amika-hydro-rush-intense-moisture-mask-review-fine-hair.jpg

When I tried Amika’s Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask, it was essentially love at first sight and I could not wait to share it with my mom and friends because I loved how soft and shiny it made my hair. Needless to say, I was bummed when my mom, who has wiry, grey, thick hair, did not get the same results that I did. After doing a little research, I decided we both needed to try Amika’s Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask next.

Meant to be richer, more buttery, and more hydrating, the Amika Hydro Rush Mask is a squalane- and hyaluronic acid-infused, intense moisture mask that makes your hair more hydrated for up to 5 days. We both deal with frizz, flyaways, and dryness, so I was excited to see exactly how well Hydro Rush lived up to its promises.

Below, I share my full review with pros, cons, tips for using it, if I think it’s worth the money, how it actually hydrates dry hair, and how it performs on fine, medium, or thick hair.

amika hydro rush intense moisture hair mask with hyaluronic acid review

The Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask is truly one of the most hydrating masks, and I can see why it is so popular. What is important to keep in mind is that this mask specifically focuses on hydration as opposed to damage, so most of your results will be superficial. Your hair will look and feel softer, but your split ends won’t magically seal or go away (that requires a trim and bond repair over time).

If you have been left disappointed by the gentleness of other hair masks, I think you will really like Hydro Rush. It’s thick and heavy-duty; it reminds me of how we switch from lightweight skin moisturizers to something heavier in the winter. This mask will take you season to season, though; use it after swimming in drying chlorine pools in the summer or during the harsh winter months and your hair will feel much more hydrated and easier to manage.

On the downside, this mask is so intense (hence the name) that it will likely be too strong for fine to medium hair that is easily weighed down. My hair is fine, and I feel like I can still use a good amount of “thick hair” products, but this mask is too much for me. I prefer Amika’s Soulfood mask, which also adds hydration but in a much more lightweight formula. (For more on how the two masks compare, see Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask vs Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask Review and Comparison.

Those with medium to thick hair should definitely try this mask, though. My mom has wiry grey, ultra-thick hair and cannot live without this mask. She uses it as a conditioner replacement when her hair needs extra TLC, but it’s also effective enough to be used as a weekly treatment.

mask texture and how it made my hair feel

The Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask is one of the thickest hair masks I’ve ever used. It’s rich, luxurious, and so buttery. It melts into the hair, helps to detangle, and leaves hair feeling so nourished.

That said, I found it to be a little too thick for my fine hair, but my mom (thick, grey hair) absolutely LOVES this mask and it’s become her go-to; she uses it instead of conditioner when her hair feels especially dry, like during the winter.

While the focus is on hydration, the Hydro Rush mask also made our hair softer, slightly shinier, and much easier to manage. It isn’t designed to tame frizz, but we noticed subtle differences, especially around the roots/ part.

pros

Nourishing enough for thick, wavy, curly, and coarse hair
Easy to work through the hair
Easy to rinse out
Adds shine
Tames frizz
Makes hair noticeably softer
Has Amika’s signature amber-vanilla scent

cons

Too heavy for fine to medium hair
Does not repair damage
Expensive ($44)

key ingredients

Amika’s Hydro Rush Mask truly lives up to its name as it is formulated with ultra-hydrating ingredients like:

Squalane - prevents moisture loss and restores hair's suppleness.
Hyaluronic Acid - plumps up dry hair by attracting moisture.
Bio-Fermented Coconut Water - naturally hydrates.

Hydro Rush is also vegan and cruelty-free.

is it good for damaged hair?

Somewhat, though it isn’t the best. If your main concern is breakage, split ends, and brittle hair, then you will get better results from a hair mask that focuses on strengthening and bond repair, like Amika’s The Kure Mask.

If your ends feel dry and rough, then Hydro Mask does a great job of moisturizing your hair and adding softness.

is the amika hydro rush intense moisture hair mask worth it?

If you have thick or coarse hair and have yet to find a hair mask that is strong enough for your hair, then I highly recommend trying the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask. It’s thick, buttery, and ultra-rich yet doesn’t weigh your hair down or leave a film. It makes your hair noticeably shinier, softer, and easier to manage; my mom has wiry grey hair and cannot live without Hydro Rush.

As someone with fine hair, Hydro Rush is a little too intense for me, but I really love it for thicker hair types.

It is on the more expensive side ($44 for an 8oz jar), but a little goes a very long way! One jar lasts my mom around 6 months, so it really is worth it as far as the value you get.

The one thing to keep in mind is that if your main hair concern is breakage, split ends, and damage, you will prefer a hair mask that contains bond repair, which will strengthen your hair and repair damage over time. Amika’s The Kure Mask excels at this, and it’s the same price as Hydro Rush. For more information on the bond repair mask, visit Amika The Kure Intense Strength Repair Hair Mask Review.

who it's best for

Medium, thick, or coarse hair
Wavy, curly, or coily hair
Dry hair
Those who want a rich, nourishing hair mask
Those who want softer, more manageable hair
Those who want a mask that is thick and buttery in consistency

who should skip it

Fine to medium hair
Damaged hair (split ends, breakage)
Those who want a lightweight mask they can use as a conditioner replacement
Those who want bond repair in their hair mask

hydro rush vs other amika masks

If you’ve visited my website before, you know I love a good comparison. Amika’s masks are all really good and highly rated, so it can be tricky to figure out which is best for you.

You can view detailed comparisons here:

For a quick cheat sheet, I would say that Hydro Rush is best for medium to thick hair that needs hydration. If you have fine hair, Soulfood also provides hydration but is more lightweight.

If you have dryness but your primary concern is damage (breakage, split ends, etc.), then The Kure is a better option. It contains bond repair technology that repairs damage and strengthens hair over time; Hydro Rush is best for instant hydration.

amika-hydro-rush-intense-moisture-mask-review-hyaluronic-acid.jpg

frequently asked questions

is hydro rush better than soulfood?

It depends on your hair type. Hydro Rush provides deeper hydration, while Soulfood is lighter and more balanced. As such, Hydro Rush is better for medium to thick hair; it is personally too heavy for my fine hair.

I consider them to be sister masks as they both provide hydration and nourishment; the “better” mask comes down to your hair type.

is hydro rush good for fine hair?

In my personal experience, no, it is too heavy. If you want a hydrating mask, check out the more lightweight Soulfood Mask (also by Amika).

can you use hydro rush every wash?

Yes, although most people only need to use it once or twice a week at most since it is an ultra-rich mask. If your hair is extremely dry, you may be able to use it more often.