Heat styling, color, and busy-day ponytails can leave hair looking dry, frizzy, and breakage-prone. A regular conditioner softens the surface, but a great hair mask does more. The right formula reaches deeper to strengthen from within, then seals the cuticle for shine and slip you can actually feel. This guide focuses on masks that deliver both: bond or peptide tech for repair, plus moisture and lipids so hair bends instead of snaps.
Below you’ll find our three winners for damaged hair. Each pick includes who it’s best for, how to use it step by step, and what results to expect in real life. We prioritized proven formulas, strong owner feedback, and routines that fit a busy week. If your hair is bleached, heat-styled, or just tired and dull, start here and rotate repair with moisture for the fastest visible reset.
Quick Picks
- Best Bond Repair (fast results): K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask — peptide tech that helps reconnect keratin chains; great for bleach/heat damage.
- Best Budget Bond Builder: Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector — proven bond care between salon visits; leaves hair stronger and smoother.
- Best Moisture + Shine: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask — hydrates with rosehip + algae + B-vitamins without weighing fine hair down.
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1) K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Type: Leave-in bond/peptide repair
Best for: Bleached, highlighted, or severely heat-damaged hair; all textures (fine to coily)
Why it works
K18 uses a patented K18Peptide™ designed to travel into the cortex and reconnect broken keratin chains. Unlike heavy masks, it’s weightless and stays in for ongoing repair—brilliant if your hair feels stretchy, gummy, or snaps when wet.
How to use (exact steps)
- Shampoo (chelate/clarify first if there’s build-up). Do not use conditioner.
- Towel-dry to damp (not dripping).
- Work in 1–3 pumps depending on length/thickness; comb through.
- Wait 4 minutes to let the peptide bind.
- Style as usual; add a tiny bit of light oil on ends if needed.
Results you can expect
- Stronger feel after 1–2 uses, less mid-shaft breakage, smoother cuticle.
- Doesn’t leave a coating, so volume stays bouncy.
Pros
- Fast, genuine strengthening; lightweight leave-in
- Great ‘emergency’ fix after bleach or heat mishaps
Cons
- Pricey per ounce
- Won’t give a buttery slip feel on its own—pair with a hydrating routine
2) Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector
Type: Rinse-out bond builder (home use)
Best for: Colour/chemical damage, frequent hot-tool users, medium–thick hair
Why it works
Uses bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate to help repair disulfide bonds—those are the “rungs” that keep hair strong. It’s the classic pre-shampoo treatment to bring elasticity back between salon services.
How to use (exact steps)
- On damp, towel-dried hair, saturate mid-lengths to ends.
- Leave 10–30 minutes (longer for coarse hair).
- Rinse, then follow with shampoo and conditioner/mask.
- Use 1–2× weekly until strength returns.
Results you can expect
- Noticeably fewer snags and split ends over several uses.
- Softer, smoother blow-dries with less frizz.
Pros
- Proven bond care; easy to layer with any routine
- Great value if used consistently
Cons
- Can feel under-moisturising alone—add a hydrating mask in your routine
- Works best with time + repetition, not a one-and-done
3) Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
Type: Moisture + strengthening treatment
Best for: Dry, brittle, frizzy hair that needs slip and shine without heaviness
Why it works
Balances humectants (glycerin, panthenol) with lipids (rosehip, sweet almond) and proteins/B-vitamins to fill rough spots on the cuticle. Ideal if your hair feels straw-like or tangles easily.
How to use (exact steps)
- Shampoo, then squeeze out excess water.
- Apply from ears down; comb through.
- Leave 10 minutes (or 30 under a shower cap for deep treat).
- Rinse well. Optional: a pea-size leave-in on ends.
Results you can expect
- Immediate softness, better slip, shiny finish.
- Plays nicely with bond builders on alternate wash days.
Pros
- Rich hydration without a waxy film
- Silicone-optional finish that suits fine to thick hair
Cons
- Very fine/oily hair may prefer a shorter leave time
- Not a substitute for bond repair on heavily bleached hair
How to Choose the Right Mask
- **If hair snaps/stretchy when wet → start with a bond builder (K18 or Olaplex).
- **If hair feels rough/dull/frizzy → choose moisture-heavy (Briogeo), then add bond care weekly.
- Fine hair → lighter leave-ins (K18) or shorter mask times.
- Thick/coarse → you can layer bond care then a moisturising mask in the same week.
Repair Routine Blueprint (4-week reset)
Twice weekly:
- Week 1–2: K18 once + Briogeo once (separate days).
- Week 3–4: Olaplex No.3 once + Briogeo once.
Rotate bond + moisture so you rebuild and re-hydrate without overload.
Every wash:
- Heat protectant before drying.
- Finish with 1–2 drops of lightweight oil on ends only.
Monthly:
- Clarify once to remove build-up so treatments can penetrate.
Extra Helpers (optional, if they fit your routine)
- Leave-in heat protectant: Reduces future damage from irons/dryers.
- Microfibre towel or T-shirt dry: Less friction = fewer splits.
- Wide-tooth comb in shower: Distributes mask evenly, prevents snapping.
- Silk pillowcase: Minimises overnight frizz and breakage.
Wrap-Up
Damaged hair needs targeted repair plus deep hydration.
- Choose K18 for quick, lightweight structural repair,
- Olaplex No.3 for steady bond care between salon visits, and
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! when softness, slip, and shine are the priority.
Rotate bond + moisture over a month, protect from heat, and keep build-up in check—your hair will feel stronger, smoother, and far easier to style.
FAQ
Can I use K18 and Olaplex together?
Yes—use them on different wash days. K18 is a leave-in (no conditioner before), while Olaplex No.3 is a pre-shampoo treatment you rinse, then follow with shampoo/conditioner.
How often should I mask?
Damaged hair: 1–2× weekly. Very fine hair may prefer shorter times or every other week to avoid weight.
Will protein make my hair stiff?
Too much protein without moisture can feel crunchy. If hair feels stiff, add a moisture-rich mask (Briogeo) and reduce protein frequency.
How long until I see results?
You’ll feel softer hair immediately with moisture masks; structural strength builds over 2–4 weeks of consistent bond care.
Do I still need trims?
Yes. Masks can’t seal a split end; regular dusting keeps damage from travelling up the strand.
See Also
If you’re rebuilding from colour or heat damage, these will help round out your routine: start with our Ultimate Hair Care Guide for a full wash-day blueprint, add a gentle base from Best Shampoo for Dry Hair and Scalp, strengthen between washes with the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In review, and finish with shine and frizz control from our Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil review.
