When your hair is in need of some TLC, hair masks are your secret weapon. Used once or twice a week, depending on your hair type and condition, they work to reverse damage and leave your locks looking healthy with a luminous finish.
What are the best hair masks for damaged hair?
- Kérastase Masque Reconstituant Hair Mask
- Kérastase Nutritive Masque Magistral
- L'Oreal Professional Serie Expert Bondifier Masque
- Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
- L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Inforcer Masque
- Kérastase Resistance Masque Extentioniste
- Grow Gorgeous Repair Strengthening Hair and Scalp Mask
- Shu Uemura Art of Hair Damaged Hair Essentials
- Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10 in 1 Renewal System Hair Masque
- Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque
- Philip Kinglsey Bond Builder Split End Remedy
How do you know if your hair is damaged?
If you use heat stylers, have coloured hair or expose your hair to harsh climates, you might have hair that needs a little extra care; all of these everyday things can cause damage to your locks.
There are a few signs that are simple to spot: you may notice that your hair becomes easily tangled after cleansing, has lost its shine and feels dry. In more extreme cases, it might be brittle and show signs like split ends or breakages.
Whilst a hair cut is the only way to actually remove split ends, the right treatment from the right hair masks can go a long way to help repair and revitalise damaged locks.
How can a hair mask repair damaged hair?
Hair masks are intensive treatments that work a little harder than your regular conditioner. They penetrate the hair cuticle and their active ingredients work deeper inside the hair follicle than your regular conditioner meaning they're an important part of your weekly haircare routine.
Hair masks are usually formulated with a blend of key ingredients that are all targeted at helping to strengthen, protect and repair your hair.
- Proteins like Keratin, Silk and Wheat Proteins help to reinforce the hair cuticle, strengthening the hair again
- Oils like Argan, Sunflower and Jojoba add moisture back into the hair follicle, making it more supple and flexible.
For thicker or curlier hair, which usually really need moisture, look for more oil based formulas to help with hair elasticity. If you have fine hair, then look for protein rich formulas to reinforce without weighing down your hair.
11 best hair masks for damaged hair
1. Kérastase Genesis Masque Reconstituant Hair Mask 200ml
The Genesis hair mask from
Kérastase utilises antioxidants to help fight against environmental pollutants such as heat, which can damage and weaken the hair.
Not only does the mask soften the hair, but it simultaneously reduces breakage from root to tip
2. Kérastase Nutritive Masque Magistral 200ml
Treat your hair to the Kérastase Nutritive Masque Magistral, a restorative hair mask that works to nourish and soften severely dried-out, thick hair.
Utilising 4600 PPM Irisome Complex and Benjoin Resin technologies, the intensely nourishing formula gets to work on wanting hair; its balancing and protective properties help to smooth and soften every strand, improve manageability and detangling, and inspire mirror-like shine.
3. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Blondifier Masque 250ml
A must for blonde hair, the L'Oreal Professional Serie Expert Blondifier Masque is specifically formulated to revive shine and radiance for fair hair. Enriched with super food ingredients such as Acai Berry, the antioxidant rich formula helps keep the hair moisturised, smooth and healthy.
Apply the mask to towel dried hair, leave on for 5 minutes and then rinse out!
Alternatively for darker hair, try the
L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Vitamino Color Mask, designed for vibrancy and strength for all shades.
4. Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector 100ml
Strengthen and repair your locks with
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector; an at-home bond builder that utilises the same active ingredient found in all professional Olaplex products.
Suitable for all hair types, the innovative formula works on a molecular level to revitalise and regenerate dry, damaged strands that have been broken due to chemical, thermal and mechanical effects. Ideal for weekly use in between salon services to maintain strong, healthy-looking hair.
5. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Inforcer Masque 500ml
The L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Inforcer Masque is specially formulated to help strengthen damaged hair. The hair masque is enriched with Biotin and Vitamin B6, known for their restorative properties. The treatment is designed to target breakage and split ends to give the hair a healthy looking appearance and make de-tangling easier. The intensely conditioning treatment helps to leave the hair soft and healthy. With continued use, the masque will help to strengthen fragile and breakage-prone hair.
6. Kérastase Resistance Masque Extentioniste 200ml
The Kérastase Resistance range is a must-have for damaged hair and the Masque Extentioniste is no exception. Enriched with Maleic Acid and Creatine R, the intensive mask nourishes and transforms even the most dry and brittle hair.
Preventing against further breakage, it seals the hair cuticle to minimise the appearance of split ends and provides long-lasting hydration to leave your locks healthy and shiny.
7. Grow Gorgeous Repair Strengthening Hair and Scalp Mask 200ml
Perfect for those with fine, brittle hair which is also damaged, Grow Gorgeous Repair Strengthening Hair and Scalp Mask is a 2 in 1 hair mask and scalp treatment that combines a blend of rich minerals to promote healthy hair growth.
The mask also works as a hydrating treatment to smooth and shine the hair and is suitable for bleached hair that is prone to breakage. Massage the product into your hair and scalp and leave in for 5 minutes or 10-20 minutes for a deeper, more intense treatment.
9. Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10 in 1 Renewal System Hair Masque 355ml
Transform dull, brittle hair with the
Superfruit Complex 10 in 1 Renewal System Hair Masque from
Shea Moisture ; a brand who utilise natural and certified organic ingredients gathered from around the world.
10. Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque 50ml
The
Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque replenishes the hair and protects it from further damage from a whole host of factors, including UV, and heat damage.
It also promotes colour longevity through it's unique bond-strengthening defence system, protecting the strands from damage and discolouration.
11. Philip Kingsley Bond Builder Split End Remedy 50ml
The Philip Kinglsey Bond Builder Split End Remedy is the brand's latest treatment for damaged hair. Designed for hair prone to breakage, the treatment works to improve the appearance of split ends, whilst the nourishing formula improves the elasticity and suppleness of your hair to prevent further breakage.
Used after your shampoo and applied to towel-dried hair from mid-length to the ends, it leaves your locks smooth, healthy and much more manageable. Use each week to completely transform dry and damaged hair.
