15 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair (2025 Review Guide)


Dealing with dry, brittle, or colour-damaged strands? A hair mask for damaged hair can bring moisture and strength back to lifeless locks. Whether your damage comes from heat styling, colouring, or daily stress, the right formula revives softness, shine, and resilience — without a salon bill.

Short Answer: The best hair mask for damaged hair deeply hydrates and rebuilds broken bonds using clean, vegan ingredients such as Kakadu Plum, biotin, and coconut oil — like the Hair Folli Hair Growth Mask.

Why Use a Hair Mask for Damaged Hair?

A mask delivers intensive nourishment that ordinary conditioner can’t. It penetrates the cortex, restores moisture balance, and strengthens the hair cuticle for long-term repair.

  • Reverses damage from heat and colouring
  • Reduces breakage and split ends
  • Boosts softness, elasticity, and shine
  • Shields hair from future dryness
hair mask for hair nourishment and hair growth

Key Ingredients to Look For (2025 Update)

Modern hair masks blend nature and science. Focus on:

  • Kakadu Plum: antioxidant-rich Vitamin C source for strength and brightness
  • Biotin: reinforces keratin and helps prevent breakage
  • Coconut Oil & Shea Butter: seal moisture and smooth frizz
  • Panax Ginseng & Licorice Root: support healthy scalp circulation and comfort
  • Hydrolysed Plant Proteins: rebuild inner hair structure

Hair Folli Hair Growth Mask (Vegan Deep Repair System)

Among the best hair masks in Australia, the Hair Folli Hair Growth Mask leads with clean, cruelty-free innovation. Infused with Kakadu Plum, Ginseng, and Licorice Root, this lightweight vegan treatment restores hydration, repairs brittle fibres, and revives natural shine without silicones.

Best for: dry, coloured, or severely damaged hair
Results: noticeably smoother, stronger hair within 2–3 weeks

Explore Hair Folli Vegan Hair Care Collection

Hair Folli Hair Growth Mask

Other Expert-Recommended Hair Masks for 2025

While Hair Folli’s mask leads in clean, vegan performance, there are other reputable formulas that perform impressively in specific categories. Each product below was selected based on ingredient integrity, user feedback, and suitability for different hair types — because true healthy hair care isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Pattern Treatment Mask

Designed for textured and curly hair, Pattern’s mask uses rice-water ferment and moringa seed extract to detangle and define curls. It’s thick and nutrient-rich but may feel heavy on fine strands.

pattern hair mask

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Masque

A nourishing option for coarse, dehydrated hair. Honey and baobab oils restore moisture and elasticity, though its rich scent and texture may not suit everyone.

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Hair Masque

R+Co Television Hair Masque

Favoured by stylists for instant shine, this coconut-based mask smooths frizz quickly. Best for straight or fine hair but can feel light for severe damage.

R+Co Television Hair Masque

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask

A peptide-powered formula that rebuilds broken bonds in minutes. Results are clinical-level, though the premium cost suits targeted use.

k18 hair mask

Olaplex No. 8 Bond Moisture Mask

Still the gold standard for bond repair. It rebuilds damaged hair effectively, though overuse can leave a silicone-like finish.

Olaplex No.8 Intense Bond Moisture Mask

Davines Nounou Hair Mask

For bleached or colour-treated hair, this antioxidant-rich tomato mask improves elasticity with consistent use.

Davines Nounou Hair Mask

Kérastase Blonde Absolu Anti-Brass Mask

Removes brassiness in blonde tones while hydrating with hyaluronic acid — though its strong fragrance may irritate sensitive scalps.


Amika Dream Routine Overnight Mask

A lightweight leave-in that hydrates for up to 72 hours. Great for convenience, though best used regularly for lasting results.

Amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask

Ouai Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Mask

Restores volume and shine without residue. Excellent for daily care but moderate for heavily processed hair.

Ouai Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Mask

Brigeo Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask

A handy spray formula with biotin and algae extract for everyday protection — ideal for travel or layering with other treatments.

Brigeo Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask

Function of Beauty Custom Hair Mask

A customisable blend based on your goals and scent preferences. Innovative, but results depend on accurate personalisation.

Function of Beauty Custom Purple Hair Mask

It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask

A long-time favourite for instant smoothness and detangling, though it contains more silicones than clean alternatives.

It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask

Kevin Murphy Young Again Mask

Rejuvenates mature, brittle hair with lotus flower and baobab oils. Consistent use brings visible shine and softness.

Kevin Murphy Young Again Mask

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly-Pear Seed Oil

A luxurious formula rich in Vitamin E for deep repair and gloss — ideal for occasional indulgence.

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask With Rare Prickly-Pear-Seed Oil

Expert Summary

Across the market, these formulas highlight that effective hair repair depends on your hair’s specific needs.
Bond-building masks (like K18 and Olaplex) rebuild structure after chemical services;
Moisture-rich masks (like SheaMoisture or Davines) restore hydration for textured hair;
while clean botanical options (like Hair Folli) balance long-term repair with scalp health.

As hair-care specialists, Hair Folli recognises that no single formula fits everyone — but choosing clean, research-backed ingredients is the future of healthy hair in 2025.

How to Use a Hair Mask Correctly

  1. Shampoo with a gentle cleanser.
  2. Towel-dry hair until damp.
  3. Apply evenly from mid-lengths to ends.
  4. Leave on 15–30 minutes.
  5. Rinse with cool or lukewarm water.
Pro Tip: Wrap hair in a warm towel while the mask sits to help nutrients absorb deeper.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use a hair mask?

Use once or twice weekly for maintenance, or up to three times weekly for damaged hair.

Can men use hair masks?

Yes — hydration and repair benefit all hair types and genders.

Are vegan hair masks effective?

Absolutely. Actives like caffeine, rosemary, and biotin strengthen follicles and improve circulation naturally.

Can I replace conditioner with a mask?

Use conditioner for daily hydration and a mask weekly for deep restoration — they complement each other.

Expert Tip: Keep Your Routine Simple

Avoid layering too many treatments at once. Focus on a few high-performing formulas and stay consistent for 8–12 weeks to achieve lasting results.

Explore Hair Folli Vegan Hair Care Collection

Author: Sophie Nguyen – Hair Science Writer, Hair Folli

Sophie Nguyen has over eight years of experience in beauty journalism, specialising in evidence-based hair care for Australian readers. At Hair Folli, she translates scientific insights into practical, trustworthy advice to help readers build healthier hair routines confidently.