Many women have tried face masks at least once but it is unlikely that most have used or even considered hair masks. Amongst males, even though a few elder gentlemen may have experienced face masks, the use of hair masks is almost unheard of.
Typically, it is only people with advanced knowledge of haircare who choose to use hair masks. Moreover, it is usually only people battling with extra dry or damaged hair who look into hair masks. The fact that you’ve landed on this page shows that you’re either one of those advanced users or are on the cusp of joining that elite group.
If you read this entire guide on the best masks for dry hair and persist with their use (the treatments are cumulative) over an extended period, then we don’t think you’ll ever leave that elite group. Once you see their benefits, you might even persuade others to start using hair masks.
Budget |
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Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Masque Hair Treatment |
4.5/5.0 |
Volume: 12 ounces |
Cost per ounce: $0.87 |
Type: Hydrating |
A very strong moisturizing hair mask that uses rare ingredients and can handle extremely dry hair and manufacturer follows fair trade principles. |
Check Amazon |
Best Value |
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DevaCurl Melt into Moisture Conditioning Mask |
4.5/5.0 |
Volume: 8 ounces |
Cost per ounce: $2.96 |
Type: Hydrating |
A very accomplished hair mask developed specifically for people with very curly or wavy hair that tend to go dry very quickly. |
Check Amazon |
Top Pick |
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Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask |
4.75/5.0 |
Volume: 8 ounces |
Cost per ounce: $4.50 |
Type: Repairing & Hydrating |
The best hair mask in the industry for dry hair, damaged hair, brittle hair, and heavily-processed hair, particularly useful for its repairing qualities. |
Check Amazon |
Here’s everything you’ll ever need to know about hair masks for dry hair laid out in a neat, clickable navigation panel.
- Why Hair Masks?
- DIY Hair Masks vs. Commercial Hair Masks
- Which Ingredients are Good for DIY Hair Masks for Dry Hair?
- Best DIY Hair Masks for Dry Hair
- Option 1: Best for Dry Hair with Frizz
- Option 2: Best for Dry Hair with Buildup
- Option 3: Best for Dry Hair with Dandruff
- Option 4: Best for Dry Hair with Some Breakage
- Option 5: Best for Dry Hair with Flakes
- Option 6: Best for Dry, Damaged Hair with Split Ends
- Option 7: Best for Dry, Damaged Hair with Buildup
- Top 9 Hair Masks for Dry Hair Comparison Table
- Top 3 Budget Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
Why Hair Masks?
Hair masks are basically buffed up conditioners. They offer the same benefits as conditioners but to a considerably greater magnitude. Hair masks can be seen as conditioners on steroids for two reasons.
The first is their composition. The ingredients in conditioners that are responsible for hydrating, nourishing, and repairing your hair are present in considerably higher concentrations in hair masks. The second is how they’re used. A hair mask is kept in hair for a much longer period than normal conditioners.
While all hair types can benefit from hair masks, they’re specifically recommended to people with dry or damaged hair because of their inherent moisturization and reparative strengths. As they nourish, repair, and moisturize the hair, they end up delivering multiple benefits such as making hair softer, shinier, stronger, and healthier along with neutralizing frizz, flyaways, and split ends.
DIY Hair Masks vs. Commercial Hair Masks
Although you can categorize hair masks in a wide variety of ways, the two clearest groups are DIY hair masks and commercial hair masks. DIY hair masks are those that you make at home while commercial hair masks are those that you buy from shops and stores. Both these types of hair masks have their inherent pros and cons.
With DIY hair masks, you get complete control over the ingredients. As a result, you can not only choose ingredients that will benefit your hair type most but also avoid ingredients that you’re sensitive to or allergic to. You can even choose ingredients based on their scents.
Further, DIY hair masks are cheaper because you’re using raw ingredientsand not dealing with someone’s profit margin. At the same time, because you’re using raw ingredients, you’re not getting high concentrations of the nutrients that your hair may need. Further, making hair masks at home can be a time consuming and effort-intensive exercise.
Commercial hair masks, on the other hand, are built around purified and processed ingredients. As a result, they contain higher concentrations of the most beneficial nutrients. This is also a flaw because their formulae may include chemicals and preservatives such as parabens and silicones which can be harmful to your hair.
You’ll also have to spend more to use commercial hair masks to compensate for the manufacturers’ costs towards research, development, ingredient processing, marketing, and profit margins. Even so, commercial hair masks are very convenient to buy and use.
Which Ingredients are Good for DIY Hair Masks for Dry Hair?
It doesn’t take much to make hair masks. All you need to do is mix the right ingredients in the right proportion. In fact, you don’t even need to know the right proportion in advance since it is all about getting the right consistency more than anything else. As a result, you can manipulate the proportion in real-time until you get the right consistency.
Therefore, all you really need to know to make DIY hair masks is which ingredients offer which benefits. To that end, here is a list of the best ingredients for making DIY hair masks, segregated into three different categories – oils, foods, and others.
Carrier Oils& Essential Oils
- Coconut oil: You’ll find coconut oil in many DIY recipes when it comes to haircare. It is considered to be the all-conquering solution to all hair problems for multiple reasons. For instance, coconut oil has a low molecular weight which allows it to penetrate deep into the hair and scalp. This makes it an excellent carrier oil. Further, studies have shown that coconut oil can prevent protein loss, moisturize hair, and protect it from inflammation and infection.
- Argan oil: This is another oil that enjoys the same kind of reverence that coconut oil does amongst haircare experts. It is, in fact, called “liquid gold” for a reason. Argan oil is nutrient-rich and is a particularly strong hydration agent.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is not only great at moisturizing dry hair but also accomplished at coating it and slowing down moisture loss. It contains squalene which helps moisture retention. The human body produces squalene but the production rate goes down with age. Therefore, olive oil is particularly useful for senior citizens with dry hair.
- Almond oil: Almond oil is rich in emollients that work together to hydrate and soften dry hair. Further, it has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can be very effective for people dealing with dandruff, itchy scalp, flakiness, and even problems like psoriasis.
- Avocado oil: Avocado oil’s effectiveness comes from its essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamin content. The fatty acids ensure moisture absorption by hair follicles and hair strands while the minerals and vitamins combine to heal the hair cuticle, reducing moisture loss in the process.
- Lavender oil: Most people use lavender oil in their DIY hair masks for its glorious scent. It is also known for its calming qualities. However, it has great anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties too. These qualities can help counter problems that are usually associated with dry hair and dry scalp.
Foods-Based Ingredients
- Bananas: If you can’t get anything else, just mash ripe, old bananas and slather them all over your dry hair. Bananas not only contain a slew of nutrients beneficial to hair but they’re also very effective against frizz, flyaways, and split ends. Additionally, bananas contain silica which is very useful in healing and strengthening the hair cuticle. A stronger hair cuticle also means shinier and bouncier hair.
- Coconut milk: Coconut milk is just another form of coconut oil and offers the same benefits of moisturization, strengthening, and repairing hairs.
- Honey: Honey is as useful against dry hair as avocado oil, coconut, and bananas. It is a natural humectant which means it facilitates the absorption of moisture into the hair. Further, since it is an emollient, it smooths and softens dry hair too. Some studies have even found that honey promotes skin cell generation in the scalp.
- Eggs: The yolk in eggs is full of multiple vitamins, minerals, and essential fats, while the albumin is flush with proteins. All these nutrients combine to strengthen the hair follicles and the hair strands simultaneously and stronger hairs retain moisture better.
- Yogurt or curd: Yogurt or curd isn’t all that beneficial for dry hair independently. However, it helps bring together all the other ingredients making the hair mask easier to apply. Further, it is also helpful against dry hair related problems such as dead skin buildup in the scalp.
Other Ingredients
- Shea butter: Shea butter is one of the strongest moisturizers you can find anywhere. This means that it is tailor-made for dry hair. This is also one of the reasons why so many commercial hair products are based around shea butter. Further, this hyper moisturizing agent is known for fortifying hair cuticles and reducing hair breakage.
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties but very few people know that it is also an accomplished moisturizer. In effect, it will not only help you hydrate dry hair but also counter all the associated problems.
- Mango butter: Mango butter, like shea butter, is a very strong emollient that softens and moisturizes the hair well. It is made from mango seeds and is typically used along with other ingredients mentioned above.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar doesn’t help moisturize hair but it is still included in DIY hair masks because it helps with related problems such as infections and irritation. Further, apple cider vinegar can balance other thicker ingredients and make the mask easier to apply.
Best DIY Hair Masks for Dry Hair
While you can mix any of the ingredients above as per your preferences or even use them individually, some combinations are commonly used in DIY hair masks. In this section, we’ll share these recipes with you.
Option 1: Best for Dry Hair with Frizz
Ingredients: Honey (1 tbsp) and Coconut Oil (1 tbsp)
Process: Mix the two ingredients under gentle heat. Apply to scalp and hair. Let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
Option 2: Best for Dry Hair with Buildup
Ingredients: Argan Oil (2 tbsp) and Apple Cider Vinegar (1tbsp)
Process: Mix the two ingredients. Apply to scalp and hair. Let it sit under a covering for 15 to 30 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
Option 3: Best for Dry Hair with Dandruff
Ingredients: Ripe Avocado (1 nos.), Aloe Vera gel (2 tbsp), and Coconut Oil (1 tsp)
Process: Mix the three ingredients in a blender. Apply to scalp and hair. Let it sit from 20 to 40 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
Option 4: Best for Dry Hair with Some Breakage
Ingredients: Honey (1 tbsp) andRipe Banana (1 nos.)
Process: Mildly heat the honey and mix it with mashed banana. Apply to scalp and hair. Keep covered for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
Option 5: Best for Dry Hair with Flakes
Ingredients: Coconut Oil (2 tbsp), Sugar (4 tsp), and Preferred Essential Oils (up to 10 drops)
Process: Mix all the ingredients. Apply and then massage scalp and hair gently. Allow it to stay for 5 to 10 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
Option 6: Best for Dry, Damaged Hair with Buildup
Ingredients: Honey (1 tsp), Egg (1 nos.), and Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp)
Process: Mix the ingredients. Apply to scalp and hair. Allow it to stay for 30 to 40 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
Option 7: Best for Dry, Damaged Hair with Split Ends
Ingredients: Yoghurt (1/4 cup), Honey (1 tbsp), and Olive Oil (1 tsp)
Process: Mix honey with olive oil under gentle heat. Let it cool and add yogurt. Apply to scalp and hair. Keep covered for 20 to 30 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
Alternate Ingredients: Ripe Avocado (1/2 nos.), Egg (1 nos.), Honey (1 tbsp), and Olive Oil (1 tbsp)
Process: Mix honey and olive oil under gentle heat. When cool mix with egg and mashed avocado. Apply to scalp and hair. Allow it to stay for 20 to 40 minutes. Shampoo with cold water.
Top 9 Hair Masks for Dry Hair Comparison Table
Top 3 Budget Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
1. Garnier Fructis Style Damage Repairing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask with Papaya Extract
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Garnier Fructis is one of the most recognizable brands when it comes to haircare. Garnier, after all, traces its roots back to 1904 and has had more than a century to become a household name. Their offering in the hair mask category tries to leverage the needs of the modern professional who is flush with tasks and lacks sufficient time in which to complete them.
For such an individual, spending up to 40 minutes sitting with a hair mask on may not be an option. This individual, on the other hand, would love a hair mask that only needs to be on for a minute.
Similarly, such an individual would love a multi-purpose hair product like this one that can be used as a hair mask, a leave-in conditioner, and a normal conditioner. The Damage Repairing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask from Garnier Fructis checks all those boxes.
The fact that this hair mask can take care of such an individual’s sensibilities about the environment is the cherry on the cake. The hair mask has a 94 percent biodegradable formula featuring 98 percent naturally derived ingredients. It doesn’t contain any harmful substances either such as parabens and silicones.
Moreover, the hair mask offers decent results in the one minute that it gets in your hair. It repairs hairs, smooths, and even softens them in that period without weighing them down.
It is available in multiple variants and more than one may be suitable for dry hair.
- The one with papaya extract is good for damaged, dry hair,
- Theone with coconut extract is great for lifeless, dry hair,
- Theone with goji berry extract is great if you have dry, colored hair, the avocado extract version is great for frayed, dry hair, and
- Thevariant containing banana extract is ideal if your dry hairs are also brittle.
The smell, as is natural, will vary from one to the next. The only thing is that your expectations need to match the application time of this hair mask. If you expect too much from a one-minute application, then you’ll be disappointed. Also, while this product can technically be used as a leave-in conditioner, it is a bit too thick for that role.
Apart from time and effort, this hair mask will help you save a lot of money too. It is extremely cheap and shouldn’t cause issues with anyone’s budgetary limitations.
Who’s it for: If you don’t want to commit a lot of time, money, and effort but still want the benefits of a hair mask, get this one from Garnier Fructis.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product weight: 13.5 ounces |
Type: Repairing |
Active ingredients: Alcohols, papaya fruit extract, Indian gooseberry extract, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and salicylic acid |
The Pros |
---|
This multipurpose product can be used as a leave-in and normal conditioner too |
Does offer repairing benefits and hydrates well |
Only needs to stay on for one minute |
Doesn’t contain silicones |
Doesn’t contain parabens |
Available in five variants |
Super cheap |
The Cons |
---|
Very thick consistency |
Doesn’t work for everyone |
2. Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3 Repairing Treatment
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Olaplex is very famous for its hair repairing products. This hair mask is of the same mold because it is based around the brand’s famed patented technology.
The technology uses bis-aminopropyl diglycoldimaleate, a complex chemical compound, to repair or recreate disulfide bonds in the hair. Since these bonds are a major component of a hair strand’s structural integrity, the hair becomes stronger and healthier. The hair, of course, becomes softer and more attractive too.
However, this technology can take some time to deliver results. Therefore, if you’re going to be using the Perfector No 3 Repairing treatment on your dry hair, you’ll have to be patient about the results.
While the formula of this hair mask is based on the company’s patented compound, it doesn’t contain harsh or harmful ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and phosphates that you usually find in such products.
Further, the formula is pH balanced and the product is developed without any animal involvement. The smell of this hair mask is decidedly floral but it isn’t so strong that it will overpower your sense of smell. Instead, it is soft and mild.
Who’s it for: If your hair is not only dry but also damaged, then you might want to rely on Olaplex’s patented technology to deal with the problem.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product weight: 3.3 ounces |
Type: Repairing |
Active ingredients: Alcohols, bis-aminopropyl diglycoldimaleate, vitamin C, vitamin E, sweet almond oil, aloe vera leaf juice, provitamin B5, jojoba seed oil, |
The Pros |
---|
Uses patented technology to repair damaged hair |
Hydrates and softens hair well |
pH balanced mask |
Has a soft floral smell |
Doesn’t contain silicones |
Doesn’t contain parabens |
Cruelty-free product |
The Cons |
---|
Can take a while to show results |
3. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey &Mafura Oil Hydration Intensive Masque Hair Treatment (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
As we explained above, shea butter is one of the most powerful naturally-occurring moisturizers in the world. It is the primary ingredient in most haircare products of Shea Moisture, as is evident from their name.
While shea butter, by itself, can sufficiently hydrate dry hair, the formula of this hair mask also includes manuka honey and mafura oil. Both these ingredients are as great at hydrating dry hair as shea butter.
Additionally, this hair product also contains baobab oils which are nutritious and African rock fig that is known to facilitate moisture retention. Other ingredients you’ll find in this hair mask include coconut oil, avocado oil, mango seed butter, and even aloe vera.
As a result, this hair mask is almost incomparable when it comes to hydrating dry hair, especially in the budget price bracket. The extra hydration automatically counters frizz and similar hair problems while smoothing and softening the hair too.
The smell of this hair mask is where you want to be careful. It derives its smell from its manuka honey content, which means that it is very sweet. In fact, many people who don’t like the smell of this hair product tend to compare its scent to kids’ playdough products.
The formula of this hair mask doesn’t contain any artificial substances such as parabens, sulfates, and silicones. Moreover, the shea butter it uses as the base is obtained with fair trade principles in mind. Also, this is a cruelty-free product.
One minor flaw of this hair mask is its consistency. Many users think it is a bit too thick. This is a problem because it makes it slightly more difficult to evenly spread this hair mask in the hair.
Another problem is how Shea Moisture packs this hair mask. Their jar is quite weak and prone to breakage. If you drop it even once, you can expect it to fall apart.
Who’s it for: If you want the most intensely hydrating hair mask for your extremely dry hair on a budget, get this Shea Moisture product.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product weight: 12 ounces |
Type: Hydrating |
Active ingredients: Coconut oil, organic shea butter, alcohols, provitamin B5, mafura seed oil, honey, hydrolyzed rice protein, essential oil blend fragrance, baobab seed oil, avocado oil, fig extract, mango seed butter, and aloe vera juice extract |
The Pros |
---|
Intense conditioning mask hydrates and softens hair well |
Smells of manuka honey |
Doesn’t contain silicones |
Doesn’t contain parabens |
Cruelty-free product |
Manufacturer follows fair trade principles |
The Cons |
---|
Its smell maybe too sweet |
Thick consistency can cause problems |
Packaging could be better |
Top 3 Value Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
4. Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Deep Moisture Hair Mask
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Dryness is a major problem for people with very curly hair because the curling texture prevents the natural oils in the scalp from coating the strand properly. In fact, most people with curly hair have the dryness problem to some extent.If you’re one of those people, then you’ll benefit greatly from Carol’s Daughter Coco Crème Curl Quenching Deep Moisture Hair Mask.
This hair mask, after all, is designed specifically for very dry and very curly hair. It offers heavy-duty moisturization through ingredients like coconut oil, mango seed butter, murumuru butter, and shea butter. Naturally, as it moisturizes the hair, it makes it softer and more malleable too.
However, you need your hair to be healthy to benefit from this product. If your hair is damaged or too far gone beyond the realms of dryness, this product may not work for you.
This hair mask is free of harsh substances such as parabens and silicones as well. All the ingredients it does contain are independently very viscous, however. This is why it has a very thick consistency. As a result, you have to either apply this mask on wet hair or spend a lot of time spreading it evenly. You can also try to dilute the mask in the palm of your hand.
Like most hair products with a lot of coconut-derived compounds in them, this one also smells strongly of coconut. While tropical in nature, its strength and sweetness can be a bit too much for a lot of people. Therefore, if you’re not a big fan of that tropical, sweetsmell or even smells that tend to linger, you might want to give this one a pass.
You can get this hair mask in two differently-sized jars – 12 ounces and 15 ounces. Further, it can also be had as a part of a kit containing matching shampoo and conditioner. This hair mask is cruelty-free.
Who’s it for: If you have dry hair that is prone to a lot of curls and coils, then you need this hair mask because it is developed specifically for that hair type.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product weight: 12 ounces |
Type: Hydrating |
Active ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, alcohols, salicylic acid, mango seed butter, murumuru seed butter, coconut fruit extract, and vitamin E |
The Pros |
---|
Hydrates and softens hair fairly well |
Specifically created for naturally curly hair |
Has a strong tropical smell |
Doesn’t contain silicones |
Doesn’t contain parabens |
Available in two different sizes |
Cruelty-free product |
The Cons |
---|
Not for extremely dry or damaged hair |
Doesn’t work for everyone |
Its smell is divisive because of its strength and sweetness |
Thick consistency can cause problems |
5. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask Moisturizer
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
When a person uses a lot of hot tools or puts their hair through chemical treatments regularly, the over-processed hair starts showing signs of damage. This damage usually comes with excessive dryness. In such scenarios, the dryness is a result of the hair getting damaged. Repairing this type of hair with elements of hydration is the best way to approach this hair type.
Neutrogena’s Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask can be very useful with this hair type since it was specifically developed for over-processed, extra dry, and heavily damaged hair. The headline ingredients of this hair mask are extracts of olive fruit, meadowfoam, and sweet almond.
These ingredients work at three different levels. The olive fruit extract penetrates deep into the hair and moisturizes it from the inside out, the meadowfoam extract hydrates the middle layers, and the sweet almond extract coats the hair and helps with hair retention.
While these ingredients are natural, the formula of this hair mask also makes uses of several artificial ingredients such as parabens and silicones. These ingredients, unfortunately, can damage hair in the long term and may even lead to other health complications.
On the plus side, they make the hair mask efficient to the point that a little goes a long way. They also give the hair mask an artificial, perfume-like scent. However, the scent is sweet and should appeal to women.
These ingredients also adversely affect this hair mask’s effectiveness. Products with these ingredients usually don’t leave behind lasting benefits. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that the positive effects of this hair mask don’t last very long and the strength and moisture it imparts fade away very quickly.
Who’s it for: If you’re not concerned about natural ingredients and want a commercial hair mask under a well-known brand, get this one.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product weight: 6 x 2 ounces |
Type: Repairing & Hydrating |
Active ingredients: Silicones, alcohols, meadowfoam seed oil, olive fruit oil, sweet almond oil, provitamin B5, and parabens |
The Pros |
---|
Intense conditioning mask hydrates and softens hair well |
Specifically created for very dry, damaged, and processed hair |
A little goes a long way |
Cruelty-free product |
The Cons |
---|
Contains silicones |
Contains parabens |
Doesn’t work for everyone |
Its smell maybe too sweet and artificial |
6. DevaCurl Melt into Moisture Conditioning Mask (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The entire DevaCurl brand caters solely to people with curly hair. In fact, they specialize in hair products for curly-haired people. Since curls and dryness go hand-in-hand, it is only natural that their Melt into Moisture Conditioning Mask features in our list of best hair masks for dry hair.
This is quite an accomplished hair mask too. It offers intense hydration to curls, regardless of how dry, brittle, or damaged they are. The best part, though, is that it offers this deep moisturization without weighing down the hair. Moreover, even though it is developed for curly or wavy-haired people, it can be used on other textures too except for extremely coarse types.
The effectiveness of this hair mask on dry hair is a result of its elaborate formula. In fact, this hair mask has one of the longest ingredients lists we’ve seen in the industry. The highlight of the list, though, are three key ingredients in the form of beetroot extract, sweet almond oil, and matcha butter.
Other notable ingredients are coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, soybean oil, olive oil, and extracts of yarrow, rosemary, hops, camel grass, and matricaria. Even with such a long ingredients list, this hair mask doesn’t contain any harsh or synthetic substances. It is completely free of silicones, sulfates, and parabens. Additionally, it is a vegan and cruelty-free product.
The smell of this hair mask is a mix of matcha green tea and sweet almond oil. The scent is light enough to be almost negligible. Like most hair masks, this one is also very viscous but, unlike most hair masks, this one is green in color.
Although we’ve included this hair mask in the “value” category of our list, it barely made the cut. The price of this product is high enough for it to be included in the most expensive category.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a completely natural hair mask that will hydrate your dry hair while taking care of your curls, get the DevaCurl option.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product weight: 8 ounces |
Type: Hydrating |
Active ingredients: Soybean oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, beetroot extract, tea plant leaf powder, sweet almond oil, olive fruit oil, provitamin B5, lemon balm extract, hops extract, camel grass extract, hydrogenated castor oil, matricaria extract, rosemary extract, yarrow extract, hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrolyzed corn starch, and hydrolyzed soy protein |
The Pros |
---|
Has a huge list of completely natural ingredients |
Intense conditioning mask hydrates and softens hair well |
Specifically created for wavy and curly hair |
Has a light smell of matcha green tea |
Doesn’t contain silicones |
Doesn’t contain parabens |
Cruelty-free product |
The Cons |
---|
A little on the expensive side |
Not for extremely coarse and dry hair |
Thick consistency can cause problems |
Top 3 Premium Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
7. Davines Nounou Hair Mask
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Davines is a premium brand that uses unconventional ingredients to create great results for the hair. This salon-level brand offers multiple hair masks that may be suitable for dry hair.
However, we found the Nounou (Nou is short for nourishment) to be the most suitable because it not only hydrates dry hair but also repairs any damaged hair. In fact, it is effective enough to cope with heavily-processed hair.
The key ingredient in the Nounou is the Fiaschetto tomato extract. This extract is taken from the Napoli Fiaschetto tomato and is responsible for all the primary functions of this hair mask i.e. moisturizing, softening, soothing, and repairing damaged, dry hair. Apart from this tomato extract, this hair mask contains a few other important ingredients such as jojoba seed oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamins like C and E.
The scent of this hair mask is also a result of this tomato extract. It smells distinctly like a tomato. If you’re wondering what it will be like to have tomato smelling hair, we can tell you that it will be refreshing. Moreover, the smell doesn’t linger and gradually fades away.
Unfortunately, this hair mask also incorporates artificial ingredients. It contains both parabens and silicones. Neither of these is good for hair in the medium and long term but they do create excellent results in the short term.
As is the case with all hair masks, this one is also very thick and viscous. This can make it difficult to apply and spread evenly in hair but this is something that you can counter with wet or damp hair.
A much bigger problem with this hair mask is its cost. Being a premium-quality, salon-class hair mask, it is priced expensively and may be beyond the reach of many potential users.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a unique hair mask with a completely new scent, get this one from Davines.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product weight: 8.45 ounces |
Type: Nourishing & Repairing |
Active ingredients: Alcohols, silicones, hydrogenated sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, vitamin C, tomato extract, vitamin E, and parabens |
The Pros |
---|
Intense conditioning mask hydrates and softens hair well |
Particularly useful for its nourishing and repairing qualities |
Smells of tomato |
The Cons |
---|
Contains parabens |
Contains silicones |
Very expensive mask |
Thick consistency can cause problems |
8. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
When it comes to hair masks for dealing with dry hair, you won’t find any product better than this one. This is the go-to solution for dry, damaged, over-processed, brittle, and lifeless hair in all stylist circles because it is successful at what it claims to do.
It doesn’t even matter that this is one of the most expensive hair masks in the market right now. Most people get it for their dry, damaged hair because it offers the best chance of correction.
This hair mask is backed by clinical trials too. One study found that the use of this hair mask reduced hair breakage by an amazing 75 percent after only three uses and over time this reduction became 95 percent.
In another study, eight out of 10 women said that this hair mask resulted in “noticeable improvements” in hair hydration. In the same study, nine out of 10 women said they’ll continue using this hair mask and even recommend it to others.
The main reason why this hair mask is so successful at alleviating problems related to dry hair is that it is based on Briogeo’s unique NOVA Complex. This complex consists of multiple elements such as the vitamin B complex including biotin, algae, and virtually every natural oil known to be beneficial for hair.
The B-complex vitamins and biotin in the formula combine to strengthen, nourish, and fortify hair strands along with hair follicles. The algae extract in the mask offers multiple nutrients such as vitamins antioxidants, and minerals.
Many of these benefits and nutrients are doubled due to the oils the formula contains. According to the company, the four that contribute the most are rosehip oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, and avocado oil.
Rosehip oil contributes through essential fatty acids that help control frizz, avocado oil contributes by offering up heavy-duty nourishment, and sweet almond oil closes the cuticle to help moisture retention while argan oil performs the role of the ultimate moisturizer in the mix.
Some of the other oils you’ll find in this hair mask are sunflower seed oil, corn oil, cedarwood oil, cardamom oil, fir needle oil, lemon oil, patchouli oil, lavender oil, orange oil, and grapefruit oil. All the ingredients combine to give this hair mask immense power at neutralizing dry and damaged hair. However, even though it is the best hair mask for dry hair in the market, it doesn’t offer a 100 percent success rate.
One minor flaw of this hair mask is its scent i.e. everyone doesn’t like how it smells. Its smell can be best described as sweet but there is a chemical note to it that puts people off.
We don’t know where the chemical note comes from because the ingredient list is completely free of synthetic substances such as silicones, parabens, and sulfates, resulting in a 98 percent natural formula. This hair mask is also cruelty-free and gluten-free.
Who’s it for: If money is not a concern for you and you’re willing to spend high for the best hair mask for dry hair, get Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair.
Tech Specs |
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Product weight: 8 ounces |
Type: Repairing & Hydrating |
Active ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, alcohols, sweet almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, rosehip fruit oil, provitamin B5, biotin, hydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed silk, sunflower seed oil, corn oil, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, cedarwood oil, cardamom oil, fir needle oil, lemon oil, patchouli oil, lavender oil, orange oil, grapefruit oil, ginseng root extract, and pot marigold flower extract |
The Pros |
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Has a huge list of completely natural ingredients |
Intense conditioning mask hydrates and softens hair well |
Particularly useful for its repairing qualities |
Backed by multiple clinical studies |
Utilizes a patented formula |
Doesn’t contain silicones |
Doesn’t contain parabens |
Cruelty-free product |
The Cons |
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Very expensive mask |
Doesn’t work for everyone |
Its smell is divisive because of its sweetnessand chemical nature |
9. Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Masque
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The Like a Virgin Hair Masque from Coco & Eve came to the fore in a social media explosion. It was launched and then it became unbelievably popular purely through people praising it on social media. Of course, its rise was facilitated by the fact that it has won no less than 13 different beauty awards. Since becoming popular, it has been hovering near the top of the pile of hair masks for dry hair.
The biggest advantage of this hair mask is that it is suitable for dry hair of all types including coarse, fine, thick, thinning, straight, wavy, and curly. However, it performs best on curly and wavy hair especially since it comes with a free tangle tamer hairbrush that boasts of a “two-tiered bristle technology”.
This hair mask can cope with minor damage like split ends and frizz and approaches the problem of dry hair in two primary ways – nourishment and moisturization. It does this through three of the greatest moisturizers in nature which are coconuts, argan oil, and shea butter.Supplementary ingredients you’ll find in this hair mask are fig fruit extract and castor oil.
All these ingredients combine to give this hair mask a lot of moisturizing power. However, they’re helped along by some artificial ingredients in the form of silicones. Silicones, unfortunately, are not that good for the hair in the long term which is why this is a flaw in our eyes. Apart from silicones, the formula is natural. It doesn’t incorporate parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. It is also a cruelty-free and vegan product.
The most prominent ingredient in this hair mask is coconut which is why it has a distinct tropical or coconut scent. In fact, it is the smell of this hair mask that propelled it to such heights amongst its users.
Everybody who has used this hair mask has liked its scent. You don’t even need to use a lot to get the scent because a little of this hair mask goes a long way.Notably, a lot of people by this hair mask for its scent even if it doesn’t offer sufficient hydration to their hair.
Unlike many hair masks available in the country right now, this one is manufactured domestically. While a great feature for the patriots, this also makes it very expensive. In fact, this is the most expensive hair mask in this guide.
Who’s it for: If you want a hair mask that not only moisturizes your dry hair well but smells heavenly, then get the Coco & Eve hair mask.
Tech Specs |
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Product weight: 7.2 ounces |
Type: Nourishing & Hydrating |
Active ingredients: Alcohols, coconut fruit extract, silicones, fig fruit extract, argan oil, shea butter, pequi fruit oil, castor seed oil, hydrolyzed linseed extract, resurrection plant extract, and vitamin E |
The Pros |
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Multiple awards winning mask |
Nourishes and hydrates hair well |
Can be used to treat minor damage like split ends |
Has a widely-loved tropical smell of coconuts |
A little goes a long way |
Comes with a free detangler brush |
Doesn’t contain parabens |
Cruelty-free product |
The Cons |
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Incredibly expensive |
Contains silicones |
Doesn’t work for everyone |
Contents
- Why Hair Masks?
- DIY Hair Masks vs. Commercial Hair Masks
- Which Ingredients are Good for DIY Hair Masks for Dry Hair?
- Best DIY Hair Masks for Dry Hair
- Option 1: Best for Dry Hair with Frizz
- Option 2: Best for Dry Hair with Buildup
- Option 3: Best for Dry Hair with Dandruff
- Option 4: Best for Dry Hair with Some Breakage
- Option 5: Best for Dry Hair with Flakes
- Option 6: Best for Dry, Damaged Hair with Buildup
- Option 7: Best for Dry, Damaged Hair with Split Ends
- Top 9 Hair Masks for Dry Hair Comparison Table
- Top 3 Budget Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Hair Masks for Dry Hair: Detailed Reviews