The 11 Best Hair Masks For Promoting Growth and Preventing Breakage
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
19 hours ago
- Elle
Want to Look Like You Just Stepped Off the Amalfi Coast? Try the Retro Dolce Vita Bob
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. From claw clips to finger waves, French twists and Bardot bangs, retro hairstyles have been making a major resurgence of late. And the latest one rising to the top of our mood boards, signaling the return of polished and glamorous styles, is the 'dolce vita' bob. Popularized in the 1950s, and reemerging thanks to celebrities like singer-songwriter Raye, whose sculpted, coiffed bob is now something of a signature, this retro bob is officially trending. Everyone from Sabrina Carpenter to Cardi B and Zendaya are making a strong case for the bouncy, polished curls and short crop. Think of it as the new, more modern iteration of the 'old money' bob, which went viral last year and saw the return of rather expensive-looking, shiny lengths and the signature 'tucked under' crop from the '50s take shape. Drawing inspiration from the voluminous silhouette of old, the 'dolce vita' bob is all about achieving an ultra-polished finish and bouncy volume. 'This longer bob length shape shares the same luxurious and glamorous texture of the old money bob, but with extra volume and a more cushioned, weightless finish,' shares trend forecaster and hair expert, Tom Smith. How to make it work for your hair type? 'This is for those who like volume and who have thick hair or who want to create that illusion,' shares Smith. 'The long, soft, and fluid layers help to give movement to finer hair and manage the bulk of thicker hair,' he adds. Though it's best suited to those with naturally wavy or curly hair, anyone with straighter lengths can also achieve the look using heated rollers or a classic curling wand. If you haven't mastered the art of rollers yet, fear not—there are plenty of tools, tips, and techniques at your disposal to recreate this hairstyle too, like ghd's Duet Blowdry to Dyson's Airwrap. 'The look can be achieved with a blow-dry using a round brush, but you can also use heated rollers, or tools such as the Dyson Airwrap with the curl attachments,' Smith agrees. Finally, don't forget copious hairspray and a smoothing cream for that polished finish. From: ELLE UK
Elle
a day ago
- Elle
Hailey Bieber's Favorite Transitional Top Is Taking Over Hollywood
Truly great layering basics are rare, so when Hailey Bieber left the gym last week in Intimissimi's Boat Neck Ultralight Top, we took note. Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen the semi-sheer, cashmere-blend style—it's been spotted on numerous other A-listers over the past few years and racked up millions of views on TikTok. Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Ratajkowski, and Nara Smith have all sported various colorways of the airy long-sleeve—styling it with everything from jeans to trousers and a blazer. ELLE cover star Addison Rae also wore one in her recent Headphones On music video. And you've likely seen some of your favorite influencers rocking the silhouette (or the bodysuit version), too. If Kendall Jenner's periwinkle pick flying off shelves in 2022 is any indication, there's no telling how long the piece will stay in stock after this latest celebrity sighting. In addition to the brand's own site, you can now snag the Boat Neck Top—alongside other celebrity-approved Intimissimi staples like the Ultralight Lace Long Sleeve Shirt and Ultralight High-Neck Top—on the label's new Amazon storefront. They're all available with speedy two-day Prime shipping, so you can easily stock up on must-have layering essentials before fall arrives.
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
A Regulated Trip: What New Mexico's Psilocybin Law Means For Work
Magic mushrooms are now medicine in New Mexico. And that shift could have ripple effects in the workplace. This spring, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 219, the Medical Psilocybin Act, into law, making New Mexico the third state to legalize psilocybin for medical use. Unlike Oregon and Colorado, which adopted their psilocybin programs through ballot initiatives, New Mexico enacted its law through the legislative process. That distinction is more than procedural. It reflects an institutional shift toward integrating psychedelic therapy into the framework of state-managed healthcare. The law took effect on June 20, 2025, and requires full program implementation by December 31, 2027. With that, New Mexico becomes the first state to create a clinician-administered psilocybin program governed by medical oversight, not consumer access. As psilocybin therapy enters a regulated medical model, employers must now examine how psilocybin intersects with workplace safety, disability accommodation, and drug policy enforcement. Psilocybin's Reintroduction as Medicine Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms. Once ingested, it metabolizes into psilocin, which affects cognition, mood, and perception. Although it remains a Schedule I substance under federal law, psilocybin has reemerged over the past decade as a potential breakthrough therapy for severe mental health conditions. Peer-reviewed research continues to highlight its therapeutic potential in treating major depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress. New Mexico's legislation embraces this emerging science by establishing a medical-use program in which licensed clinicians, not dispensaries, administer psilocybin in approved therapeutic settings. The Department of Health is responsible for creating treatment protocols, licensing standards, clinician training, and oversight mechanisms. The Act also establishes both a research fund and a treatment equity fund to expand access and support clinical study. Psychedelic wellness expert Cesar Marin sees the program as a reflection of how far public understanding has evolved. 'We're not talking about the free‑wheeling psychedelic trips of the 1960s anymore,' Marin says. 'We're seeing most states consider or enact some form of psychedelic policy reform, and that momentum helps people feel more comfortable with the intentional, therapeutic use of psilocybin.' Qualifying conditions are narrowly defined to include treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, and terminal illness. All treatment must occur in controlled environments with preparatory and integration sessions surrounding the administration of psilocybin. Psilocybin and psilocin are removed from the state's list of Schedule I controlled substances when used in accordance with the law, and services provided under the Act are exempt from New Mexico's gross receipts tax. Legal Protections Without Workplace Requirements The Medical Psilocybin Act offers strong protections for individuals operating within its boundaries. Licensed clinicians, producers, and qualified patients cannot be prosecuted under state law, and individuals on probation or awaiting trial may participate in treatment without jeopardizing their legal status. However, the Act stops short of granting any employment-based rights. It does not require employers to accommodate psilocybin use, nor does it prevent adverse action based on lawful participation in the program. That omission is deliberate and significant. While patients may legally participate in psilocybin-assisted therapy under state law, the federal classification of psilocybin as a Schedule I substance remains unchanged. And unlike medical cannabis laws in some states, New Mexico's psilocybin law provides no employment protections, no retaliation standard, and no accommodation framework. Still, employers should not assume the workplace will remain untouched. A New Compliance Challenge for Employers 'New Mexico legalizing medical psilocybin is a huge step toward bringing these treatments out of the shadows and into mainstream medicine,' says Marin. 'When folks see local leaders endorsing these programs, it lowers the fear factor and makes it easier for someone who's curious to explore them.' That shift in perception could soon reach the workplace. Employers may begin receiving accommodation requests from individuals participating in medically supervised psilocybin therapy for conditions like PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, or substance use disorder. And while psilocybin remains a federally controlled substance, the conditions it treats are often considered disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). That means employers have a legal obligation to engage in the interactive process when an employee discloses a disability and requests accommodation, even if the employee's treatment involves a Schedule I substance like psilocybin. The ADA does not require employers to accommodate federally illegal drug use, but it does require them to consider accommodations related to the underlying condition. Employers are not obligated to tolerate on-the-job impairment or excuse safety violations. Still, if an employee reports off-duty participation in a licensed psilocybin program tied to a recognized condition, a flat denial without further inquiry could invite scrutiny under disability discrimination laws. Testing vs. Impairment: Where Policy Meets Practicality Psilocybin presents unique challenges when it comes to workplace drug testing. Unlike THC or opioids, psilocin, the active compound after ingestion, is not included in most standard employment drug panels. That means employers may be flying blind when it comes to detecting recent psilocybin use unless they specifically request an expanded panel. 'A person can be actively hallucinating due to psilocybin use and still pass a standard workplace drug test,' says Dr. Todd Simo, Chief Medical Officer at HireRight. 'Psilocin, the active compound, doesn't show up in most drug panels unless an employer specifically includes it. That's why training managers to recognize signs of impairment and providing a clear path to escalate reasonable suspicion are more effective strategies. For employers especially concerned, developing a reasonable suspicion panel that includes psilocybin and disclosing it to employees in advance can also help mitigate misuse.' Given that reality, employers may want to prioritize impairment-based enforcement strategies over reliance on traditional drug screening. While testing has its place, especially in post-accident investigations or in regulated industries, training supervisors to recognize signs of real-time impairment and respond consistently under internal policy is likely a more practical approach for most workplaces. Preparing for Disclosure and Dialogue Employers should take this opportunity to review and, where necessary, revise internal policies addressing drug and alcohol use, workplace impairment, and reasonable accommodations. Clarity around off-duty substance use and on-duty safety expectations will be essential. HR teams should also ensure that accommodation request procedures are equipped to handle emerging treatment disclosures, particularly where mental health conditions are involved. Equally important is creating an environment in which employees feel safe discussing mental health. Psilocybin's path to medical legitimacy mirrors, in many ways, the evolution of medical cannabis and broader mental health parity. For employers, staying ahead of these developments will require not only legal awareness but organizational empathy. The Bigger Picture New Mexico's Medical Psilocybin Act signals more than therapeutic access. It reflects a policy evolution, one where lawmakers, not just voters, are beginning to treat psychedelic medicine as a legitimate part of behavioral healthcare. The state's approach shifts the narrative from stigma to structure, putting psilocybin in the hands of trained clinicians operating under medical oversight. And while the law places no new obligations on employers, it surfaces a timely question: what does it mean to support mental health in a world where the frontier of treatment is changing? For employers, that shift invites action. It's time to revisit drug policies, reconsider testing strategies, and refine accommodation practices. As state-level momentum builds around psychedelics, employers don't need to endorse these therapies, but they do need to understand them. Because in the modern workplace, curiosity can be a better compliance strategy than surprise.
