For anyone serious about hair health, the best protein treatments deserve a permanent spot in your routine—especially if your strands are feeling limp, brittle, or mysteriously dull. While they may sound clinical, these powerhouse formulas are anything but basic. Designed to target the structural integrity of your hair, protein treatments work beneath the surface, filling in weak spots along the shaft and reinforcing its natural strength. Not to mention, they can also smooth frizzy flyaways, prevent split ends, and tackle dryness.
Vogue’s Favorite Protein Hair Treatments
Think of them as rehab for lengths that have seen one to many chemical treatments, and heat styling on the daily. With consistent use, the benefits of protein treatments accumulate with each use delivering smoother, stronger strands with every use. Whether it’s a weekly mask infused with hydrolyzed keratin or a lightweight serum that strengthens as it styles, the right protein treatment can transform your hair from fragile to fortified—without sacrificing softness or shine.
Ahead, the Vogue-approved formulas worth weaving into your routine.
In This Story
Best Leave-In Mask: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
- Why We Love It: K18’s TikTok-famous hair mask is a Vogue editor-favorite that works in just four minutes to repair damaged hair through a blend of peptides and proteins. “This is a great option if you’re unsure where to start,” celebrity colorist Travis Ogletree previously told Vogue.“I’ve seen the most noticeable transformations in my clients’ hair from consistent use of this mask.” Fellow celebrity colorist Aura Friedman agrees, adding that this pick keeps hair shinier and more manageable after consistent use. “The formula of this mask is essentially the molecular copy of the 18 peptides that make up keratin. This also lowers the pH of the hair, which keeps the cuticles tight, and maintains both color molecules and moisture. The results mean hair is shinier and more manageable,” Friedman previously told Vogue.
- Key Ingredients: K18Peptide, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and wheat starch
- Type: Leave-in mask
- Scent: A light floral scent with jasmine and peony
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, sulfate-free, safe for color treated hair
- How To Use: Skip conditioner, after shampooing—then apply to freshly wash lengths. Wait four minutes before brushing, drying or styling. No rinsing required!
- Size: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz