If you're reading this then you've probably tried every DIY hack on the internet to treat your curly hair and you're considering a ready-made mask instead! We can help you find exactly what you need - this article covers everything you should know about how to tame frizzy hair and make your curls more manageable, including how often you should use your new mask.
So, check out our buying guide and browse our list of the top 10 most effective deep conditioning masks to buy at Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, and Boots, from brands such as Moroccanoil, Garnier, and OGX. Our recommended products all include natural hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, argan oil, shea butter, and coconut oil, as well as a variety of proteins, which will give you the luscious locks you've always dreamed of!
Quick List - Top Deep Conditioning Masks for Curly Hair
Garnier
An All-Round Favourite from a Popular Brand
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
The first step to creating perfect curls is understanding the signs of a good conditioning mask. To make sure you tick every box with your new product, we've put together a guide full of our top tips!
There are a few key ingredients that are added to masks in order to tend to curly hair problems. These ingredients can solve a multitude of dilemmas such as frizz, tangling, and clusters of knots, so we'll run through them in this section!
Then, we have curly hair saviours that have been around forever and are found in lots of hair products, like oils made from macadamia nuts, olives, and coconuts. Macadamia oil is lightweight and non-greasy, with antioxidants that promote healthy, bouncy curls so it's ideal for those with finer curls.
Olive and coconut oils, on the other hand, are considered a heavy-duty moisturiser for the hair and scalp. They're full of fatty acids that soften and soothe thicker coils of hair. However, if you use too much of these two ingredients, you may notice a greasy residue after washing the product out of your hair. So, if you're prone to a buildup of grease, you may prefer macadamia oil over olive or coconut oil.
Aside from oils, which other natural ingredients can benefit curly hair? Well, herb extracts such as aloe vera can help - it's full of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to nourish your hair and head. It penetrates the hair follicles and deeply conditions the scalp, leaving your hair soft and springy. Best of all, it's a lightweight ingredient that washes out easily, so it won't weigh your hair down.
Shea butter and cocoa butter are also extremely popular ingredients in curly hair treatments. This is because they bring moisture to the surface of hair before locking it into place for increased conditioning. Cocoa butter, in particular, leaves behind a heavy residue that helps to weigh down the curls and tame baby hairs.
As both of these types of butter have a thick and creamy texture, you're likely to notice that your curls tend to fall in a more controlled manner once you use a product with them in. Just make sure to wash out the product properly otherwise they may create a greasy mess!
Our hair is made up of protein, which keeps it strong and structured. Often, when using different hair products, we can outbalance the protein in our hair with moisture - which actually does more harm than good! As someone with curly hair, you're likely to be more than familiar with the feeling of heavy, sunken curls that can appear after applying a treatment designed to moisturise.
To find the right balance, search for protein-based products that'll boost hair strength and minimise frizz. Protein can be derived from soy, milk, wheat, vegetables, silk, or collagen. Any of these ingredients can make a huge difference in the strength and shine of your hair, it's up to you which ones you prefer!
Silicone is a common ingredient in the world of haircare, although it has a history of controversial reviews. For people with curls, silicone is a bit of a grey area so allow us to set the record straight. The benefits of silicone far outweigh the cons, adding a bright shine and long-lasting smoothness to curly locks.
There are many different varieties of silicone; some are non-soluble while others are water-soluble. If a conditioning mask contains non-soluble silicone, you're likely to get smooth, shiny curls for a short while but then you'll slowly begin to notice a buildup of formula after a few uses.
This is because non-soluble silicones don't dissolve when rinsed with water, unlike water-soluble silicones which wash away easily. So, if you're prone to greasy hair, look for a conditioning mask with water-soluble silicone or one that's completely silicone-free.
Curly-haired folk know better than anyone that having great hair requires plenty of patience. Be sure to double-check how long you can leave your mask in for; some take just two minutes, while others can be left in all day. Thinking about when you'll be using your mask is important too - will it be during a quick pre-work shower on a Monday morning or during a long soak in the tub on Sunday night?
If you lead a busy lifestyle, it's a good idea to get a mask that fits with your schedule and doesn't take up too much of your time. If you've never bought a hair mask before, start with a product that you can use just once or twice a week, so that you don't have to work too hard to keep up with your new beauty regime!
Since it's usually recommended that you use a treatment on your curls once or twice a week, you should only need a small scoop of the mask formula and a product should last you for at least a month. Of course, if you have masses of curly locks, you might need a little more than the recommended amount in order to see the best results.
We recommend checking the volume of the product you plan to buy, to ensure that you get the best value for money and make your hair care routine as affordable as possible. Typically, masks range from 150ml to 300ml and would ideally cost no more than £10. That's our suggested product to price ratio, but if you like to splash out on luxury self-care products then there are some more expensive options on our list too.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Garnier Ultimate Blends Smoothing Hair Food - Coconut & Macadamia | ![]() | An All-Round Favourite from a Popular Brand | |
2 | Maui Moisture Strength & Anti-Breakage Agave Hair Mask | ![]() | A Sweet-Smelling, Strengthening Mask | |
3 | Garnier Ultimate Blends Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Hair Mask | ![]() | The Best Bargain on Our List | |
4 | OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Mask | ![]() | A Strong Treatment for Damaged Hair | |
5 | John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Deep Conditioner | ![]() | Ease Frizz and Replenish Your Locks | |
6 | Lee Stafford For The Love Of Curls Mask | ![]() | An Ethically Made Mask That's One of a Kind | |
7 | Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream | ![]() | Intense Repair Cream for Curls | |
8 | Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque | ![]() | A Small Yet Mighty Curl Controller | |
9 | Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep-Conditioning Treatment | ![]() | Coil Your Curls With Nutritious Oils | |
10 | Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask | ![]() | The Key to Shiny, Weightless Locks |
This 3-in-1 product is the ultimate hair mask! You can use it as your daily conditioner, you can lather it on and let it soak in for a few minutes for an intensive treatment, or you can dab a tiny bit on the ends of your curls to weigh them down. However long you want to leave it on for, this formula is guaranteed to eliminate unwanted frizz and tame disobedient strands.
Best of all, this product is made from 98% natural ingredients that truly nourish your hair and provider a long-lasting shine. At nearly 400ml for just under £4, this is one of the best value hair masks out there!
Transport yourself to Hawaii with the sweet aroma of this hair mask by Maui Moisture. Enriched with agave nectar, coconut water, and pineapple extract, it's definitely the most delicious-smelling product in our ranking.
The aloe vera-based formula is ideal for curly hair as it helps to strengthen the strands and moisturise the scalp. For tangle-free locks that look revitalised, this tropical tub is exactly what you need!
This hair mask smells just like yummy coconuts and has a thick, creamy texture. It takes just five minutes to combat frizz and restore sleekness to your style, even targeting those sneaky baby hairs that tend to escape your scrunchie!
We love how this product leaves your hair feeling soft and light all day, without any residue being left over. Thanks to its super hydrating ingredients, this is a summertime favourite for dry or damaged curly hair. It's a total bargain too!
If you've recently noticed split ends and you'd like to repair brittle locks, this rich mask by OGX is the perfect candidate. When used regularly, it'll gradually build up strength and hydration in your hair.
With the help of a combination of Moroccan argan oil and silk proteins, your tresses will look softer and smoother in no time. This mask is a firm favourite with Amazon customers for its ability to lock in moisture, so why not give it a try?
Add a boost of moisture to your hair care routine and replenish lifeless curls with this marvellous mask by John Frieda. It helps to prevent curl fatigue, meaning that the more you use it, the better your hair will look and feel!
If this is a product that you'd like to use regularly, you won't be disappointed with the incredibly affordable price. It'll cost you roughly £5 a month to maintain beautiful curls - that's a lot less than most beauty box subscriptions!
You'll be amazed at the number of nourishing ingredients you can find in this mask - there's shea butter, Vitamin B5, coconut oil, and so much more! Already, it's easy to see that this mask ticks all of the boxes for an effective conditioner for curls.
This mask will reduce any split ends while helpinf to maintain and organise your curls so that they fall neatly from the scalp. Plus, all of the ingredients are ethically and naturally sourced, meaning that it benefits the planet too!
This thick, buttery mask can be used in three ways: as a general conditioner, as a styling product, or as an overnight treatment that you rinse off in the morning. Named "repair cream" for a reason, it deeply hydrates dry curls, leaving them soft and supple.
While this product is effective on tight curls, be careful if you have a sensitive scalp as it contains a lot of alcohol, which may dry out your skin and hair. Other than that, this is an amazing product for damaged curls!
Full of babassu oil and shea butter, this intensely conditioning mask is a brilliant way to tame those crazy curls. It controls frizz and detangles like a dream, so you can transform your crinkly curls to spectacular ringlets.
The only downside to this product is the price - it's almost £30 but is substantially lower in volume than many of the other masks on our list. If you prefer to splash out on luxury products though, it really is a great buy!
Lock in moisture and give your curls an extra bounce with this extremely softening mask by Philip Kingsley. The special ingredient, elastin, will improve the strength and flexibility of your hair strands so they fall with elegance and ease.
Delivering a surge of moisture to the hair cuticles, this mask provides intense hydration that'll prevent your locks from breaking or becoming brittle in the hot sun or cold air. It's another expensive product though, unfortunately.
Moroccanoil is one of the most popular brands on the market - it's smooth, it's supple, and it smells amazing! Of course, being such a reputable brand, it doesn't come cheap. Sadly, this 70ml tube isn't the best value for money on our list, but the quality of the product certainly makes up for the cost.
This lightweight yet creamy mask makes your hair look effortlessly weightless all within the space of a few minutes. The high percentage of argan oil makes your hair look super shiny too so you're bound to be impressed with the results - if you don't mind the price!
Your hair is exposed to heat and harsh environments daily - through brushing, using styling tools, and even hanging outdoors in the sun, it can be affected. When your curly hair starts to feel constantly tangled, dry, frizzy, or untameable, you can use a deep conditioning mask to give it the special care that it needs.
A deep conditioner for curly hair will moisturise and replenish everything from the follicles to the tips of your strands. Whether you have a short afro or long springy locks, you can find a mask that will change your beauty regime for the better.
Not only will your hair look better after using a deep conditioning mask, but it'll feel better too. You'll probably notice that your locks are stronger and healthier after the first use. Then, you can use your mask either once a week or every day - just check what your chosen brand recommends in order to get the best results!
To help keep your locks looking healthy and bouncy, why not check out more of our favourite products for curly hair? We've got fantastic recommendations for every step of your styling routine!
That's all from us! Hopefully, you've found a deep conditioning hair mask that you're eager to try and you've added one (or maybe even two) to your basket. Get ready for the pampering you deserve and remember to always check for the most nutritious ingredients that'll leave your curls feeling super soft.
Author: Annie Speight
No. 1: Garnier|Ultimate Blends Smoothing Hair Food - Coconut & Macadamia
No. 2: Maui Moisture|Strength & Anti-Breakage Agave Hair Mask
No. 3: Garnier|Ultimate Blends Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Hair Mask
No. 4: OGX |Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Mask
No. 5: John Frieda |Frizz Ease Dream Curls Deep Conditioner
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games