I Refuse to Have Dry, Brittle Hair This Winter, so I’m Slathering on These 13 Stylist-Approved Masks

Parched, brittle, straw-like hair, you are the bane of my existence. (I know I’m not alone here!) It creeps up like clockwork. Once humidity gets zapped from the air and skirts and sunnies make way for scarves and cozy sweaters, my wavy, frizz-prone hair simply cannot get enough moisture. I usually resort to stuffing my strands in a hat and hoping for the best until the weather thaws (not the most productive method, I’ll admit), but I refuse to succumb to wintry hair this year. This season, I have a plan: treating my mane to hydrating hair masks well before the drier season rolls around—so, ahem, right about now.

To achieve my winter hair goals, I consulted trusted experts (aka, stylists and beauty editors) on the best formulas specifically suited for thirsty locks (as opposed to damage repair and shine, which you’ll find here). Keep scrolling and slather on! There’s no better time to snag yourself a new hydrating hero.

The Best Hair Masks for Dry Hair, Listed

1. Rōz Foundation Reparative Hair Mask
2. Djerf Avenue Beauty Essential Moisture Hair Mask
3. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
4. Sisley Paris Hair Rituel by Sisley The Intense Nutrition Hair Care Mask
5. Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Violet Toning Mask
6. Divi Whipped Repair Treatment Mask
7. Dove Bond Strength Peptide Complex Serum Hair Mask
8. Ceremonia Guava Hair Repair Mask for Damaged, Color-Treated Hair
9. Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask
10. Pureology Hydrate Superfood Hair Mask
11. Act + Acre Restorative Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
12. Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask
13. Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask

The Best Hair Masks for Dry Hair of 2024

1. Rōz Foundation Reparative Hair Mask

2. Djerf Avenue Beauty Essential Moisture Hair Mask

3. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

4. Sisley Paris Hair Rituel by Sisley The Intense Nutrition Hair Care Mask

5. Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Violet Toning Mask

6. Divi Whipped Repair Treatment Mask

7. Dove Bond Strength Peptide Complex Serum Hair Mask

8. Ceremonia Guava Hair Repair Mask for Damaged, Color-Treated Hair

9. Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask

10. Pureology Hydrate Superfood Hair Mask

11. Act + Acre Restorative Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

12. Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask

13. Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask

FAQ

What should you look for in a hair mask for dry hair?

“When picking a hair mask for dry hair, look for products with plenty of moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, keratin, and collagen. These are great for keeping dry hair hydrated and healthy,” Kimble explains. Be sure to seek out nourishing oils too, like jojoba, argan, grapeseed, and coconut. Each of these players is brimming with antioxidants and fatty acids that help keep dry hair nice and moisturized. (Not to mention, they boast benefits for hair growth!)

How do hair masks work?

If conditioners feed your strands hair-healthy nutrients, think of hair masks as five-course meals. “Hair masks are like more concentrated versions of conditioner, delivering an extra boost of hydration to deeply nourish and improve your hair’s health,” notes Kimble. In short: If your hair is in extra need of TLC, swapping in a hair mask will serve you well.

That said, you can find a slew of hair masks to meet your specific goal, be it hydration, damage repair, glossy shine, etc. This list above is focused on hydration, but we do have a robust roundup of masks for every haircare woe.

Should you apply a hair mask before or after shampooing?

“Be sure to apply hair masks to clean hair, right after shampooing,” notes Kimble. You can use some as pre-shampoo treatments—wet your hair, apply your mask, let it sit, then proceed with your regular shampoo and conditioner routine— but most are best suited as conditioner replacements.

Do you apply a hair mask on wet or dry hair?

Well, it’s kind of a trick question—you can technically go both ways. “While you can apply a hair mask to dry hair, it’s more effective on wet hair,” says Kimble. “The added moisture helps the thicker formula spread more evenly and absorb better.” If you do use a mask pre-shampoo, you’ll want to mist your strands with a spray bottle (or dunk your head in the shower for a quick second) before raking the formula from root to tip.