According to Priester and Challenger, the best hair mask for you depends on the following factor, which I kept in mind while compiling this list:
This list includes expert recommendations, highly rated picks that align with their advice and personal favorites of NBC Select staffers with natural hair.
This mask, which comes recommended by Priestler, is especially good for addressing dryness caused by heat processing, coloring, relaxers and more, according to the brand. It’s formulated with amla oil and shea butter, which moisturize and soften hair, and an amino blend to repair damaged protein bonds, according to the brand.
Best for: Processed hair (heat damage, color-treated, relaxed) | Size: 11 oz
This mask also comes recommended by Priestler for “intensive repair” because of its nutrient-heavy formula — it includes sea buckthorn oil and borage oil, which contain vitamin C and fatty acids to strengthen dry hair, and shea and mango butters to hydrate. The mask also contains an exclusive “bond cure technology” to target and repair the hair’s hydrogen bonds, which are the most abundant type in the hair, and the most susceptible to breakage and split ends from heat processing, according to the brand.
Best for: Heat damage | Size: 8.4 oz
I bought this mask after trying the brand’s Leave-In Conditioner and love what it does for my hair whenever it’s dry. It’s the first product I use outside of shampoo after taking down box braids, or whenever my hair needs a moisture boost since its slippery texture makes detangling easy. I work it through my hair in sections, using first my fingers or a wide tooth comb, and then my Denman brush. After a bad silk press, this mask also helped to revive and soften my heat-damaged hair, bringing it closer to my natural texture.
Best for: Dryness, heat damage | Size: 15 fl oz
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, who rarely ventures outside her local beauty supply store for hair supplies, was initially skeptical of this pricier mask, which the brand sent her to try. “The texture is incredibly thick, similar to that of mayonnaise. I have shoulder-length hair and only need a small dollop to cover my entire head. I find that if I allow it to sit in my hair for about five minutes, I can easily finger comb my hair because the mask does such a great job of softening my strands. And in the end, I don’t completely rip out my hair while detangling it,” she says. Its star ingredient, almond extract, is rich in protein and vitamin B, which help to treat brittle, dry hair by increasing hair volume and elasticity, according to the brand.
Best for: Brittle hair, dryness | Size: 8.82 oz
Brown loves the entire Rosemary Mint line from Mielle Organics — “it’s been recommended to me more than anything else over the years,” she says. The mask is infused with biotin to strengthen hair, and uses mint and ginger root to stimulate hair growth, according to the brand. “My hair sheds a lot less when I use this consistently and the mint sensation feels amazing on my scalp,” says Brown. This is likely due to the rosemary and mint oils, which increase blood circulation in your scalp, resulting in thicker, stronger hair, according to the brand.
Best for: Weak, thinning hair | Size: 12 oz
If you’re looking for maximum hydration at a minimal cost, this mask from ORS may be for you. It comes recommended by Brown for people with severely dry hair — it uses rice water, olive oil and electrolytes to hydrate and nourish your hair strands, according to the brand. “It feels very lightweight and has an amazing slip for detangling,” Brown adds. Plus, it comes in a large container, so “it lasts a very long time,” in her experience.
Best for: Dryness, brittle hair | Size: 20 oz
This mask comes recommended by Challenger for people who need an infusion of moisture. Avocado, a key ingredient, has plenty of fatty acids, which conditions hair. The formula also includes kiwi, which contains vitamin C and antioxidants to protect hair from environmental stressors, according to the brand. It also contains phytonutrients like spinach, cocoa seed butter and chia seeds, which help to lock in and retain moisture, increasing your hair’s shine and softening any brittleness or dryness.
Best for: Dryness, dull hair | Size: 8 fl oz
Redken is a salon brand that Challenger loves to use with her clients. She recommends this acidic bonding mask for low-porosity hair, because it has a thinner texture that she says can better penetrate hair. It uses citric acid and a blend of oils to detangle hair and deliver moisture without a heavy, weighed-down feeling, according to the brand. The mask is also quick and easy to use — it only needs five minutes in your hair to deliver results, according to Redken.
Best for: Low-porosity hair, dryness | Size: 8.5 fl oz
According to Priestler, the most important factor when shopping for a hair mask is choosing one best suited for your specific need(s). Below, she explains the three main types of hair masks for natural hair and the concerns they address.
Although hair masks are a great treatment option for natural hair, they aren’t a replacement for daily hair care and maintenance. The best products for your daily hair routine will differ from style to style, but Priestler recommends using a hair mist or lightweight serum for basic maintenance.
According to Priester, “since most natural hair tends to be drier, natural products are designed to have more moisturizing agents and ingredients.” Since these are often formulated to combat frizz and brittleness, she says they can help with your hair’s manageability. However, it really all depends on your hair’s specific needs — Challenger says that it’s important to pay more attention to ingredient content and quality, and which masks can properly address your hair’s issues.
According to experts, hair masks aren’t a necessity, but can be used at home to address “more serious dryness and damage,” says Challenger. Prister agrees, adding that if you’re using a mask, it’s important to choose one that “aligns with the goals of your hair.”
Challenger says that the best way to apply a mask will differ according to your hair’s porosity. If you have higher-porosity hair (meaning water absorbs easily into your hair but doesn’t retain well), you can work your mask into your strands by applying and detangling. However, for lower-porosity hair (hair that doesn’t easily absorb water), she suggests using heat to help product absorb — this could be a hair dryer, or a hot towel.
Pristler says that you should use a hair mask “as often as needed.” How often you use one will depend on the issues you’re trying to address and the condition of your hair, she says. “If your hair is mistreated or damaged, you can use one every time you wash it,” she says. However, for protein masks and treatments, she recommends using two times a month — although overuse doesn’t pose danger, she says they’re not necessary to be used every time you wash your hair.
Priestler says it’s not harmful to use a hair mask overnight if your hair is extremely dry or damaged, but it’s not necessary. She also warns that unless your hair is in severe need, keeping a mask on overnight can leave your strands greasy.
According to Priestler, it’s totally fine to use hair masks in the same routine as a conditioner. Sometimes it’s even necessary — some hair masks may require a shampoo afterwards, and she says that in these cases, it’s best to follow up that wash with a conditioner to maintain your hair’s moisture balance.
Priestler likes to detangle hair while using a hair mask to help work the product into the strands, she says. She preferred using a detangling brush to go through the hair, and then following it up with a steamer to help the mask better absorb into the strands.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, where I’ve consulted with experts for multiple articles about hair, including roundups of the best natural hair stylers and scalp acne shampoos. For this article, I spoke to a cosmetologist and hairstylist about hair masks for natural hair, and compiled a list of products to shop based on their guidance and our personal experience.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
