These are the best masks for every hair type and concern this summer

For most of us, the idea of anything more than a blast of salt spray or a little coconut oil worked onto ends is overkill for summer hair. But sun, sea and chlorine are formidable foes, and a few months exposed to these moisture sappers can leave hair frazzled. That’s why it helps to add a buttery hair mask to the mix.

There are plenty of options catering for every level of damage. As for how to use them, you can, of course, stick to the 20 minutes recommended by most hair mask brands. Or you can use the relentless heat to your advantage. Wear a mask from your roots to the ends while on the beach to create a protective barrier against those pesky rays.

“Humidity and heat will increase the effectiveness of your hydration product,” says Lars Skjødt, founder of Harklinikken, noting that your cuticles will readily drink up a hair mask’s nourishing ingredients. This is especially important for curly and Afro hair, where a tight curl pattern means the scalp’s natural oils struggle to hydrate strands. Coloured hair also benefits from this maverick approach, notes Kevin Hughes, Moroccanoil global artistic director: “Sodium in salt water is an astringent that draws dye out of the hair fibre, causing your colour to fade fast.”

Ahead, the best hair masks to restore your crowning glory.

A powerhouse of botanical ingredients including olive, avocado and Abyssinian seed oils deeply hydrate each strand. Like a tall glass of water for thirsty hair.

Despite its deep conditioning promise, this protein-rich mask with sea moss and antioxidant pinot noir grapeseed extract won't weigh fine hair down. It's heavenly scent deserves a special mention, too.

Keratin dives into ragged, porous cuticles to help repair while a duo of sunflower seed and macadamia nut oils deliver a mirror-like shine.

Google 'hair growth' and no shortage of anecdotal testimonials praising castor oil will hit your feed. While there's no scientific data to back up these claims, what castor oil does do is cleanse the scalp and condition hair follicles with ricinoleic acid, which together provide a better environment for hair growth.

Sulphate and silicone-free, apply this mask three ways depending on your type of curl: as a pre-shampoo for fine loose curls, as a leave-in conditioner for tight coils or a mask applied to damp hair and wrapped in a warm towel to lift the cuticle and allow the marula oil to penetrate deeper.

Argan oil is like First Aid for coarse curly hair. After just one use, this buttery mask ensures that soft, bouncy curls are restored.

Just one push on the airless pump dispenses the right amount of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, avocado oil and Olaplex's famous bond-repairing molecule. Yet more impressive are the independent clinical trials that reveal strands have two times more shine, four times more hydration, and six times more smoothness after just one 10-minute session.

Sitting somewhere between a temporary colour and a deep conditioning mask, experiment with a wash of rose gold or simply add more vibrancy to your existing shade with a boost of pigment. Also noteworthy: a special positively-charged argan oil molecule that bonds to negatively charged hair in order to seal in smoothness and shine.

Created using 100 per cent clean energy, this mask has one eye on the planet and the other on your hair. The luxe formula counteracts the brittleness from repeated dyeing and straightening so you can commit to weekly applications for softer strands and to extend the longevity of your expensive colour.

Given this hair mask has been created by an aesthetic doctor, it's hardly surprising that it features a bevvy of skincare ingredients. There's hemisqualane, beauty's hydrating ingredient of the moment, and cationic hyaluronic acid, a uniquely formulated version of hyaluronic acid that continues conditioning strands even after rinsing.

The moniker says it all. Briogeo's trademark Nova Complex delivers the 98 per cent natural ingredients – roseship, argan and algae extracts – deep into the hair shaft to prevent breakage and split ends.

There's a lot to love about this creamy mask. The strengthening algae extracts, protection against fade from UV rays and a floral scent that rivals an expensive perfume are just a few of its perks.