Not just for special occasions, the right hair mask will keep your locks in tip top condition all year round by restoring moisture, oils, protein and vitamins that are depleted by the sun, pollution and heat styling. Read our pick of the best masks below and find the right product to suit your hair type and your budget…

Reparative Nocturnal Therapy, Tigi, £26.95

Pros: this mask is easy to use since you apply it to dry hair before sleeping and wash it out next morning. It leaves my hair super shiny and detangled.

Cons: it has a strong scent I like, but the boy doesn’t. Hair takes priority, right?

Verdict: great product in a handy pump-action tube that works while you sleep.

Tested by Senior Beauty Writer Amy Lawrenson

Shusu Sleek Smoothing Treatment Mask, Shu Uemura Art of Hair, £39.50 - Feelunique.com

Pros: a little goes a long way, I could feel my dry hair drinking this up and I absolutely love the smell.

Cons: expensive, but reassuringly so. I can't actually think of any others!

Verdict: the best hair mask I've tried in ages. My hair has gone quite dry since I had it coloured but this made it bouncy and shiny from the first time I used it.

Tested by Beauty Director Sophie Beresiner

Reflection Chroma Captive Shine Intensifying Masque, Kerastase, £26 - Kerastase

Pros: There’s a reason why this product won ‘Best Hair Mask’ in our 2012 Beauty Awards; it left my hair feeling super soft and more manageable (always a plus on a rainy Monday morning).

Cons: Even though the instructions said to leave it on for 15 minutes, I applied it before I went to bed and washed it off in the morning. I find that the longer I can leave hair masks on, the better the results.

Verdict: An effective treatment mask for an everyday moisture boost or for anyone who has neglected their locks.

Tested by Joely Walker, Beauty Assistant

Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment Plus, Ojon, from £16 - Ojon

Pros: Made my hair incredibly soft, and washed out really easily. A little of the product went a long way too.

Cons: Bit daunting to use initially, as it has a hard, wax like consistency that had to be scooped out with a spoon, but once it had softened it went onto my hair really well.

Verdict: Can’t stop touching my hair! Although I would probably never have bought a hair treatment that looked like this one, I would definitely use it again.

Tested by Ruby Harrison, PA to the Editor in Chief

Mythic Oil Masque, L'Oreal Professionnel, £14.65 - Feelunique.com

Pros: Smells delicious, not like any other hair mask I've smelled, it smells lovely and exotic. As soon as you wash it off you can feel that your hair is noticeably silkier, but doesn’t feel like it’s just been coated in a layer of gunk, instead it feels nourished and well treated. After styling hair looks shinier, feels fuller and has more bounce.

Cons: Would find it difficult to find a negative, seems like a great product that delivers what it promises.

Verdict: Great staple hair mask that you should have in your bathroom cabinet.

Tested by Emily Dymond, Event Assistant