of the hair perfector, she said, “It’s shampoo-commercial hair in a bottle.”
Best Drugstore: SheaMoisture Bond Repair Masque
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Masque
Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing SheaMoisture Bond Repair Masque
We’ve tried other SheaMoisture hair masks over the years—all to rave reviews—but this new launch may be our favorite yet. It’s part of a four-step system that includes bond repair shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and this mask. They all work together to infuse the hair with emollients like amla oil and, of course, shea butter, plus a proprietary amino blend that works to repair broken bonds and improve overall hair health.
Our testers said they noticed less shedding when brushing and experienced its smoothing properties. “It has great slip, which makes it easier to brush out tangles,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley, who saw measurable results even when she used the hair mask alone. “I wish it had more of a scent, but I was definitely impressed by how tangle-free, smooth, and shiny my hair was after using this one.”
Best for Fine Hair: Ouai Treatment Hair Mask
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Ouai Treatment Hair Mask
Fine strands can fall flat under the weight of heavy hair masks, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need the extra hydration hair masks can provide. Enter: Ouai Treatment Mask. Specifically formulated for medium-to-fine hair types, this lightweight formula repairs damage (using shea butter and hydrolyzed keratin) and maximizes shine without leaving hair greasy or stringy (thanks to panthenol).
“I have very fine hair, but there’s a lot of it, so I was excited to give this one a go. It’s very pliable to the touch which makes it easy to spread and coat all over your hair,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “It also was really easy to wash out, and didn’t leave my strands looking or feeling oily, which can happen with some hair masks and products. It has a subtle perfumed smell, which is nice if you want a little scent but nothing overpowering, and it definitely made my hair knot-free and much smoother to the touch than it was before I used it.”
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Guerlain Paris Abeille Royale Double R Radiance & Repair Mask
Guerlain Paris Abeille Royale Scalp & Hair Double R Radiance & Repair Mask
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Guerlain Paris Abeille Royale Double R Radiance & Repair Mask
This pick might be a splurge, but it’s a 2023 Glamour Beauty Award winner for a reason. The liquid gold (quite literally, as you’ll see when you squeeze the product out) is suitable for all hair types and is meant to restructure and fortify the hair fibers, reviving color and boosting shine. It’s powered by phytokeratin to target any keratin loss, floral oleo-extract to enhance color and shine, and phytoceramides to strengthen each individual piece of hair.
Glamour senior West Coast editor Jessica Radloff reviewed the product and was a fan—even though she typically thinks hair masks are a waste of time. “A hair mask has to be stellar for me to use it, because frankly, I don’t have the patience for them. But Guerlain’s Abeille Royale is truly in a league of its own, and one that I will gladly take the time for,” she says. “It includes a double formulation (which, to be honest, is really fun to use when you squeeze the bottle) to replenish the fiber structure from the root while also reviving my color—and adding shine—thanks to a floral oleo-extrait. I leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing out (just make sure to also massage it into your scalp and all over your strands) and my hair is softer, shinier, stronger, and way more manageable.”
Best for Breakage: Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask
Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask
A favorite of Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist and founder of the Rita Hazan Salon, this conditioning hair mask can help minimize breakage. “This mask is super thick, and has sea buckthorn berry and jojoba oil to hydrate and revitalize dry, damaged hair. It helps restore softness, shine and manageability while protecting from further damage,” she says.
Kilkeary is a massive fan of this mask for this reason as it helps keep her fine, long hair in check. “I deal with a lot of breakage when my hair gets too long, especially in wintertime, (it literally gets to the point where it’s completely knotted and I have to brush the entire knot out) so I always like to reach for a hair mask to help detangle and smooth the area,” she says. “It does just the trick for a knot-free brush, plus it minimizes endless flyaways and strands. It always leaves my hair super soft, refreshed, and strong post-blow dry.”
Best for Dry Hair: Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
This glossy hair mask is full of ceramides, plus hyaluronic acid to increase shine and keep your hair cuticle hydrated, frizz-free and impenetrable. It smells as sweet as honey and is a real treat to apply. Take it from Glamour’s Kilkeary, who says it helped save her hair from seasonal dryness.
“I started using this mask smack in the dead of winter when the highs were 40-degrees in NYC. My hair was extremely dehydrated and felt rough to the touch, so I knew I was in need of something to help bring it back to life,” she says. “Needless to say, it did the job and it did it quickly. It has a super thick consistency but didn’t weigh my fine strands down, and I was left with polished strands that looked glassy as ever, so smooth that I was able to run my hands right through it without catching a snag or knot. I’d definitely recommend it for anyone looking to achieve shiny, healthy hair.”
Best for Frizzy Hair: Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask
Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask
Hazan loves this mask because it strengthens and repairs hair to help combat frizz. “It has a blend of argan oil and keratin, which restores moisture and improves the overall health of your hair, leaving it soft and silky. It’s perfect for repairing damaged hair and preventing split ends,” she says.
“This hair mask smells so divine that it instantly brightens my mood. I have long and thick hair so I have to spend a good amount of time shampooing, so by the time it’s time to condition I’m over it,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “But, I actually enjoy using this mask in my shower routine because it makes detangling so easy. Plus, it only needs to sit for 3-5 minutes. My hair feels so soft after.”
Best for Curly Hair: Hårklinikken Hair Mask
Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Hårklinikken Hair Mask
Curly hair girlies, we may have just found the hair mask that can help get rid of frizz and give your curls the extra strength, bounce and elasticity you need. It’s infused with hydrating hair oils including abyssinian and olive oils that will help smooth and deeply replenish strands.
“I’ve used this hair mask for over four months now, once a week as a deep conditioner that I leave in my hair as I go about the day. It’s so rich and nourishing that, were it not so pricey, I’d be tempted to use it as my daily leave-in conditioner,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “I have fine wavy/curly hair that’s color-treated and prone to dryness, but on the days I apply the mask, my curls look visibly shinier and healthier, and feel softer. It has a creamy, avocado-like texture, and no real fragrance, and never weighs down my hair or leaves it with the feeling of build-up.”
Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Original photo from Brigitt Earley testing Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Olaplex makes a lot of great hair masks, but if you’re up against dry, damaged hair, the brand’s No. 8 is the way to go. It’s suitable for all hair types and, in addition to moisturizing, it uses a patented technology to rebuild the broken bonds, improving the actual health of the hair.
