If you’re looking to simplify your haircare routine, you might wonder: Are the best hair masks just fancy conditioners? The answer is no—they serve different purposes. Swapping your regular conditioner for a mask could give your hair the extra care it needs.
Travis Ogletree, a Los Angeles colorist who has worked with Ariana Grande and Shay Mitchell, explains it best: “A conditioner maintains your hair’s current state—whether that’s color, texture, or density. A mask, however, is more of a corrective treatment. It tackles specific problems to restore your hair’s health before maintenance takes over again.”
### Vogue’s Favorite Hair Masks
– Best Overall: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, $39
– Best for Dry Hair: Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask, $32
– Best for Damage: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, $75
– Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Transition Mask, $25
– Best for Fine Hair: Ouai Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair, $38
– Best for Split Ends: Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask With Prickly Pear Oil, $69
– Best for Scalp: Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker Scalp Exfoliating Hair Mask, $49
Ogletree recommends choosing a mask that feels rich enough to coat your hair without leaving it greasy or weighed down after rinsing. And don’t rush the rinse—he suggests counting to 100 to ensure all product is removed.
So, which mask deserves your 100-second rinse test? Below, find the top formulas trusted by industry pros and Vogue editors for shiny, healthy hair.
Bonus: Hair masks turn a quick shower into a luxurious self-care moment. Happy masking!
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### Best Overall: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Price: $39
Where to Buy: Bluemercury, Nordstrom, Amazon
Why We Love It: This cult-favorite mask locks in moisture and boosts shine. Celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager calls it “a great deep-conditioning treatment.” Free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens, it repairs damage for all hair types. Key ingredients like rosehip oil, algae extract, and biotin strengthen and nourish hair, while B vitamins add body and shine. Plus, it has a fresh, soapy scent with notes of white musk and floral woods.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, algae extract, almond oil, biotin, avocado oil, hydrolyzed corn and soy protein
Best for: Damage, dryness, dullness
Size Options: 2 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 32 oz
Scent: Clean, soapy (white musk + floral woods)
Leave-In Time: 10 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros: Strengthens hair, enhances shine, clean formula
Cons: Some users wish it were more hydrating
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### Best Quick Treatment: Dove 10-in-1 Bond Strength Serum Mask
Price: $10
Where to Buy: Amazon
Why We Love It: This budget-friendly mask tackles 10 hair concerns (like detangling, reducing split ends, and boosting shine) in just 60 seconds. Packed with peptides and proteins, it leaves hair soft and bouncy. The brand spent years perfecting this multitasking formula.
Key Ingredients: Bio-Protein ComplexHere’s the rewritten text in clear, natural English:
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Ingredients: Hydrolyzed soy, pea, and vegetable protein, peptides, glycerin, coconut oil
Best for: Split ends, breakage, detangling, dullness, dryness
Size: 9.2 fl oz
Scent: Clean and fresh
Leave-In Time: One minute
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It: Quick treatment time, addresses 10 hair concerns
Leave It: Some find the smell overwhelming
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### Best for Dry Hair: Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask
Price: $34 (Amazon, Amika)
Why We Love It: Dry, brittle hair doesn’t stand a chance against Amika’s Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask. This rich, whipped cream is packed with moisturizing ingredients like jojoba-seed oil and sea buckthorn to deliver vitamins and nutrients your hair needs.
“This is my go-to mask after coloring—it intensely softens hair,” says Ogletree. “I love using it after big blonde transformations—it quickly calms and rehydrates stressed strands. It works on nearly all hair types, especially for those needing a reset.”
Key Ingredients: Jojoba-seed oil, sea buckthorn
Best for: Dryness
Size: 3.3 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz
Scent: Orange, grapefruit blossom, sandalwood spice, geranium, rose
Leave-In Time: Five to seven minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It: Deeply moisturizing and softening
Leave It: Some find the scent too strong; others wish it controlled frizz better
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### Best for Damage: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Price: $29 (Amazon, K18)
Why We Love It: K18’s viral hair mask lives up to the hype. This bond-repair treatment uses a biotech-developed peptide to fix broken bonds from bleaching, coloring, chemical treatments, and heat. It leaves hair stronger, smoother, and bouncier—in just four minutes.
“Great if you’re unsure where to start,” says Ogletree. “The damage repair is real—I’ve seen major transformations in my clients’ hair with consistent use.”
Key Ingredients: K18Peptide, hydrolyzed wheat protein, wheat starch
Best for: Damage, breakage, frizz, color-treated hair
Size: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz
Scent: Light floral (jasmine, peony)
Leave-In Time: Four minutes (no rinse needed)
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It: Lightweight, effectively repairs damage
Leave It: A little goes a long way—too much can weigh hair down
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### Best Nourishing: Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Hair Mask
Price: $18 (Amazon, Nordstrom)
Why We Love It: “One of my favorites,” says celebrity stylist Dimitris Giannetos. “It strengthens and shines hair with nourishing ingredients like argan oil. The coconut and avocado oil scent is amazing.” It also contains behentrimonium chloride to reduce frizz.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, behentrimonium chloride, glycerin, linseed extract
Best for: Dryness, breakage, dullness
Size: 1 oz, 2.5 oz, 8.5 oz
Scent: Spicy amber and sweet florals
Leave-In Time: Five minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It: Great scent, boosts strength and shine
Leave It: Too thick for fine or thin hair
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### Best for Fine Hair: Ouai Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair
Price: $38 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: A favorite for fine-to-medium hair, this mask smooths, hydrates, and repairs without weighing hair down. Just a quarter-size amount from ends to roots does the trick.
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“These are tried-and-true products you can rely on for instant results,” says Justin Toves-Vincilione, a Los Angeles hairstylist and content creator. “It instantly absorbs into the hair, delivering shea butter, tamarind seed extract, and hydrolyzed keratin.” He adds that the formula also includes pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol) to add volume. For fine hair, “This ingredient list is perfect,” Toves-Vincilione says. “It won’t weigh hair down, which is a common issue for fine hair needing deep treatment.”
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed keratin, panthenol, shea butter, coconut water, ginger-root extract
Best for: Fine hair, dryness
Size: 8 oz
Scent: Ouai’s Melrose Place—notes of champagne, pink peppercorn, berry, lychee, peony, rose, freesia, jasmine, bergamot, amber, sandalwood, white musk, cedarwood
Leave-In Time: 5 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It: Smooths, hydrates, doesn’t weigh hair down
Leave It: Not for all hair types—thick hair should try Ouai’s Thick Hair Treatment Mask instead
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Best for Split Ends: Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil
Why We Love It: “I swear this is why my hair grew so much during COVID,” Sofia Richie shared on TikTok, revealing the secret behind her sleek bun. Powered by prickly pear oil, this rich mask repairs the hair shaft, reduces split ends, and boosts overall hair health. “I love this mask—it deeply nourishes and hydrates,” says Eddie M Parra, a senior stylist at Benjamin Salon NYC. “It’s especially great for curly or coarse hair.”
Key Ingredients: Prickly pear oil, vitamin F, glycerin, ceramides
Best for: Split ends, breakage, damage
Size: 2.5 oz, 8.44 oz
Scent: Light, powdery
Leave-In Time: 5–10 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It: Repairs split ends, improves hair health
Leave It: Some find the packaging tricky to use in the shower
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Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Breakage Barrier Hair Mask
Why We Love It: Many Vogue beauty editors fell in love with this mask at first use. With a honey-like texture, it blends manuka honey and white tea to deeply hydrate, reduce shedding, and revive curls. Vogue’s senior beauty editor Margaux Anouba calls it a must for her “Everything Shower” routine. “I apply it to dry hair before showering—it restores moisture and shine to my damaged hair,” she says. Though renamed in 2024, the formula remains largely the same, now even better at preventing breakage. Pro tip: Use it with Pattern’s Handheld Hair Steamer for enhanced curl definition and strength.
Key Ingredients: Manuka honey, white tea, castor oil, cellulose
Best for: Curly and coily hair
Size: 15 oz
Scent: White tea, manuka honey, rose
Leave-In Time: 10–15 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It: Reduces shedding and breakage
Leave It: Some reviewers say it can leave hair slightly stiff
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Best for Scalp: Nutrafol Scalp Mask
Why We Love It: Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, so give yours some care with this mask.
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Nutrafol Scalp Mask
This scalp treatment uses a doctor-developed blend of AHAs, jojoba esters, and Australian wild berries to gently remove buildup, control excess oil, and soothe the scalp. Taylor Carter, a colorist and co-owner of East/West Salon Co. in Boston, recommends it: “It exfoliates the scalp without irritation, clearing away oil and residue.” While it won’t directly grow hair, it creates a healthier scalp environment for growth by unclogging follicles.
Key Ingredients: AHA fruit acids, jojoba esters, Australian wild berries, glycerin
Best for: Scalp health, dryness, flakiness, oiliness
Size: 4 fl oz
Scent: 100% natural fragrance
Leave-In Time: 3–5 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros: Doctor-approved, nourishing
Cons: May leave residue if not rinsed thoroughly
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Best for High-Shine: Color Wow Money Masque
Created by celebrity stylist Chris Appleton (who works with stars like Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande), this lightweight, gel-like mask delivers extreme shine without weighing hair down. Its formula includes blue sea kale, kelp, algae, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein to revive even heavily processed hair. “Great for dull hair—it adds shine, strength, and moisture,” says stylist Raven Hurtado.
Key Ingredients: Blue sea kale, sea kelp, algae, hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Best for: All hair types, glossy finish, damage repair
Size: 7.5 oz
Scent: Light, beachy
Leave-In Time: 3–5 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros: Works on all hair types, strengthens
Cons: Some find the tub size small for the price; awkward to use in the shower
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Best for Coily Hair: Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask
Clinically proven to repair damage and boost shine, this mask uses Bioactive Keratin Ferment and antioxidant-rich oils (like vitamin E) to strengthen and hydrate. Ideal for curly/coily hair but works for anyone needing repair. “Noticeable results after one use,” says stylist Toves-Vincilione.
Key Ingredients: Bioactive keratin ferment
Best for: Curly/coily hair, damage repair
Size: 2.5 oz or 10 oz
Scent: Temple Oud (sandalwood, musk, jasmine)
Leave-In Time: 20 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros: Repairs damage, hydrates, luxurious scent
Cons: Longer leave-in time than most
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Best Clean Ingredients: Roz Foundation Reparative Mask
Celebrity stylist Mara Roszak’s silicone-free mask protects color and hydrates with rice bran and rosemary extracts. “For truly clean, plant-based care, Roz is a game-changer,” says Toves-Vincilione.
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Without fillers like silicone or synthetic waxes, this product treats your hair with natural ingredients instead of just coating it. The ingredient list is a clean, dreamy lineup.
Key Ingredients: Oil blend, rice bran extract, rosemary leaf extract, patented BotaniComplex
Best for: Dry and color-treated hair
Size: 5 oz
Scent: Vetiver and citron
Leave-In Time: 5–10 minutes
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It | Leave It
✔ Protects color, hydrates, strengthens
✖ May be too moisturizing for oily hair or too thick for fine hair
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### Best for Metal Detox: L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Hair Mask
Price: $50 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Unless you bathe daily in a pristine spring (which most of us don’t), this mask is a game-changer. “It tackles an often-overlooked issue—heavy metals and hard water,” says Toves-Vincilione. While you can’t completely avoid metal exposure (from pools, well water, or hair dye), this mask uses glucoamine to penetrate hair and neutralize metals. “It’s smart to use this regularly.”
Key Ingredient: Glucoamine
Best for: All hair types, preventing breakage
Size: 8.5 oz
Scent: Bergamot, grapefruit flower, guaiac wood
Leave-In Time: 1 minute
Color-Safe: Yes
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Love It | Leave It
✔ Fast treatment, preserves color, prevents breakage
✖ Some find the scent too strong
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### What to Look for in a Hair Mask
Ingredients:
– Choose nourishing, reparative ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, or glycerin for hydration.
– Avoid silicones if your hair is fine or easily weighed down.
Texture:
– Thick masks work best for coarse or dry hair.
– Light, creamy masks suit fine hair or hair prone to buildup.
Concern:
– Repair damage? Look for strengthening ingredients.
– Dry or dull hair? Focus on hydrating, smoothing masks.
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### Hair Mask vs. Conditioner
“Think of conditioners like body lotion and masks like body butter,” says Toves-Vincilione. “Conditioners can be used often without oversaturating hair. Masks deliver intense treatment and shouldn’t be used more than once a week.”
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### Meet the Experts
– Taylor Carter: Colorist & co-owner, East/West Salon Co. (Boston)
– Raven Hurtado: Stylist, Maxine Salon (Chicago)
– Travis Ogletree: Colorist & founder, Treehouse Studio (LA)
– Eddie M Parra: Senior stylist, Benjamin Salon NYC
– Justin Toves-Vincilione: Hairstylist & content creator (LA)
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