The Best Hair Masks For Dry Damaged Hair Revealed

When it comes to giving dry, damaged hair the extra care it deserves, a hydrating hair mask is one of the hardest-working beauty products in your hair care kit. Packed with concentrated ingredients, these deep treatments rehydrate thirsty strands with an injection of moisture, while delivering bespoke benefits for your hair type – whether you have straight hair, wavy hair or curly hair.

But with so many types of hair masks out there, how do you find your perfect formula? Here are our favourite hair masks for dry hair, with added benefits to suit your goals...

FOR INTENSE HAIR REPAIR : ULTIMATE REPAIR MASK

Dryness and damage often go hand-in-hand, so if that's the case for your hair, reach for ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask. It's a rich, indulgent treatment with a dose of skincare-inspired ingredients to revive stressed strands. There's AHA, an alpha hydroxy acid which helps to repair the internal hair bonds, and Omega-9 fatty acid, which replenishes and refills the outer layer of the hair shaft. Plus, it harnesses smart conditioning agents to give you truly bespoke care. These innovative molecules identify your hair's most damaged areas to provide targeted care. Apply the mask to damp hair after washing with ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo, and let it absorb for five minutes – just enough time to indulge in a face mask too.

Give it an Extra Boost: To level up the results of ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo and Mask, mist towel-dried strands from root to tip with ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. This one-of-a-kind leave-in treatment repairs hair damage in 90 seconds*, leaving your hair 12x smoother** with 99% less breakage***. Once it's absorbed, style as usual.

FOR BRITTLE, DRY HAIR: FUSION INTENSE REPAIR MASK

When hair is stripped of its natural oils, it doesn't just look and feel dry; it also loses its protective barrier, leaving it brittle and prone to hair breakage. If you're already there, dealing with snapping, split ends and hair that's lost its strength, make Fusion Intense Repair Mask part of your weekly regimen. The hair-strengthening treatment is powered by Silksteel Technology, inspired by one of nature's strongest fibres, the spiderweb. Teamed with Fusion Intense Repair Shampoo, it repairs snap-prone hair on macro and micro levels, so your hair is 95% more resilient in the face of hair breakage****.

Give it a Boost: To help your conditioning mask penetrate deeper, wrap hair up in a warm towel while the treatment absorbs. It's a simple trick, but one that will level up your mask's benefits, so you enjoy stronger hair.

FOR COLOUR-TREATED HAIR: COLORMOTION+ STRUCTURE+ MASK

Your salon colour is at its glossiest when hair is healthy and hydrated, so use a specialised shade-protecting mask to give your mane a glow. We love ColorMotion+ Structure+ Mask because, not only does it boost the effects of ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo, but it also gives you up to eight weeks***** of colour protection. What's more, it's packed with our unique WellaPlex ingredient to help reconstruct hair bonds, while the built-in Hair Surface Polisher smooths frizzy hair for a softer, shinier mane. Leave it on for at least five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. On non-masking days, replace it with the ColorMotion+ Hair Conditioner, a lighter option that cares for colour in between salon visits.

Give it a Boost: Protection is essential for maintaining colour vibrancy and glossy shine, so add ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In to your styling routine. It shields strands against heat from hot tools up to 230°C/450° F, while protecting hair from frizz, breakage, friction and UV exposure.

FOR DRY CURLY HAIR: NUTRICURLS DEEP TREATMENT MASK

Every mask on this list can be used for all hair types, from straight to coily. But if you want a specialised treatment that enhances the beauty of your curls, look no further than this ultra-rich, dreamy, creamy mas: Nutricurls Deep Treatment Mask. Precisely formulated to give waves, curls and coils the deep nourishment they deserve, it’s infused with Panthenol for defined ringlets that are easier to detangle and style. Apply a generous amount to mid-lengths and ends, and take advantage of its richness to work through knots. Use your fingertips or a wide-tooth comb to gently separate tangles. Then, let it absorb for at least five minutes, before rinsing with warm water. Intense moisture and bouncy curls? It's a win-win for textured hair.

Give it a Boost: For extra curl definition, dry and style just-masked hair with the plopping method. All you need is a soft, cotton T-shirt to blot away excess moisture and these quick-to-follow steps:

1. Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface in front of you. The base should be closest to your body and the neck farthest away.

2. Flip your head upside down so your curls are resting on the T-shirt.

3. Slowly lower your head, so your curls are accordioned onto the T-shirt.

4. Once your head reaches the fabric, wrap the -T-shirt around your hair. Secure by tying the sleeves of the T-shirt together.

5. Leave in for at least 30 minutes or longer if preferred. You can even keep plopping in place overnight, so you wake up to bouncy curls.

* When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

** Vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

*** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

**** Fusion shampoo and conditioner vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

***** When using Structure+ Mask.