Elyse Hauser
Winter stretches all the way to late March, and, chances are, your hair is definitely showing the effects of the dry, cold season. Don’t wait to give your hair some love! These 10 hydrating mask treatments will have your mane looking good as new in no time.
Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the dehydrating effects of winter. Luckily, hair masks go above and beyond the standard conditioner and leave-in products. These masks will inject each strand with some much-needed moisture. With regular use, you’ll see soft, shiny results, as well as less frizz and fewer tangles.
Best Overall: OUAI Treatment Masque
With so many different hair types, there’s no such thing as a truly universal hair product. Still, OUAI’s treatment mask comes pretty close. It’s a great place to start if you’re unsure what kind of hair mask you need.
Designed for all hair types, you can leave it on for up to 10 minutes, depending on how much hydration you want. It’s also scented with OUAI’s Melrose Place fragrance, which includes notes of rose, bergamot, and white musk.
Best for Fine Hair: Morroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask
If you have fine hair, you might worry that a mask will be too heavy and leave your hair looking limp and lifeless. However, there are masks that will work for you, too!
This weightless hydrating mask by Morrocanoil is designed specifically for fine hair. It hydrates without the heaviness, leaving your hair silky and smooth. Use it once or twice a week to bring those strands back to life.
Best for Medium-Thick Hair: Amika Soulfood
Medium-thick hair tends to need a little more moisture, but you won’t want to overdo it, as too much can weigh down your hair. Amika’s Soulfood nourishing mask is just right for hair that’s neither fine, nor thick, but still suffering from winter damage. It also includes Amika’s signature scent, with delicious notes of orange, sandalwood, and vanilla.
You can use this mask as a weekly deep conditioner, or daily, depending on your needs. With regular use, your hair’s shine will return and those split ends will start to disappear!
Best for Thick Hair: SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration
It can be challenging to provide thick hair with enough moisture to prevent tangles and frizz. But SheaMoisture’s intensive treatment contains powerful hydrating agents, like mafura oil, to keep thick hair healthy.
This mask works in just five minutes, so you can get through this step of your shower quickly and easily. Afterward, you’ll have hair that’s healthy, strong, and smooth again.
Best for Curly Hair: Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie
If you’ve got naturally curly hair, you’ll want a product that contains the level of hydration you need. This Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla mask is the perfect solution for winter-damaged curls. It provides your strands with deep, restorative moisture.
Brittle, tangled, or unmanageable curls will transform when you use this mask for just 5-7 minutes. The luscious scent also makes this a luxe addition to your shower. It’ll treat your senses, as well as your hair.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Pureology Superfood
Didn’t think masks are good for color-treated hair? Think again! Pureology’s Superfood mask is designed specifically for just that! It adds moisture without stripping away color, so your hair will be strengthened without sacrificing vibrancy.
A little goes a long way, too—the brand recommends using just a quarter-sized amount. So, while this mask is on the pricier side, one container will last you a long time. It’s a worthwhile investment to keep your hair healthy and bright.
Best for Blonde or Gray Hair: VERB Purple Mask
If your hair is gray or blonde, you might be combatting dullness or brassiness, as well as dryness. Well, Verb’s toning and brightening mask will take care of all those woes at once! It also works for color-treated hair.
Because it’s a hydrating mask, it’s a better choice than many toning products, which often remove much-needed moisture from hair. In addition to boosting vibrancy, it’ll also help restore volume.
Best Scented: Sol de Janeiro Triple Brazilian Butter
Most hair masks contain some sort of fragrance, but if you’re specifically looking for a great-smelling product, this Sol de Janeiro mask is the one to try. It smells unique and delicious, with practically-edible notes of pistachio and salted caramel.
It’s also rich and super-hydrating, making it best for medium-to-thick hair. This mask combines cupuaçu, murumuru, and tucumã butters for an intense dose of moisture to revive winter tresses. Your hair will love the ingredients, and your nose will love the luxurious gourmand scent.
Best Value: Mielle Organics Moisture Rx
Hair masks don’t have to be pricey Mielle Organics is a wonderful haircare brand with super-affordable prices. Its strengthening mask delivers great results for under $10.
Mielle’s mask works for any hair type, and contains hair-loving ingredients, like shea butter and coconut and avocado oils. The deep moisture will leave your hair healthy, strong, and hydrated no matter what winter-weather effects you’re facing.
Best Luxury Option: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask
If you’re into splurging, you might want to try Gisou’s high-end hair mask. It uses honey to restore moisture in all hair types and reduces the appearance of damage and split ends while adding shine.
The honey-infused scent is also light and pleasant, so it’s perfect for those who don’t like heavily-fragranced products. Just use this mask for 5-7 minutes before applying your daily conditioner to get the best results.
The right mask for your hair can make an amazing difference in how soft, shiny, and strong it is. If you’re struggling with leftover winter hair damage, now’s the time to try one of these masks and get those strands lush again for spring!
