Thanks to years of flirting with bleach and hair straighteners, our hair is sadly not the silkiest of them all - which is why we both decided to review the much-raved-about Garnier Hair Food mask. Yes, we are always looking for the next magical thing to revive frizzy locks. We are constantly on the lookout for a quick fix, the viral new best hair oil or another that the internet won't stop talking about - and now, we've found it.
When we stumbled upon countless Instagram stories from people going bananas (literally) for a bargain hair mask, we naturally couldn't resist trying. It's Garnier's Hair Food Mask, which no word of a lie, makes your hair gleam.
The best Garnier Hair Food masks, at a glance:
Editor's Choice: Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food, Banana, £4.49 WAS £8.99 on Amazon
Best Hair Food mask for curly hair: Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food, Papaya, £4.49 WAS £8.99 on Amazon
Best Hair Food mask for frizzy, dry hair: Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food, Coconut, £4.49 WAS £8.99 on Amazon
The formula is rich, thick and boujee (essentially a Kardashian, but in conditioner form.) We compare it to the all-mighty Hair Syrup in terms of its quality and results. We both used the mask for the full three minutes that it recommends, and could tell from the moment it was rinsed out, that we were on to a winner.
Editor's Choice: Best Hair Food mask
amazonThe banana mask is specifically tailored for dry hair. Don't be put off by the banana, it's a vibe. It can be used in three different ways - as a conditioner, rinse-out hair mask or leave-in conditioner. Much like a hair growth oil, it'll nourish your scalp and encourage new, strong growth from the root.
Our review by Shopping Editor Aimee Jakes: "After blow-drying, it felt soft, manageable and, dare I say, glossy. It took all my willpower to not excitedly whip my hair back and forth in front of my colleagues during a 10 a.m. meeting. It smells like bananas, which I admittedly wasn't 100% sold on at first glance, but let me tell you, it really smells utterly GLORIOUS. However, for proper banana-phobes, the mask is also available in coconut, aloe vera and papaya."
Another reviewer on Amazon wrote: '"I am so happy Amazon started selling this in the UK at a reasonable price, used to buy loads of it in Italy and was very bummed I couldn't find it here. My hair looks and feels so much better when I use this product, and even my hairdresser was amazed by how healthy and strong it was."
Best Hair Food mask for curly hair
amazonMade with 98% natural ingredients and 100% vegan formula, this treatment visibly reduces up to half your split ends after just one use when used as a leave-in in comparison to a classic shampoo. This is defo a Curly Girl-approved curly hair product.
Our review from heat writer Ruby Barry: "Garnier's Ultimate Blends Hair Food surprised me. I wasn't expecting much from the drugstore product (perhaps buying luxury brands like Kérastase has got to my head) but as well as smelling fantastic, my hair felt so soft and silky after using it. The lesson here? Never underestimate a budget buy - you can still get so much bang for your buck if a hair mask has the right ingredients. Hair Food provides all the right nutrients needed, and at only £3.99, it's an absolute steal."
The Garnier Hair Food is currently half-price on Amazon, from as low as £4.49. Yes, you heard that right - the Banana, Coconut and Papaya versions of the Garnier Hair Food are currently 50% off. Make sure you nab yours, ASAP.
Best Hair Food mask for normal hair
amazonThis moisturising Aloe Vera Hair Mask Treatment leaves hair up to 4 times shinier after just one use and has an incredibly melting texture to instantly absorb into hair without weighing it down.
Amazon review: "Immediately noticed the difference after the first application - it was silky and soft, and so shiny!!! My hair has been straw-like after using too much heat, and I’ve tried other masks but none have worked as well as this. Also pleasantly surprised at the smell and how big the tub is, and it’s super affordable. Well worth the money!"
Best Hair Food mask for fine hair
amazonGarnier's newest addition watermelon is designed for fine hair and promises to plump and hydrate tresses. Plus, it smells like summer in a pot, working much like a hair perfume. Almost good enough to eat (although, please don't eat this stuff...)
Amazon review: "This stuff smells good enough to eat, the scent is so lovely. My hair can get greasy quickly with conditioner but I have found that with this product, my hair is soft and hydrated, without feeling greasy the next day. The tub is huge and lasts a long time, even longer if you only use it for the tips of your hair and not all over conditioning. If you want to use a conditioner without the weighed-down feel to your hair, then I’d recommend this product."
Best Hair Food mask for frizzy hair
bootswww.boots.com
Another great option for frizzy, curly or wavy hair is the Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Coconut Oil Mask. This mask is expertly blended with coconut and macadamia to tame and nourish.
Boots review: "I can't say it enough - I love this product! I'm 28 and I've never found a product that's worked so well in my hair! I have thick, dry, frizzy curls. This is the first time ever, that I've been able to use one product in my hair. I normally use 4, but this gives the same outcome on its own! On top of that, I no longer need to buy expensive treatments! First I treat my hair with it, wash it out and then leave it as a leave-in and allow my hair to air dry! Don't even need a diffuser! Loveeeeee it!"
It's not just the mask's hair-transforming qualities that have the internet in a frenzy (seriously, we haven't seen the internet go this bonkers for a product since the rosemary oil for hair growth tag on TikTok). The mask contains 98% natural ingredients (2% is to ensure good preservation) and it's fully vegan, functioning much like a DIY homemade hair mask you'd make with fresh ingredients. A hair mask which fully works and is eco-conscious? Garnier, you are spoiling us.
Another pleased Amazon reviewer wrote, "I love this conditioner. It is curly hair friendly so contains no nasties and smells incredible. It’s also versatile as it can be used as a leave-in, normal conditioner or mask for deep conditioning."
There are three ways to use the Garnier Hair Food mask:
Conditioner: on wet hair, to instantly nourish and detangle hair without weighing it down.
Mask: on wet hair, leave for three minutes and rinse out to leave hair feeling intensely nourished and beautifully shiny. It is on the same level as Olaplex treatments - no word of a lie.
Leave-in: on wet or dry hair, apply a small amount to lengths to leave hair irresistibly soft and beautifully healthy. It works like a hair serum and gives shine and strength to your strands.
Remember to follow our guide to how to use a hair mask to get the most out of your pot-of-goodness. Whilst you're here, why not also read our full hair care tips and tricks article and become a hair guru like us (we take our work extra seriously, because if we don't, then who will?)
Aimee Jakes is the shopping editor across heat and Closer. As well as mainly writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she also regularly chats to celebs about their wellness routines for heat's Self-Care Sunday.
Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for heat, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her “dupe queen”, as there’s not a product in the world she can’t find a cheaper alternative for.