Having had my hair coloured since I was about 16 years old, it has endured just about the worst treatment you could imagine. From home dyes to frying it with a straightener, my hair has really seen it all.
These days, I take much better care of my hair with a pretty extensive routine. One of the most important steps to maintaining healthy locks is regular hair treatments and masks.
With this in mind, here are my picks for the best hair treatment for bleached hair.
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9 of the Best Hair Treatments for Bleached Hair
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask
50ml
It’s hard to talk about the best hair treatments and not mention the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask. It’s considered the holy grail when it comes to repairing hair.
K18 uses a patented bioactive peptide to repair the internal structure of hair fibres. This technology allows the product to penetrate deep into the hair and repair damage at a molecular level, resulting in visibly healthier and stronger hair.
One of the standout features of K18 is its quick results. Unlike other treatments that may take weeks or months to show improvement, K18 delivers visible results in just a few uses. The product is designed to work in just four minutes, making it a convenient and efficient option for those who are short on time or have patience for lengthy hair treatments.
It’s well-loved in the hair and beauty community given it works on all hair types and how easy it is to use.
The only downside of this product is the price. It’s almost $100 for a mere 50ml which may be unreasonable for some people.
Mls: 50ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Sulphates and parabens
Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3 Repairing Treatment
- Repairs damaged and compromised hair
- Strengthens and protects hair structure
- Restores healthy appearance and texture
Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3. has long been considered the gold standard when it comes to hair repairing damaged hair.
What makes No 3. so effective, is that it strengthens the hair from within. Olaplex does this on a molecular level, fixing the broken bonds in the hair and removing frizz, dehydration, and dullness. It leaves your hair feeling and visibly looking stronger and healthier.
That said, it’s important to know how to use it properly. While the ‘Olaplex bun’ is a popular hair care trend, it could potentially damage your hair. According to Trichologist in Training Abbey Young, “Olaplex should be applied to clean, damp hair and has a maximum efficiency of between 35 – 40 minutes”.
You may have heard there is a lawsuit against Olaplex with many users claiming it’s causing hair to fall out. Click here to read more before you decide to purchase.
Benefits
- Great for damaged, chemically treated, or bleached hair
- Repairs broken bonds
- Creates healthier, stronger hair
Mls: 100ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Sulphates, parabens and phthalates
Revolution Haircare Plex 3 Bond Restore Treatment
We all love an affordable buy and the Plex 3 Bond Restore Treatment from Revolution Hair is said to be ‘the closest dupe to Olaplex’ providing the same remarkable results without the price tag.
Designed to combat a multitude of hair concerns, including dryness, brittleness, damage, weakness, and over-processing, this treatment is suitable for all hair types. Whether you’re dealing with fine, limp hair, excessive hair fall, or the aftermath of heat styling, the Plex 3 Bond Restore Treatment provides complete hair care and protection.
Intended to be used prior to shampooing, this restoring and conditioning treatment works wonders by taming frizz and infusing your locks with intense moisture. Experience the transformation as your hair becomes noticeably softer, smoother, and brilliantly shiny.
With its highly concentrated formula, only a small amount of product is needed to achieve incredible results. Plus, you can feel good about using it, as Revolution Haircare is committed to being cruelty-free and vegan.
Mls: 250ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Hair Mask – Baby Blonde
Treat your blonde locks to the luxurious Christophe Robin Shade Variation Hair Mask – Baby Blonde, a colour-revitalising wonder.
This standout hair treatment harnesses the power of iridescent pigments and Florentina Iris, neutralising brassiness and yellowing to bring back your blonde’s luminous glow. Almond Oil, brimming with Omega 6, creates an instantly smooth, soft, and shiny finish. Buriti Oil nourishes and works to refresh and correct unwanted hair tones.
This treatment pampers your platinum or light-blonde hair, toning brassiness while leaving strands silky soft without drying. It boosts shine, body, and volume, for a fully revitalised look.
Mls: 250ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment is one of the most affordable and effective hair treatments for repairing damaged hair.
It is a pre–shampoo rinse–out treatment that helps to strengthen and repair broken hair. The pH balancing acidic formula helps to bring hair back to a healthy range, while the citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, helps to reinforce weakened bonds.
This treatment can be used on any hair type but works wonders in repairing frizzy, thinning and damaged hair.
Benefits
- Helps to strengthen and repair damaged hair.
- Formulated with a blend of ingredients, including citric acid, taurine, and camellia oil, to help protect and reinforce hair bonds.
- Easy to use at home.
Mls: 150ml | Cruelty-Free: No, not entirely cruelty-free
Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve
Curly hair types rejoice, if you are looking for a repairing treatment specifically for your hair type, Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve is your best bet.
This intense pre-shampoo treatment is loaded with proteins that target hair bonds from the inside out to strengthen and repair your hair fibre. It’s made with a powerful blend of superfoods and fortifying active ingredients that target all three bonds to rebuild and restore your curls’ natural strength.
Not only is the Bond Curl Rehab Salve a protein and moisturising treatment, but it’s also cruelty-free, sulphate-free, and vegan-friendly. It’s formulated with some amazing natural ingredients like pressed chia seeds, shiitake mushrooms, prickly pear pulp, pumpkin seed oil, guava, and kale to give you bouncier, healthier, shinier curls.
Along with being an effective treatment for curly hair types, it smells divine with a pleasant tropical scent.
Mls: 237ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes and Vegan | Free of: Sulphates and parabens
Kérastase Chronologiste Intense Regenerating Hair Mask
Send your hair to therapy with the luxurious and effective Chronologiste Intense Regenerating Hair Mask from Kerastase.
This mask is perfect for those who want to give their hair some extra love and attention, as it is formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and abyssine. These ingredients work together to heal, strengthen and revitalise the hair, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and healthy with some users touting it as “the best mask from Kerastase, ever!”.
The intense hydration and nourishment that this mask provides make it suitable for all hair types, including colour-treated hair.
However, it is important to note that this mask is quite expensive compared to other hair treatments. Additionally, the thick and creamy texture can be difficult to rinse out completely, and some users may find that the mask weighs down their hair or makes it feel greasy if used too frequently.
Mls: 200ml | Cruelty-Free: No
Bold Uniq Purple Hair Mask
Next up on our best hair mask roundup is the Purple Hair Mask by Bold Uniq.
If we are talking bleached hair, then a purple hair mask had to feature on this list. While the brand itself is not a household name, you can’t argue with over 25,000+ reviews.
If you don’t know the benefit of purple shampoo, it works to neutralise the brassiness and yellow tones that come with bleaching hair.
What makes this one of the best hair masks, is that it not only keeps the brassiness at bay but also revitalises, strengthens, and repairs damaged hair.
Some of the key ingredients in the hair mask include Soy Protein, Vitamin B5, and a blend of super oils for conditioning and hydrating the hair.
If your bleach-damaged hair needs some TLC and toning then apply this purple hair mask once a week. Brush through the hair with a wide-tooth comb and leave on for about 10 – 15 minutes for optimal results.
Mls: 200ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Sulphates and parabens
AVEDA Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment
This hair mask has one unusual ingredient: quinoa protein. While you have probably heard of quinoa in the context of food, the quinoa protein in this product helps to strengthen damaged hair. With this star ingredient, the mask works from the inside out to bring back life to the hair shaft. You’ll end up with silky, smooth locks.
Additionally, its formulated with organic jojoba and castor oils are rich in lipids that deliver extra nourishment to the hair, shielding it from damage.
To further intensify that self-care experience, the Aveda Intensive Treatment has an alluring aroma made from organic bergamot, mandarin, ylang-ylang, and other pure flower and plant essences.
Mls: 150ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Parabens
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Hair Mask
The Intense Hydrating Hair Mask by Moroccanoil is part of their range of hair masks for specific hair needs. This one is medium to thick hair types and suited for especially dry hair. It will improve your hair’s texture and manageability.
The main ingredient is Argan oil, which is famous for its nourishing properties. It’s rich in tocopherols (Vitamin E) which promote healthy hair growth. Argan oil is also filled with essential fatty acids and antioxidants which support your hair’s health.
The Hydrating Mask wards off static because of an anti-static ingredient called Behentrimonium Chloride.
These ingredients make for a nutrient-packed, creamy hair treatment that you can use for 5 minutes with great results. You’ll notice effects on how your hair feels, how elastic it is, and its overall shine and manageability.
This hair mask also smells luscious. It has an aroma that’s sweet and flowery with notes of spicy amber and musk.
Because of how rich this treatment is, it will weigh down your hair if you overuse it. To cut through the thickness, you can use a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup. Those with fine hair may find this weighs the hair down.
Benefits
- Contains nourishing humectants, oils, and extracts
- Can provide results in just 5 minutes
- Beautiful nutty fragrance
- Comes in a tub and squeeze tube
Mls: 250ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Parabens
Sachajuan Hair Repair
The people at Sachajuan sure know how to make good products. And I’m not just talking about what’s in the bottle–the bottle itself looks minimalist but chic. I’m partial to the convenience of a pump bottle. One purchase gives you 250 ml of product perfect for treating bleached and blonde hair.
Sachajuan is a Scandi brand from Stockholm and its products have something called their Ocean Silk Technology. It’s what makes them different from other haircare brands. This technology uses two coldwater algae extracts. One works inside the hair, strengthening it and delivering minerals like magnesium, calcium, manganese, and zinc. The other algae extract takes care of the hair surface, giving it shine and preventing damage. The result is a miracle hair mask.
Their hair philosophy focuses on the basics. They believe simple is better. This line would be good for those who have overloaded their hair with products and want to pare down their routine. This mask would also be good for those looking for simple, natural, and effective ingredients.
The Sachajuan hair mask is a concentrated treatment that’s best for damaged and stressed tresses. Because of its cell-regenerating benefits, you get stronger, smoother hair for longer.
Benefits
- Unique Ocean Silk Technology that strengthens hair inside and out
- Simple, effective ingredients
- Convenient pump bottle
Mls: 250ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Sulphates
Coco & Eve – Like A Virgin Hair Mask
I am always sceptical of products pushed by influencers, but when it comes to the Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Mask, I have to say the hype is valid. This is one of the best hair masks for most hair types.
This deep conditioning mask is suited to all hair types, but it is the ultimate hair hero for those with bleached damaged hair. The miracle hair mask works to hydrate, condition, and improve hair texture and shine, treat split ends and tame frizz.
The hair mask is packed full of ingredients that sound good enough to eat. Dry hair is nourished with a mask formula of raw virgin coconuts, argan oil and shea butter.
If you have hair in need of some serious TLC, swap your normal conditioner out twice a week for the Coconut and Fig hair mask and apply it to damp hair for 10 minutes. Rinse out and style as normal.
Benefits
- 5-in-1 hair repair and nourishing benefits
- No nasty ingredients and 100% vegan
- Comes with tangle tamer hairbrush
Mls: 212ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Sulphates and Parabens
Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask in Golden Blonde
A recent addition to the list is the Shade Variation Mask by Christophe Robin. This is one of the best hair masks for those who want to amplify their highlights and blonde tones but also nourish and restore dry or brittle hair.
This deep treatment can be used between hairdressing appointments to enhance dull blonde hair that has faded or becomes transparent. In tandem, the mask works to reinvigorate and deeply nourish hair that has been damaged from regular styling and colouring.
Use the hair masque once a week for super soft and shiny results.
Benefits
- Paraben, silicone, oxidant and ammonia-free
- Neutralises yellow and grey tones in blonde hair
- Prolongs tones of colour-treated hair
Mls: 250ml | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Free of: Sulphates and Parabens
The Olaxplex Lawsuit
As mentioned, there is a current lawsuit against Olaplex with some users claiming it’s causing hair to fall out and scalp irritation. While we are yet to see the outcome of the lawsuit, a contributing cause to why some might find these products are doing more harm than good is because they are simply not using them correctly.
It’s also important to remember, Olaplex is not for everyone — it’s specifically designed to repair bleached and colour-treated hair.
Dr Michelle Wong from Lab Muffin Beauty Science expertly breaks the controversy down in this helpful video:
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A Guide To Achieving Healthy Hair
What treatment do I need?
The best ingredients for repairing damaged, bleached hair can vary depending on the individual’s hair type and the extent of the damage. However, some ingredients that are commonly used in hair repair products include:
- Protein: Hair is made up of protein, so using protein-based products can help strengthen and rebuild damaged hair. Keratin, collagen, and silk proteins are commonly used in hair repair products.
- Moisturising agents: Bleaching can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Moisturising ingredients such as argan oil, shea butter, and glycerin can help restore moisture to the hair.
- Bonding agents: Hair bonding agents such as Olaplex or Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate work by repairing and rebuilding the hair’s internal structure. These products work to reconnect broken bonds in the hair and restore its strength and elasticity.
How can I make my hair healthy after bleaching?
When your hair starts to feel like straw, it’s time to double up on the TLC and invest in quality hair masks. You need good haircare products whatever hair you may have, but especially if you have colour-treated or brittle hair. Here are some tips I’ve found that worked.
Protect your hair from UV rays.
SPF isn’t only for your skin. Your hair also needs protection from the damaging rays of the sun. These rays can even turn your blonde locks into a brassy hue. You’ll also want a hat or scarf as double protection from direct sunlight.
Use shampoo and conditioner designed for coloured hair.
Colour-safe shampoo and conditioner are designed to make your bleach and colour last, as well as prevent damage. Make sure to apply lots of conditioner because your hair will suck up that moisture like a straw.
Say goodbye to sulphates.
Experts recommend using products free from sulphates. These chemicals are harsh and will strip out hair. Instead, you can alternate between moisture-rich and protein-rich shampoo formulas.
An ideal time between washes is 2 days. Don’t take too long between shampoos because your ends will end up brittle which can lead to split ends. In between washes, dry shampoo is your friend for battling oil and dirt.
Use a deep conditioner or hair treatment.
A regular conditioner just won’t cut it if you have hair that’s been soaked in bleach. You’ll need something more nourishing on top of that conditioner. You can even have a deep conditioner to replace your regular one. Deep conditioning with hair masks helps strengthen, hydrate, and smoothen hair.
Use a tinted shampoo on your hair to remove brassiness post-bleach.
To prevent your hair from turning into that dreaded yellow colour, use a purple shampoo. These are formulated to tone colour treated hair.
Use it on wet hair, like a normal shampoo. Rinse with cool water afterwards to seal the cuticle. The results: platinum, icy blonde hair.
Apply a leave-in conditioner.
You may think this is too much conditioning but damaged and dry hair needs all the hydration it can get. Bleach is one of the harshest chemicals you can put on the hair, after all.
Apply a leave-in conditioner to damp strands (not wet hair) to seal in moisture, concentrating on the mid-lengths to the ends of the hair. Do not wash it out. These will make sure the moisture stays locked in the hair.
Protect your hair when heat-styling.
If you can’t forego hot tools when styling, make sure you get a high-quality heat protectant. They serve as a barrier between your hair and the heat. Remember that bleached hair is already prone to breakage and heat styling tools can easily cause more damage if the hair is not protected. Heat protectants are full of silicone which can make your hair smoother and prevent moisture loss.
What’s the best way to use a treatment product on bleached hair?
Hair mask instructions can vary with different brands and products. Depending on the condition of your hair, use your favourite hair mask twice a week to restore and strengthen the hair.
Usually, after your hair is mostly dry but still damp, you scoop out enough conditioner to cover your hair and massage the product through the lengths of your hair. Concentrate on the tips of your hair because that’s where you need the most nourishment. Be thorough in your application.
If you want to, you can use a wide-tooth comb to gently comb through the hair to distribute the mask well. Afterwards, you can pile your hair up and cover it with a shower cap or some sort of plastic. Set a timer and wait for the mask to sink in the hair shaft. You may also opt to leave it on overnight.
Finally, you can wash the conditioner out using cool or lukewarm water.
Recommended Reading
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