The 13 Best Hair Masks of 2023—Reach for These When Your Strands Need Some TLC

Best Overall

Virtue Labs Restorative Treatment Mask

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The star of the show in this do-it-all mask is the brand’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60Ku, a type of keratin that’s exactly like the one found in your hair, ensuring it repairs strands better than ever. It also contains antioxidant-rich baobab seed oil and hydrolyzed quinoa extract to bind moisture to the hair. And even though it’s so reparative it’s still lightweight enough that it won’t weigh down fine hair; to that point, it works for all hair types. Plus, you only need to leave it on for three minutes, oh, and it smells amazing, too. This formula is expensive, but we think the long list of actives justifies the price.

Active Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60Ku, baobab seed oil, hydrolyzed quinoa extract | Hair Type: All | Free of: Sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors, and dyes | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Damaged Hair

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3

4.9

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This product quickly reached cult-like status—for good reason. To be fair, it’s more of a treatment than a mask (and to that point, is actually meant to be used before you shampoo), but its repairative effects on damaged hair really can’t be beat. It touts a proprietary technology that repairs the broken disulfide bonds that are broken when hair is colored or chemically treated, and helps leave it stronger and healthier. Plus, it works on all hair types and textures.

Active Ingredients: Olaplex, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate | Hair Type: Damaged | Free of: Gluten, Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, and Phosphates | Size: 3.3 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Clean

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque

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The namesake ingredients adds tons of moisture to the hair, as do argan oil, glycerin, and vitamin B5. Leave it on for anywhere from five to 30 minutes (depending how much TLC your strands need), then rinse out. Also nice: You can also use a small amount as a leave-in styling cream. And the affordable price can’t be beat.

Active Ingredients: Sea Kelp Extract, Panthenol | Hair Type: Damaged, Dry, Chemically-Treated | Free of: DEA, Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Paraffins, Mineral Oil, and Synthetic Fragrances and Colors | Size: 16 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Splurge

Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Mask Treatment

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While this pick is pricey, it’s a great option if you’re looking to invest in a mask that really can do it all. It combats dryness, frizz, split ends, and damage all in one fell swoop; credit Japanese-sourced rice extract that helps hydrate and protect the hair. It also smells ah-mazing, with a fragrance that combines fruity notes along with subtle floral elements, sandalwood, and musk.

Active Ingredients: Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone | Hair Type: Damaged | Free of: Gluten, Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, and Phosphates | Size: 6 oz. | Cruelty Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Bargain

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner

4.8

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Not only does this work in a mere three minutes, it also only costs around three dollars—what more could you ask for? Still, it packs just as much of a moisturizing punch as many of its pricier counterparts, thanks to a deeply moisturizing avocado and jojoba seed oil. The refreshing, citrus-y scent is just an added bonus, oh, and did we mention that you only need to leave it on for three minutes?

Active Ingredients: Australian Aloe, Jojoba Seed Oil, Avocado Oil | Hair Type: Dry | Free of: Sulfates, Parabens | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Overnight

Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum

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Since it’s not technically a mask, it isn’t necessarily super heavy; she adds that it doesn’t leave behind any greasy or heavy residue. Still, iris root extract and a blend of five vitamins deeply nourish and hydrate. Massage into the lengths and ends of (dry) hair before bedtime then rinse it out in the morning and prepare to be amazed by how much better your strands look and feel.

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone, panthenol | Hair Type: All | Free of: Sulfates| Size: 3.04 oz. | Cruelty Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Curls

PATTERN Treatment Mask

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Curly hair comes with its own unique set of needs, meaning it’s imperative to choose a hair mask specifically made for your texture. Along with strengthening and softening the hair (thanks to the addition of rice protein), this has the added benefit of also elongating and defining curls as well. And the subtle floral fragrance is just the icing on the cake.

Active Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Rice Protein | Hair Type: Curly | Free of: Sulfates, parabens, phthalates | Size: 15 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Fine Hair

R+Co Television Perfect Hair Masque

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Choosing a mask when you have fine hair can prove to be a bit of a conundrum, given that the moisturizing nature makes many of them heavy and likely to weigh down your strands. This is the exception, says Rojas. “It won’t weigh down the hair, but will add enough moisture and enhance shine, as well as make your hair more manageable,” she says. Just FYI, it may not deliver quite enough moisture if your strands are extra dry. Although this option is expensive, the inclusion of murumuru butter makes it worthy of the spend.

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, murumuru butter | Hair Type: Fine, normal | Free of: Sulfates, parabens | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Thick Hair

Hair Biology Biotin Deep Conditioner

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This brand is geared towards more mature hair, but this product is also a choice pick for any type of thick, coarse or extra dry hair. It’s nice and thick; reviewers rave about how soft, shiny, and more manageable it leaves their strands. Bonus points for the fact that it works in just two minutes, and won’t take a toll on your wallet.

Active Ingredients: Silicone Quaternium-26 | Hair Type: Coarse, thick, dry | Free of: Sulfates, Parabens | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty Free: Unknown| Byrdie Clean: No

Runner-Up, Best for Damaged Hair

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

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Here’s another great option to reach for if your tresses are really in need of some extra TLC. “It heals the hair from heat, color, and bleach damage,” says Rojas of one of her favorites. “It restores softness and smoothness and gives the hair some bounce, and the results are lasting—they won’t wash away after you shampoo,” she says. At work is a patented peptide technology that helps undo all of that damage. We also like that it’s a leave-in formula; simply apply after shampooing and let it sit for four minutes before styling as usual.

Active Ingredients: sh-Oligopeptide-78  | Hair Type: All | Free of: Sulfates | Size: 1.7 oz., .5 oz., .17oz.| Cruelty Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Drugstore

Nexxus Keraphix Damage Healing Treatment Masque

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This heavy-hitter works by enveloping each hair strand with a protective coating that works to restore the exterior barrier that shields it from damage. We know, it sounds like a recipe for hair that feels greasy and weighed down, but that’s not the case. Instead, it leaves it bouncy, soft, shiny, and generally healthy-looking (and feeling).

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone, collagen amino acids | Hair Type: All | Free of: Sulfates | Size: 1.5oz. | Cruelty Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Dry Hair

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

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Any type of hair mask is going to be good for dry hair by definition, but this one really takes the cake for extra-parched tresses. It’s rich in a litany of different natural oils (rosehip and almond, just to name a few) along with aloe and algae extract. Use it weekly to add tons of moisture, as well as help undo the effects of heat styling and/or chemical treatments. Plus, it works for all hair types (including curly). Although this option is on the pricier side, the inclusion of natural oils and algae make it worth spending a little extra.

Active Ingredients: Rosehip oil, algae, B group vitamins | Hair Type: Dry, damaged, thick | Free of: Sulfates, phthalates, parabens, silicones | Size: 8 fl.oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes