The best hair masks for every budget and hair type, tested | Hair care
If your hair is in need of some TLC, introducing a good hair mask into your routine is one of the easiest ways to bring it back to life. The market is flooded with conditioning masks claiming to cater to every possible hair problem, whether it’s limp and lifeless or dry, damaged and fragile. But which masks will gloriously hydrate your hair from the first use – and which will leave a greasy film that’s impossible to wash out?
To find out, I’ve spent the past few months testing 18 of the best hair masks available, and I spoke with hair stylists Melissa Timperley and Valerie Benavides for advice on formulation type, correct usage and the ingredients to look out for. From sub-£10 bargains to high-end luxuries, one of my eight favourites is sure to suit your budget and needs.
At a glance
Why you should trust me
For the past four years I’ve been testing beauty products, including hair dryers, body moisturisers and LED masks. In that time I’ve tested dozens of hair masks, witnessing the good, bad and downright ugly.
To support my work, I also have a certification in cosmetic science. That taught more about the cellular structure of hair itself, how it is damaged, and the haircare product formulations that can help prevent this. My recommendations here are the result of months of testing, analysis and research.
How I tested
For this roundup, I tested 18 hair masks. Since some are designed to treat specific hair concerns, I also enlisted friends with different hair types to try them out. My hair is thick, long and prone to dryness, so any hair mask that hydrates and protects the hair strands is perfect for me. In cases where a hair mask was volumising, my finer-haired friends were called in to test it out.
After testing, I made notes on the texture, smell and efficacy of each mask. These metrics included how easy it was to rinse out, how long the treatment took, the resulting moisture, how soft the hair felt and how good it smelled.
Finally, I worked out the price per millilitre and weighed this cost against its effectiveness to determine value for money. As you’ll see, this roundup features a huge range of options to suit every budget, from 1p to 24p a millilitre.
Our favourite hair masks in 2025
Best hair mask overall:
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy
Since hair masks are tailored to treat specific hair concerns, picking an overall winner was tricky. The Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy hair mask stood out thanks to its combination of smoothing, frizz-fighting and hair-strengthening abilities.
Why we love it
It’s suitable for all hair types, with antioxidants to protect against environmental factors, honey and hyaluronic acid to hydrate strands, and ceramides to help repair signs of damage and strengthen hair. Ceramides are found naturally in the hair cuticle, so they make a brilliant, natural-feeling protective barrier for the hair strand. That’s a lot to ask from a single mask, but this one is a powerhouse.
I tested it before a muggy, rainy day of running errands and came home with hair that felt just as soft, smooth and shiny as when I left the house. Very few products can keep my frizz at bay for that long, and certainly not without making my hair feel heavy.
As its name suggests, this hair mask has a delicious, sweet honey scent and comes in a cute honeypot-shaped tub. This was surprisingly easy to grip in the shower, and I didn’t struggle to open it with slippery, wet hands. I found the mask easy to apply and rinse, and liked that there was no need to use conditioner afterwards – surprisingly, a lot of hair masks suggest you do. It only had to sit in my hair for five to seven minutes, though the mask can be left in overnight if you need a more intense hydration hit.
It’s a shame that … it’s fairly expensive, though not the most expensive on this list. Before you invest, consider your hair type and goals. If you just need hydration without frizz reduction, other masks offer the same for less money.
Size: 230ml
Price/ml: 17p
Treatment time: 5-7mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty free? no
Best budget hair mask:
Garnier Ultimate Blends Repairing Papaya Hair Food
If you’re on a budget, this massive, multi-use Garnier hair mask is an easy recommendation. You get a lot of hair mask for the money, it smells amazing and is beautifully formulated to smooth, hydrate and temporarily improve the feel of damaged hair. It’s also free from silicones, an ingredient that can cause buildup and weigh down hair if the product containing them is used too much or not rinsed out properly.
Why we love it
It’s a silky smooth mask that’s easy to wash out and leaves hair feeling soft and shiny after use. The ingredients include shine-boosting vitamin C and moisturising vitamin E alongside shea butter and fatty acids to smooth and seal the hair cuticle. Papaya, its star ingredient, is rich in vitamin A, which aids the scalp in producing hair-strengthening sebum.
The mask can be used in three ways, making it a versatile “one-stop shop” for conditioning. Use like a standard conditioner if you’re under time pressure, or a 10-minute hair mask if you have longer – or it can also, if used sparingly, be a leave-in conditioner. I say sparingly – when I used a little too much as a leave-in conditioner, it left my hair feeling stickier than I’d like, but with the right amount, my hair looked sleek, and the fresh, fruity scent lingered for a full day without fading.
It’s a shame that … the name is a little misleading – no bargain hair mask can penetrate the hair strand and repair hair from the inside. This mask just seals the cuticle, making your hair look and feel repaired after use. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but just don’t be fooled into thinking this is a long-term problem-solver. 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 long, thick hair:
JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Mask
A common problem with long hair is that the ends can feel dry and dull; if the hair is also thick, it can make masks difficult to wash out. This mask from JVN Hair is super hydrating and nourishing, quick to use and washes out easily, making it perfect for long and thick hair.
Why we love it
Having recently tested a wide range of hair dryers – applying lots of heat to my hair – my locks were feeling incredibly dry. The JVN Nurture Intense Hydration Mask made my crusty ends feel properly hydrated, healthy and full. The lengths of my hair were left feeling soft and conditioned, even after air drying, without the heavy feeling that often comes from having over-hydrated, thick strands.
This is almost certainly down to the mask’s formulation, which uses protective antioxidants and ingredients found naturally in hair to boost its health. Keratris (a vegan keratin alternative) helps boost hair health from inside the cuticle, and hemisqualane seals the cuticle and enhances hair strength. Unlike heavy silicones, hemisqualane smooths the hair without causing product buildup on the hair strands over time.
The mask is vegan, colour safe and sulphate free. It also has an incredible scent that lasts – a big win in my book. This mask could be a great help if your hair is dehydrated.
It’s a shame that … I really have to scrape the barrel for criticism here, so I’ll point out that the formula isn’t 100% natural or fragrance free, if that matters to you. Fragrance will only be a problem for those with incredibly sensitive scalps, and it’s pretty rare to find hair masks without any artificial fragrance.
Size: 236ml
Price/ml: 12p
Treatment time: 3-5mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty free? Yes
Best mask for damaged hair:
No98 Hydra Bond
This little-known hair mask was recently launched by influencer Lorna Andrews after her experience with alopecia. It’s designed to boost the health and resilience of your hair, helping to restore dull, damaged locks with regular use.
Why we love it
This mask has a thick, buttery formula with loads of slip. It’s designed to be used as a pre-wash treatment on damp hair, which means you’ll need to wet the hair and apply the mask 20 minutes before a shower. The thick formula melted on to my strands, so I found it quick to apply – and a little went a long way.
The mask itself has a “hydra bond complex” that helps restore hair elasticity and protects against UV damage. This means it should be less prone to breakage, so it’s a good choice if you want to grow your hair or just prioritise its health.
Some people may find the pre-shower application faffy, but I liked it, since it meant I wasn’t hanging around my bathroom afterwards dripping wet, waiting for the product to work. It also has a gorgeous spiced woody scent, which felt sophisticated, clean and fresh. If sweet, fruity scents aren’t for you, this is a more grownup alternative.
It’s a shame that … it’s quite expensive and, at the time of writing, you can only buy it directly from No98 Beauty.
Size: 175ml
Price/ml: 20p
Treatment time: 20mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty free? No
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The best of the rest
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect
Best for: affordable colour protection
Looking after dyed hair can be time consuming, but this fast-acting L’Oréal mask is easy to fit into a busy routine. It has UVA and UVB filters to prevent sun damage and prevent colour fading prematurely. In my test, I found its gel-like texture easy to spread evenly over my hair, and I loved the subtle scent.
After three minutes, the mask washed out of my hair quickly without leaving a film. My hair felt soft, moisturised and smooth – brilliant for the price.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s packed with silicones, which smooth the hair cuticle but can cause buildup when not properly washed out. That said, its colour-protecting qualities could make that worth it – just be sure to use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to remove buildup.
Size: 300ml
Price/ml: 2p
Treatment time: 2-3mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty free? No
Faith in Nature moisturising hair mask
Best for: curly hair and scalp care
If you prefer a more natural formula, chances are you’re already familiar with Faith in Nature. This UK-based brand uses predominantly natural ingredients, and its affordable hair care range contains no silicones or parabens.
Argan oil and shea butter moisturise and increase shine without leaving a thick coating on the hair. That makes this mask especially good for curly hair, as it washes out easily without weighing down curls while adding definition and reducing frizz. The nettle, rosemary and camomile ingredients help stimulate the scalp, boost hair growth and soothe inflammation. As someone with a very sensitive scalp, I liked that this mask could hydrate without upsetting my skin.
It didn’t make the final cut because … its results aren’t as nourishing as other masks, but for scalp health, it’s fantastic. I didn’t find its natural fragrance as appealing as other masks, either.
Size: 300ml
Price/ml: 3p
Treatment time: 5-10mins
Fragranced? Yes, naturally
Vegan and certified cruelty free? Yes
Hair by Sam McKnight Bigger Love volumising treatment mask
Best for: volumising fine hair
If you have very fine hair that struggles to hold volume, the Sam McKnight Bigger Love volumising treatment mask could be the answer. Once applied, the mask uses a dual-action volumiser to thicken the hair strands over a five-minute treatment.
I already have thick hair, so I passed this mask on to a finer-haired friend. She found it acted almost like a grippy styling product, giving her hair lasting volume, without any need for heat styling. On a different occasion, it gave her blow dry a big boost.
It didn’t make the final cut because … again, it’s pricey. Its distinctive, slightly grippy formula would also be wildly unsuitable for those who already have thick, voluminous hair, unless you’re aiming for a very severe look.
Size: 200ml
Price per ml: 24p
Treatment time: 5mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty free? No
Hairburst long and healthy hair mask
Best for: softening
This hair mask is formulated to help grow and maintain long, healthy hair. It had a thick, creamy feel that nourished and conditioned my hair, leaving it feeling soft after washing out. It also smelled really nostalgic, like sweet coconut mixed with synthetic strawberry.
In the formula, you’ll find sunflower seed and coconut fruit extracts for hydration, with amino acids and polysaccharides to condition and detangle long hair. It also contains argan and avocado oils that prevent damage from environmental stressors.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it was really hard to wash out, especially on my thicker hair. There are also silicones in the formula, which condition the hair short term but can cause buildup if not washed out properly. The softening results could be worth the effort for some, but others may find washing it out too time consuming.
Size: 220ml
Price per ml: 11p
Treatment time: 5-10mins
Fragranced? Yes
Vegan and certified cruelty free? No
What you need to know
What are the benefits and drawbacks of using a hair mask?
Hair masks are recommended for all kinds of hair problems, from dryness and tangles to fading colour.
“Masks are created to penetrate the cuticle (surface layer of the hair) and to deeply nourish, hydrate and/or strengthen,” says Valerie Benavides, hair stylist at Hair by Sam McKnight. “Often, they’ll contain active [ingredients] that are more effective than a regular conditioner. Whether you’re looking to hydrate, repair, strengthen or even volumise, there’s a mask for every hair concern. You just need to find the right one for you.”
That said, hair masks aren’t flawless: “Used incorrectly, they can backfire,” says hairstylist Melissa Timperley. “Heavy formulas can weigh down fine hair or leave residue if not rinsed thoroughly. Overuse (more than one to two times a week) may lead to buildup, making hair feel greasy or limp.”
How much should I spend on a hair mask?
Cost is always a factor for hair products. Benavides advises choosing a product that feels comfortably within your budget. “Think of it like your produce: buy the best you can afford,” she says. “It’s also down to your hair and scalp health. More expensive doesn’t always mean better for your individual needs. Look for clinically proven results and great reviews rather than price to guide you.”
When and how should I use a hair mask?
Each hair mask will come with its own set of instructions, including recommended usage times. However, most hair masks should be used weekly and applied to wet hair after shampooing, instead of a usual conditioner. According to Timperley, this is because “shampoo opens the hair cuticle, allowing the mask’s nutrients to penetrate deeply”.
What are the best ingredients to look out for?
Think first about what you want and use that to work out if the ingredients are right for you. “Are you after more volume while strengthening hair?” says Benavides. “Your mask should include an ingredient that will boost volume and [use] lightweight oils to not leave hair heavy.” Once you’ve checked a mask’s claims, always cross-reference the ingredients list to back up the product’s marketing statements.
If you’re looking for specifics, Timperley advises that most good hair masks will include “hydrators such as shea butter, glycerine, aloe vera and honey; repairing proteins such as keratin, silk protein and hydrolysed wheat protein; nourishing oils, including argan, coconut and jojoba; and vitamins such as B5 (panthenol), E and biotin”. She also advises against using masks that include alcohol, since it can strip moisture from the hair.
Can a hair mask fix split ends?
Modern formulations have come a long way to temporarily fix split ends, but there’s still no permanent solution. “No product can mend split ends – they need to be trimmed,” says Timperley. “However, a good hair mask can temporarily seal splits, reduce their appearance and prevent future damage by strengthening hair and maintaining moisture.” If you want a mask that has repairing qualities, look for a mask that has a combination of proteins, peptides, natural oils and humectants.
Split ends are inevitable, particularly if you have long hair that you brush, wash or style. My advice would be to take a trip to the salon to remove the damaged ends and then introduce a hair mask to maintain fresh, healthy ends for longer.
Which is better, a hair mask or a hair serum?
That depends on what you’re after. “Hair masks are best for hydration and nourishment,” says Timperley. “Hair serums are better for surface-level results like taming frizz, adding shine and smoothing ends. For optimal hair health, use both: masks weekly and serum as needed on damp or dry hair.”
How often you should use a hair serum depends on your hair type. Those with finer, thinner hair types should use hair serum weekly, while those with thick, coarse, curly or coily hair could apply it daily. If you’re unsure, always start with less frequent treatments and build up to more until you’re happy with the effect.
Sarah Matthews is a health and beauty consumer journalist who’s tested everything from hi-tech skincare gadgets to hair styling tools. With four years of hands-on experience, she’s built a reputation for honest, detailed reviews across hair removal, light therapy, and more. As someone with waist-length hair, she’s developed strong opinions on everything from heat protection sprays to detangling brushes