HAIR MASK
STILL the very, very best piece of hair advice that we ever dish out. It’s something we learned from hairdressers back in the Jurassic age, and honestly, as true today as it ever way. Our counsel is to use a hair mask, once a week, to maintain condition – whether you colour yours or not. Because it's a fact (one you can check with any hairdresser): this will do more for the condition of your hair – whatever your age – than anything we know.
They’re particularly good for ‘the frizzies’, for anyone who’s had chemical treatments and for dry hair of all types – but don’t avoid them if you’ve got an oily scalp; simply work through the ends, instead. But our tip, generally, is to slather on as generously as possible and then leave on for as long as poss, too – perhaps even overnight (with a towel over your pillow) – before rinsing.
Do scroll down the page for several worthy winners, because our testers identified quite a few shining stars, for 2023…
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL Tropic Hair Feast
Tropic pop up across almost every category in the Beauty Bible Awards, this year – because the naturals brand, founded by Susie Ma, covers the whole spectrum of make-up, skincare, bodycare and indeed hair; products are available direct from their website, as well as via representatives. Served up in a flip-top tube, this Gold-winning deep conditioning mask is ‘freshly made in the UK’, we’re told, boasting plant proteins to strengthen and boost manageability, in the form of tamanu and jojoba oil and murumuru butter, along with plant proteins and keratin. The fragrance – which testers especially loved – comes from coconut, key lime, vanilla and blood orange.
£18 for 200ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Lovely, just great as an overnight treatment; hair becomes manageable, with an incredible improvement in brushing and softness and almost no frizz’ • ‘ Wonderful fragrance and lovely to be able to try a product and brand that I wasn’t familiar with. Excellent results with this thick and creamy product, leaving my hair soft and manageable’ • ‘I’m led a lot by aromas. if a thing smells good then I’m half way there. it smelled amazing – a bit like Murray mints, mildly minty, yet sweet and fruity. Anyway, I thought, no use smelling good, if it doesn’t help my dry, parched hair. I put it on after shampoo and left it for 15 minutes. WOW!! I could already tell my hair loved it. Ut felt soft after rinsing the product out and even after towel-drying it felt different from normal. I was excited to see the results after drying; all the while I could still smell that amazing smell. After blow drying and straightening as usual, my hair was probably the softest it’s been for a long time’ • ‘My sister also wanted to try this, and she has thick frizzy hair; she was equally impressed with the results as well’ • ‘This really works; my hair usually goes curly and frizzy in humidity, but this product helped prevent that’ • ‘My hair smelt wonderful after using this and friends and family all commented’ • ‘Fantastic, really de-frizzes the hair leaving it manageable and easy to style. Didn’t make my hair limp, though.’
£18 for 200ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Repair Mask
There are lots of quite bossy instructions to make sure you get the most out of this treatment – a seriously hair-repairing, strengthening ‘patented bioactive peptide’ that is left in hair, not rinsed out. (Interestingly, several testers commented that it enabled them to go longer between washes.) So, to repair hair that’s been bleached, coloured, chemically treated, over-styled with heat, they say: DO use a clarifying shampoo if you’re a heavy product or dry shampoo user; DO dry thoroughly with a towel/turban before application; DO wait four minutes before applying another product, and so it goes on… DO read properly, is our advice! Interestingly, K18 sent another 10 products to be trialled in our LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER trial – and this mask won Gold for that category, too. Kudos for their eco-commitment, too; all K18 products are Certified Plastic Neutral by Plastic Bank.
£70 for 50ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘This stuff is MAGIC!!! I swim daily in a chlorinated pool and my hair pays the price for it! My hair was instantly better after the first couple of uses; you only need a tiny amount and after the initial few times, I now use it once per week to keep the fabulous results!’ • ‘My husband began to remark how “young” my hair looked! (I'm 50, I'll take that) ’ • ‘Didn't weigh it down or make it limp; if anything, probably less washing required’ • ‘It seems a small tube but it's lasting well. I used this weekly, and my hair loved it; it really improved the condition, and was so easy to comb through, and then style; as it was a leave-in treatment, it did save me a little time too, as it didn't need to be rinsed out. It’s a treat and quite expensive, but I think it is worth it for when my hair needs some TLC!’ • ‘Changer of the game. This stuff has been wonderful for my greying, peri-menopausal mop. The curls have been softened and they are clearly visible, my hair is not brittle, it's behaving itself and doesn't appear to be a bit thicker and appears to be stronger as well. Actual magic.’
£70 for 50ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD JOICO K-Pak Color Therapy Luster Lock Instant Shine and Repair Treatment
One specifically for colour-treated hair, here, from the salon-distributed brand – and it’s clearly a speciality of theirs, as JOICO’s Color Therapy shampoo and conditioner also won a Gold, in that ‘Duo’ category. Suitable for everyone from blondes to brunettes, highlights or lowlights – and whatever your hair’s thickness – it can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment ‘for intense repair and protection’, or as a regular treatment post-washing. Silk, soya and seaweed extracts feature, along with a ‘unique QuadraBond Peptide Complex which seals the hair's outer layer to lock in colour vibrancy.’
£25.20 for 140ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I love, love, love this treatment; my hair is very very thick and wiry, with bleached highlights, but this is amazing. Hair felt instantly conditioned, smoother and healthier, with great shine and condition; it seemed to enhance my highlights, actually’ • ‘My hair had split ends and was super-dry, but this product left it looking healthy and glossier; I would absolutely purchase and recommend’ • ‘Really helped de-frizz, as I felt my hair was getting very dry. It glides through the hair very well, and you only need a small amount. Since I’ve been using, a friend commented hair was shiny’ • ‘I put this to the test by taking it to the Caribbean with me for a week where my hair was assaulted by sun, salt, and chemicals. It stood up pretty well to the task. I have naturally dry, curly hair and I take care of it regularly with masks and buy moisturising shampoos because it will just turn to straw if not; while my hair did dry out somewhat during my holiday, using this my hair was more moisturised and manageable than it has been on previous similar holidays. Since then, I've been using it on a weekly basis and am very happy with the condition of my hair – the mask provides plenty of moisture without weighing my hair down or making it feel greasier’ • ‘Certainly helps with frizz and stops the ends of my hair looking dry and frizzy. Hair felt thicker, easier to style and as if it “plumped” my hair, so it wasn’t so flyaway.’
£25.20 for 140ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD PEX & YAY Deep Conditioning Mask
Here’s a deep treatment which specifically targets the challenges of curls and coils, from a new-to-us brand which calls itself ‘The #1 destination for expert advice and products for wavy, curly and coily hair.’ Founded by Birmingham-born Stacey Smith but now, as far as we can gather, based in France, PEX & YAY’s products are vegan and ultra-moisturising, without sulphates, silicones, parabens or gluten, What this does offer is avocado oil, nettle and burdock extracts to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp; just five minutes with this botanical-rich is enough to guard against breakage and keep hair ‘alive and energetic’.
£16.99 for 500ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘My hair is curly, thick, shoulder-length and frizzy. My colleague noticed that my curls wasn't frizzy; I’ve noticed it looks better, with curls more defined’ • ‘I have spent a lot of money over the years to find the right de-frizz products. This product I will happily buy again as it really helps my fuzzy hair feel silky smooth with defined waves’ • ‘I have been complimented on the recent overall condition on my hair and been asked what products I have been using. Also, my partner has commented on how fresh my hair smells which is nice. My hair brushed well after rinsing out and I felt I had a lot less knots’ • ‘Packaging not so eye-catching, so I might not have given this a go and discovered how amazing this mask is. Love the scent, easy to dispense from bottle, leaves hair so soft, non-frizzy and easy manageable. My waves are so bouncy and healthy looking’ • ‘Straight away after the first use my hair felt fresh and light – lighter than it has done from previous brands, which is very unusual for such coarse hair’ • ‘Gave my very coarse, wavy, thick very dry hair a nice curly wave’ • ‘I have issues with itchy scalp, but absolutely no problems, here’ • ‘Husband said it smells nice and clean. All in all, this delivers a massive drink for hair but leaves it light; I only wash once a week anyway but have managed to go 10 days. Hair’s a lot less frizzy, too.’
£16.99 for 500ml - click to buy
AWARD It’s a 10 Coily Miracle Mask
We’re so happy to be able to signpost readers to quite a few products for curls and coils, having recruited panels for 2023’s Awards across some very distinct types of curly hair. Curls and coils often tend towards extreme thirst, and that’s where hair masks come in; from a US brand that’s somewhat taking the UK hair market by storm and has done well across several categories, this intense, once-a-week hydrator’s ingredient list includes avocado and coconut oils and shea butter, fragranced with gardenia flower. Almost all testers commented on the impressive de-frizz factor.
£26.19 for 240ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Loved this. Fulfilled everything I would wish for in a mask. My curls, which had started to disappear, suddenly sprung back in to life when I used this. Great product and a worthy winner’ • ‘Loved the fact that the lid had a flip-top inset that could be lifted easily without unscrewing the tub – so convenient in the shower, when hands are wet and slippery with product’ • ‘Definitely de-frizzed hair significantly. I could feel the hydration the instant I applied it. My mum said how lovely my hair looked and how nice my curls were’ • ‘Really liked the texture of the product and how easy it was to work through the hair; some other masks I have used in the past have been quite thick and gloopy, and when applied, they haven’t felt quite evenly distributed through my hair. This feels quite lightweight and covers my hair evenly and smoothly without feeling gloopy or thick. I loved the de-frizz factor, and it made my hair a lot smoother Lightweight moisturising hair mask that keeps hair looking healthy without weighing it down or making it greasy. My hair felt smooth, conditioned, healthy and moisturised; no dryness or crunchiness’ • ‘Definitely frizz-free, nice, smooth curls. Very easy to rinse out, and as I used it after clarifying I found it made my “squeaky curls” nice and supple again. Curls were forming even as I rinsed out’ • ‘No flyaways when I blow dried, but a general “I’ve just had a salon treatment” shine and bounce. Another winner from It's a 10!’
£26.19 for 240ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Percy & Reed Give Me Strength Strengthening Hair Mask
We wish there was a ‘Beauty Steal’ in this Hair Masks category – but what we will say is that the 50ml size of this winning mask is available for under a tenner, making that the most affordable ‘entry point’, pricewise. They call it ‘the best hair repair treatment for growth and strength’, promising that hair will be 66% stronger after just one 10-minute slather. Active ingredients include sweet white lupine to support new hair growth at scalp level, wheat proteins and amino acids to combat damage from everyday styling and chemical treatments, plus coconut, melon seed and grapeseed oils to boost elasticity and reduce brittleness; Percy & Reed say it can also double as a styling product.
£28 for 200ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I have a mass of fine hair which has a natural wave, not helped by menopause and thyroid problems which cause me to lose more hair than normal. To be honest I was slightly sceptical about this hair mask, but how wrong was I? On using the mask, I liked the texture of the product which feels rich and silky. It smells gorgeous, those rosemary and sweet orange top notes of the essential oils are soothing and very pleasant – overall, brilliant’ • ‘I have recommended this to all of my friends as this has become one of my favourite hair products ever, great for all hair types. My friends have noticed my hair looking “bouncy” and smelling great’ • ‘An amazing product; you only need a small amount and it acts as both a mask and a styling product – I absolutely love it’ • ‘Several people commented how nice my curls were looking; my husband asked if I was using something new as my hair was really shiny’ • ‘Big improvement in manageability; after washing my hair and using the hair mask, I let my hair air dry, at night; in the morning, I didn't even need to brush it! Just combed my hair through with my fingers and was good to go!’ • ‘Family and friends have noticed my hair is smoother and shinier since using this – excellent at helping to de frizz.’
£28 for 200ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Alterna My Hair My Canvas Cool Hydrations Nourishing Masque
Alterna describe themselves as ‘an essential ritual for people who value self-care and the freedom to express themselves, inspired by the notion of self-care and self-kindness in everyday creative expression.’ Their 100% vegan haircare is packaged in bottles, tubes and – here – a tub, made of 50% post-consumer plastic. Inside, a weekly lightweight treatment mask that takes just two to three minutes to smooth the cuticle, reduce breakage, frizz and static, and works on most hair types. ‘Clean’ ingredients include vegan botanical caviar, ‘Desert Fruit Blend’ and water lily extract, along with shea butter and silicones.
£27.85 for 177ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘A wonderful hair mask – adds shine and volume and helps to manage frizz, smooth and nourish. I like the light, pleasant fragrance, too’ • ‘I also used this on my 10-year-old daughters’ hair as she is very prone to tangles and knots in her hair; for the full week between hair washes for my daughter her hair was so easy to brush and much easier to manage’ • ‘A very nice hair mask – your hair will feel softer after using this, and it smells amazing; I’d definitely recommend it’ • ‘My hair was more moisturised and softer, definitely less frizz-prone after using this mask. I was told my hair looks really healthy, actually, and was complimented when I had it down and straightened it’ • ‘My hair is normally really knotty and difficult to brush; that improved after using this just the first time and improved more and more over time’ • ‘My hair feels softer with a slight shine – something I noticed when I had dried my hair. Much shiner than the usual dry hair dyed dull hair it usually is!’ • ‘The change I noticed even after first application was the softness, shine and volume it gave to my hair. It also smooths my curls well and makes them look pretty neat. I will continue to use this mask, will repurchase and definitely recommend it to friends’ • ‘I’ve had comments saying that my hair looks silky soft and smoother and easier to brush and manage, both when straight and curly. I found my hair was less frizzy and looked less damaged, too.’
£27.85 for 177ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Nine Yards Never Dull
This upmarket Swedish haircare brand made it onto our radar with wins in last year’s Beauty Bible Awards – and they’re back again for more plaudits from our testers. 100% vegan, the protein-rich treatment is ‘ideal for chemically damaged hair and hair dried out with heating appliances and central heating’ (one of the key causes of dry hair, but not always recognised). They recommend leaving this intense treatment on for 10-20 minutes (perhaps a little longer than most of our other winners), to let the natural extracts of shea butter, aloe vera, green tea and wheat proteins work their shine-restoring magic – though they do also recommend following with conditioner ‘to close down the cuticle’.
£24.50 for 250ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘After trying lots of products that allegedly promise to deliver a deep nourishing treatment for hair to combat dry and damaged hair, this is one of the very few products I have found that actually works. Normally after washing, my hair looks nice for maybe an hour or two before the frizz starts to take control again. Even when tied in a bobble I tend to look like I have been electrocuted! This has been an absolute game changer. I can wash first thing in the morning and my hair looks and feels amazing all day long; when applied at night I wake up in the morning with hair any woman would be envious of’ • ‘Family and co-workers have complimented my hair, asking if I’d been to the hairdressers after I used this product. (Only female family and co-workers though, I don’t think my husband would notice even if I had shaved my head!)’ • ‘So nice and shiny after drying, with ends that looked healthier immediately – plus it’s so soft, I can't stop touching it! Used weekly as a treat, my hair improves every time’ • ‘Definitely less frizz after using the product weekly for a month, a noticeable difference in glossiness – and after six weeks’ use, hair definitely feels healthier’ • ‘I don't need to use a lot of dry shampoo in between washes because my roots are not as greasy as they tend to be.’
£24.50 for 250ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Molton Brown Intense Repairing Hair Mask with Fennel
Molton Brown are perhaps best-known nowadays for the most gorgeous fragrances and layering products, as well as candles etc. – but their roots (literally) are in haircare. (We used to go to their salon in South Molton Street, at the time Sam McKnight worked there!). With wins in the moisturising haircare category, as well as here, with hair masks, they’ve clearly still ‘got it’, when it comes to delivering shine and bounce – although unsurprisingly, most testers also commented they loved the scent. Suitable for stressed and damaged hair, the mask is packaged in a very generous apothecary-brown tub, featuring a really intriguing ingredient at its heart: fennel, which is grown hydroponically in tunnels under London, in a pesticide-free environment, using 100% renewable energy.
£30 for 250ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Really loved using this, which I ended up using as a regular conditioner in place of my usual product – love, love, love, and would most definitely buy again and make friends aware of how great it is, too’ • ‘My hair doesn't really go glossy, as it's curly, BUT it was really soft which was lovely; I couldn't stop touching it. Definitely helped to defrizz my hair – bouncy curls all round’ • ‘OMG, I LOVED THE FRAGRANCE!!! I don't know why, but it made me feel like I was on holiday in the Maldives or Caribbean – amazing!!’ • ‘Intense repairing mask for all hair types; a little goes a long way’ • ‘Delivered soft hair which was easy to style, and I didn't experience any frizziness’ • ‘Super-luxurious, feels like a real treat to use, delivers great results’ • ‘I am a complete sucker for a nicely scented product, and I would buy this for the fragrance alone – it’s gorgeous. Happy to say it also works amazingly well and suits my curly hair’ • ‘My hair looks super shiny and glossy, like it does after going to the salon. This is a premium hair mask with a gorgeous smell; the texture is generously thick and glides easily through the hair’ • ‘I've left it on from anything from five minutes (as I didn't have much time) to about 25 mins, and great results either way.’
£30 for 250ml - click to buy