A good hair treatment can fix a myriad of woes, from softening dry and brittle strands to reducing frizz and puffiness. Not to be confused with conditioner, a hair treatment is richer, and designed to be left on hair for longer to really sink in and give extra nourishment, moisture and reparative nurture.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE A HAIR TREATMENT?
It depends on your hair type. Those with curly or dry, damaged hair can use one every time they wash their hair, if you like. But generally, once or twice a week is ideal for most.
WHAT HAIR TREATMENT SHOULD I USE?
There are hair treatments for so many different hair issues. Protein-based hair treatments are good for hair that is weak and prone to split ends, as it helps strengthen hair. Moisturising and hydrating treatments are good for those with dry ends, or who colour or chemically treat their hair regularly. Moisturising, rich treatments are good for those with curly or thick hair, as you can take the added nourishment without hair feeling weighed down. Leave-in treatments that are mists or light oils are good for those with fine hair as they won’t feel heavy.
BEST OVERALL HAIR TREATMENTS
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, Amazon $49.99
We all know Olaplex is one of the most popular brands for effective hair repair and support. While we’ll always be a fan of their pre treatments and leave-in products, this moisture mask is a great hair treatment to incorporate into your routine weekly. It’s like Olaplex’s signature strength formulation, paired with deep moisture.
The airless pump dispenses one dose at a time, so you never overdo it - meaning the product lasts longer, and you don’t accidentally apply too much, leaving your hair feeling stringy and greasy. Made without sulfates, phthalates or parabens, the Bond Intense Moisture Mask works in just ten minutes, helping add shine, smooth frizz, and add natural body to hair - in fact, 94 per cent of users in an Olaplex-led trial said they saw two times more body in their hair after using this product.
The mask is infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building technology, the same technology found in Olaplex’s hero products, the Bonding Shampoo, Conditioner and pre-treatment.
Basically, the brand states that it is disulfide bonds in the hair that give it strength and body. When these bonds are broken or damaged, hair loses its lustre and softness.The Olaplex bond building technology restores damaged and compromised hair by repairing from the inside out with the patented single ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate.
It’s this technology that has reviewers raving about Olaplex for the brand’s reparative effects.
Like, really raving. “This product is amazing. I have highly over processed hair (perm and colour). The combination of the bonding treatment, shampoo and conditioner has left my hair feeling so much more healthy and less brittle, while not weighing it down with the waxy sensation of most ‘conditioning’ products,” one person writes on Amazon.
“Can’t believe the difference in two weeks. Much better control and shine, less frizz on my very curly hair. Love it!” writes another.
“I have this product on repeat order … think that speaks for itself … Olaplex is an amazing range for people who have not used it before,” another reviewer raves. It really is a brand you have to try to understand why it is so well-loved by many.
Muk Deep Muk 1 Minute Treatment, Oz Hair And Beauty, $25.95
This luscious hair mask works in literal seconds to soften, restore and protect dry hair. It’s a great purchase if you’re strapped for time or hate waiting around for hair products to work.
Eleven Australia Miracle Hair Treatment, Adore Beauty, $27.95
A do-everything leave-in treatment, this product is light enough for fine hair, but restorative enough to help with dry ends and damage. It also protects against UV and heat damage, and adds shine. What can’t it do?
BEST HAIR TREATMENTS FOR CURLY HAIR
Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask, Sephora, $46
Hyper-softening and nourishing, this treatment is designed for thick, curly hair to give maximum moisture (and therefore, lush, bouncy curls). Reviews are really, really good - take this one, for example: “My curls are usually so coarse and dry, but this stuff WORKS. Just make sure you leave it on for AT LEAST the 5 minutes recommended in the instructions. Something magic happens at the 4 min 59 second mark.”
Moroccanoil Hydration Hair Mask, Adore Beauty, $64.50
A rich, nurturing mask that smells amazing, a little goes a long way - and with a five to seven minute wait, you won’t be standing around until the hot water runs out. As one reviewer on Adore Beauty notes, “This is one of the best hair masks i have used. I have thick frizzy hair and i left the mask for half an hour and washed off. The hair was shiny and smooth and less frizzy.”
Briogeo Curl Charisma Hydrating and Defining Mask, Mecca, $65
A new mask from Briogeo, renowned for their restoring hair products, this mask is designed for curls. Fortified with rice amino acids and tomato fruit ferment, it helps to enhance curl definition and promote consistent curl pattern.
BEST HAIR TREATMENTS FOR FINE HAIR
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum For Hair Density, Myer, $34.20
Want thicker, denser hair? This serum - designed to be applied to your scalp - promises that. The Ordinary is renowned for its efficacious skincare line, and with such affordable products, it’s easy to give them a try.
Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Essence Absolue Nourishing Oil, Adore Beauty, $68
This light, yet lush hair oil is great for those with fine hair looking to give it a little TLC. Don’t add too much or you’ll weigh your strands down, but one pump through mid-lengths and ends will help soften, smooth and rebalance hair.
Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil, Mecca, $72
Bumble & Bumble know hair, and their Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil range is great for restoring strands. The Invisible Oil original serum is best for fine hair - like the Shu Uemura oil, it’s light on strands and won’t weigh your hair down.
IGK Antisocial Bond Building Dry Mask, Adore Beauty, $52
This treatment is great for those who feel their hair is weighed down no matter how light the treatment! Applied to hair overnight, you don’t need to wash or re-style your hair in the morning, meaning it fits well into a busy routine.
BEST HAIR TREATMENTS FOR DRY AND DAMAGED HAIR
Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Masque, Adore Beauty, $52.95
Kevin Murphy products are used by hairdressers all over the world, and we love this deeply nourishing hair mask, which smells divine and leaves hair soft and manageable.
Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask, Adore Beauty, $47
A rich and creamy treatment designed to boost weak and damaged hair with a shot of hydration and strength, this mask has amazing reviews on Adore Beauty, like “I love this whole range & I’m now a dedicated user. My hair health has improved drastically and It’s worth the investment for a quality product that really works, and last a long time!”
Davroe Rebuilder Mask, Adore Beauty, $28.95
As we mentioned earlier, protein masks are perfect for helping to strengthen weak hair strands prone to breakage. This mask is affordable and carries great reviews, like “my hair is noticeably stronger and fuller after just a few weeks.”
BEST HAIR TREATMENTS FOR COLOURED HAIR
Kerastase Blond Absolu Night Serum, Adore Beauty, $72
This hydrating and restorative overnight serum helps soften and smooth blonde hair, which is often damaged due to regular bleach and colour. It also gently helps to tone brassiness.
Evo Fabuloso Copper Intensifying Treatment, Adore Beauty, $45.25
If you’ve got copper hair (one of the most popular hues for 2021 and 2022), this treatment can help extend the life of your colour. Copper and red hair colour is notorious for fading fast, so using a colour extending treatment can really help lengthen time between salon visits.
More Coverage
Want more beauty tips? If you’re considering abandoning foundation full-time, see our story on the best BB creams to buy – the lightweight formulation makes it the perfect base for your face.
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Originally published as 15 best hair treatments for healthy hair in 2023
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