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These Hair Masks Will Make Your Strands Softer and Shinier Overnight
Now that’s what I call beauty sleep.
Imagine going to bed with dull, damaged hair and waking up with silky, shiny tresses. It may sound like a particularly good dream rather than reality, but there’s a product you might want to add to your routine that could bring that fantasy into the real world. Ladies and gents, I’d like to introduce you to overnight hair masks. The nourishing formulas repair your hair while you sleep. I know the the idea of an overnight hair mask might sound like a sticky mess (who wants a rich hair mask smeared all over their silk pillowcase?), but these particular elixirs are formulated to leave zero residue. Many don’t even need to be washed out—you can just wake up and go.
“Overnight hair masks let your hair soak in deep hydration and nourishment while you sleep, making your mane softer, shinier, and more manageable by morning,” says Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair Care. “The convenience of leaving it on overnight means you don’t have to wait around in the shower—just apply and forget it! It’s especially great for repairing damage, restoring moisture, and perfect for those who work out in the morning, as it helps protect your hair from sweat and keeps it looking fresh all day.”
Below, find the best overnight hair masks on the market, according to celebrity stylists, ELLE editors, and rave reviews.
R+Co Bleu Bleu Sleep Masque Night Repair Serum
Pros
- Deep conditions hair without weighing it down
Cons
- An investment
“This masque features a blend of high-performance ingredients like green caviar, an algae rich in oligoelements, vitamins, and minerals,” says Federico. “It’s formulated to nourish, rebuild, and revitalize hair, leaving it shiny, smooth, healthy and strong. Repair and rejuvenate strands while you sleep, thanks to this mask that offers deep conditioning without weighing down your hair.”
Size: 57 g.
Key ingredients: green caviar, algae
Dermstore review: 4/5
Our expert says: “There’s really only one overnight masque that I can authentically recommend; I’ve seen it work absolute miracles on parched, damaged hair, transforming it to a silky, soft and manageable state. The R+Co BLEU Sleep Masque Night Repair Serum is a great choice for those looking to give their hair some extra TLC overnight.”—Adam Federico, R+Co’s vice president of technical education
IGK Antisocial Overnight Bond Building Dry Hair Mask
Pros
- No residue, spray on formula
Cons
- Some find the scent too strong
A unique feature of this overnight hair mask is that it has time-release bond-building technology, so it repairs your hair throughout the night. It also has little to no residue, since it’s a dry, spray-on formula that doesn’t need to be washed out.
Size: 187 mL.
Key ingredients: Bond-building technology, vegan silk proteins
Amazon review: 4.3/5
Our expert says: “Antisocial is a lightweight, leave-in treatment that uses bond-building technology to repair and strengthen your hair while you sleep. It doesn’t need to be rinsed out and works on both wet and dry hair, making it incredibly convenient for busy mornings. ”—Izquierdo
Amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask
Pros
- Deeply hydrating
Cons
- Some find the fragrance too strong
This overnight mask is chock-full of hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate dry hair while you sleep. Polyglutamic acid and coconut water also help hair stay moisturized without weighing it down.
Size: 3.3. fl. oz.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, coconut water
Sephora review: 4.5/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “You know that lovely feeling when you’ve just got a haircut and your ends are healthy and it feels like there’s more ‘weight’ on the end? This mask gives my hair that feeling! Also, I’m personally a huge fan of the fragrance—it’s a really nice botanical smell that isn’t too overpowering or sweet.”
Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum
Pros
- Helps lock moisture into hair
Cons
- Pricey
If you’re looking for a do-it-all product that seemingly works magic overnight, this treatment fits the bill. It’s infused with proteins to condition and moisturize and niacinamide to help seal hydration into the hair cuticle.
Size: 3.04 fl. oz.
Key ingredients: protein, niacinamide
Sephora review: 4.5/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “Game changer! I tried this thinking I would have to wash it out the next day but it’s not oily or greasy, does not weigh hair down, and I can style and go the next morning. My hair looks and feels better.”
Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Repairing Night Serum
Pros
- Helps prevent damage
Cons
- Pricey
This lightweight serum is great for dry and damaged hair. The star ingredient is Japanese rice extract, which helps hair retain elasticity and prevents damage and split ends.
Size: 3.04 fl. oz.
Key ingredients: Japanese rice extract, peptides
Sephora review: 4.7/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I have been using this serum for a couple days now, and I really like it so far. It looks like it really works. I have damaged hair, and I could see a difference from the first use. The hair looks healthier and softer after applying it.”
Bumble and Bumble While You Sleep Damage Repair Hair Mask
Pros
- Deeply moisturizes hair
Cons
- Must rinse out in the morning
Formulated for all hair types, this overnight mask works like a reset for damaged, stressed-out hair. This is richer than many overnight masks, and it needs to be washed out in the morning—but it also helps deeply moisturize and repair damage thanks to evening primrose oil and camellia oil.
Size: 6.4 fl. oz.
Key ingredients: Evening primrose oil, camellia oil
Sephora review: 4.2/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “An ultimate must-have product. I’ve used this product for years now, and I love this mask in the summer when my hair gets super frizzy and dry from the beach. This product works wonders and keeps my hair so soft.”
Sachajuan Overnight Hair Repair
Pros
- Smooths and softens hair
Cons
- Some say you may need to use a generous amount of product
If you want the kind of sleek, frizz-free hair that comes with getting your hair done professionally, this overnight serum is the next best thing. This treatment is infused with ingredients to smooth the hair’s cuticle while you sleep.
Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
Key ingredients: Carrageenan, red algae extract
Dermstore review: 3.5/5
A Dermstore reviewer says: “Truly, out of all the low and high-end products I use, this one is the most effective. My hair usually feels like hay. When I put this in, the next morning it feels touchable and silky.”
Pros
- Helps split ends
Cons
- Some find it can feel heavy on hair
Split ends are notoriously hard to fix—the only way to truly get rid of them is by cutting your hair. This serum not only helps soften and hydrate hair, but it also has bond-building technology that helps repair split ends.
Size: 3.2 fl. oz.
Key ingredients: Keratin, argan oil
Walmart review: 4.7/5
A Walmart reviewer says: “My hair needed some major TLC. I have terrible split ends, even quickly after having a hair cut. The first night I used this serum, I took my normal shower and then put it through my damp hair and went to bed. It smelled pretty good. And when I woke up, it was a bit softer. After a week of doing this, I can tell a major change in my ends. It has dramatically helped my hair! I’m keeping this in my daily hair routine.”
Pros
- Adds moisture and softens hair
Cons
- Need to rinse out in the morning
This ultra-hydrating hair mask helps deeply repair hair while you sleep. Formulated with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, this mask is able to hydrate hair from root to tip—you’ll just need to rinse it out in the morning.
Size: 8.45 fl. oz.
Key ingredients: Aloe vera, sodium hyaluronate
Ulta review: 4.7/5
An Ulta reviewer says: “I wake up feeling like someone has used magic on my hair after using this treatment. It makes my hair manageable, soft and shiny, and it looks like I’ve never used heat on my hair. This is a must-have item.”
Joico Defy Damage Sleepover Overnight Nourishing Treatment
Pros
- Protects hair from UV damage and other environmental stressors
Cons
- Some wish it softened their hair even more
If you’re looking for an overnight treatment that will carry you into daytime, this serum is the perfect option. It’s made with arginine to promote hair growth, moringa seed oil to boost shine, and lipids to prevent environmental damage.
Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
Key ingredients: Arginine, moringa seed oil, lipids
Amazon review: 4.5/5
An Ulta reviewer says: “I use it every night and have noticed less dryness, tangling, and brittleness with my hair. The ends look much better.”
What are the benefits of an overnight mask for hair?
Overnight hair masks can offer a wide variety of benefits. “They allow ingredients to deeply penetrate and moisturize the hair, which helps to repair damage and improve overall texture,” says Federico. The extended application time maximizes the repair of split ends, dryness, and breakage.” Federico notes that they can also smooth out the hair cuticle, which promotes shine and helps reduce frizz. Some masks may even promote scalp health, which in turn creates an optimal environment for hair growth.
What should someone look for in an overnight hair mask?
Federico says that it’s always a good idea to look for overnight hair masks that contain ingredients like ceramides, proteins, vitamins and hydrating agents. He also recommends looking for a hair mask that’s suitable for your hair type, and if you want to use an overnight mask, make sure that it has minimal residue.
Can you leave any hair mask on overnight?
Always follow the directions on a particular hair mask. “Not all hair masks are suitable for overnight use,” says Federico. “Some masks are designed for short-term use (typically ten to 30 minutes) and may not be effective or could even cause buildup if left on for too long. Always check the product’s instructions and opt for those specifically labeled for overnight use.”
Meet the experts
Adam Federico is R+Co’s vice president of technical education
Leo Izquierdo is the co-founder of IGK Hair Care
Why trust ELLE beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editor Katie Berohn tested overnight masks to find the best products on the market, and she interviewed stylists.
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