The Best Hair Masks For Every Hair Type

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When your hair is desperately dry and damaged, there are times when a regular conditioner just won't cut it. If your ends are starting to fray, your color is looking dull, or your curls are looking limp, then it's time to pull out the big leagues: hair masks and intensive treatments.

Think of hair masks as a much more concentrated version of conditioner that aims to address whatever your hair woe might be, whether that's a lack of moisture, an overabundance of heat tools, greasy roots, saggy curls, brittle ends, or faded highlights. In between trips to the hair salon, masks can keep your hair looking healthy.

"Hair masks are a great way to get the condition back, whether you're suffering from loss of moisture or lots of damage from over-styling," London-based hairstylist Lewis Pallett tells POPSUGAR.

And we're sorry to say it, but it's pretty damn easy to damage your hair, whether that's due to regular dyeing or daily styling sessions with your curling iron. That's where masks can make a huge difference. It's generally recommended to use a hair mask once a week, and leave it on for a minimum of five to 10 minutes, although many can be left on overnight every few months for maximum conditioning.

However, just like not all hair types and textures are the same, not all hair masks are created equal. Sure, there are some great multitasking formulas out there, but then there are masks that are good for fine haird that won't do a thing for coarser textures; or there are treatments for natural hair that may weigh down limp roots; and there are also masks specifically out there to cleanse away scalp buildup or seal up split ends. Luckily, there are tons of impressive formulas out there — some expensive, some not — but that can also make the choice a little overwhelming. With so many to pick from, you might not know where to start, and that's where we come in. As beauty editors, we've tried a lot of 'em, so we've rounded up our absolute favorite masks for every hair type.

So, if you fancy taking your regular hair routine up a notch, read on to see which hair masks are the very best for whatever your hair concern might be.

Additional reporting by Jessica Harrington

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:

Amika Bust Your Brass Intense Repair Mask ($40)

The Amika Bust Your Brass Intense Repair Mask is a must-have hair mask for blonds. It will eliminate any brassy, yellow tones from your hair and brighten up your color after just one use. It also features bond repair technology to strengthen hair while enhancing your color.

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:
revolve.com

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:

Rita Hazan Weekly Remedy Treatment ($42)

This treatment is an impressive masking treatment for color-treated hair. The quick, two-step treatment can be used in the shower and rinsed off immediately, which means no hanging around for it to soak in. It's definitely one of the most expensive masks on the market, but I can confirm the promise of immediate results (think: less frizz, smoother end, brighter color in one wash) is true. We were also surprised how long these small tubes lasted — a little goes a long way.

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:
amazon.com

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:

Bleach London Reincarnation Mask ($12)

The Bleach London Reincarnation Mask is a rich, creamy mask that will help revive even the most damaged of hair. Despite the recommendation of letting it soak in for 10-to-20 minutes, POPSUGAR former assistant editor Ange Law (whose hair is bleach-blond) leaves this mask on for about three minutes and notices the same deep-conditioning effects. It's perfect if you often bleach or color your hair, as it increases elasticity, hydrates parched ends, and gives your hair color a much-needed brightening boost.

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:
ulta.com

Best Hair Mask For Color-Treated Hair:

Pureology Hydrate Superfood Deep Treatment Mask ($42)

Harriet Muldoon, a colorist at Larry King Salon in London (who is known for being particularly adept at creating natural-looking shades of blond), recommends Pureology Hydrate Superfood Deep Treatment Mask. She noted that it's especially great for those with bleached hair thanks to its rich, nourishing formula that contains both coconut and avocado oils.

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:
k18hair.com

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask ($75)

The K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask repairs damage caused by bleaching and coloring, heat styling, and chemical treatments. It's formulated with a patented bioactive peptide treatment that strengthens ends and improves elasticity for smoother, healthier hair.

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Mask ($34)

The amazing tropical scent of the Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Mask is enough reason alone to use it, but it's also loaded with hydrating butters to leave hair feeling soft as silk.

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:
Sephora

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:

Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask ($34)

It doesn't matter if your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, leave the Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask on your hair for two to five minutes and it will be immediately stronger, less frizzy, and easier to comb through when you get out of the shower. The secret (in addition to a combination of plant oils, plant extracts, and shea butter) is the brand's proprietary keratin protein, which is a pure, whole, ethically sourced human keratin protein. The molecule is identical to the keratin in your hair, and because of that, it fits into damaged ends like a jigsaw puzzle, filling in the damaged bits and ultimately leaving your hair silky and soft — even if it actually looks like a broomstick.

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:
Sephora

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector ($30)

The Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is small but mighty. The formula contains bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, a patented ingredient that helps to restore the disulfide bonds in your hair, which are what give your ends their strength and elasticity. To get the most out of this mask, work into damp hair (thanks to the thin consistency you don't need loads to coat the hair), and leave it on from anywhere between 10 minutes to 10 hours depending on how damaged your hair is.

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:
amazon.com

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:

Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment ($38)

Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment is great for overprocessed, chemically treated, or heat-damaged hair. The formula is rich in castor seed oil, jojoba oil, and lactic acid. While most of us are used to using lactic acid on our face, it can bring the same incredible benefits to your hair and scalp by getting rid of buildup and pollutants without stripping your hair's natural oils.

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:
target.com

Best Hair Mask For Dry Hair:

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Hair Conditioner ($5)

If you just can't be bothered with 10-minute hair masks, then turn to the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Hair Conditioner. This hard-working conditioner transforms dry stands into your softest and shiniest hair yet, in just (you guessed it) three minutes. And of course, it has that distinct Aussie scent that people just can't resist.

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:

Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner ($28)

The Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner, which smells like marshmallows, can be rinsed out or left in overnight, and leaves hair feeling soft and hydrated. Made with Australian Kakadu plum (a good source of vitamin C) and starflower oil, the mask gives you a gorgeous foundation for styling.

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:
bombacurls.com

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:

Bomba Curls Forbidden Hair Mask ($28)

The Bomba Curls Forbidden Hair Mask will hydrate even the most dehydrated curls. It's also infused with raw cinnamon, pistachio butter, and cupuacu butter to give it an amazing scent.

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:
nordstrom.com

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:

Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask With Aloe Vera ($37)

"The Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask With Aloe Vera is my personal favorite," says POPSUGAR former assistant editor Kara Kia. "It has incredible slip for detangling coarser curl textures, plus it's light enough for use as a leave-in conditioner, but hydrating enough for the most moisturized, shiny, and defined curls of your life in only a few minutes (compared to most deep conditioners that require 20 minutes to penetrate the hair shaft). I love this stuff so much that I had to cut open the bottle and scoop the very last drop." The best part? It's made of 98 percent natural ingredients and contains absolutely no parabens, silicones, or SLES.

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:
target.com

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque ($16)

This is worth every bit of its five-star review that you'll find on most websites. The reason it's a bestseller is because of the incredible cocktail of ingredients. "Anything with Jamaican black castor oil works incredibly with type 4 Afro hair, in addition to shea butter, which is lauded for its thick, super-hydrating consistency," says Kia. "It also contains peppermint, which not only feels invigorating on your scalp, but also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that relieve dry scalp." Apple cider vinegar is also great for calming irritation and relieving dandruff. "This mask works wonders on bleached Afro hair, and make sure to try it as an overnight treatment, because it will get you hooked."

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:
spacenk.com

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:

Dizziak Deep Conditioner ($29)

Created by Londoner Loretta De Feo, Dizziak Deep Conditioner is a hidden gem. This hair-and-scalp saver is specifically formulated for multitextured hair by offering a sumptuous mix of five oils (babassu, coconut, argan, castor, and inca inchi), plus aloe vera, shea butter, and quinoa protein.

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:
ulta.com

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:

Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque ($40)

The Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque is perhaps one of the most hyped hair masks of all time. "Frankly, I am super skeptical about anything with such a strong Instagram presence, but after 20 minutes of this mask wrapped around my 4A curls, I was surprised at how luscious, soft, and shiny they were," says Kia. "Formulation-wise, coconut is always a winner for Afro hair because it deeply penetrates the hair follicles, but fig is definitely a new player among Afro hair ingredients. Fig is meant to increase blood circulation on the scalp, which results in faster hair growth."

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:
amazon.com

Best Hair Mask For Natural Hair:

Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque ($7)

This is a product that works for a wide range of curl types, and with a price under $10, it's definitely worth a spot in your beauty cupboard. This top-rated formula is rich in all our favorite coil-loving oils, like coconut, avocado, sweet almond, jojoba, olive, argan, neem, carrot, macadamia, and mango, plus honeysuckle, aloe leaf juice, nettle, and silk amino acids. "This mask definitely contains the most luxe mix of oils, and the fact that it's specifically formulated for natural hair means I'm already sold," says Kia.

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:

OUAI Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair ($38)

As the name suggests, the OUAI Treatment Mask For Fine and Medium Hair won't weigh your ends down as some thicker treatments do. It has a light floral scent that makes your hair smell amazing. It can address damage and dryness, and adds shine.

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:

Oribe Hair Alchemy Strengthening Mask ($68)

Though the Oribe Hair Alchemy Strengthening Mask says it's suitable for all hair types, it's especially great for fine hair because of its lightweight consistency. In addition to deeply hydrating your hair, it can help restore elasticity and repair breakage.

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:

Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask ($30)

There's a lot to love about this Dae mask. For one, the scent is heavenly but it also makes your hair feel brand-new. It provides deep hydration that leaves your ends silky-soft, repairing split ends and reducing frizz in the process. Read our full Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask review.

Editor's Quote: "This mask didn't leave my hair feeling heavy or greasy, and I was able to go my typical four days before needing to shampoo. At $28, this hair mask is priced similarly to other comparable products on the market. I have a whole shelf dedicated to hair care, but the reason I continue to reach for this product is because of how hydrated it makes my hair look and feel. I can honestly say that I rarely see the ends of my hair looking this smooth and sleek unless it's immediately after a haircut." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:
bluemercury.com

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme Rich Deep-Conditioning Treatment ($52)

This is a classic formula — and a pretty incredible product. It's formulated with hydrolyzed elastin, which penetrates the hair and increases elasticity (which basically means your hair won't snap as much when brushing or styling it) without completely weighing hair down. It also contains castor oil and glycerin to help keep your ends moisturized.

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Fine Hair:

Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense Cheveux Fins ($63)

Formulated especially for fine hair, this has been around for a long time and is beloved by beauty editors and hairstylists alike. The treatment contains glucose proteins to deeply condition and repair the hair fibers without completely weighing the hair down. Plus, the Kérastase mask tubs do last a long time.

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:
ulta.com

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Frizz-Fighting Hydrating Mask ($44)

This frizz-fighting hair mask from Ouidad infuses curls with hydration while cutting down on frizz. It's great for all curly hair types, from wavy to natural hair, and creates curl definition without any crunchy feeling. It'll leave your ends feeling soft and smooth but not weighed down. Read our full Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Frizz-Fighting Hydrating Mask review.

Editor Quote: "Using this mask before wearing my hair with my natural waves is an absolute must. It leaves my hair feeling soft and hydrated, and it cuts down on frizz immensely. While I still see some at the roots of my hair and around the crown, the area from my midlengths to ends is essentially frizz-free." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask ($39)

The Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask transforms your hair in minutes. It's great for all hair types, but curly hair will find it deeply hydrating and great for definition. Using it weekly will help repair damage and keep your ends shiny.

Curlsmith Hydro Cream Soothing Deep Conditioner Hair Mask
sephora.com

Curlsmith Hydro Cream Soothing Deep Conditioner Hair Mask

Curlsmith Hydro Cream Soothing Deep Conditioner Hair Mask ($29)

You can use the Curlsmith Hydro Cream Soothing Deep Conditioner Hair Mask to hydrate your curls and detangle in the shower — it offers great slip thanks to its buttery texture. It's formulated with shea butter and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and reduce fizz, making your hair silky and shiny.

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:
cultbeauty.co.uk

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:

Davines Love Curl Mask ($40)

This will keep curls ultra conditioned without compromising their shape and springiness. Thanks to Noto almond extract in the creamy formula, this mask will deeply moisturize strands without disrupting the texture of the hair.

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:
sephora.com

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:

Living Proof No Frizz Intense Moisture Mask ($42)

Curls will bounce back to life after using this once a week. This mask contains zero silicones and instead uses Living Proof's "healthy hair molecule," which protects each strand by forming a lightweight coating without weighing it down as traditional silicones might. The addition of shea butter in the formula means hair has reduced frizz with maximum moisture in just five minutes.

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:
amazon.com

Best Hair Mask For Curly Hair:

John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Deep Conditioner ($12)

The John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Deep Conditioner is an inexpensive mask that boasts four-and-a-half stars on 3,430 customer reviews — now that's impressive. The mask is infused with abyssinian oil, giving it a lightweight and non-greasy texture, which after just three-to-five minutes replenishes and hydrates curls.