What to look for in the best hair mask for damaged curly hair

Choosing the right hair mask can help restore, strengthen, and define your curls while repairing damage.

1. Moisturizing Ingredients

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Curly hair is naturally drier and more prone to breakage, so look for masks with deeply hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin. These help replenish moisture and improve curl elasticity.

2. Protein Content

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Damaged curls often need a boost of protein to rebuild strength. Masks containing hydrolyzed proteins like keratin or silk protein can help repair and fortify weakened strands.

3. Curl-Friendly Formulation

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Avoid masks with heavy silicones, sulfates, or drying alcohols that can weigh down or further damage curls. Opt for formulas specifically labeled as suitable for curly or textured hair.

4. Repairing & Nourishing Benefits

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Look for masks with additional repairing ingredients such as argan oil, avocado oil, or panthenol. These nourish the hair shaft and help reduce split ends and frizz for healthier-looking curls.

  1. 1
    Structure Repair Booster Mask
    2 REVIEWS
    This is a deeply nourishing finishing treatment with repairing algae that leaves damaged and dry hair soft and shining in just 3 minutes.
  2. 2
    Bond-Building TripleBond Flash Rinse for Damaged Hair
    48 REVIEWS
    An instant hair treatment that builds 3 essential bonds to fortify + adds shine. Combats dullness and dryness (a.k.a. visible signs of damaged hair).
  3. 3
    High Shine Gloss Mask

    Moroccanoil

    1 REVIEWS
    An in-shower intense conditioning and shine formula inspired by professional gloss services.
  4. 4
    Regenerating Mask With Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil
    115 REVIEWS
    An intensive nourishing hair mask that uses prickly pear seed oil to smooth, soften, and add radiance to dry, damaged, and dull hair.
  5. 5
    Elasticizer Extreme Rich Deep-Conditioning Treatment
    1 REVIEWS
    Delivers a super charged boost of elasticity, moisture and strength to your hair.
  6. 6
    Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Mask

    Bumble and Bumble

    392 REVIEWS
    A hydrating hair mask for all hair types. 
  7. 7
    Elasticizer Deep-Conditioning Treatment
    8 REVIEWS
    The award-winning Philip Kingsley Elasticizer treatment was originally created for actress Audrey Hepburn and offers a potent combination of ingredients like elastin and glycerin that work hard to keep tresses feeling strong and more manageable.
  8. 8
    Structure Repair Masque

    Maria Nila

    5 REVIEWS
    Hydrates, strengthens, and softens damaged hair, leaving it smooth, revitalized, and frizz-free with a floral scent.
  9. 9
    Ingenious Thickening Masque
    1 REVIEWS
    A weightless deep conditioner and thickening masque in one.

What to look for in the best hair mask for damaged curly hair

Choosing the right hair mask can help restore, strengthen, and define your curls while repairing damage.

1. Moisturizing Ingredients

Citrus catapult arrow

Curly hair is naturally drier and more prone to breakage, so look for masks with deeply hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin. These help replenish moisture and improve curl elasticity.

2. Protein Content

Citrus catapult arrow

Damaged curls often need a boost of protein to rebuild strength. Masks containing hydrolyzed proteins like keratin or silk protein can help repair and fortify weakened strands.

3. Curl-Friendly Formulation

Citrus catapult arrow

Avoid masks with heavy silicones, sulfates, or drying alcohols that can weigh down or further damage curls. Opt for formulas specifically labeled as suitable for curly or textured hair.

4. Repairing & Nourishing Benefits

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for masks with additional repairing ingredients such as argan oil, avocado oil, or panthenol. These nourish the hair shaft and help reduce split ends and frizz for healthier-looking curls.