The 11 Best Hair Masks For Promoting Growth and Preventing Breakage
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Oftentimes, trying to make your hair grow faster feels like a Sisyphean task, regardless of how many hair growth vitamins and hair growth serums you incorporate into your daily routine. When your hair is damaged and brittle, you might find that it breaks off long before it can reach its full potential—and you're not alone. While I've had virgin hair all my life, I've seen friends who bleach and double-process their strands struggle with this problem firsthand. Their tresses just don't seem to be able to get past their shoulders. Chances are they didn't have one of the best hair masks for growth to save the day.
'Most hair masks can indirectly help with growth by protecting hair strands, moisturizing hair, and preventing breakage,' says Dr. Neera Nathan, a board-certified dermatologist and the chief dermatological advisor of Vegamour. In other words, while they don't exactly affect the growth time of your hair, they help with length retention, making sure you get to keep whatever you've grown so far with the help of 'vitamins and minerals that improve nutrient delivery and moisture,' adds Dr. Helen Reavey, a board-certified trichologist, celebrity hairstylist, and the founder of Act+Acre.Even if you don't color your hair, frequent heat styling and exposure to the elements can also cause split ends and breakage. Adding a mask to your arsenal is a surefire way to arm your hair with the nutrients needed to remain strong and healthy. There are a lot of options out there, but we've narrowed them down to the top 11 with help from experts and sorting through hundreds of customer evaluations. Behold, the 13 best hair masks for growth to get shiny, bouncy, flowing hair.
Mielle went beyond viral on TikTok for its Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp Hair Strengthening Oil, which nourishes the scalp to encourage hair growth. The hair mask in the same line deserves a second look, too; by strengthening parched, fragile hair with biotin, aloe, and honey, it helps stop strands from breaking faster than you can grow them.
Key ingredients: Biotin, aloe, honey, essential oils
Size: 12 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'Whenever my hair is limp, lifeless, and weak, this is the refresher that helps revive my strands. The texture is thick but emulsifies to a creamy milk consistency when activated with water. Post-shower, my hair is softer and primed for the next style.'—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
'The Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask is a great option because it contains natural oils that can penetrate the hair shaft to protect bonds and deeply moisturize,' says Dr. Nathan. Another helpful ingredient is the vegan keratin alternative, which leaves hair both stronger and shinier.
Key ingredients: Karmatin, amino acids, marula oil, moringa seed oil, milk thistle
Size: 5 fl. oz.
Vegamour rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Vegamour reviewer says: 'This hair mask is so good. First, I love the natural smell of this product. The mask is great and leaves my hair so smooth and hydrated. It's perfect if you have damaged hair as it helps with restoring your hair. I've been using it for a month and loving it!'
When you have fine hair, you might be more likely to avoid rich hair masks that feel like they'll weigh your hair down. This option from Ouai is geared toward aiding you on your journey to healthy, hydrated hair without making it fall flat—a testament to its carefully formulated blend of shea butter, panthenol, keratin, and protein.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, panthenol, hydrolyzed keratin and protein
Size: 8 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: 'I love this hair mask! It makes my hair smell so good. and it makes it also really soft! It doesn't really even take long—five to seven minutes, and it works wonders. If you have dead and dry hair, I would recommend and 100 percent buy it again!'
This Act+Acre mask is bursting with fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins, which help to revive damaged strands and fried ends. The formula also contains antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, which not only wreak havoc on your skin but also your hair. 'It's light enough to be used daily, while still being deeply hydrating and moisturizing,' says Dr. Reavey.
Key ingredients: Castor oil, glycerin, shea butter
Size: 4.5 oz.
Act+Acre rating: 4.8/5 stars
An Act+Acre reviewer says: 'I have thin, dry hair that looks brittle and dull even if I'm not using heat. Three weeks with this product and I've noticed a big difference in the appearance of my hair!'
This mask from Colleen Rothschild is suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Although it contains rich oils and butters to nourish your hair, smooth frizz, and reduce split ends, the formula does its job without leaving behind a heavy, greasy residue.
Key ingredients: Kokum butter, shea butter, capuacu butter, bacuri butter, argan oil, and moringa oils
Size: 10 fl. oz.
Colleen Rothschild rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Colleen Rothschild reviewer says: 'Love this hair mask. I saw a HUGE difference just after the first use. And the scent is incredible!'
The Nounou hair mask harnesses the softening and hydrating powers of Fiaschetto tomato and works its magic on processed hair to add shine and bounce. Plus, it doesn't take much of the nourishing formula to get your lengths in tip-top shape.
Key ingredients: Fiaschetto tomato extract, vitamin E
Size: 8.87 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I recently started relaxing my hair again. This has been beyond amazing for keeping it feeling good, healthy, moisturized. and soft. I highly recommend buying this for any chemically treated hair. Also, despite how small it seems, a little goes a very long way. I use this every time I wash, and I'm only halfway through the jar.'
This mask is to hair what electrolyte-infused water is to us. Moisture is the name of the game with the Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask, featuring a band of oils and desert botanicals that strengthen and hydrate each hair as soon as you apply it. Fittingly, the product's fragrance is inspired by the scent of a rain-touched desert.
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, meadowfoam seed oil, grape seed oil, shea butter, desert botanicals
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Dae rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Dae reviewer says: 'I love this mask! I use it twice a week on my long hair. It's long overdue for a trim, but the Monsoon Mask has kept it healthy and soft. Plus I love the smell—very botanical!'
This mask has collected accolades left and right since its debut. The Deep Conditioning Mask has become a must-have for anyone whose strands are suffering from one too many chemical treatments or heat styling sessions. Just one use a week is enough to ward away breakage while you grow out your tresses.
Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, algae extract, almond oil, biotin
Briogeo rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'I started using this mask once I began to reintroduce heat styling into my routine, and it's a lifesaver. I noticed so much less breakage, and as a result, I've been able to retain length and bouncier curls. It's also super hydrating, so whether I'm wearing my hair straight, curly, or in a protective style, my hair always feels soft and protected.'—Tasha Nicole Smith, ELLE beauty assistant
Thick, flowing hair often indicates a healthy scalp microbiome. This conditioner supports that community of microorganisms that live on the top of our heads and fortifies strands, proving itself a reliable ally on your mission to achieve your hair goals.
Key ingredients: Ximenia oil, protective postbiotics, arginine
Size: 8.1 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'This product has been amazing for my hair. Not too light and not at all too heavy feeling after hair is styled. Also has shown a lot of new hair growth and strength!'
Kérastase specifically conceived the Genesis line to reinforce the hair and make it feel softer to the touch. The Genesis hair mask is an exemplary member of the collection; ingredients like edelweiss native cells and ginger root toil behind the scenes, delivering smooth, shiny locks.
Key ingredients: Edelweiss native cells and ginger root
Size: 6.8 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I love the results. My hair feels full, shiny and bouncy. Love it!'
In just five minutes, Redken's mask proves why so many professional hair stylists rave about the brand. At the end of the treatment, you'll find yourself with fewer split ends and silky strands. It also incorporates biotin, niacinamide, and castor oil—all ingredients that encourage your hair to grow stronger and faster.
Key ingredients: Biotin, niacinamide, castor oil
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Redken rating:
A Redken reviewer says: 'I have seen less shedding since using, and I like that my hair feels much softer and more moisturized. I love the consistency of the hair mask, and I sat with a heating cap to penetrate my strands. I will continue to use and likely repurchase as I do love the results that I see currently. I have tight coils, and I straightened my hair.'
Dr. Neera Nathan is a board-certified dermatologist and the chief dermatological advisor of Vegamour.
Dr. Helen Reavey is a board-certified trichologist, celebrity hairstylist, and the founder of Act+Acre.
Dr. Reavey recommends applying them on damp hair post-shampoo. 'Most of the active ingredients in hair masks work with water molecules to penetrate the hair shaft to lock in moisture and close the hair cuticle, which is very important,' she explains.
In terms of frequency, Dr. Nathan suggests aiming for 'once a week, maybe more often for damaged hair,' she says.
Since the ends are the most vulnerable to damage, Dr. Nathan says that you should focus on both the strands and the tips of your hair—but avoid the scalp. Dr. Reavey shares a secret tip: 'Replace your normal conditioner with an antioxidant-rich hair mask to add deep hydration to dry brittle hair.'
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted hair experts about hair growth. She also searched the internet for top-rated hair masks for growth, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Elle
5 hours ago
- Elle
8 Kitten Heel And Capri Pant Combinations To Wear On Repeat This Summer
A quick glance around the ELLE UK office or at any fashion girlie worth her salt's TikTok FYP for proof - capri pants paired with cute little kitten heels is the outfit recipe of summer 2025. Like bloomer pants and ballet flats, or mesh shoes and midi skirts before it, capri pants and kitten heels is a style combination so reliable, we are becoming convinced we need more than one iteration of it. FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE The capri pant, or pedal pusher, resurgence has been bubbling for a couple of summers now. Inspired by the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Sex And The City's fictional lead Carrie Bradshaw everyone from Alexa Chung and Amy Brewster, ELLE UK's own head of social is trying the trend in 2025. However, the trouble with these three-quarter-length trousers is knowing exactly what shoes to wear them with. Thanks to their cheeky calf-lengths boots, trainers and probably loafers too are off the menu. While they can look cute with ballet flats and generic sandals, it's kitten heeled mules which work the best, thanks to their leg lengthening properties. To take all the guesswork out of getting dressed we've put together eight capri pants and kitten heel combinations for you. You're welcome. If it all feels a little intimidating, your gateway capris should likely be a simple, dare we say chic, black legging style. The more paired-back bottom means you can be a little more daring with your heel choice - channel Sabrina Carpenter with these edgy, pin-up styles. For those ready to graduate to a more challenging look, we've got some denim, gingham, polkadot and even cargo styles. You can decide if you're going to pull it back with some more subdued heels, or go full throttle and clash away. Whatever bottom half combination you opt for, there's one top (pun intended) choice when it comes to deciding what to wear on your upper half: the humble button-down shirt. Our favourite has to be the poplin 'The Boyfriend' shirt from With Nothing Underneath, but if you head down to your local charity shop you're sure to find a cotton men's shirt that will work a treat. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Shoppers 'genuinely shocked' by side effect of Coles, Bunnings, Woolworths, Mitre 10 product
For years, Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings, Mitre 10, and other major retailers have been knowingly and legally selling a poison to consumers with a deadly side effect. It's quietly killing off Australia's native animals. Now Yahoo News can reveal more than 280 vets, doctors, farmers, scientists, and conservationists have signed an open letter calling on the nation's chemical regulator to ban merchants from selling this 'highly-toxic' form of rat bait to consumers. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are openly sold on the same shelves as less harmful first-generation poisons, traps and natural baits. Although there are warnings on packets, unless shoppers delve into the fine print, they're unlikely to be able to tell the difference, and experts believe only professionals should be able to use these products because they're so dangerous. The letter has been sent from BirdLife Australia to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) as it is conducting a review of SGARs. It notes the United States, Canada, and the European Union have all introduced 'significant restrictions' to reduce the risk of 'unintended harm' caused by these products. 'Australia is lagging behind, allowing the continued use of SGARs in a way that is putting our wildlife and pets at risk,' it warns, dubbing it a 'crisis' that needs 'immediate intervention'. BirdLife Australia's Dr Holly Parsons told Yahoo News SGARs have a commercial purpose, however most consumers are 'genuinely shocked' that these baits are sold in supermarkets and hardware stores for home use when they can harm owls, native mammals, and even pets. 'There's a perception that because you can buy it on the shelf it's safe to use, and if you use it in accordance with the directions there's not going to be a problem. But that's not the case,' she said. Related: 😳 Bunnings workers struggle to spot deadly product on shelf SGARs were developed in the 1980s to combat growing resistance by rats to first-generation rodenticides. But these new poisons don't break down quickly in the environment, meaning each time a non-target animal eats a rat or mouse, they will accumulate more poison in their body. Sometimes the poisons will directly kill animals by making them slowly bleed out. But often they make non-target species so sick they get hit by cars or become unable to hunt. It's long been known that predatory birds like owls and tawny frogmouths frequently succumb to SGARs. Sadly, it's unpaid wildlife carers and volunteer vets who are left to mop up the problem when Aussies find sick and dying birds in their yards. In February, new research revealed native mammals like Tasmanian devils and quolls that are already threatened with extinction could be tipped over the edge by these chemicals. The signatories to the letter warn the problem is so serious that SGARs will soon be nominated as a Key Threatening Process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act – Commonwealth legislation designed to safeguard endangered species. This would place SGARs alongside other major threats to the survival, abundance, or evolutionary development of native species, with other examples including feral animals, land clearing and chytrid fungus, which has directly caused the extinction of seven frog species in Australia. 'This issue is critical, and the urgency cannot be overstated. The ongoing use of SGARs presents a severe and immediate threat to Australia's wildlife and pets,' the letter says. Parsons told Yahoo the problem is continuing to 'grow deeper' the more we research it and that APVMA needed to act. 'More and more, we're understanding these products are getting out further than we ever expected them to. Many people probably don't realise that their backyard is part of the local environment, and so the impact of what they do inside their home is going to have ramifications for the wildlife around them,' she said. 📸 Beach find highlights dark side of Queensland's $88 million tourism pledge Dangerous discovery made 30cm under Western Australian garden 🌏 Alarming map highlights growing threats to $3.8 billion industry In 2023, pressure on Bunnings to stop selling animal glue traps proved effective, with the retailer confirming they would phase them out. These products had been linked to wildlife harm, and in this case Bunnings acted without being forced to by new regulations. Some campaigners had also hoped the retailer would withdraw SGARs from consumer sale without the need for the government to intervene. Yahoo visited Bunnings and Coles stores and saw SGARs on shelves beside less harmful products. And while this may be confusing for some consumers, the retailers are complying with all current legal guidelines with their displays. Active ingredients in SGARs-based products include brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, difenacoum, and flocoumafen. An update on their use by the APVMA is expected this year. Birdlife Australia's 281 signatories include biodiversity expert Professor Martine Maron, environmental scientist Professor Raylene Cooke, former Queensland chief scientist Professor Hugh Possingham, and molecular scientist Associate Professor Bill Bateman. They are calling for the following seven changes: SGARs to be withdrawn from public sale and their use restricted to licensed professionals. A ban on their use outside of buildings. Promotion of alternatives like electronic traps and non-anticoagulant options. Develop new management strategies that prioritise non-chemical alternatives. Mandate the monitoring of SGAR impacts on wildlife. Establish buffer zones around ecologically sensitive areas. Develop a threat abatement plan to address rodenticide contamination in the environment. Coles was contacted for comment, but it did not immediately respond. Metcash's Independent Hardware Group (IHG), which supplies Mitre 10 stores with products including SGARs, told Yahoo News it "will comply" with any directives legislated by the APVMA. "In the interim, we are working with suppliers to produce educational materials for members and consumers around the use of alternative products," it said in a statement. "While we cannot compel independent Mitre 10 stores to display signage, it will be strongly encouraged. We are also in the process of extending our range of natural, pallet-based throw packs that are non-toxic to birds and other wildlife." Bunnings said it had worked with the APVMA and suppliers to update packaging to "clearly display" on the front when SGARs are present, and introduced QR codes in rodent control aisles so customers can learn more about products. "The rodenticide products we sell are in line with guidance from the Federal regulator, the APVMA, and we will continue to follow its advice in this area. This includes any requirements confirmed by the APVMA when the Anticoagulant Rodenticides Chemical Review is finalised," a spokesperson said. Bunnings added that it was providing "choice" for consumers, and that included both rodenticides and non-poisonous alternatives to help customers achieve the "best solution to their specific rodent problem". Woolworths said the products are "important" for people who have issues with rats or mice, particularly in rural areas. It also sells them in metropolitan and suburban stores. "We also sell a number of alternative options including ultrasonic repellents, traps and rodenticides without second-generation anticoagulants," it said. "As always, we encourage our customers to follow the instructions outlined on these products, which include clear labels and warnings about safe use, storage and disposal." You can read the full BirdLife Australia letter here. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Elle
19 hours ago
- Elle
Kosas Founder Sheena Zadeh Used to Be a Bug Taxonomist
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. In ELLE's series Office Hours, we ask people in powerful positions to take us through their first jobs, worst jobs, and everything in between. This month, we're catching up with Sheena Zadeh, the founder of Kosas. Launched in 2015, Kosas has quickly become the quintessential It-girl beauty brand, with a no-makeup makeup aesthetic that's made it a staple in Hailey Bieber's routine and a favorite of celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow. You've probably seen the colorful, playful products on TikTok, where it seems that every new Kosas launch goes viral. Because of Kosas, and products like their Revealer Concealer, skin care-infused makeup has never been cooler, and Zadeh loves to see it: 'I wanted to start a movement,' she says. Before starting her beauty brand, Zadeh had a brief stint in the STEM world. She was a biology major in college, and spent time working in taxonomy, classifying different bugs. Though she never became a biologist, Zadeh's background comes in handy when she's working on Kosas's science-driven products. Below, Zadeh opens up about creating her own company, how social media plays into her brand strategy, and why she feels like Kosas was always her destiny. My first job I've had a million jobs in my life. The first thing I did when I got a car was drive to the car wash and be like, 'Can I have a job?' My first job was working there as the cashier. My worst job I had one job in the science universe, in a factory, [doing] bug taxonomy. [The factory set] all these bug traps and inside would be bags of dead bugs. For eight hours a day, I would look at the dead bugs under a microscope and identify them. It was weird, because I was just alone with bugs. My best job Kosas, by far. The whole brand is so representative of who I am and an honest expression of me. The privilege of being able to express myself every single day—that's what I ultimately always dreamed of. Why I started Kosas I saw very clearly that this brand would exist. I felt like it was driven by a destiny. It was blaring and loud. I could hear it in my head. I had a mastery in three areas that were going to come together—[science, psychology, and art]. I had a really specific philosophy around [combining] the scientific nature of makeup creation with the internal and external experience of what beauty means from a psychological perspective. I wanted to bring to life a new wave of ways to create makeup, [one that was] clean but also really good for your skin. I also had a deep love of art. Notice what you do when no one's looking. [Pay attention to] what you like and what you're driven towards in your free time. That's a big clue as to where your passions and talents lie. Anytime anyone ever says, 'That's just the way that it's done.' That, to me, is not advice. That's when you should actually run away screaming. [If someone says that to me,] I'm like, Gotta go, bye. It is not a reason. That's exactly why you shouldn't do it [that way] anymore. Social media has become an amazing tool, and made it possible for me to even have this brand. I love that anyone can go on [TikTok] and start talking. That's the beauty of it. There's no gatekeeping. There's nothing blocking you. [In the past,] you'd have to take out a massive ad campaign or have a counter in a department store. It's really created a level playing field in getting your message out there, and that's what I love it for. But we don't make any brand decisions through the lens of social media at all. The brand is the brand. It's extremely important that every decision we make goes through the brand lens. At first, you only need one thread [of an idea], because vision can sometimes be a circular, spiraling process. That one thread then creates the spiral, and more will be unfolded as you pull on that thread, and then the next one, the next one, and the one after that. There does not need to be pressure, from the first moment, to have a totally clear vision that goes infinitely into the future. What you do need is one thread to pull at, and the openness to allow that spiral to unfold. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
