20 Hair Masks for Curly Hair to Bring Your Locks Back to Life

If you have curly hair, you know all too well how quickly your locks can turn from defined ringlets to frizzy strands. Thankfully, we found the best way to combat this: a hydrating hair mask. Whether you're dealing with dryness, breakage or dullness, a hair mask can offer shiny, soft and healthier swirls. Need some recommendations? We compiled a list of 20 favorite hair masks for curly hair, according to editors, experts and customer reviews.

• Kimberlee J. Blakley is a celebrity hairstylist, licensed trichologist and senior director of product development at MAV Beauty Brands. She has 15 years of experience working with brands such as L’Oréal, Moroccanoil and The Mane Choice.
• Sabrina Porsche is a celebrity hairstylist and brand ambassador for Not Your Mother's. She previously went to cosmetology school and worked in a few salons before becoming a full-time stylist in 2017. Her previous clients include Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Adrienne Bailon.
• Michelle O’Connor is a hairstylist, global artistic director at Matrix and pro team member for Ulta Beauty. She is a five-time North American Hairstyling Awards winner and has two decades of experience in the industry. With skills in cutting, coloring and styling all hair textures, O'Connor is often tapped to work with brands such as Victoria’s Secret and J.Crew.
• Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in Soho. He has 17 years of experience, starting his career in Brazil before making his way to New York City in 2007. Since then, he has collaborated with brands such as L’Oréal Paris, perfecting his own dry cutting technique and working with publications such as Vogue and Elle Magazine.

Associate editor Chelsea Candelario is our resident curly gal. She tests products for a living and enjoys trying hair masks for her curly hair. A few of her picks are featured on this list, including Briogeo, Mielle Organics and Pattern Beauty. We also chatted with four hairstylists and looked through countless customer reviews from retailers like Amazon, Ulta and Sephora. For each mask, we looked closely at their ingredients and key benefits (i.e., definition, hydration and shine). Keep reading to find the top hair masks for curly hair.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When shopping for the best hair mask for curly hair, narrow down your search by considering these three things.

• Ingredients: Look for formulas with oils, butters and humectants that can lock in moisture. Some examples include shea butter, castor oil, coconut oil and honey. Also check out hair masks with amino acids, keratin and proteins. On that note, Blakely says be mindful how much protein you're adding to your hair. "When using a mask formulated with protein, I recommend using it every other week. Adding too much protein to the hair can fortify the hair too much and may cause breakage," she says.
• Hair Type: Consider a hair mask that caters to your specific needs. Is it dryness? Breakage? Frizz? Do you have fine locks or color-treated hair? These questions can play a huge role in selecting the right hair mask.
• Miscellaneous Features: Factor in scent, size and even price point. Ask yourself, do you want a fruity fragrance to take over your shower or do you prefer a subtle aroma on your curls? Maybe you don't have space for large tubs and therefore need a smaller jar. These finer details can help you weed out products.

All our experts say the main benefit of using a hair mask is that it delivers intense moisture to dry locks. As Porsche explains, "It adds moisture back into the hair to help hydrate, de-frizz and strengthen damaged and/or processed curly hair, while also adding body and shine."

According to Blakley, a hair mask can also strengthen and repair locks. "Curls can be compromised through various styling techniques. There's mechanical damage caused by constant brushing and styling, heat damaged from using hot tools (i.e., blow dryers, flat irons, diffusers) and chemical damage caused by coloring or relaxers. Whenever curls are damaged, you can lose definition, curl uniformity, bounce and shine." A hair mask can work to improve shine, frizz, elasticity, softness and definition in the long run.

The short answer is no. The experts say that ideally you should use both in your routine. "Hair masks are designed to work on the internal structure of the hair, focusing on bonding and repairing the cuticle layers. Conditioners contain moisturizing agents, but their primary purpose is to seal the cuticle," explains Cavalcante. "Therefore, using a hair mask allows for deeper penetration and repair, while a conditioner helps lock in those benefits and provide a protective seal."

It's recommended to use a hair mask once or twice a week depending on your hair needs. Blakely notes that those with finer locks can scale back to masking once a month, as creamier formulas can weigh hair down. On the flip side, if you have thicker hair, you should consider implementing a mask into your routine more frequently to replenish moisture.

It depends on your hair density and porosity. The experts recommend leaving a mask on for five minutes before rinsing and continuing your haircare routine. However, if you have super dry strands, consider leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also wrap your hair in a shower cap (or a hooded dryer) to taking things up a notch and really ensure the mask penetrates through the scalp and hair.