Best overall
Olaplex
Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment
7.9Good
Olaplex's 3-minute successor to Nº.3: a protein-free bond-building pre-shampoo that editors say leaves hair instantly smoother.
Hair mask5$34.00
Restorative Treatment Mask
A 2–3 minute keratin mask that editors say leaves damaged hair soft and fluffy; very pricey per ounce and possibly heavy on fine hair.
7.2
Good
Beauty score
#9 of 10 treatments
Community
—/10
- Format
- Hair mask
- Size
- 1.7 oz
- Price per oz
- $21.29 / oz
- Price tier
- Mid-range
Made for: All hair types · Damaged hair · Color-treated hair
Last reviewed November 2, 2026 by our editors · How we score
The verdict
A 2–3 minute keratin mask that editors say leaves damaged hair soft and fluffy; very pricey per ounce and possibly heavy on fine hair.
Restorative Treatment Mask is Virtue's deep-conditioning mask built on its proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku, with brown algae, baobab seed and amaranth extracts, and the brand says it works in two to three minutes. Editors at PureWow, Who What Wear and The Zoe Report describe soft, shiny, more manageable hair, though PureWow's tester couldn't say whether the keratin or simply the extra conditioning did the work. It suits dry, damaged or chemically processed hair. It is expensive per ounce, may be heavy for fine hair, and the only videos found are brand-made.
Best for
- Dry, damaged, bleached or chemically processed hair
- Medium to thick hair that needs a quick weekly treatment
- Shoppers willing to pay for a fast, rich mask
What we love
- Works in 2–3 minutes
- Editors report soft, shiny, more manageable hair
- Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and synthetic dyes, per the brand
- Built on Virtue's proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku protein
Worth knowing
- Very expensive per ounce
- May be too heavy for fine hair, per PureWow's roundup
- Contains dimethicone and a strong fragrance
- Independent video reviews are hard to find
How it scored
The breakdown.
Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.
7.2Good
Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.
- Results30%7.6
PureWow, Who What Wear and Zoe Report editors report soft, shiny, more manageable hair, but PureWow's tester could not credit the keratin specifically.
- Formula & ingredients20%7.6
A conditioning base with keratin protein, panthenol, shea butter and plant extracts; it relies on dimethicone and fragrance, and protein-sensitive hair may object.
- Texture & experience15%7.8
It works in two to three minutes and rinses cleanly, though PureWow's tester found the scent strong and PureWow's roundup warns it may be heavy for fine hair.
- Value20%5.8
At $36 for 1.7 oz it is among the most expensive masks per ounce; the 5 oz pro size lowers the unit cost but still costs $72.
- Community love15%7.0
Consistently praised in editor roundups, but independent video reviews and Reddit discussion of this mask are scarce.
Beauty profile
Inside the bottle.
Texture
Deep-conditioning mask that the brand says rinses cleanly without heaviness
Format
Hair mask
Fragrance
Contains fragrance — Creamy coconut and tropical yuzu wrapped in warm woods (brand)
Size
1.7 oz / 50 ml
Key ingredients
Ingredient encyclopedia →- K&Keratin & proteinsHair & scalp — ingredient guide
- PaPanthenolHydrators — ingredient guide
- SbShea butterBarrier & repair — ingredient guide
What’s in it: Virtue's Alpha Keratin 60ku (listed as keratin) with brown algae (Cystoseira compressa), baobab seed, amaranth seed and artichoke leaf extracts; contains dimethicone.
How to use
After shampooing, remove excess water and apply a generous amount from mid-lengths to ends, leave on for 2–3 minutes and rinse; use 1–2 times a week or in place of conditioner.
Free from (brand-stated)
- sulfates
- parabens
- phthalates
- synthetic colors and dyes
- gluten
Claims & certifications
- Cruelty-free (brand-stated)
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
Full ingredient list (INCI)91 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand
- Aqua (Water, Eau),
- Cetearyl Alcohol,
- Behentrimonium Chloride,
- Dimethicone,
- PEG-100 Stearate,
- Glyceryl Stearate,
- PEG-8 Dimethicone,
- Cetyl Alcohol,
- Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine,
- Isododecane,
- Cetyl Esters,
- Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate,
- Ethylhexylglycerin,
- Keratin,
- Panthenol,
- Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract,
- Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract,
- Quercus Petraea Fruit Extract,
- Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer,
- Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract,
- Oryza Sativa (Rice) Seed Protein,
- Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract,
- Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract,
- Cystoseira Compressa Extract,
- Hydrolyzed Pea Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol,
- Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol,
- Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract,
- Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract,
- Tocopheryl Acetate,
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract,
- Asiaticoside,
- Hydrolyzed Quinoa,
- Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables,
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter,
- Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract,
- Jojoba Esters,
- Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine,
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract,
- Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil,
- Tocopherol,
- Madecassoside,
- Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride,
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract,
- Galactoarabinan,
- Xylitol,
- Trehalose,
- Zea Mays (Corn) Starch,
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Sprout Extract,
- Calcium Gluconate,
- Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract,
- Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract,
- Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate,
- Parfum (Fragrance),
- Propanediol,
- Caprylyl Glycol,
- Glycerin,
- Polysorbate 60,
- Hydroxyethylcellulose,
- Polysorbate 20,
- Dimethiconol,
- Maltodextrin,
- Quaternium-95,
- Gluconolactone,
- Phytic Acid,
- Disodium Phosphate,
- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside,
- Butylene Glycol,
- Ethyl Linoleate,
- Ethyl Oleate,
- Sorbitan Oleate,
- Polyquaternium-37,
- Phenethyl Alcohol,
- Caprylic Acid,
- Phenoxyethanol,
- Isopropyl Alcohol,
- Benzyl Alcohol,
- Chlorphenesin,
- Sorbic Acid,
- Benzoic Acid,
- Sodium Phytate,
- Sodium Phosphate,
- Sodium Benzoate,
- Alcohol,
- Citric Acid,
- Potassium Sorbate,
- Dehydroacetic Acid,
- Benzyl Salicylate,
- Coumarin,
- Limonene,
- Hexyl Cinnamal,
- Linalool.
Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.
Creator video reviews
Watch it in action.
Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.
We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.
What people say
Straight from the source.
Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.
5 verbatim quotes · 3 positive · 2 mixed
PureWowPositive
Here's how I was convinced of success: All day long, I couldn't stop touching my hair. It was soft, light and fluffy.
PureWowMixed
Whether it’s the Alpha Keratin 60ku or just the extra pampering, the jury is out. If you’re looking for a treat-yourself hair mask, you could probably find something cheaper.
Who What WearPositive
My personal favourite is this one from Virtue, which has really helped to improve the overall condition of my hair.
The Zoe ReportPositive
Virtue’s entire line of products is focused on repair, so this mask does contain the brand’s proprietary Alpha Keratin 60ku protein, but it’s also a moisture-packed powerhouse.
PureWowMixed
might be too heavy for those with fine hair
Price & value
Is it worth it?
Typical price
$36.00
for 1.7 oz / 50 ml
Per ounce
$21.29
DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury
About 95% more per ounce than the typical treatments we review. Our value score: 5.8/10 for a mid-range pick.
Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.
Where to buy
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money
Community
What members noticed.
Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.
No member ratings yet.
Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.
Highlighted: what it’s built to do.
Discussion
No discussions yet.
Tried Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask? Ask a question or share how it’s working for your skin or hair — you’ll be the first.
FAQ
Good questions.
How long do you leave Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask on?
Virtue says to apply a generous amount after shampooing, from mid-lengths to ends, leave it on for two to three minutes and rinse thoroughly. It recommends using it once or twice a week or in place of conditioner.
What is Alpha Keratin 60ku?
It is Virtue's proprietary keratin protein, which the brand describes as 100% bio-identical to the keratin in hair and says replenishes keratin lost to daily damage. Independent testing of that claim isn't published on the product page.
Will it weigh down fine hair?
Virtue says it rinses cleanly without heaviness and suggests adjusting the amount to hair thickness. PureWow's mask roundup notes it might be too heavy for fine hair, while PureWow's own fine-haired tester found it light.
What sizes does it come in?
Virtue's site lists a 0.5 oz mini, a 1.7 oz full size at $36 and a 5 oz pro size, which lowers the cost per ounce.
Sources we checked (8)
- virtuelabs.com/restorative-treatment-mask.html
- virtuelabs.com/our-science
- virtuelabs.com/product-type/treatments.html
- purewow.com/beauty/virtue-labs-restorative-treatment-mask-review
- purewow.com/beauty/best-hair-masks
- whowhatwear.com/best-damaged-hair-products
- thezoereport.com/beauty/best-products-platinum-hair
- youtube.com/watch?v=WJPObAJiXkw
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