With picks from Olaplex, Biolage, and more
When it comes to dry hair, lots of factors are to blame, from heat styling1 and bleaching to overwashing2 and too much time spent swimming in salt water or chlorine.3 It’s a condition that also comes with a bunch of not-so-fun side effects: Frizz, flyaways, color fade, breakage, and more—all things we’d much rather avoid where possible. While shampoo and conditioner can help, a hard-working hair mask that’s rich in nourishing ingredients is one of the best ways to mitigate said dryness.
Trichologist Lisa Caddy tells us that dry hair is basically hair that has lost water and craves rehydration. The best way to do that? Doubling down on oils, as they work to lock water inside the hair shaft, just like a face oil or occlusive moisturizer.
To find the best hair masks for dry hair, we conducted hours of research—evaluating options based on their active ingredients and benefits—and tested the most intriguing options at home. While testing, we considered factors like how each formula performed on a variety of different hair types, whether or not each is sulfate-free, and, of course, the price tag. Alongside expert recommendations and editor picks, we’ve compiled an edit of the options we can vouch for in order to replenish and hydrate dry, dehydrated hair.
Best Overall: Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
The Olaplex Hair Perfector is hands-down one of the best hair masks we’ve ever used, so naming it our number-one choice was a no-brainer. The fan-favorite formula tackles dry, damaged, and generally lackluster hair by repairing and rebuilding the disulfide bonds that have been broken—most commonly due to coloring and bleaching. During testing, we were immediately impressed with how easy to work with the formula was—taking note of how creamy and lightweight it felt in our hands. Massaging it through strands takes a couple of seconds and it doesn’t clump up, even when coating dry-as-hell split ends. It’s a magic potion, for sure, but don’t expect to see results overnight. You’ll want to use it regularly to really reverse signs of hair damage and restore hydration levels. If you give it some time (like we did), you’ll love how silky and strong your hair feels—we know we do. The only thing we aren’t crazy about is how small the bottle is, especially when you consider the price. But, we can assure you that it’s worth every penny—after all, it’s a mainstay of every hair pro we know.
Best for Thick Hair: Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil
Rich in prickly pear (an extract that is packed with nourishing bioactive compounds), this mask works to increase hair hydration4 without weighing it down. Plant-based ceramides also make an appearance in the formula, working to support strong, resistant hair fibers5 while the gloriously melty texture absorbs quickly and rinses well (so you get moisture without heaviness). While testing, we grew particularly fond to its ease of use and ability to slip right into our existing hair care routines. We used it consistently in the shower for five minutes each time we washed out hair (about two times a week) and used a scalp. massager to really work it through our entire head. After rinsing, we found our hair to be super soft and, quite frankly, very nourished. Don’t expect it to get rid of split ends (the only way to eliminate those is to get a haircut, sorry!), but it will take care of just about everything else.
Best Drugstore: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
This drugstore gem is rich in shea butter, a fatty compound that’s known to possess potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Because of this, it’s deeply nourishing and retains water in the hair, making it a great pick for those who find their hair coarse, frizzy, or dry. There’s also argan oil, avocado oil, and panthenol—not bad for a drugstore buy that comes in at under $15. Either slather it on and leave it in as a treatment or work through dry hair as a styling cream—you’ll be pleased with the results no matter what.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Biolage Matrix ColorLast Deep Treatment Pack
Is your hair feeling dry, broken, and dull from excessive coloring? You need a fast-working treatment like this one from Biolage that will dial up shine and replenish lost moisture. According to the brand, one use will leave your hair three times stronger—talk about instantly gratifying results. We used the mask once every few days, leaving it in for three to five minutes. We noticed that our hair felt (and looked) significantly healthier and appreciated that the mask didn’t leave behind residue or make our roots appear greasy. We love the easy pouch format, too (it’s great for travel).
Best for Textured Hair: Pattern Beauty Intensive Conditioner
The inclusion of shea butter in this conditioning treatment works to protect and nourish each individual hair strand, preventing water loss and the associated dryness.6 The texture is rich and buttery, yet slightly watery, so it really coats each curl, helping to add definition and bounce without weighing things down too much. It blended into our hair nicely, though at first, it made our hair look wet. But, as time went on, the mask soaked into our strands and dried up completely. We also noticed considerably less frizz and flyaways on days we used the mask, plus, its detangling capabilities were the cherry on top.
Best Splurge: Crown Affair The Renewal Mask
The hero ingredient in this super-luxe formula is tsubaki seed oil (or camellia seed oil), a plant extract that boasts both antioxidant and moisturizing properties.Combined with yuzu fruit extract, it’s a deeply repairing, nourishing treatment that will transform dull, dry hair. And if you’re into luxury beauty, the slick monochrome packaging and beautiful scent are a nice touch.
Best Overnight: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector
This innovative treatment works while you snooze to smooth, hydrate and restore shine. The key ingredient is Living Proof’s patented healthy hair molecule (OFPMA), a blend of amino acids and fatty compounds that work to condition and protect. It has a very light texture, so won’t make a mess of your linen, but fine hair might feel the need to shampoo out the morning after. But either way, the glossy, smooth, commercial-worthy hair is worth the effort.
Best for Frizz: Leonor Greyl Masque a L’Orchidee Nourishing Mask
Expensive? Yes, but Caddy tells us that the jojoba oil and shea butter found in this formula are important when it comes to moisturizing dry, damaged hair. It’s very rich and buttery but works like a charm to recondition hair and impart a lustrous sheen. Because it’s so heavy, it will weigh down frizz and flyaways, too. Try it as a once-weekly treatment after a steamy shower so the ingredients can really penetrate.
Best for Shiny Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask
This top-rated mask can be used weekly to recondition the hair and undo the effects of styling, coloring, or environmental damage. It’s rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to support optimal hair health (think shine, strength, and resilience). And it works across a range of hair types, including coiled and curly. For extry thirsty hair, use this in conjunction with the Don’t Despair, Repair cleansing system—one of our favorite shampoos and conditioners for dry hair. We loved how soft and silky our hair felt, starting moments after we stepped out of the shower.
Best for Curls: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner
Made specifically for coiled hair, this milky treatment mask contains ingredients like shea butter and kakadu plum to support a healthy, conditioned curl pattern. But because the texture is quite thin, it can be used on all hair types craving a moisture boost. If you’re partial to formula with a thicker consistency this might not be for you but if that’s no issue for you this is a great choice.
Best for Damaged Hair: Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Hair Mask
If your hair is broken, split, or frazzled to what feels like beyond repair, try applying this ultra-rich treatment and letting it work its magic. The key ingredient—Japanese rice extract—is said to strengthen weak hair and increase shine. If that wasn’t enough, it has a decadent scent which will make the entire experience that much better. If you have fine hair, you may want to skip this one and opt for a more lightweight formula.
Best Leave-In Treatment: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
If your hair is damaged from heat styling, this leave-in mask is a must. The formula includes a proprietary peptide meant to repair damage from heat styling and chemical processing. We love the way it softens and smooths out the hair for an instant result, while it also strengthens hair over time—in fact, we noticed it totally freshened up the look of our hair. The formula also contains protein to help bolster hair’s strength and leave it feeling healthier and less brittle. A little product also goes a long way, which helps to justify the high price per ounce, and there’s no need to rinse it out, so you can reap the benefits all day long.
Best for Breakage: Amika The Kure Intense Bond Repair Mask
Rich in plant butters and sea buckthorn oil, this hydrating mask from Amika is ideal for medium and thick hair types with breakage, split ends, and frizz. Similar to other bond-building products like Olaplex, it is meant to restore damaged hair and contains what the brand calls bond cure technology, while it’s also chock full of nourishing ingredients like mango seed and shea butters to soften hair and dial up the shine. Users say it leaves hair feeling ultra soft and has a great, light scent.
Best Value: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner
Iterations of this conditioning mask have been on drugstore shelves for decades, proving that this conditioning mask has stood the test of time. The scent is tropical and leaves us feeling nostalgic, and the formula, with jojoba and avocado oils, leaves hair feeling soft and manageable. And for under $10, you can slather this into thick hair and let it soak up without worrying about wasting a precious drop.
Best for Fine Hair: R+Co Television Perfect Hair Masque
For fine hair in need of some TLC, this mask helps tamp down frizz while it boosts shine and elasticity. It contains murumuru and coconut butter, plus other oils to add gloss to hair. And with vitamin E, it also helps preserve color-treated hair and prevents fading as a bonus. Just keep in mind if your hair is extremely dry, this product might not be hydrating enough for you.
Best for Blondes: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Purple Intense Repair Hair Mask
Blonde hair requires maintenance to stay bright and true, and this mask helps boost color while it conditions bleached hair for two steps in one. And while toning shampoos and conditioners can have a reputation for being drying, this mask is anything but. With nourishing plant butter and violet-based pigments, it softens hair while it color-corrects brassy tones in blonde hair. Plus, we can vouch for the fact that it boosts the vibrancy of blonde hair while leaving it feeling silky smooth.
Best for Processed Hair: Davines Nounou Hair Mask
When you chemically process your hair (whether that be by relaxing, dying, or bleaching), your hair can become dry and sometimes even brittle. This hair mask from Davines is specifically catered to processed hair types—being able to repair damage, add moisture, and give the hair healthy body. The result? Soft, silky hair that looks rejuvenated and lively. During testing, our hair felt nourished—but not covered in leftover product residue—and substantially softer.
Best Multitasking: It’s A 10 Miracle Hair Mask
As its name suggests, this hair mask does it all—having ten benefits to treat and nourish dry, damaged hair. From detangling to smoothing frizz to restoring moisture, its the only hair mask you’ll need for a head of healthy hair. We love that it makes your locks look shiny and soft, and it’s also able to add vibrance for those with color-treated hair.
Final Verdict
A Team Byrdie favorite, the Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 is a best-seller for a reason. It truly works to repair broken, dry and damaged hair, which is why we’re calling it out as our top pick. Honorable mention also goes to the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer for its oil-rich formulation. For a wallet-friendly option, you can’t go wrong with the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque, which deeply nourishes with shea butter and plant oils.
What to Look For in a Hair Mask for Dry, Damaged HairDeep hydration for curly and thick hair
If your hair is dry, Mark DeBolt, celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon, says you’ll need to look for hair masks specifically designed to enrich hair with moisture and hydration—and if your hair is on the curly or coarse side, you’ll want a formula that’s especially thick and nourishing. Look for ingredients like plant-based butters and oils such as shea butter and coconut, olive, and castor oils, like in the Amika The Kure Intense Repair Mask.
Lightweight hydration for fine hair
If your hair is dry and on the finer side, DeBolt recommends using masks that provide lightweight moisture so that your hair isn’t left greasy or weighed down. Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and sesame oil are great for hydrating the hair without leaving behind a heavy residue.
Tinted or toning for color-treated hair
For dry hair that’s also color-treated, consider opting for a hydrating hair mask that also deposits pigment, like Amika Bust Your Brass Intense Repair Mask. Bleached blondes can benefit from the toning effects of blue, purple, and silver tints, while other hair colors should reach for color-depositing conditioning masks (read: They don’t lift or damage the hair), which can help extend your time between visits to the salon. Linseed extract is also an excellent ingredient to look for since it can help to preserve color.
Size
The best hair masks tend to be ultra-rich and concentrated and usually come in fairly small quantities. So if your hair is ultra-thick or long, you may be using more than a dollop at a time and will want to look for products that come in larger sizes, so you get the best value.
FAQHow do you apply a hair mask for dry, damaged hair?
When it comes to application, DeBolt says to spread your mask onto clean, damp hair and leave it on for five minutes before rinsing out. Some masks may require a longer leave-in time, so be sure to read through any directions first. Those with coarser or curly hair may benefit from leaving the mask on overnight and rinsing it out the next morning for an extra dose of moisture. If your hair is prone to tangles, try combing the mask through with a wide-tooth comb.
Unless your hair is very thin or fine, you can use a deep conditioning mask two or three times per week. You typically wouldn’t use one every day since doing so could weigh down your hair and contribute to buildup over time. If your hair is fine, try using a mask once a week and concentrate it on your ends to avoid weighing down your hair.
If you’re using a leave-in product, like the K18 Molecular Repair Mask, you can apply it liberally and if you have long hair, pile it into a bun using a claw clip to keep it out of the way for the day.