Our shopping habits during lockdown are very indicative of the increased amount of time many of us have dedicated to self-care. Hair masks, for instance, have become one of the most searched for beauty treatments on Google, increasing by a whopping 200% since the start of quarantine (and 300% in the past 30 days). Retailers noticed the spike too, with sales of hair treatments up 187% on John Lewis and 337% on Cult Beauty compared to 2019. Whether it’s down to the extra free-time, or the constant exposure to our reflection on Zoom meetings - one thing is for sure – many of us have become at-home beauty pros.
'We should see that because of lockdown people’s hair is now in much better condition,' says Antony Rawlings, Creative Director at Lock One Go, 'we have had time to really take care of our hair with mask’s, and had a relief from the heat tools.'
Previously prioritised for the skin on our face (shop our favourite face masks here), masks are just as good at treating our scalp and hair, too. One step further than a conditioner, a weekly hair mask will really nourish strands from roots to ends, tackling many a haircare woe. They're also a great choice for maintaining the health of our hair before we can be reunited with our beloved salons.
It's important to find the right one for your hair type and texture. For instance, a mask that works well on curly or coily hair might be too heavy for processed or fine hair. To help you on your quest for stronger, shinier hair – we’ve whittled down the best hair masks for dry hair, bleached hair, coarse hair and split ends.
And once you’ve picked your treatment, apply a generous amount before scraping your hair back into a bun - an easy, multi-tasking up-do that will look good on any video call. After all, self-care is no longer reserved solely for Sunday.
SHOP: Our Curated Edit Of Hair Masks Here
Best Hair Masks 2021
1 of 13Living Proof Restore Repair Mask, £33
Ideal for thick, bleached or stressed-out strands - Living Proof's new scientifically-proven mask restores moisture and boosts elasticity with the brands patented Healthy Hair Molecule.
2 of 13Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, £30
Replenish damaged, chemically-treated hair with this moisturising mask packed full of nourishing argan and rosehip oil as well as strengthening biotin.
3 of 13Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Mask, £24
Rooted in ancient Indian beauty rituals, Fable & Mane's haircare range is powered by potent plant-based ingredients that strengthen and repair hair. We love the HoliRoots Hair Mask, blended with coconut cream, mango butter and banana that leaves hair glossy, smooth and beautifully scented.
4 of 13Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, £26
If you've ever experienced the Olaplex treatment in salon - you'll be all too familiar with its magical benefits. It restores bond structure, strengthening hair from the inside out. Simply apply onto damp hair for 10 minutes before rinsing off with shampoo.
5 of 13Christophe Robin Color Shield Mask, £33
If your hair colour tends to fade with time, try this Color Shield Mask from Christophe Robin, pronto. It works to protect and preserve colour intensity with antioxidants and macadamia oil.
6 of 13Omorovicza Revitalising Scalp Mask, £55
Our scalp is the secret to healthy hair. Treat it accordingly with this detoxifying, revitalising pre-shampoo mud mask. Cooling menthol relieves any irritation whilst salicylic acid gently exfoliates away dead skin cells to promote growth.
7 of 13Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment, £26
This raved about hair mask is specifically formulated for curly hair types to reduce tangling and define curls with Maurla Oil, Camellia Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil and Wheat Bran.
8 of 13Kérastase Genesis Masque Reconstituant Hair Mask, £36.40
For those of us experiencing significant hair fall-out, this savvy formula helps anchor the hair to the roots with powerful antioxidants.
9 of 13Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep-Conditioning Treatment, £19
Originally formulated for Audrey Hepburn, this wondrous hair treatment is designed for all hair types to lock in moisture, strengthen strands and increase elasticity. It's a real mane-changer.
10 of 13Redken Color Extend Blondage Express Anti-Brass Mask, £26
Banish unwanted brassy tones with this ultra-pigmented purple mask. The violet pigments neutralise yellow tones so blonde hair looks cooler and brighter in just five minutes.
11 of 13Monpure Nourish and Stimulate Scalp Mask, £63
Consider this your scalp saviour - a weekly deep treatment to hydrate, soothe and relieve irritation with aloe vera and vitamin-rich camellia tea oil.
12 of 13Grow Gorgeous Intense Thickening Hair & Scalp Mask, £25
Ideal for fine, flat hair in need of some oomph - this nourishing mask visibly increases thickness with pea peptides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid and caffeine.
13 of 13Imbue Curl Restoring Intensive Mask, £12.99
Specifically formulated for kinks, curls and coils 3A through to 4C - this moisturising mask contains coconut and shea to hydrate and strengthen curls .
READ MORE: How To Make Your Own Glow-Giving, DIY Face Mask At Home