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The best hair masks for shiny, healthy results, tried and tested by over 600 women
Swap dry and brittle for strong and shiny
Tested by Orla BadgerFormer Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester
The easiest solution for dry, lacklustre hair is one of the best hair masks.
These formulations are packed full of ultra-hydrating and nourishing ingredients to treat hair in need of some TLC, and they can transform dry, damaged locks from dull to dazzling in just one application. The underrated beauty buys can even help enhance your colour (potentially saving you a salon trip or two).
However, the shelves are overflowing with masks claiming to fix every possible hair concern, so the Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of over 600 testers to trial 40+ brands. These were our testers' favourites at a glance, but scroll on for their full reviews.
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How we test the best hair masks
The Good Housekeeping Institute asked 681 testers with a variety of hair types to try just over 40 hydrating hair masks for a minimum of two weeks. Panellists were then asked to give detailed feedback on a range of key factors, including scent, texture, ease of use and, most importantly, whether their hair looked and felt healthier after use, as well as whether they noted any changes to its colour or frizziness.
Back in the beauty lab, our expert team used a Dia-Stron machine to assess the smoothness of hair swatches before and after each mask was applied, to see which ones were the most nourishing.
These are our hair mask heroes.
Wella Ultimate Color Leave-in Mask
Wella Ultimate Color Leave-in Mask
Score: 96/100
Bottle brunettes and faux blondes gather round, as this is the hair mask for you. It's designed to nourish, enhance and preserve the vibrancy of dyed hair, and is formulated with vitamin B5 to help replenish and retain hydration post-colouring. It also contains glycine and metal purifiers, which protect hair from potentially damaging and shade-fading environmental aggressors.
"My hair looks professionally cared for and styled after every use," said one enthusiastic tester. Another told us, "My colour held well and my hair looked smoother and shinier after daily use." In fact, all our testers agreed that the mask increased colour vibrancy, and their hair felt stronger after the trial period.
It scored well for convenience, too, as you apply it instead of a conditioner to towel-dried hair and there's no need to rinse it out. Bonus! In fact, with only four marks off a perfect score, it was hard to find fault with this one.
Key specifications
| Size | 95ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | Leave-in |
| Hair type | Dyed hair |
| Effect | Enhanced colour and smoothness |
Color Wow Chris Appleton Money Masque
Color Wow Chris Appleton Money Masque
Score: 89/100
Color Wow, already famed for its smoothing spray and frizz-softening formulations, developed this mask in collaboration with stylist to the stars, Chris Appleton, to add silky shine to straight hair, as well as defining and softening a head of curls. And it's fair to say, it delivered.
Our testers told us the one-step prep treatment made their hair look more healthy and nourished, with no tangles in sight. It was simple to use and left their locks easier to comb through, with much of the feedback focused on how “super shiny and silky” it left strands. Almost everyone said their hair felt stronger after the trial, too – a win all round.
Key specifications
| Treatment time | 3-5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Size | 215ml |
| Hair types | All hair types, including dry, damaged and colour-treated |
| Effect | Smooth, stronger finish to protect against breakage |
Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment
Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment
Score: 87/100
This formulation from Black-owned beauty brand, Bouclème, impressed our curly-haired panel members, leaving their tresses looking and feeling noticeably more nourished and bouncy. One particularly happy tester couldn't stop raving about their new “soft and juicy” hair.
It didn't do much for split ends, but testers were pleased with the smoothness of their strands and most agreed that it relieved any dryness. Plus, everyone loved its creamy consistency, which wasn’t too messy to use.
Key specifications
| Size | 250ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 15-30 minutes |
| Hair type | Curly, afro hair |
| Effect | Hydrating and softening |
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask
Score: 86/100
Scoring full marks in our lab test for smoothing, this mask is a top pick for anyone struggling with damage after one-too-many hair colour experiments. Our entire panel loved its scent and how easy it was to wash out, leaving them with shiny, silky-smooth strands.
It didn’t hold back on hydration, either, with many noticing an improvement in their dry ends. Not everyone enjoyed greater colour vibrancy, but it’s a great option for keeping hair in tip-top condition between salon trips.
Key specifications
| Size | 50ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 2-3 minutes |
| Hair type | Coloured hair |
| Effect | Replenish hair's moisture and shine |
Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense Deep Nutrition Soft Mask
Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense Deep Nutrition Soft Mask
Score: 85/100
In desperate need of hydration but find masks weigh your fine strands down? Here's your perfect match. Our panel found this formula made their strands feel softer, without leaving them heavy or greasy.
Some testers said the twist-off lid tub was a bit messy to use, but almost everyone found the formula itself a breeze to apply and most loved its lingering floral scent.
Key specifications
| Size | 200ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 3-5 minutes |
| Hair type | dry, damaged, fine hair |
| Effect | Protects against split ends and breakage |
Score: 84/100
If nothing less than a diamond shine will do, look to this mask. It stood out from the crowd by boosting both hydration and shine, helping to revitalise dull, dry hair. It left all our panellists with more nourished, smoother locks and many told us they loved their newfound gloss.
Its easy-to-rinse texture got the thumbs up too. Less than half of the panel found it helped to minimise breakage, but most were happy with how healthy their hair looked after use.
Key specifications
| Size | 250ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 5-10 minutes |
| Best suited for | Dry, severly damaged hair |
| Effect | Repair, strengthen and reduce breakage |
Omorovicza Revitalising Scalp Mask
Omorovicza Revitalising Scalp Mask
Score: 84/100
You can’t have great hair without addressing your scalp first, which is where this mask comes in. Simply apply it to a dry scalp, massage it in and leave for 10 to 20 minutes.
The result? Most testers agreed that it relieved any scalp irritation, and left them with smoother, shinier hair. Only a few noticed a reduction in dandruff, but most said it increased hydration and delivered a volume boost.
Key specifications
| Size | 200ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 10-20 minutes |
| Hair type | Irritated scalps |
| Effects | Relief to irritated scalps |
Maria Nila True Soft Masque
Maria Nila True Soft Masque
Score: 83/100
This 100% vegan and cruelty-free mask is suitable for those with coloured hair, and it helped many of our testers bring dry, frazzled strands back to life, leaving them with smoother locks. It also scored well in our lab test for smoothing.
Some of our panel said their hair felt fuller after use, with everybody loving its rich texture, too. However, some found it left their hair a little too greasy and heavy, so look elsewhere if you have fine hair, but it's a godsend for those looking to tame frizz.
Key specifications
| Size | 250ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 5-10 minutes |
| Hair types | Dry, Coloured, frizzy hair |
| Effect | Preserve moisture and provide shine |
OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy Hair Mask
OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy Hair Mask
Score: 83/100
Our panel found this great value mask intensely hydrating. Not only did it quench thirsty strands, but it also left most of our testers with healthier-looking and beautifully shiny hair.
It didn't do much in the way of minimising breakage, reducing dandruff or boosting colour vibrancy, but for the affordable price and heavenly smell, it’s a reliable option.
Key specifications
| Size | Yes 168ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 3-5 minutes |
| Hair type | Damaged, dry, frizzy, chemically-treated hair |
| Effect | Smoothing and softening |
Davines Love Curl Mask 250ml
Davines Love Curl Mask 250ml
Score: 82/100
Aside from booking in for a trim, there's not usually much you can do to banish split ends. But this mask managed to do the impossible, with most of our panel noticing fewer split ends after the trial period. Formulated with renewable and sustainably sourced ingredients, including moisture-locking nutrients and antioxidants, the mask left all our testers with smoother, more hydrated strands and helped calm frizz.
Some did describe the packaging as ‘basic’, but it’s a small compromise when you consider it’s made from 100% clean energy, with zero environmental impact.
Key specifications
| Size | 250ml |
|---|---|
| Hair type | Curly hair |
| Treatment time | 10-15 minutes |
| Effect | Nourishing, curl-enhancing |
Pureology Hydrate Superfood Deep Treatment Mask 200ml
Pureology Hydrate Superfood Deep Treatment Mask 200ml
Score: 81/100
Another one that's designed to be applied to colour-treated hair, this mask nourishes tresses without stripping your colour. Most testers loved its fruity scent and many told us it left their strands silky-smooth.
Some thought the five-minute wait time was too long when they had a busy day ahead, but most said their hair looked healthier after use, so the extra minutes were worth it.
Key specifications
| Size | 200ml |
|---|---|
| Hair type | Dry, coloured, fine hair |
| Treatment time | 5 minutes |
| Effect | Softens and nourishes dry, colour-treated hair |
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment 150ml
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Intensive Treatment 150ml
Score: 81/100
Originally designed to revive Audrey Hepburn’s iconic locks after long days of filming, this cult classic has become a staple for A-listers like Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett. Apply to ends as a pre-shampoo treatment for a minimum of three minutes (for a deeper condition, leave on for 20) and prepare to be amazed.
Our testers said it gave them softer hair after just one use, and it didn't leave it feeling greasy or heavy. One person even found their natural curls appeared bouncier and more defined. Our panel did prefer the pump dispenser over the tub, however (less mess).
Key specifications
| Size | 150ml |
|---|---|
| Hair type | Dry, damaged, fine hair |
| Treatment time | 10-20 minutes |
| Effect | Stronger, healthier hair with less breakage |
Aussie SOS Supercharged Hydration Hair & Scalp Mask
Aussie SOS Supercharged Hydration Hair & Scalp Mask
Score: 79/100
It can be tricky to find a mask to reduce dandruff, but this vegan option promises to hydrate even the most desert-dry strands and scalps.
Jam-packed with nourishing, sustainably sourced Australian macadamia nut oil and avocado, it left most of our panel with less flaking and helped revive parched hair, with many enjoying smoother and more nourished locks.
When it came to frizz, most saw an improvement, with one tester loving how “fresh, healthy and defined” their curls looked. Some found it tricky to wash out, but it also left coloured hair looking less damaged and more vibrant.
Key specifications
| Size | 450ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 3-4 minutes |
| Hair type | Dry, damaged hair |
| Effect | Smooth, hydrated hair |
John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Ultra Nourishing Deep Conditioner
Score: 78/100
Formulated to nourish curl types ranging from 2A-3A, many noticed an improvement in the appearance of their curls, with hair feeling more nourished and looking sleeker, without being weighed down.
Testers also appreciated the thick, creamy texture, which left most of them with frizz-free locks. The packaging let it down a little, with some describing it as “inconvenient”.
Key specifications
| Size | 150ml |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | 10-30 minutes |
| Hair types | Dry, curly hair |
| Effect | Smoothing finish |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over 100 years, from the best hairdryers to the best shampoo.
Our beauty tester, Juliet Heaton, is an expert in her field, and has conducted tests on thousands of beauty products in the lab. She has masters degrees in both chemistry and cosmetic science, as well as working in product development for beauty brands such as Dove and The Body Shop. She developed the rigorous protocols we tested each hair mask against, ensuring we reviewed it fairly against its claims, as well as the competition.
Lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, has been writing about beauty products for several years now, and knows the importance of highlighting the key pros and cons of each product in her reviews. She's also on a constant personal pilgrimage to source the latest and greatest hair treatments, so has tried many of the leading hair masks herself.
How to use your hair mask
Though different hair masks will have different application times and ingredients, how you apply them rarely changes. Most require you to wash your hair with shampoo first, rinse out the excess water, and then apply the mask, leaving it on for between 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.
However, some masks, like our winner from Wella Professionals, are leave-in treatments, so you can skip the last step!
How often should you use a hair mask?
To enhance the quality and health of your hair, it's a good idea to apply a hair mask a couple of times a week, or whenever your hair is feeling a little lacklustre.
What's better: conditioner or a hair mask?
Ideally, you'd use both. It's important to apply a conditioner every time you wash your hair to help detangle, boost smoothness and reduce breakage, while applying a hair mask a couple of times a week can provide deeper hydration and repair.
However, if you have fine hair or struggle with oiliness, you may prefer to stick to a conditioner, as these tend to have a lighter texture than hair masks.
Can you put hair mask on dry hair?
Yes, you can put a hair mask on dry hair. Our Lifestyle Writer, Maddie Evans, often uses a mask to slick her hair back on days when she needs a more intense treatment.
However, most brands advise applying hair masks to clean, damp hair, as this reduces the chance of build-up or residue stopping the nourishing ingredients getting to work.
The verdict on the best hair masks
If you regularly colour your hair, then we recommend our top-scorer, the Wella Color Refresh Leave-in Mask. This no-rinse formula helps to hydrate dry ends and extend your colour.
Our runner-up from Color Wow is suited to all hair types in search of hydration and shine. It detangled our testers' hair, making it a dream to brush through without any harsh snagging, too.
If you don't want to spend a fortune on this twice-weekly treat, then OGX's Coconut Miracle Oil Hair Mask delivered a great dose of hydration and shine for our panel.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Orla was our Former Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester.
