Hair Masks

What does a hair mask do?

A hair mask is a deeply concentrated hair treatment that gives your strands an intense boost of nourishment to restore moisture, smooth frizz, boost elasticity and add shine. It's a lifesaver for damaged hair, whether from colouring, chemical services or daily use of hair tools.

At Hairhouse, we stock trusted options from brands like Olaplex, Kérastase, NAK Hair, Redken, KEVIN.MURPHY, BondiBoost and more, available online and in Hairhouse stores across Australia. Pair your mask with the right shampoo and conditioner for a complete haircare routine.

What's the difference between a hair mask and a conditioner?

Your conditioner does a great job of keeping your hair soft and manageable after every wash, but if your hair is dry, damaged or colour-treated, it can only do so much.

That's where a hair mask comes in. It's a richer, more concentrated hair repair treatment that works deeper into the hair shaft to deliver intense nourishment your regular conditioner simply isn't designed to do.

Use your conditioner every wash day to maintain your hair, then reach for a mask once a week when your hair needs a real boost.

How to use a hair mask correctly

Getting the most from your mask comes down to how you apply it. Here's how to do it:

1. Shampoo first, then gently squeeze out excess water. Your hair should be damp, not dripping wet, so the hydrating mask absorbs properly.
2. Apply from mid-lengths to ends where damage and dryness show up most, and use a wide-tooth comb to make sure every strand is covered.
3. Leave it on for 5 to 20 minutes and check the label as timing varies. The muk Deep Muk 1 Minute Ultra Soft Treatment needs just 60 seconds and rinses out, while some masks like the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask stay in completely and need no rinsing at all.
4. For rinse-out masks, use cool water to seal the cuticle and lock in moisture. If your hair is very dry or damaged, wrapping it in a warm towel while the mask sits helps the ingredients absorb more deeply.
5. Most nourishing masks replace your conditioner, so you can go straight to styling. Finish with a hair oil or heat protectant spray as the last step in your haircare routine before hairstyling.

How to choose a hair mask for your hair type

Start by identifying your main hair concern, then match it to a formula designed for that specific need. Here are our top picks to help you find yours:

• Dry hair: Reach for the Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask. Its bond repair technology works deep inside the hair shaft to leave your hair softer, smoother and shinier. For very dry hair, the Oribe Deep Treatment Hair Masque is a rich deep conditioning hair mask that deeply conditions and improves elasticity to help prevent breakage.
• Damaged or colour-treated hair: The Kérastase Chroma Absolu Masque Chroma Filler is your go-to if your hair has taken a hit from colouring or chemical services. This intense repair conditioning treatment is formulated with amino acids and Centella Asiatica to strengthen the hair fibre, reduce porosity and preserve colour vibrancy. Note that it’s best suited to medium to thick hair as finer hair may find the formula a little rich.
• Thinning or fine hair: The Nioxin 3D Deep Protect Density Mask deeply conditions and strengthens thin hair to reduce breakage and hair fall over time, making it a solid weekly treatment for hair that needs extra support. Pair your hair mask with a hair growth shampoo for an added boost!
• Frizzy hair: The BondiBoost Anti-Frizz Hair Mask is a solid pick if your hair tends to puff up. If you need something more targeted, the Redken Frizz Dismiss Mask uses Babassu Oil to hydrate and smooth frizz-prone strands.
• Colour-treated hair: Unlike a rinse-out mask, the Davroe Luxe Leave-In Mask stays in after washing. It's vegan and forms a non-oily barrier to protect against UV damage, using a Colour Protect Complex to keep your colour rich and bright between salon visits. Follow up with your styling products as usual once your hair is dry.
• Blonde or grey hair: If your grey or blonde hair is showing brassy or yellow tones, the ELEVEN Australia Keep My Colour Treatment Blonde is worth adding to your routine. Its blue and violet pigments neutralise unwanted warmth while keeping your hair moisturised and bright.

What are the different types of hair masks?

Think of hair masks as skincare for your hair. Just like you'd pick a specific face mask for a skin concern, there's a formula for every hair need. Here's how to figure out which type is right for you:

• Moisture and repair masks are your starting point if your hair is dry, brittle or damaged. They restore hydration, rebuild strength and help with split ends, breakage and detangling. Look for formulas with keratin or collagen to help rebuild and reinforce the hair structure from within.
• Frizz control and smoothing masks seal the cuticle to keep hair manageable on wash day. Got curly hair? Follow up with a hair serum to lock in definition and shine.
• Colour care treatments and toning masks slow down the fading between salon visits. Many are formulated with antioxidants to protect against the environmental damage that causes colour to dull and fade. Blonde or grey hair showing warm tones? A toning mask with blue or violet pigments will sort that out.
• Scalp-focused masks tackle itchiness, flakiness and excess oil. Healthy hair really does start at the scalp.
• Volumising and thickening masks plump each strand without heaviness, perfect for hair that falls flat easily.

What ingredients should you look for in a hair mask?

Knowing what to look for in a treatment mask takes the guesswork out of shopping. Coconut oil is a great sign on any label as it strengthens and nourishes your strands from within. Argan oil is another one to look out for, packed with vitamin E to soften, hydrate and add shine.

If your hair is dry or brittle, shea butter delivers deep moisturising conditioning without any greasiness. Got a sensitive or flaky scalp? Aloe vera soothes irritation and helps maintain a healthy scalp environment. And if your hair feels frizzy, look for hyaluronic acid, a humectant that draws moisture into the hair shaft and helps your hair retain it between washes.

At Hairhouse, you'll find all of these ingredients across our range of hair masks, available from regular price to sale price, so there's something for every budget. Add your favourites to your cart and hit checkout for free delivery on orders over $70, or pop into your nearest Hairhouse store and our team will help you find your perfect match. Check our FAQs for more.