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We used their insights to declare winners with 14 products meeting our high standards of efficacy.
Photo:Shape / Faith Williams
Using it, we noticed fewer flyaways, a smoother texture, and a lovely lingering vanilla scent.
During workouts, we also noticed our ponytail looked and felt thicker than ever before.
(The brand is known for hair growth products, after all.)
PHOTO: Sephora
It feels a bit slimy in your hands, but it spreads well and rinses clean.
Use hot tools on the regular?
You need this mask.
The Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask uses a vegan silicone alternative.PHOTO: Shape / Faith Williams
Its both moisturizing and protective, helping soften hair while shielding it from the elements.
Our hair was smoother, shinier, and appeared longer due to less breakage at the ends.
It’s simple and works extremely well, says Toth.
It all comes from a patented K18 peptide, which can strengthen the hairs keratin chains.
Before testing, we described our hair as dry and dull with lots of frizz and breakage.
Toth calls it lightweight and great for long hair that you don’t want to be weighed down.
Hurtado says, It hydrates and strengthens weak hair and decreases hair shedding from brushing and over-styling.
We found all that and more including that it left hair with body and bounce after blow drying.
What are amino acids again?
Building blocks for proteins in your hair,such as keratin, explains Toth.
But for those with medium or fine strands, its a great choice.
Our hair was soft to the touch, more moisturized, and all around looked healthier.
PHOTO: Sephora
Plus, it seemed to help with hair shedding and made for less frizzy blowouts after the testing period.
After about three weeks, we saw over half an inch of growth (higher than average).
There also appeared to be less breakage, and our strands were stronger.
The Briogeo Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfood Mask is vegan and comes in an 8-ounce jar.PHOTO: Shape / Sierra Estevez
The mask seemed to leave a barrier around each strand (in a good way!)
that protected against further damage even after you rinsed it off.
It also accomplished what a 15-minute hair mask does in just two minutes.
If youre looking for the luxurious experience of a mask, we could understand why you might balk.
This treatment is under $20 yet provides the nourishing capabilities of a luxe, high-end product.
Best for Colored Hair
Olaplex No.
3 Hair Perfector works to strengthen hair over time and with repeated use.
The brand credits its proprietary formula, which includes bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate to help reduce hair breakage.
Even after a single use, hair looks smoother and fuller.
(Heat helps lift the cuticle, allowing products to penetrate better.)
It depends on your hair and your goals.
Toth says dry and damaged hair will want to reach for one once or twice a week.
Since they both act as the moisturizing and detangling step after shampoo.
Ludina insists, Theres no need to use both at the same time.
Labrecque says, “Yes some masks can certainly be left on overnight.”
Whats more, her very long, thick, wavy Iranian hair was practically made for this story.
PHOTO: Sephora
Amika The Kure Intense Bond Repair Hair Mask includes mango butter, borage oil, and shea butter.PHOTO: Shape
PHOTO: Ulta
Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Mask works for curls in all hair densities.Shape / Stacey Wegner
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Sephora
PHOTO: Sephora
Kerastase Genesis Strengthening Hair Mask has luxe ingredients like edelweiss and ginger root.PHOTO: Shape / Chrissy Lee
PHOTO: Kevin Murphy
The Kevin Murphy Young Again Masque is made with an amino acid complex to help strengthen hair.PHOTO: Shape / Ciara Mccune
PHOTO: Ulta
PHOTO: Amazon
Redken Extreme Length Triple Action Treatment is nourishing and promotes healthier, longer hair.Shape / Lauren Lieberman
PHOTO: Sephora
Nutrafol Strand Defender Lightweight Strengthening Conditioner has a lightweight texture.Shape / Courtney Kassel
PHOTO: Act+Acre
PHOTO: Target
PHOTO: Dermstore
