Damaged Hair? Try One Of These 12 Hair Masks For Targeted TLC

Beauty12 Best Hair Masks For Damaged Hair Of 2023: Tackle Frizz, Breakage & MoreAuthor: Jamie SchneiderMarch 25, 2023mbg Beauty & Wellness EditorBy Jamie Schneidermbg Beauty & Wellness EditorJamie Schneider is the Beauty & Wellness Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.How we pickedBest hair masks for damaged hairHow to chooseDIY optionsFAQImage by stocksy / Asya MolochkovaMarch 25, 2023Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.

If you want silky, healthy hair (I'm assuming that's everyone here), daily maintenance is a given, but sometimes you do need to bring out the heavy hitters. Especially for those with damaged, brittle, and just generally stressed-out strands, targeted treatments can breathe some life back into your locks.

Enter, hair masks: These nutrient-dense concoctions are like Michelin star meals for your strands, but not all whip-thick formulas are created equal. (Damaged strands, you see, don’t all look the same!) If you’re hoping to send your mane some much-needed T.L.C., we’ve got you covered—these hair masks ahead will revitalize your thirsty tresses.

Sneak peek at the best hair masks for damaged hair of 2023

Best for frizzy hairVegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Hair MaskGo to reviewBest for color-treated hair dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair MasqueGo to reviewBest for dry, brittle hairAct+Acre Conditioning Hair MaskGo to reviewBest budgetNatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Repair Treatment MasqueGo to reviewBest splurgeK18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair MaskGo to reviewBest for thick hairBiolage Strength Recovery Deep Treatment Mask for Damaged HairGo to reviewBest for breakageOlaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Hair MaskGo to reviewBest for fine hairCrown Affair The Renewal MaskGo to reviewBest for curlsBread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Creamy Deep ConditionerGo to reviewBest for split endsGisou Honey Infused Hair MaskGo to reviewBest overnightBriogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-In Spray MaskGo to reviewBest for hair growth adwoa beauty Baomint Deep Conditioning TreatmentGo to review

Sneak peek at the best hair masks for damaged hair of 2023

Best for frizzy hairVegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Hair MaskGo to review$52 on Vegamour$52 on Vegamour$52 on SephoraBest for color-treated hair dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair MasqueGo to review$44 on dpHUE$44 on dpHUE$44 on UltaBest for dry, brittle hairAct+Acre Conditioning Hair MaskGo to review$60 on Act+Acre$60 on Act+Acre$60 on AmazonBest budgetNatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Repair Treatment MasqueGo to review$19 on NatureLab. Tokyo$19 on NatureLab. Tokyo$19 on Amazon$19 on UltaBest splurgeK18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair MaskGo to review$75 on Amazon$75 on Amazon$75 on SephoraBest for thick hairBiolage Strength Recovery Deep Treatment Mask for Damaged HairGo to review$17 on Amazon$17 on Amazon$17 on UltaBest for breakageOlaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Hair MaskGo to review$30 on Olaplex$30 on Olaplex$30 on Amazon$30 on SephoraBest for fine hairCrown Affair The Renewal MaskGo to review$58 on Crown Affair $58 on Crown Affair $58 on SephoraBest for curlsBread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Creamy Deep ConditionerGo to reviewon Bread Beauty Supplyon Bread Beauty Supply$28 on SephoraBest for split endsGisou Honey Infused Hair MaskGo to review$57 on Gisou$57 on Gisou$57 on SephoraBest overnightBriogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-In Spray MaskGo to review$29 on Ulta$29 on Ulta$29 on AmazonBest for hair growth adwoa beauty Baomint Deep Conditioning TreatmentGo to review$39 on adwoa beauty$39 on adwoa beauty$39 on SephoraShow More

mbg's picks for the best hair masks for damaged hair of 2023

Best for frizzy hair: Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Hair Mask

:view on Vegamour | $52:view on Sephora | $52

Pros

• Reduces frizz for 72 hours
• Instantly softens & smooths

Cons

• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: KarmatinMilk thistleMarula oilMoringa seed oilPrice: $52

This mask instantly gave me smooth, salon-quality hair. And I’m not alone: According to clinical results from the brand, the mask delivers 15x hydration and 3x stronger stands after just one use, with frizz reduction up to 72 hours.

The formula’s hero ingredient is Karmatin, Vegamour’s signature vegan alternative to keratin and silicone. The biotechnology-derived ingredient (made from fermented silk protein) creates a mirror image of the amino acids that naturally occur in hair, and it remains attached to strands even after rinsing. And unlike silicones, Karmatin actually penetrates the hair shaft. Then there’s milk thistle to provide antioxidant protection and fend off UV damage, as well as cold-pressed, fatty acid-rich marula oil and moringa seed oil for a luxurious slip and shine. After testing Vegamour’s entire Hydr-8 range for eight weeks, this nutrient-rich mask quickly became a showertime staple.

Best for color-treated hair : dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Masque

:view on dpHUE | $44:view on Ulta | $44

Pros

• Silicone-free
• Makes hair color way more vibrant

Cons

• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegarCoconut oilPanthenolAvocado oilSunflower seed extractPrice: $44

Bleach and chemical dyes can damage the hair over time: "When the hair is overprocessed, past its breaking point, the hair's bonds can be easily damaged and become extremely dried out," celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimmons previously told mbg. If your gorgeous color could use some coddling, try folding a color-safe hair mask into your routine.

dpHUE is known for their high-quality, color-enhancing offerings, and their apple cider vinegar-infused hair mask definitely fits the bill: It helps seal down the hair’s cuticle to enhance shine, and provides essential fatty acids and antioxidants to moisturize and strengthen strands.

What our tester says.

“I often find myself gravitating towards really dense hair masks,” says mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler. “Mentally I connect thick with it must be working. But the reality of it is that I have fine hair fibers, and really thick products tend to weigh my hair down. So I'm left to find light hair products that are able to be just as effective at delivering nutrients and hydration. This is truly one of my favorites. My hair feels so soft and weightless after using it. Plus, it helps bring vibrancy back to my hair—as someone who has spent many years color-treating their strands, I need as much help as I can get.”

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Best for dry, brittle hair: Act+Acre Conditioning Hair Mask

:view on Act+Acre | $38:view on Amazon | $38

Pros

• Silicone-free
• Can use frequently in place of conditioner
• Can leave on for long periods of time

Cons

• Smaller size

Key ingredients: PanthenolCastor oilGlycerinShea butterPrice: $38

With castor oil, glycerin, shea butter, and panthenol, this ultra-hydrating mask is like a feast for dry ends. It’s pretty thick, yet you could use it every wash day if you wanted to, especially if you have high-density hair. I only wish the bottle was a tad bigger—I run through it quite quickly!

What our tester says.

I’ll often use this mask in place of my regular conditioner. It’s so buttery and moisture-rich, yet it doesn’t weigh down my strands with frequent use. For an extra-deep treatment, I’ll wet my hair, run this hair mask through my strands from root to tip, then tie my lengths up in a clip for a couple of hours. (The ingredients are pretty simple and solely moisturizing, so you don’t need to worry about overloading your scalp or strands with protein.) Each time, I marvel at how soft my ends feel after finally rinsing out the solution.

Best budget: NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Repair Treatment Masque

:view on NatureLab. Tokyo | $19:view on Amazon | $19:view on Ulta | $19

Pros

• Quick results
• Invigorating forest scent

Cons

• Contains silicones

Key ingredients: Vegan keratinArgan oilPrickly pear oilPrice: $19

The first time I used this mask, I was truly in awe at how smooth and frizz-free my hair looked. But after taking a look at the menu of five-star ingredients, it’s not difficult to see why I immediately fell in love: There’s vegan keratin to rebuild hair bonds, argan oil to provide a silky shine, and prickly pear oil for a heaping dose of antioxidants.

And for any impatient folks among us (self very much included), you only need to let the formula sink in for three to five minutes before rinsing—just enough time for a quick body scrub and shave. A few minutes is really all you need to see those game-changing results, I can assure you.

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Best splurge: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

:view on Amazon | $75:view on Sephora | $75

Pros

• Patented repairing technology
• Clinically-backed results

Cons

• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Patented K18PeptideHydrolyzed wheat proteinHydrolyzed wheat starchPrice: $75

This leave-in treatment instantly reached cult-status, and for a good reason: The brand’s patented peptide technology works to rebuild hair at the molecular level in just four minutes—yes, you read that right. That biomimetic peptide actually mimics the hair’s natural structure, so it can slide in and reconnect broken hair bonds, thus leading to stronger, more resilient strands.

That said, you need to skip conditioner entirely to use this treatment: Conditioner leaves a film on your strands that will keep the peptide from penetrating into the hair shaft. Give your scalp a good scrub to lift any buildup, apply the K18 leave-in, then proceed with your regular hair styling routine (feel free to add in any products after the four minutes are up).

Best for thick hair: Biolage Strength Recovery Deep Treatment Mask for Damaged Hair

:view on Amazon | $17:view on Ulta | $17

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Rich formula
• Smells amazing

Cons

• Smaller pouch
• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: GlycerinShea butterSqualanePrice: $17

Thicker, coarser hair is often prone to dryness, which is why you want to look for “a rich and creamy formula that has natural emollients that protect and help repair your hair, like squalane,” says celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez. This Biolage concoction contains olive-derived squalane, which not only infuses the strands with moisture but also acts as an alternative to silicones, so you get the same silky shine without the buildup.

What our tester says.

This is the hair mask I’ll use every time I blow-dry. Heat harms your hair, so you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll do my best to mitigate the damage. The ultra-moisturizing, buttery formula cradles my strands in moisture, so each blowout looks fluffy and full. If you are one to use hot tools on occasion, I encourage making this mask part of your regular rotation.

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Best for breakage: Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Hair Mask

:view on Olaplex | $30:view on Amazon | $30:view on Sephora | $30

Pros

• Contains patented hair repair technology
• Softens & immediately adds shine

Cons

• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Avocado oilOlaplex bond-building technologyMeadowfoam seed oilRice bran oilPrice: $30

We can’t have a hair mask roundup without mentioning Olaplex! There’s a reason why this buzzy brand has captured the hearts of countless beauty folks: It seriously works. The patented bond-building technology noticeably repairs strands, resulting in stronger, shinier, and visibly healthier hair.

A quite note: You may have seen online hacks and routines that involve leaving on an Olaplex mask all day long (some even use it to slick back their hair in a pony or bun). The label advises you to rinse after 10 minutes, and we suggest following the brand’s instructions. If you leave on some treatments for too long, those benefits can potentially start to backfire.

What our tester says.

This mask is mbg assistant beauty editor Hannah Frye’s go to pick: “I keep this hair mask in my shower at all times, in case of emergency. By that, I mean when my hair has been blow-dried, flat-ironed, slicked back, and hair sprayed a little too often,” she says. “After a deep cleanse and a generous application of this mask, my strands come back to life almost instantly. Plus, it makes my hair feel soft even after a second and third wash.”

Best for fine hair: Crown Affair The Renewal Mask

:view on Crown Affair | $58:view on Sephora | $58

Pros

• Lightweight yet hydrating
• Refreshing scent
• Chic aesthetic

Cons

• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Tsubaki seed oilYuzu fruit extractPrice: $58

If you have fine locks yearning for moisture, you can’t go wrong with this weekly ritual. With tsubaki seed oil and yuzu fruit extract, the blend deeply hydrates and strengthens without weighing down strands. Yuzu is also notably high in potassium, which helps aid in hair growth.

What our tester says.

Crown affair founder Dianna Cohen has some of the silkiest, fluffiest strands in the game (IMO), so I’ve pretty much copied her entire hair care routine at this point. (Her clip-and-twist air-dry technique is now one of my nonnegotiable steps.) Her mask truly serves as a moment of self-care—the cool, light fragrance transforms my shower into a spa—and it leaves my hair touchably soft.

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Best for curls: Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner

:view on Bread Beauty Supply:view on Sephora | $28

Pros

• Silicone-free
• Great detangler
• Leaves curls soft & juicy

Cons

• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Shea butterKakadu plumBorage oilCarrot seed oilPrice: $28

This is truly the Goldilocks of hair masks—not too heavy, yet not too light—so you can use it every single wash day, or on occasion an intensive treatment. You can wash it out completely, or let some lingering residue sink in as a leave-in treatment. It’s meant to be versatile, and those with thirsty curls will especially love the hydrating kakadu plum, borage oil, shea butter, and carrot seed oil.

Best for split ends: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask

:view on Gisou | $57:view on Sephora | $57

Pros

• Can be used on wet or dry hair
• Lightweight yet conditioning
• Restores shine

Cons

• Contains fragrance

Key ingredients: Coconut oilCastor oilHydrolyzed wheat proteinMirsalehi honeyPrice: $57

Honey is a hair care hero (that

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