20 best hair masks that will hydrate, smooth strands and fight frizz
Even the biggest beauty buffs can be guilty of neglecting their hair, with dry, damaged strands becoming a standard for a huge number of people. So, if you’re currently living with lacklustre locks, then help is on the way with one of these hydrating hair masks.
We’ve asked the experts exactly what makes a hair mask so great, what ingredients to keep an eye out for and how best to apply them. Our trusty tester’s hair has never looked healthier, as they put a huge number of products through their paces to find the very best.
“When selecting a mask, the main focus should be active ingredients and matching them to what your hair needs,” shared Miffy Goknil, stylist at Hari’s. “If your hair is dry, look for an oil-rich mask, which can add moisture back into the hair. If your hair is broken or damaged, you want to look for rebuilders, rich in protein and ingredients that will help your hair feel stronger.”
When it comes to applying the hair mask, Miffy recommends: “Always two cleanses with the shampoo to remove any build-up and allow the active ingredients to work, before gently towel drying by blotting the hair and removing the excess water. Then, apply the mask from mid-length to end, or, if you’ve got severely dry hair, apply all the way through root to end. Clip the hair up, pop a shower cap on and continue with the rest of your shower and rinse after five to ten minutes.”
So, now you know what to look out for and how best to apply, keep reading below to see which hair masks made it onto our list of the very best to buy now, from Aussie, Aesop, K18 and many more.
How we tested
Taking Miffy Goknil’s advice, we applied each hair), and left our hair to air dry.
