We're prepping our tresses for the summer months by testing a handful of hair masks that promise to keep our manes moisturized in hot, dry weather.
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask (Suggested Retail Price: $36.80. Available at salons)
“Towel-dry hair, apply goo, laboriously detangle curls, let sit for 10 minutes, rinse. After all that, feel free to go about your regular daily hair routine. That's what you can expect to go through using this mask. That's also something I'd only have time to do on a lazy Sunday. Given the Moroccanoil's proven results, however, maybe I've found a new weekend hobby. The pay-off from this hydrating mask was the most noticeable of the three deep moisturizers I tested, including the Kiehl's product, which comes in at a similarly pricy price point. My thick curls came out manageable, and noticeably softer and shinier -- results that lasted for a few days following. (I've hardly transformed into a shampoo commercial supermodel, but sometimes those little changes make a big difference.) That it worked so well was surprising considering my first impressions of the product itself. Compared to other hair masks I've used, it's much thicker -- almost the consistency of a wax. But after a few minutes of working it through my hair -- something that wasn't initially easy, because of its consistency -- it eventually dissolved into something slickly luxurious, and rinsed out to leave hair feeling satisfyingly soft. Rating: 4/5” -Leah Collins
“I pretty much lucked out this week when it came to testing. The three brands that I tested were all amazing -- and it's rare that I can say that. Moroccanoil came in first for me, which is no surprise because I live by this brand. When it came to thickness, moisture and smell, this was hands down my favourite. The price is a little much but, in my opinion, it’s totally worth it. If you're looking for a hair mask to give your locks a little extra boost in the shine and moisture department and you can afford this product, I highly suggest trying it out. Rating: 5/5” -Miranda Furtado
“My hair is thick, wavy and prone to frizz, so I was very excited to try this product. It smells amazing and the scent lasts even after you’ve dried your hair. I used about a teaspoon; a little really does go a long way. I normally have to fight my wet hair with a comb to get the tangles out, but this product helped make my hair much softer and easier to comb. Since using the mask, my hair has been shinier, smoother and feels great even after I blow dry or flat iron. It’s not too heavy and doesn’t weight my hair down. Rating: 5/5” - Jenna Downing
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bain de terre Hair Strengthening Mud Masque (Suggested Retail Price: $20.00. Available at salons and professional beauty supply stores)
“I have long naturally wavy hair, which is dyed frequently and straightened or curled almost every day, so you could say that my hair definitely needs some extra care. I had never tried a hair mask before so I jumped at the chance to try some out. This product does not have much of a smell, which is nice because there’s nothing worse than your hair smelling bad. The consistency of this mud mask was quite thick and while I was applying it I was really unsure of how much product to use. After leaving it on for about 5 minutes, I rinsed it out, but my hair didn’t really feel any softer under the water. After doing my regular hair routine I did notice that my hair felt a little softer without using any other products. Overall, I’m not sure I would use this product regularly. I felt that it was a little bit pricey for the actual results. I get a similar look and feel when I apply my regular serum prior to blow drying and straightening my hair. Also, the packaging really did not say how much to use so I wasn’t sure if I should have applied more or less. Rating: 3/5” - Kim D'Amato
“I only needed a small amount, which absorbed into my hair really nicely and rinsed out cleanly, leaving no residue. It did not have much of a scent, which was disappointing. After blow-drying and flat ironing, I found my hair to be smooth and soft to the touch, but it was a little hard to manage. My hair does feel better since I’ve been using it, and I have noticed less breakage from heat-styling. I would recommend it to those with medium to thick hair, but would be hesitant to recommend it to someone with thin hair. Rating: 4/5” - Jenna Downing
“I really liked the smell of this product, but after trying the Schwarzkopf mask, the results didn’t compare. It’s thick consistency made it hard to put on and there wasn’t a noticeable difference in the look or feel of my hair after application. For the extra $5 I would definitely opt for Schwarzkopf instead. Rating: 2.5/5” -Jennifer Simone
“Compared to the other hair masks I tried (Pantene and L’Oreal) this was the most time consuming to use – you had to wait 3-5 minutes and use it on damp hair. This is a true mud mask for your hair. I used it instead of my regular conditioner and was worried after I blow dried because my hair looked straggly, but as soon as I flat ironed my hair I loved it. It made my hair smooth and straight and it kept it hydrated all day. I liked this one the best and will continue to use it. I wish it smelled like something, but there’s hair perfume for that. Rating: 4/5” –Catherine Gibson
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Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter (Suggested Retail Price: $8.00. Available at The Body Shop)
“I was skeptical at first when I read that it had no silicones, no colourants and no parabens (had to Google that word!), but because it’s an eco-conscious product that uses “community trade honey,” I was looking forward to testing it. It was easy to apply, but I was a tad disappointed because after putting it in my hair for 5 minutes, I still felt the need to use my regular conditioner to finish off the process. The smell was delightful but after my hair dried, it felt a bit limp. I don’t think I would use it again; I would most likely stick to my regular conditioner which is a bit cheaper than this mask. Rating: 3.5/5” - Yvonne Yip
“The first thing I do with a product is open it and smell it. After doing so, this one almost made me not want to use it. I really did not like the smell, and it looked as if it were conditioner instead of a hair mask. So right from the start I was skeptical about this product. The directions on the packaging were good, though; I knew how much to use and how long to leave it on for. After the 5 minutes was up, I rinsed it out and once again my hair didn’t feel any softer under the water. After doing my normal morning hair routine, I found my hair to be quite dry and static-y throughout the day. I would not use this product again. Rating: 1/5” - Kim D'Amato
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Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak (Suggested Retail Price: $35.00. Available at Kiehl's)
"Buttery and mildly fragranced (a light, citrus-y scent), this deep conditioner detangled my long and snarl-prone curls like a dream. As for the Hair Pak's ability to leave said curls quenched and shiny enough to warrant a $35 drop, I'm skeptical. My hair was happy after this five-minutes-in-the-shower treatment, but no happier than usual. Still, the natural ingredients are a plus. (My hairstylist always insists I use two things for my parched locks -- olive fruit oil and avocado -- and this product delivers a punch of both.) Rating: 3.5/5” -Leah Collins
“It's funny, the more I do to my hair, like burn it with a curling iron, highlight it, spray it or flat iron it -- the better my hair looks! Despite how it looks, my dry, damaged hair could use some TLC, so I was excited to try Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak. I loved the smell and the creamy texture; my hair soaked it in like a sponge while the mask restored the moisture content. After my hair dried, it was shiny and felt deeply nourished. I would definitely use this product again, probably on a weekly basis. It’s enriched with some yummy ingredients like avocado oil, lemon extract and olive fruit oil. It is pricy, but it’s worth it! Rating: 4.5/5” - Yvonne Yip
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L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Mask (Suggested Retail Price: $6.99. Available at Shoppers Drugmart)
“If you don't feel like trudging to a salon to indulge in a hair repair treatment, the L'Oreal collection is a great option. Funny enough, I've been telling people about this line for years. I first discovered it when my family from Argentina introduced it to me in Mexico after I fried my hair in the salt water. I was over the moon when I found out the line is now available in Canada. The texture is thick and rich, and definitely doesn't feel like a drugstore brand. Rating: 4/5” -Miranda Furtado
“I have long thick hair, which I straighten often. The L’Oreal mask was great! It boosted my colour enhanced locks without feeling too thick or goopy. Not only did my hair feel softer afterwards, but it also left a really great scent. Unfortunately, the jar didn’t say how much product to apply, so I wasn’t sure how much to use. As per the price – how could you argue with that?! I would definitely recommend this product and will make it a staple in my hair-care routine. Rating: 4/5” –Karine Delage
“The L’Oreal hair mask smelled the best out of the three hair masks I tried (Bain de Terre and Pantene Pro Lengths). I tested it on clean hair as suggested and used it the next day just to condition my dry hair (I wash with shampoo every other day) and it worked well both days. It made my hair pretty smooth but I could still see some of my broken ends once I styled it. I liked it because it wasn’t heavy at all and made my hair smell yummy. I also liked that you use it instead of a conditioner and you only had to leave it in for 1-2 minutes, but I had to use a lot of it! I have mid-length hair and I have already used almost ¼ of the container in a little over a week. Rating: 3/5” –Catherine Gibson
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La Coupe orgnx EN|rich (Suggested Retail Price: $10.99. Available at Shoppers Drugmart)
"Twist the cap off this inexpensive hair mask and you'll be knocked out by the scent of Hawaiian punch. This, of course, is a good thing. (Candy for my hair? And before breakfast? Yes, please!) Creamy and lush, this deep moisturizer from La Coupe detangles with ease (the little comb that comes with included is a cute touch, but probably unnecessary). And it rinsed out to leave my hair feeling instantly soft, like it was melting through my fingers (way more awesome than it sounds). By the time my hair was dry, however, I was facing a much different situation. Sure, my curls were still kitten-soft -- but they were also just as unruly as one of said kittens. I'm not sure what caused this bad-hair-day business: does the stuff have secret volumizing powers? Did the packaged comb wreak havoc on my ringlets' natural definition? Am I merely cursed? Whatever the case (it’s probably the latter) I'm hesitant to give it another go, though that yummy, gummi-candy scent may tempt me soon enough... Rating: 3/5” -Leah Collins
“The La Coupe orgnx hair mask was my second favourite -- it easily stands up to my top choice, Moroccanoil, but is a fraction of the cost. I would definitely recommend using this product. It left my hair soft, manageable and subtly scented. Watch out boys, I'm about to whip my sweetly scented and voluminous hair back and forth. Rating: 4.5/5” -Miranda Furtado
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Schwarzkopf Essensity Intense Repair Mask (Suggested Retail Price: $24.75. Available at salons)
"I realize that fixing split ends is serious business, but that doesn't mean a hair mask has to smell like rubbing alcohol. OK, the smell of the Essensity mask wasn't nearly that strong, but I still couldn't help feeling like I was washing my hair in a doctor's office. My hair was noticeably improved after using the mask, but the price (nearly $25!) and the smell mean I probably won't make it a regular part of my hair care routine. Rating: 3/5" – Kat Angus
“This hair mask was really easy to use. I liked the smell and it had the right amount of thickness – it’s pretty concentrated, so I didn’t need to apply a lot. It made my hair feel very silky and healthy after it was rinsed and blow-dried. I think this is a great product and worth the price for an occasional hair treat. Rating: 4/5” -Jennifer Simone
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Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Replenishing Mask (Suggested Retail Price: $8.99. Available at Shoppers Drugmart)
"Some may dismiss Pantene products because they're relatively inexpensive, but the brand's Replenishing Mask worked magic on my hair. I have so many flyaways and broken hairs that I usually have to endure a grueling hair-straightening process followed by using a lot of product – but after using the Pantene mask, a simple blow dry left my 'do feeling soft and looking awesome. I didn't even have any of the baby hairs around my forehead sticking up! Fantastic. Rating: 5/5" – Kat Angus
“This sweet-smelling mask leaves hair well conditioned and seemingly stronger. But be ready to style! This mask does not hold water, and hair seems to dry much quicker after it has been used. While I’m often nervous about heavy conditioners or masks weighing my hair down, I found styling easy, and my hair was left with lots of volume! While it’s yet to be seen whether my tresses will gain in length, I would recommend this mask to those who hope to gain moisture and volume. Rating: 4/5” - Katie McKinnon
“I was disappointed that this hair mask didn’t have any smell at all, but I was impressed with the shine it gave me after shampooing. My hair was super shiny and smooth looking and really soft. I also tried it using it just as conditioner the day after shampooing but I didn’t get the same results. It left my hair heavy and I looked dry and oily half way through the day. It’s quick and easy to apply (since replaces your conditioner) but again you have to use gobs of it for long hair. I wasn’t super impressed with this product. Rating: 3/5.” –Catherine Gibson
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