If your tresses require some pampering, adding a quality hair mask to your regimen is one of the simplest strategies to revive them. The market is saturated with conditioning masks purporting to address every conceivable hair issue, from flat and lifeless to dry, brittle, and weak. However, which treatments will magnificently rejuvenate your locks from the first application – and which will leave an oily residue that’s tough to remove?
To determine this, I spent the last several months evaluating 18 of the finest hair masks on the market, and consulted hair stylists Melissa Timperley and Valerie Benavides for insights on formulation types, proper application, and the key ingredients to consider. From under-£10 steals to premium indulgences, one of my eight chosen favorites is bound to fit your budget and requirements.
Overview
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Top hair mask overall:
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy
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Best economical hair mask:
Garnier Ultimate Blends Repairing Papaya Hair Food
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Best mask for lengthy, thick hair:
JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Mask
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Top mask for damaged hair:
No98 Hydra Bond
Reasons to trust me
For four years, I’ve been evaluating beauty products, including hair dryers, body moisturisers, and LED masks. Throughout this period, I’ve experimented with numerous hair masks, observing the effective, ineffective, and utterly unworthy.
To enhance my expertise, I’ve also earned a certification in cosmetic science. This education deepened my understanding of hair’s cellular structure, types of damage, and product formulations that aid in prevention. My recommendations stem from extensive testing, examination, and research over several months.
Testing methodology
In this review, I explored 18 hair masks. As some are formulated for specific hair issues, I invited friends with diverse hair types to test them. My locks are thick, lengthy, and susceptible to dryness, so any mask that hydrates and shields the hair strands works wonders for me. If a mask was volumizing, I had my friends with finer hair put it to the test.
Post-testing, I noted the texture, fragrance, and effectiveness of each mask. These evaluations covered the ease of rinsing, treatment duration, moisture retention, softness of the hair, and the pleasantness of the scent.
Ultimately, I calculated the cost per milliliter and balanced this against its effectiveness to determine value for money. As you will discover, this guide showcases a vast array of options to accommodate every budget, ranging from 1p to 24p per milliliter.
Our top hair masks in 2025
Top hair mask overall:
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy
Choosing a winner among hair masks tailored for specific hair concerns proved to be challenging. However, the Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy hair mask distinguished itself due to its impressive combination of smoothing, frizz-fighting, and hair-strengthening properties.
Why we adore it
It caters to all hair types, featuring antioxidants for environmental protection, honey and hyaluronic acid for hydrating strands, and ceramides for repairing damage and fortifying hair. Since ceramides naturally occur in the hair cuticle, they form an excellent protective barrier for the hair strand. This mask packs a powerful punch.
Before a humid, rainy day of errands, I applied it and returned home with hair that remained as soft, smooth, and shiny as it was when I stepped out. Very few products manage to keep my frizz under control for that extended period, especially without weighing my hair down.
True to its name, this hair mask boasts a delightful, sweet honey aroma and comes in an adorable honeypot-shaped container. It was surprisingly easy to grip in the shower, and I didn’t struggle to open it with slippery, wet hands. The application and rinsing were straightforward, and I appreciated not needing to follow with conditioner – surprisingly, many hair masks do suggest that. It needed only five to seven minutes to sit in my hair, but it can be left overnight for a more intense hydration boost.
Regrettably, … its price is relatively steep, although not the priciest on this list. Prior to purchasing, reflect on your hair type and intentions. If you merely seek hydration without a need for frizz elimination, other masks can provide similar benefits at a lower price.
Size: 230ml
Price/ml: 17p
Treatment duration: 5-7mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty-free? No
Top economical hair mask:
Garnier Ultimate Blends Repairing Papaya Hair Food
For those on a tight budget, this large, versatile Garnier hair mask comes highly recommended. You get a significant quantity for the price, it exudes a fantastic scent, and is superbly crafted to smooth, hydrate, and enhance the feel of damaged hair. Moreover, it contains no silicones, an ingredient responsible for buildup and heaviness if overused or not rinsed well.
Why we appreciate it
This mask has a silky consistency that washes out effortlessly, leaving your hair feeling sleek and glossy afterward. Its ingredients include shine-enhancing vitamin C and hydrating vitamin E alongside shea butter and fatty acids to smooth and seal the hair cuticle. The standout component, papaya, is laden with vitamin A, promoting sebaceous production that strengthens the scalp.
This mask can be applied in three different methods, making it a versatile “one-stop shop” for conditioning. Treat it as a standard conditioner when pressed for time, or let it sit for ten minutes for a deeper treatment – it can even function, if used sparingly, as a leave-in conditioner. However, when I used a tad too much as a leave-in, my hair felt stickier than preferred, but with the right amount, it appeared sleek, and the refreshing, fruity fragrance lasted all day without dissipating.
It’s unfortunate that … the name may be somewhat misleading – no budget hair mask penetrates the hair strand to repair from within. Rather, this mask merely seals the cuticle, providing a temporary fix that enhances appearance and feel of hair after use. That’s not necessarily a downside, but don’t expect it to solve issues long-term. If it were that easy, we’d all be using it.
Size: 400ml
Price/ml: 1p
Treatment time: 10mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty-free? Yes
Best mask for lengthy, thick hair:
JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Mask
Long-haired individuals often encounter dryness at the ends; when the hair is also thick, it can make masks challenging to rinse out. The JVN hair mask is deeply hydrating and nourishing, quick to apply, and rinses out easily, making it an excellent choice for lengthy, thick hair.
Why we appreciate it
Having recently assessed an array of hair dryers – applying significant heat to my hair – my strands were feeling notably dry. The JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Mask revitalized my brittle ends, leaving them hydrated, healthy, and voluminous. The lengths of my hair were soft and well-conditioned, even after air drying, without the heaviness typically associated with overly hydrated thick strands.
This can likely be attributed to the mask’s formulation, which includes protective antioxidants and natural hair-friendly ingredients that enhance its health. Keratris (a vegan keratin substitute) fosters hair health from within the cuticle, while hemisqualane seals the cuticle and strengthens hair. Compared to heavy silicones, hemisqualane smooths hair without leading to product buildup over time.
The mask is vegan, color-safe, and sulfate-free. Additionally, its pleasant scent lingers – a notable benefit in my opinion. This mask could be particularly beneficial for dehydrated hair.
It’s unfortunate that … I must search for a flaw here; I’ll mention that the formula isn’t entirely natural or fragrance-free, if that’s important to you. Fragrance may only be problematic for individuals with extremely sensitive scalps, given that it’s quite rare to find hair masks devoid of any artificial scent.
Size: 236ml
Price/ml: 12p
Treatment duration: 3-5mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty-free? Yes
Top mask for damaged hair:
No98 Hydra Bond
This lesser-known hair mask was recently launched by influencer Lorna Andrews following her own struggles with alopecia. It aims to enhance hair health and resilience, assisting in reviving lackluster, damaged strands with consistent use.
Why we appreciate it
This mask features a rich, buttery texture offering considerable slip. It’s meant for application as a pre-wash treatment on damp hair, which means you need to wet your hair and apply the mask 20 minutes before hopping in the shower. The thick formula melted effortlessly onto my strands, allowing for quick application – and a small amount is quite effective.
The mask includes a “hydra bond complex” that works to restore hair elasticity while shielding against UV damage. This helps reduce breakage, making it an excellent choice for those hoping to grow their hair or emphasize its health.
Some may find the pre-shower application cumbersome, but I found it beneficial, as I wasn’t left waiting in the bathroom dripping wet while waiting for the product to absorb. It also has a lovely spiced woody aroma that feels clean and fresh, in contrast to sweeter, fruitier scents.
It’s unfortunate that … it comes at a higher price and, at present, can only be purchased directly from No98 Beauty.
Size: 175ml
Price/ml: 20p
Treatment duration: 20mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty-free? No
The best among the rest
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect
Ideal for: cost-effective color protection
Maintaining dyed hair can be a cumbersome task, but this rapid-acting L’Oréal mask seamlessly fits into a hectic schedule. It features UVA and UVB filters to shield against sun damage and prevent premature color fading. During my evaluation, I found its gel-like consistency easy to distribute evenly throughout my hair, accompanied by a delightful, subtle fragrance.
After three minutes, the mask rinsed out swiftly, leaving no residue. My hair felt supple, hydrated, and silken – excellent for its price point.
It didn’t make the final list because … it contains a high concentration of silicones, which smooth the hair cuticle but can lead to buildup if not properly cleaned out. Nonetheless, its color-preserving properties might justify that – just ensure to use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to eliminate buildup.
Size: 300ml
Price/ml: 2p
Treatment time: 2-3mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty-free? No
Faith in Nature Moisturising Hair Mask
Ideal for: curly hair and scalp health
For those who lean towards natural products, you’re likely acquainted with Faith in Nature. This UK brand emphasizes predominantly natural ingredients, boasting an affordable hair care selection free from silicones and parabens.
Argan oil and shea butter hydrate and enhance shine without imparting a heavy layer on the hair. This makes the mask particularly beneficial for curly hair, as it easily washes out while defining curls and minimizing frizz. The inclusion of nettle, rosemary, and chamomile aids in stimulating the scalp, promoting hair growth and alleviating irritation. As someone with a sensitive scalp, I appreciated that this mask provided hydration without irritating my skin.
It didn’t make the final cut because … its effects are not as indulgent as other masks, but for promoting scalp health, it excels. I also found its natural scent less enjoyable compared to other masks.
Size: 300ml
Price/ml: 3p
Treatment time: 5-10mins
Fragranced? Yes, naturally
Vegan and certified cruelty-free? Yes
