There are two types of showers in this world: the ‘two-minute wash-and-go’ kind (not always enjoyable, but necessary nonetheless) and what we affectionately refer to as the ‘hair wash shower’ — or, even, the ‘everything shower‘. When doing the latter, you best believe it’s an opportunity to give the hair some hydration through a hair mask designed for dry hair.
Sure, a good old-fashioned shampoo and condition will get your hair feeling fresh in a literal sense, but a mane deprived of moisture could probably benefit from a harder-hitting product than your standard conditioner.
With a hair mask, you might just find yourself edging closer and closer toward healthier, shinier hair, which is no doubt where you want to be.
How To Use A Hair Mask?
Hair masks are an effective way to infuse the hair with luxuriously rich butters and oils to allow for lasting, core-deep hydration. They’re especially useful for those with high porosity hair, which has more gaps between the cuticles, allowing the strands to ‘drink in’ and absorb the products you place on it.
It’s thirsty hair and requires a richer formula to truly hydrate.
An easy way to tell if your hair is porous is to look at whether your hair dries quickly, tends to ‘drink’ product without looking too heavy or weighed down and it should sink when a strand is placed in a glass of water.
Hair masks are usually applied and set to sink in before shampoo or applied for 10-15 minutes between a shampoo and conditioner. Some (the heavier formulas) even replace conditioner, so be sure to follow the directions on the bottle.
How To Use A Hair Oil?
Contrary to popular belief, hair oil is not just for a shiny finish once you’re done styling the hair. They can also be applied at scale before washing in order to give the hair time to let them sink in.
Hair oils can be brilliant for low porosity hair, applied before the shampooing process. Low porosity hair will tend to look greasier more quickly and can be weighed down by heavy products. It has a harder time getting hydration to the core of the hair and can be prone to brittleness. It should float when a strand is placed in a glass of water.
To do the hair oil process most effectively, apply a liberal amount throughout the hair from root to tip and allow it to sink into the hair, ideally for at least an hour. This will allow the moisture-giving oils to sink into the tightly packed cuticles, letting it sink down into the core of the hair.
By doing a lot of the moisture work before washing, you can be ensured, shiny, healthy hair that still feels lightweight and fresh.
To assist you in your journey toward healthy, hydrated hair, we’ve rounded up the best moisturising masks and oil masks on the market, bound to nourish to the nines. Happy hydrating.
The Best Hair Masks For Dry Hair
Coco & Eve Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque Individual Tub
This is a thick and conditioning mask that helps to add major shine and bounce without weighing down the hair. You can adjust the amount you use it based on your hair type – three times a week for dry hair, twice for normal and one for oily hair, avoiding the scalp. It takes just 5-10 minutes to apply but will have your hair looking amazing for weeks to come.
- Deeply conditions your hair, restoring hydration and helps to repair damage. Perfect if your hair has been subjected to styling, heat, dying or harsh environments.
- Leaves your hair feeling soft, and looking shiny and touchable
- Helps to treat split ends for a more healthy finish to your hair
- Tames frizz, unlocking your hair’s smoother state
$56.00 at Adore Beauty
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask 50ml
K18 is a bond-building mask designed to help improve the appearance of split ends and breakage. It also works to fortify the hair to prevent further damage and is designed to be a no rinse treatment. After weeks of use you can expect stronger, healthier hair (say goodbye to crunchy ends).
- Damage-reversing treatment for compromised hair
- Works in 4 minutes
- Treats damage from styling, colouring and lightening
- Repairs keratin within the hair
$99.95 at Adore Beauty
Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair
This iconic hair mask is TikTok viral for a reason, working to build back the bonds in your hair without any nasties (no sulfates, no silicones, no parabens). This treatment is easily applied between shampoo and conditioner for 10 minutes and you’ll be looking at a stronger mane in no time.
- Made for dry, damaged, brittle hair
- Strengthens hair after just two uses
- Provides a balance of moisture and protein to fortify the hair
- Works to nourish hair that is coloured and heat-styled
$39 at Briogeo
Moroccan Oil Original Treatment
Moroccan Oil is a famous name for a reason. This oil is thick, smells delicious and offers major hydration for dehydrated ends. While it can be used to finish the hair after styling, we like to drench the hair in this oil and sit in it for over an hour (especially the ends).
Looking for lush, shiny hair even if it is low porosity? This is your best friend.
- Rich treatment provides essential hydration to smooth hair and minimise frizz
- Naturally protects against damage and breakage
- Detangles and increases manageability in even the thickest, most difficult-to-wrangle hair types
- Protects against UV damage during sun exposure
$74.95 at Adore Beauty
Davines Essentials NouNou Nourishing Hair Mask
Davines is the king of clean haircare that works and the NouNou mask is no different. Brilliant for hair that is easily weighed down by hydrating products, it will leave your hair feeling light but glossy.
- Offers intense hydration for dry and damaged hair
- Works to repair the hair and restore health and vitality
- Delivers enhanced shine
- Silky softness for a next-level mane
$49.95 at Adore Beauty
The Jojoba Company Australian Jojoba 200ml
A dermatologist-approved moisturizing and repairing oil, rich in Vitamins A, D & E and Omegas 6 & 9. Jojoba is such a beloved oil as it’s one of the only plants to store liquid wax in its seeds, mirroring the natural wax esters in healthy human skin. This oil is brilliant applied liberally from roots to ends and left to sit for an hour before undergoing your usual wash process.
- Rich in Vitamins A, D & E and Omegas 6 & 9.
- Moisturizes and repairs.
- Powerful antioxidant.
- Allows for moisturisation that lasts
$52.95 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Masque
Pairing the repairing abilities of rosehip oil with hydrating Kakadu plum and nourishing shea butter, this mask was sent from hair heaven to rescue brittle, damaged and coarse strands from themselves (and/or the styling tools/oil-stripping products that made them that way).
- Repairing and smoothing hair masque
- Infused with Rose Hip & Evening Primrose Oil, Kakadu Plum, Seaweed, and vitamin charged treatment capsules
- Adds elasticity and shine
- Suitable for all hair types
$52.95 at Oz Hair And Beauty
Klorane Mango Butter Mask
Yes indeed, mango butter is every bit as hydrating as it sounds, and the thick, rich and velvety texture of this mask makes sure that every last strand benefits from its abilities. Softness is number one on this sulfate-free formula’s list of goals, and boy does it deliver.
$25.99 at Adore Beauty
- Deeply hydrating hair butter mask
- Rich thick texture
- Mango Butter hydrates and nourishes
- Great for dry or damaged hair
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Masque
Able to address both current and future breakage through deep conditioning and repair, this targeted treatment gets right to work on smoothing and strengthening at a cuticle level, adding moisture, shine and softness with the help of its seasilk and caviar extract combination.
- Deep replenishing treatment masque helps to reduce breakage and strengthen the hair
- Improved elasticity and shine
- Formulated with Caviar Bond Enforcing Technology and sustainably sourced Maracuja Oil
- Free of added parabens, SLS/SLES sulfates and synthetic colour
$66 at Sephora
L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Nourish Masque
If you’re reluctant to trade the potency of oils in for a mask, fear not; this oil masque formula offers the best of both worlds. A lightweight, creamy blend loaded with concentrated essential oils, it offers the same superior care without the heaviness that oils often bring.
- Oil masque for normal to fine hair types
- Lightweight, creamy formula
- Nourishes and detangles
- Leave on freshly washed hair for 3-5 minutes, then rinse
$35.50 at Adore Beauty
OGX Argan Oil Of Morocco Hair Mask
Farewell distressed tresses and say hello to silky and seductive locks. This extra strong hydrate and repair mask is made with a potent blend of Moroccan argan oil to strengthen and repair dry hair. Thank us later because this is one product you’ll be adding to cart again and again.
- Repair & renew dry, damaged hair
- Ideal for medium to coarse-textured & thick hair, the daily deep-conditioning treatment quenches each strand and helps hair feel detangled.
- Free from sulphated-surfactants and parabens
- Radiant shine from the inside out
$12.49 at Chemist Warehouse
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