15 Best Hair Masks For Shinier, Stronger Strands

There is no-one better placed to create a haircare line than Sam McKnight. Throughout his incomparable career, he has worked on hair of every texture, colour and condition, and it's safe to say he knows exactly what works.

Now, McKnight has finally expanded his eponymous range to include shampoos, conditioners and styling products. The first thing to try? This lightweight yet deeply hydrating mask, which is best used before a big night out: expect shinier hair, less frizz, and a ridiculously delicious green scent (formulated by perfumer Lyn Harris, no less).

Another leave-in hair mask we love is this under-the-radar Redken tube. It's based around citric acid, which is a bit of a hero for hair that needs major rehab, working to remove product build-up from the fibre while simultaneously wrapping each strand in moisture. If you're starting to see ends snap off due to colouring or straightening, get this one in your bag immediately.

Truth be told, we’d recommend any and every Davines hair mask, but for thick and coarse strands, it has to be the inexplicably named OI Hair Butter. It’s loaded with Amazonian roucou oil and really softens straggly strands, imparting major shine in the process. Leave it on for ten minutes, or let it linger overnight for the deepest of treatments.

Leading stylist Adam Reed is a true Fragrance Head, so when we heard he was to launch his own line, we expected an aromatic treat. And boy were we right: this sensorial wonder imparts notes of fresh flowers and sticky rhubarb with every hair swish.

That's not all: of course, it works wonders on turning around dry, lacklustre lengths too. With shea butter, coconut oil and baobab oil, it's a recipe for seriously glossy strands.

Finally breathing some much-needed life into the textured hair market is Bread Beauty Supply: the name to know if you're looking to make the most of your curls, coils or kinks. This pearly, lemon-scented conditioner delivers incredible slip to textured hair and ensures curls bounce into shape with serious shine. Trust us, try it.

Yes, this one costs as much as a big night out, but it's worth every penny. The extra-rich, mega-moisturising formula envelops hair in moisture, resulting in bigger, bouncier blow-dries with an unbelievably glossy shine. The scent is expensive - think Champagne-o-clock in St. Tropez – and the experience truly indulgent. You deserve a treat...

This handy tube is filled with a blend of wheat protein, sunflower seed oil and lactic acid, which work together to repair damage from, you guessed it, bleach, all while keeping dye and highlights in tip top shape. Promising ultra-glossy tresses in a little as 20 minutes, this is our new Sunday night ritual.

Act + Acre's trichologist-formulated products are ideal for delicate, breakable hair that needs treating extra nicely. The brand's hair mask contains a little protein alongside a lot of moisture, so it a great one for repairing moderately damaged hair. It's fairly rich, so ideal for thicker hair, and comes in the most genius waste-reducing aluminium packaging.

It's no secret we love the original Olaplex bond-repair treatment, but we admit hopping in and out of the shower to use it is a bit of a faff. Lazy girls, listen up: this mask delivers all of the benefits of the famed original with none of the effort. Simply slick it on after your shampoo, wash your face, and enjoy your sleeker, stronger lengths.

K18's Tiktok-famous mask might be spendy, but the benefits go far beyond a basic moisture injection. It's powered by peptides, which sink into the hair shaft to help repair the keratin bonds that become broken as a result of chemical or physical stress: think straightening, bleaching, or even rough detangling. Even better: this one's a leave-in mask, so you can slather it on and get on with your day.

It's always a good sign when a product has been formulated by a seasoned stylist, and Luke Hershesons' multi-tasking Almost Everything Cream is one of the best.

This humectant and emollient-rich cream can truly be used in any way you choose: smooth it over split ends, use it to slick down flyaways, or apply it as a lightweight, static-reducing mask before a big night out.

Sisley's indulgent hair line never fails to impress, and the brand's latest launch is perfect for hair that looks dull and lacks shine.

The formula has a precise acidic pH that helps to seal the cuticle of each strand, locking in your colour pigments and ensuring a smooth, light-reflecting surface. Ceramides and rich plant oils add plenty of moisture, ensuring even the fluffiest of hair dries smoothly – so much so, you'll likely forget all about the hair straighteners.

Cult line Virtue takes things one step further than most haircare brands. Central to the line is the brand's patented Alpha Keratin 60ku, which has the exact molecular structure as the keratin protein in our hair.

This means the formula can seek out strands in need of help and sink in seamlessly to repair from within. For hair that's recently been coloured, this is the investment to make.

This extra-thick deep conditioner is particularly great for curly or Afro hair types, with power ingredients like quinoa protein and coconut to revive crunchy curls. It was formulated by an ex beauty editor who couldn't find anything good enough for her own coily hair, so expect great things.

Yes, London's favourite fragrance house also makes some pretty great hair and body heroes. This moisture mask is as thick as they come and makes even the most parched of ends feel impressively soft. It rinses away with ease, but the scent thankfully lingers: a woody, heady incense blend that's every bit as good as the famous Santal 33.

Fable & Mane's philosophy is to introduce Indian hair rituals into Western beauty practices – and if you're new to the brand, this hair mask is a great place to start. It smooths cuticles to combat frizz, breakage and stressed strands, with soothing fragrance notes of coconut and banana to keep you smelling sweet.