There are certain things in life we prefer on the dry side. A sense of humour? Definitely. Our hair? Absolutely not!
However, while colouring and heat-styling remain pretty common things that a load of us dabble in, dehydration can be difficult to avoid.
So, when your hair has been drained of the moisture it requires to stay strong and glossy, it’s time to take action with a nourishing treatment. Here, we round-up 9 of the best hydrating hair masks for dry strands.
HOW DO HAIR MASKS WORK?
This is the position hair masks occupy in the mane realm, as a deeply conditioning mask formula designed for dry hair can make a colossal difference in shine and strength levels.
HOW LONG SHOULD MASKS BE LEFT IN FOR?
It’s always a safe bet to follow the timeframe recommendation on your mask if you’re stripped for time (they tend to vary from five minutes to an hour), but if you happen to have the luxury of a little time up your sleeve, leave your hydrating formula on overnight to capitalise on the benefits.
If you’re concerned about the wellbeing of your beloved silk pillowcase, try concealing the mask mixture beneath a shower cap or hair wrap once applied. This will help to keep your garments clean, while also ensuring that all ingredients are trapped within a finite space, and can thus make their way directly into the hair cuticles.
SHOULD MASKS BE APPLIED TO WET OR DRY HAIR?
WILL HEAVY HYDRATING MASKS WEIGH DOWN MY HAIR’S VOLUME?
THE BEST HYDRATING HAIR MASKS TO SHOP

1 / 9
John Frieda Detox & Repair Masque with Avocado Oil + Green Tea, $17.99 from Priceline.
With extracts of avocado oil and green tea, this John Frieda mask is a great pick to hydrate dry and stressed out hair. Like the rest of the detox range, it also aims to help your hair shed unwanted impurities—super important for those of us in big cities with lots of pollution!

Elixir Ultime Beautifying Oil Masque by Kérastase, $66 at Adore Beauty
If shine and softness sit atop your wishlist with hydration, this blend of hydrating argan and gloss-boosting camellia oils will be hard to beat.

Moisture & Control Deep Treatment Masque by Oribe, $92 at Adore Beauty
A hydrating hybrid of natural oils and butters, this deep conditioning cuticle-sealing treatment is practically the gold standard in moisturising masks.

Restore Treatment Mask by Living Proof, $69 at MECCA
Restore shine, strength and moisture in one hydrating hit with this silicone-free emollient blend, designed to repair and protect against dryness and damage.

5 / 9
Luxe Oil Keratin Restore Mask by Wella, $38.95 at Adore Beauty
If deep, smoothing hydration is what you’re after, this formula delivers it in spades, strengthening fragile dry ends and protecting the hair’s keratin.

6 / 9
Weightless Hydrating Mask by Moroccanoil, $55.95 at Adore Beauty
If your hair is both dry and fine, opt for a weightless blend—this argan oil-rich option hydrates deeply without dragging down volume levels.

7 / 9
Hair Repair by Sachajuan, $46 at Sephora
Repair is in the name for good reason—this ocean silk technology-driven treatment promotes reparative growth, all while providing significant moisture.

8 / 9
Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring BOND REPAIR Masque by Alterna, $50 at Sephora
A deeply reparative nourishing formula able to smooth strands directly from the cuticle, it enhances elasticity and gloss while also repairing broken bonds.

9 / 9
Ultimate Reset Mask by Shu Uemura, $68 at MECCA
If your hair could use a serious drink of moisture, give this rice-powered repairing and protecting treatment a whirl. Consider locks quenched.