The 7 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair

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Once upon a time, I had terribly dry and damaged hair.

Wait – it was worse than that even, I had dry damaged BLEACHED hair. I had gone to a salon to get a few highlights in my [then] dark brown hair.

After applying the bleach to my hair the hairdresser told me she was going to let it sit for a few minutes and she would be right back. Well, she forgot about me and went for lunch.

I began panicking when I was unable to find the hairdresser who was supposed to be doing my hair and kept asking the other hair stylists there if they knew where she went.

Finally, one said that they thought she had left and she would take care of my hair. And that’s when we saw the damage.

My hair was truly in ruin. The bleach had turned my healthy brown hair into a white gummy breakable mess.  

For months even brushing my hair meant that huge chunks would break off.

I had to cut off approx. 4 inches, I couldn’t style my hair, and I was afraid that she had burned my scalp with bleach to the point of no return. Quite the horror story. right?

Well, after that experience I went to a different salon where I found the hairdresser I have been going to since.

She was the one who broke the news that I needed to cut off 4 inches, the one who helped nurse my hair back to health, and the one who turned me to some of the best deep conditioning treatments I’ve ever tried.

Now that a few years have passed, my hair is healthier and longer than ever. By using less heat on my hair, going ombre, and investing in great deep conditioners I’ve been able to turn all that horrifying damage around. 

As someone who has put her hair through the wringer, I know how truly frustrating it is to have dry damaged hair.

And over the years, I have probably tried nearly every product on the market to fix my fried locks.

What I’ve found in these years of hair-trauma is there’s nothing better than a good hair cut and a great conditioner to get your hair back to looking and feeling healthy.

How Often Should You Deep Condition Your Hair?

Depending on your hair type, you want to deep condition your hair 1-2 times a week.

If you have dry damaged hair, then try for twice a week. If not, then just deep condition your hair once a week, or even once every two weeks if you find that once weekly makes your hair feel oily. 

How Long Should You Deep Condition Your Hair?

This also somewhat depends on the condition of your hair. And, it also depends on the product. 

Be sure to read the directions of your hair conditioner and follow them. If it says to keep it on for 30 minutes to 1 hour then try to stick to that. If it says to leave it on for 5 minutes then do that. 

Those directions highlight how the product works best.

The 7 Best Hair Masks for Dry Hair

1. Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque, $49

One of my favourite haircare lines is the Macadamia Natural Oil haircare line.

All of their products add moisture back into your hair which is great for damaged hair, but the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque, in particular, is a miracle worker.

This rich masque provides deep conditioning and nourishment that is so needed by damaged hair.

Simply leave this conditioner on for 5 – 10 minutes and you’ll find that your hair feels silky smooth and healthier than ever.

2. Briogeo Dont Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Briogeo Dont Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, $46

While the entire Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair haircare line targets damaged and dry hair, for me, the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Masque takes the cake.

This conditioner contains Rosehip Oil, Algae Extract, B-vitamins, and almond oil which all help to strengthen hair while also making your hair look shiny and gorgeous. 

This conditioner is pretty lightweight so unlike many deep conditioners out there, you won’t find that your hair feels heavy or sticky after rinsing this mask out.

It’s overall a great mask and really does just leave your hair feeling really soft, silky, and healthy. 

 

3. Coco & Eve Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque

Coco & Eve Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque, $65

I began using the Coco and Eve conditioner back in the summer and I have to say, I am such a fan.

I had read a lot about this mask before trying it out and I am so glad that I did as it’s now one of my very favourite hair conditioners. 

This mask is super creamy and rich and it really coats your hair. They recommend you leave this mask on for 10 minutes, but usually, I’ll leave it on for an hour while I am doing housework and then rinse it out.

I love how soft and silky this mask is, and I adore how it smells. 

This Coco & Eve Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque has coconut oil, which is supposed to add shine to your hair and strengthen it, as well as Fig and Shea butter which is supposed to moisturize, detangle, and smooth split ends and frizz. 

It comes with a little tangle teaser comb for you brush the conditioner through your hair which is quite unique, though I don’t always use it because I do worry about brushing my hair when wet since that is when it’s most fragile. 

4. Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3, $38

Olaplex is a game changer for those that lighten their hair. I had heard so much about Olaplex before purchasing it and honestly, it does live up to the hype. 

This hair treatment helps reduce breakage and keep hair feeling strong and healthy.

I personally love to use the Olaplex treatment after lightening my hair to give it that much-needed boost back to health. 

5. Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask

Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask, $48

I know, another Moroccanoil hair mask in this list? But, I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t another one of my favourites.

For years now, Moroccanoil has been one of my go-to brands when it comes to hair care.

In fact, I used this product immediately after my bleach disaster and found that it really did help the look and feel of my hair.

My hair was still damaged, but it was a little bit more manageable and smoother looking after using this treatment. 

The Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask is heavier and richer than the Weightless Mask I mentioned earlier.

This is a deep DEEP conditioning treatment and it will seriously help your hair look and feel softer. 

Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask is an intense deep conditioner rich with shea butter, restorative proteins, and argan oil, which aims to help reverse the damage and restore your hair’s shine, luster, and health. 

6. Kérastase Discipline Smoothing Mask

Kérastase Discipline Smoothing Mask, $65

I first came to try the Kérastase Discipline Smoothing Mask when I received a mini/travel-version in my stocking for Christmas a few years ago.

I went home, tried it out, and well – let’s just say the travel version didn’t last very long because I LOVED it. 

This mask is super thick and buttery which I personally love. If you don’t like heavy masks though, this may not be for you.

This mask seriously packs a punch and will make your hair look and feel super soft, shiny, and silky.

The downside of this mask is the cost. It’s definitely a pricy one, but it really does help make your hair look great. 

 

7. Living Proof Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment

Living Proof Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment, $65

This treatment is great for an extremely intense and deep conditioning treatment making it one of the best hair masks for damaged hair.

Living Proof says that after 5 conditioning treatments with their Restore Mask Treatment your hair will be 9 times more resistant to breakage.

While I can’t say if it made my hair 9x less likely to break, I can say that this product has made my hair feel and look healthier while also making it feel silky smooth.  

This product is free of GMOs, Parabens,  Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, Triclosan.

The Best Hair Mask for Bleached Hair?

In my opinion, all of these masks are the best hair masks for split ends and bleached/damaged hair.

I actually started using nearly all these masks back when I really damaged my hair.

The few hair masks that I’ve discovered more recently are truly wonderful for maintaining healthy hair after I lighten it. 

If you’re really focusing on repairing bleach damaged hair then I would start by using the Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 as it really does help repair your hair and make it stronger. 

Best Deep Conditioner for Fine Hair? 

I have fine hair, but lots of it, and I’ve found all these masks have worked really well for me.

Of course though, if you feel like you easily get piecy or stringy looking hair from hair masks then I’d go for one of the lighter masks, like the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Mask. 

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If you liked this post, then be sure to check out:

– DIY Coconut Oil Hair Mask (Hot Oil Treatment)

–  DIY Shea Butter Hair Mask

What about you? What are your favorite hair masks for damaged hair? Let me know in the comments below!