If you only change one thing in your hair routine, make it the treatment. A good shampoo cleans; a good treatment is what makes dry, colored or damaged hair feel different. Japanese salon brands are especially strong here, with light leave-ins that do not weigh hair down and masks built around collagen and keratin. These are the ones we use at Kija Hair Salon in Irvine, and how to choose.
Quick picks
| You want | Our pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A weekly mask for dry, damaged hair | Margaret Josefin Deep Hair Mask | $40 |
| A collagen mask after color or a perm | Amatora QUO ColamasQ | $55 |
| An everyday conditioner for colored hair | Amatora QUO KitomasQ | $50 |
| A leave-in that will not weigh fine hair down | Amatora OQ Leave-In Treatment Mousse | $52 |
| A leave-in oil for colored or straightened ends | MUCOTA CS+DD Oil Treatment | $44 |
| A finishing oil for brittle, dry ends | Margaret Josefin Intensive Hair Care Essence | $64 |
| Moisture for the scalp and wavy, dry hair | Arimino Sprinage Moisture Gelee | $35 |
Rinse-out treatments: masks and conditioners
Margaret Josefin Deep Hair Mask ($40)
An intense conditioning mask for straight and naturally wavy hair, with marine and heat-coat collagen and plant-derived hyaluronic acid from okra. Use it once or twice a week, or daily if your hair is severely damaged. It is the best value on this list and the easiest place to start. Shop Margaret Josefin Deep Hair Mask, or read our full guide to it.
Amatora QUO ColamasQ ($55)
A collagen treatment mask for colored or permed hair, designed to help balance pH after a chemical service and help prevent color fading. Apply it to the damaged parts first, wrap your hair in a warm towel for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse. Use it once or twice a week. Shop QUO ColamasQ.
Amatora QUO KitomasQ ($50)
The everyday conditioner of the QUO line, with keratin, fulvic acid, hematin and a long list of plant oils. It smooths texture, adds volume and helps hold color. Apply it to the ends first and leave it on for 2 to 5 minutes. Pair it with QUO Hair Bath. Shop QUO KitomasQ.
Leave-in treatments: mousse, oils and gel
Amatora OQ Leave-In Treatment Mousse ($52)
Our pick for the best Japanese hair mousse. It is a light foam with ceramides, keratin and hyaluronic acid that adds instant gloss and helps hair hold moisture. Because it is a foam rather than a cream, it is the leave-in our stylists reach for on fine hair that goes flat. Spread it through towel-dried hair, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends, then blow-dry as usual. Shop the OQ mousse, or read our OQ guide.
MUCOTA CS+DD Oil Treatment ($44)
A Japanese leave-in seaweed oil for color-treated, straightened or chemically processed hair. Linseed oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, works with kombu seaweed extracts to give damaged ends moisture and shine. It also contains silicones, which add slip and protection. Apply it to towel-dried mid-lengths and ends, comb through, and style. Shop MUCOTA CS+DD.
Margaret Josefin Intensive Hair Care Essence ($64)
A marine-collagen oil for hair damaged by color or perms. Its amino-acid-based oil turns dry, brittle hair smooth and shiny without leaving it greasy. Use a small amount on the ends as the last step before styling. Shop the Intensive Hair Care Essence.
Arimino Sprinage Moisture Gelee ($35)
A light leave-in gel for the scalp and hair. It moisturizes, helps control waviness and dry, rough-feeling hair, and works on damp or dry hair. Work it into the scalp and hair after towel-drying, then blow-dry. Shop Arimino Sprinage.
How to layer them
- Shampoo for your hair type (see the best Japanese shampoos).
- Conditioner or mask: conditioner after every wash; swap in a mask once or twice a week.
- One leave-in on damp hair: mousse for fine hair, oil for thick or very dry ends.
- Style, then add a drop of oil to the ends if they still look dry.
You do not need everything. For most people, one mask and one leave-in make the biggest difference.
Japanese hair treatment FAQ
What is the best Japanese hair treatment for damaged hair?
Start with the Margaret Josefin Deep Hair Mask once or twice a week. If your hair is colored or permed, Amatora QUO ColamasQ is built for exactly that.
What is the best Japanese leave-in for fine hair?
The Amatora OQ Leave-In Treatment Mousse. It is the lightest option here and is designed not to weigh hair down.
Can I use a mask and a leave-in together?
Yes. The mask is rinsed out after washing; the leave-in goes on afterwards, on damp hair.
Every treatment here ships from our Irvine salon, and U.S. orders over $40 ship free. Shop all hair treatments, or see the best Japanese hair care brands for the full picture.