I Refuse to Have Dry, Brittle Hair This Winter, so I'm Slathering on These 13 Stylist-Approved Masks
Parched, brittle, straw-like hair, you are the bane of my existence. (I know I'm not alone here!) It creeps up like clockwork. Once humidity gets zapped from the air and skirts and sunnies make way for scarves and cozy sweaters, my wavy, frizz-prone hair simply cannot get enough moisture. I usually resort to stuffing my strands in a hat and hoping for the best until the weather thaws (not the most productive method, I'll admit), but I refuse to succumb to wintry hair this year. This season, I have a plan: treating my mane to hydrating hair masks well before the drier season rolls around—so, ahem, right about now.
To achieve my winter hair goals, I consulted trusted experts (aka, stylists and beauty editors) on the best formulas specifically suited for thirsty locks (as opposed to damage repair and shine, which you'll find here). Keep scrolling and slather on! There's no better time to snag yourself a new hydrating hero.
The Best Hair Masks for Dry Hair, Listed
- Rōz Foundation Reparative Hair Mask
- Djerf Avenue Beauty Essential Moisture Hair Mask
- Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
- Sisley Paris Hair Rituel by Sisley The Intense Nutrition Hair Care Mask
- Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Violet Toning Mask
- Divi Whipped Repair Treatment Mask
- Dove Bond Strength Peptide Complex Serum Hair Mask
- Ceremonia Guava Hair Repair Mask for Damaged, Color-Treated Hair
- Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask
- Pureology Hydrate Superfood Hair Mask
- Act + Acre Restorative Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
- Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask
- Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask
The Best Hair Masks for Dry Hair of 2024
1. Rōz Foundation Reparative Hair Mask
Pros: Smells amazing, protects hair color too
Cons: Pricier than other options
Key Ingredients: BotaniComplex, rice bran extract, vitamin E-rich oil blend
Given my job as a beauty editor, you can surmise I test loads of haircare products. I could theoretically use a different formula every single shower, but when I'm craving a really good hair day, I know Rōz won't let me down. Its formulated by celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak, after all! This buttery Foundation Mask contains a proprietary BotaniComplex, which helps preserve hair color in addition to reducing breakage and improving elasticity. I use it in place of conditioner when my hair is in dire need of some TLC.
Customer Review: "Love, love, love. I can already tell this will be a new staple in my routine. I have fine curly/wavy hair that tends to be coarse and dry but after using the Foundation Mask my hair feels so soft and hydrated. My air dried hair is often unpredictable but the Foundation Mask paired with the Foundation Shampoo (and the Milk Hair Serum post wash (we are a ROZ household around here lol!) helped my curls lay so nicely and dry almost entirely frizz free. Will absolutely be keeping this in my wash routine from now on—total lifesaver!"
2. Djerf Avenue Beauty Essential Moisture Hair Mask
Pros: Great for enhancing shine and softness
Cons: Scent might be too strong for some
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed extract, shea butter, oat kernel oil, chamomile flower extract, brazil nut oil
Every time It girl Matilda Djerf's glossy, bouncy mane graces my Instagram feed, I immediately think: I'll have what she's having. Lately, she's been treating her locks to her just-launched moisture mask, which boasts nourishing plant oils and softening shea butter to deeply condition parched strands. The first time I used it, I swear my hair looked instantly shinier, silkier, and overall more Djerf-like.
Customer Review: N/A
3. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Pros: Great for damaged, dry hair, contains 97% naturally-derived ingredients
Cons: Leave-on time is at least 10 minutes, which is longer than other masks
Key Ingredients: Plant proteins, algae extract, rosehip oil, sweet almond oil
I have yet to meet a beauty editor who doesn't have glowing things to say about Briogeo's deep conditioning, damage-repairing mask. It's a cult favorite for a reason! "This always leaves my hair so soft and hydrated," notes associate beauty editor Shawna Hudson. "I also feel like it makes a big difference in the strength department."
Customer Review: "I have loved Brigeo products for years because their products work so well with my hair type (coarse, thick, frizzy) and this product is no exception. I love how this product makes my hair so incredibly soft and so moisturized even after the first time. One of my absolute favorites!"
4. Sisley Paris Hair Rituel by Sisley The Intense Nutrition Hair Care Mask
Pros: Deeply moisturizing treatment, great for repairing damage
Cons: Might be too thick for finer hair
Key Ingredients: Kokum butter, baobab proteins, shea butter, coconut oil, meadowfoam seed oil, hazelnut seed oil, moringa oil
When my hair is screaming for moisture, I reach for this reparative mask. Intense is just the right name for it; the buttery, nutrient-rich formula literally resuscitates my damaged strands in one use. I will say if you have finer hair, you might not want to glob it on from root to tip, as it's *very* dense. But on dry ends or coarser locks, it's magic.
Customer Review: "This mask is the best. I have tried a thousand products for my hair which is thick, dry and this is definitely one of the best. I am delighted with how soft, hydrated and manageable it leaves my hair."
5. Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Violet Toning Mask
Pros: Simultaneously moisturizes and tones color-treated hair, doesn't stain
Cons: Not the best option for those without highlights
Key Ingredients: Lavender extracts, jojoba oil, coconut oil, argan oil
When I asked celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble about her favorite hair masks, she was quick to recommend this toning option from Clairol. It's "great for counteracting brassiness in colored hair and includes moisturizing ingredients including lavender extracts [and] jojoba, coconut, and argan oils," she says. It's better suited for blondes or silvers (or anyone who has lightened their hair in any way), but if you do have color-treated or gray hair, you can't go wrong with this pick.
Customer Review: "As a blonde it is sometimes hard to keep the brassiness out of your hair to hard water, sunlight, pool water etc. I was using purple shampoo like twice a month and that was helping to tone my hair some but my hair was becoming so dry and frizzy looking (frizzier than normal) so my hair stylist advised me to try a purple hair mask instead of a shampoo. So I tried this today… I shampooed my hair as normal as then used this and left it on for about three mins then rinsed it out because some purple hair products can be really strong and leave a purple hue or tint in your hair sometimes and I didn’t want that to happen! Then I put my some regular conditioner on my ends and rinsed. My hair looks so beautiful and there’s no brass in it and it is very soft! So good for the price as well. I highly recommend!"
6. Divi Whipped Repair Treatment Mask
Pros: Impressive smoothing and softening results
Cons: Strong peppermint scent, if that bothers you
Key Ingredients: Upcycled milk thistle, argan oil, plant-based protein complex
This is a relatively new favorite mask of mine; once I experienced the airy, whipped texture and invigorating scent, I fell in love. With peppermint and tea tree, it refreshes my scalp while the argan oil and keratin-like peptides from milk thistle smooth and strengthen my lengths.
Customer Review: "I have thick wavy red hair and used several products of different brands to tame my hair and this product from Divi was very easy to use and gave me similar results to that of a Brazilian Blowout. I am excited to see if my results/feelings will be the same after multiple uses."
7. Dove Bond Strength Peptide Complex Serum Hair Mask
Pros: Budget-friendly, great for damage repair
Cons: Contains silicones, if you typically avoid those
Key Ingredients: Bio Protein Care + Peptides technology, coconut oil,
A word to the wise: Don't sleep on Dove's hair masks! They truly are shower staples, and at $10, they're total steals. This formula features the brand's special Bio Protein Care + Peptides technology, which helps reverse 10 visible signs of damage in one minute (hence the "10-in-1" highlighted on the jar). It's super rich and fantastic for waves, coils, and curls.
Customer Review: "Living in Arizona my hair was getting so dry and this mask saved my hair and brought the moisture back! It smells amazing and leaves my hair so glossy and hydrated. The tub is a good size and I know this product will last a long time! Highly recommend."
8. Ceremonia Guava Hair Repair Mask for Damaged, Color-Treated Hair
Pros: Increases shine and moisture, smells amazing
Cons: Not the best for those sensitive to fragrance
Key Ingredients: Guava fruit extracts, agave nectar, plant proteins
"I am OBSESSED with this Ceremonia one," says WWW beauty director Erin Jahns. I can totally see why! With agave nectar, guava fruit extracts, and plant proteins, it moisturizes, increases shine, and strengthens strands in one fell swoop. "I love this mask more than my own family," one Sephora reviewer even declares. If that doesn't entice you to try the hydrating formula, I don't know what will! Not for nothing, Ceremonia's products always smell unreal—like a burst of juicy guava.
Customer Review: "The water in Europe tore my hair up. It really said, PH balance? We do not know her. When I tell you this mask has given me the most defined curls. I brought no other products with me except this and the little shampoo sachets it came with and I was able to walk out with no leave-in. I have a mix of 2B and 3A on my head and I had Shirley Temple ringlets. If you’re sensitive to smell, Ceremonia might not be for you but I love it cause it’s like a two-in-one perfume deal going on."
9. Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask
Pros: Deeply moisturizing yet has a lightweight consistency, incredible for curls
Cons: Has a strong vanilla scent, if you don't love dessert-like fragrances
Key Ingredients: Australian kakadu plum, borage oil
"This mask is also the GOAT for curly hair! It offers so much hydration, helps detangle my hair instantly, and really defines my 3c curls," says Hudson. Not only that, but it has the most glorious, silky texture that doesn't feel too heavy. Some sort of sorcery must be at play, because I can't understand how it delivers such deeply hydrating results with a light-as-air, creamy consistency.
Customer Review: "This is one of the best deep conditioners I have ever used. My hair is very curly and prone to be dry. I left it in for a couple hours and my curls have not looked this good in years. I’ve used Bread before and the results are always the same!!!"
10. Pureology Hydrate Superfood Hair Mask
Pros: Fabulous for color-treated hair in need of shine and moisture
Cons: Some reviewers don't love the strong scent
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil
If you have color-treated hair, you probably already know (and love) Pureology's shine-inducing formulas. For the uninitiated, allow me to introduce you to the brand's nourishing hair mask from its Hydration line, which supplies strands with a buffet of moisturizing oils, such as avocado, coconut, soybean, and sunflower seed. Jahns considers it a staple for her auburn locks.
Customer Review: "I never write reviews unless I really really love something and this is it. I have very fine, thin hair and had keratin bond extensions removed 6 months ago and my hair has been a mess since. It has been so stringy and straw like at the ends and I tried everything to fix it. I was wearing my hair up everyday because I was so embarrassed by it. I started incorporating this into my routine a few weeks ago and I cannot believe what a difference it has made. My hair is soft and shiny and does not look dead. I will continue repurchasing!"
11. Act + Acre Restorative Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Pros: Great as a pre-shampoo treatment
Cons: Cap can be difficult to twist off when it's wet
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, glycerin, shea butter
Jahns and I both can't say enough good things about Act + Acre's deep conditioning mask. I use it in place of conditioner, as my hair is pretty thick, and it leaves my hair impossibly silky post-rinse. Sometimes I'll even use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, especially if my hair is feeling super dry. I'll dampen my strands, apply this mask from root to tip, then leave it in for a few hours before washing it out in the shower. Try it—you won't be disappointed!
Customer Review: "I am a girly with thick and FRIZZY hair. I have tried everything from different shampoos, leave in conditioners, etc… Typically using oils for my hair doesn’t do much justice. That being said, I really feel this hair oil did! A little goes a long way and I made sure not to apply near my roots. I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for a hair oil that’s not sticky. In addition to this, I also dried my hair after showering and using the oil (prior) and it left my hair extremely soft!"
12. Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask
Pros: A fabulous choice for low-porosity hair, can easily use in place of conditioner
Cons: Not the best at detangling
Key Ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid, bio-fermented coconut water
This mask (another favorite of Jahns) is truly like a tall drink of water for thirsty hair. After all, it's brimming with bio-fermented coconut water and hyaluronic acid to plump each individual strand with moisture. It also boasts a glorious rich, whipped texture that makes it a joy to apply.
Customer Review: "I have curly 3c hair and this mask is sooo hydrating. Not only did it remove any dryness in my hair, [but it also] made it SO SOFT."
13. Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask
Pros: Amazing scent, has similar shine-inducing abilities to a hair gloss
Cons: Works best if you let it sit for 10 minutes (not great for the impatient among us!)
Key Ingredients: Prickly pear seed oil, cactus flower extract, cocoa seed butter
I say this about pretty much every Dae product, but allow me to wax poetic just one more time: The scent is divine. Truly, I can skip perfume after using this hair mask, and even my partner comments on how good my hair smells for days after I've rinsed. I also love how glossy my hair looks, thanks to the formula's shine-inducing prickly pear seed oil and cactus flower extract.
Customer Review: "I bought a bunch of hair glosses and this mask to help my hair out. I bought this mask to repair my hair however it not only has restored my hair but done what the hair gloss needed to do. Love this product!!"
FAQ
What should you look for in a hair mask for dry hair?
"When picking a hair mask for dry hair, look for products with plenty of moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, keratin, and collagen. These are great for keeping dry hair hydrated and healthy," Kimble explains. Be sure to seek out nourishing oils too, like jojoba, argan, grapeseed, and coconut. Each of these players is brimming with antioxidants and fatty acids that help keep dry hair nice and moisturized. (Not to mention, they boast benefits for hair growth!)
How do hair masks work?
If conditioners feed your strands hair-healthy nutrients, think of hair masks as five-course meals. "Hair masks are like more concentrated versions of conditioner, delivering an extra boost of hydration to deeply nourish and improve your hair’s health," notes Kimble. In short: If your hair is in extra need of TLC, swapping in a hair mask will serve you well.
That said, you can find a slew of hair masks to meet your specific goal, be it hydration, damage repair, glossy shine, etc. This list above is focused on hydration, but we do have a robust roundup of masks for every haircare woe.
Should you apply a hair mask before or after shampooing?
"Be sure to apply hair masks to clean hair, right after shampooing," notes Kimble. You can use some as pre-shampoo treatments—wet your hair, apply your mask, let it sit, then proceed with your regular shampoo and conditioner routine— but most are best suited as conditioner replacements.
Do you apply a hair mask on wet or dry hair?
Well, it's kind of a trick question—you can technically go both ways. "While you can apply a hair mask to dry hair, it’s more effective on wet hair," says Kimble. "The added moisture helps the thicker formula spread more evenly and absorb better." If you do use a mask pre-shampoo, you'll want to mist your strands with a spray bottle (or dunk your head in the shower for a quick second) before raking the formula from root to tip.
Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. She has a penchant for trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative skincare launches to celebrity profiles, and her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Coveteur, and more. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and she's been there ever since. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves exploring vintage boutiques, reading mystery books (bonus points for an unexpected twist), and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn.
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