Briogeo Just Dropped a Cake-Scented Version of Its Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Mask

When you open a tub of Briogeo’s cult classic Don’t Despair, Repair! Conditioning Mask, the rich texture and creamy color look like a decadent frosting, but for your hair. Now, it smells like frosting too. For the 10th anniversary of the brand’s best-selling hair mask, it’s releasing a limited-edition birthday cake-scented formula that leaves your hair looking (and smelling) like a snack.

Gourmand lovers can now be sprinkled with vanilla from head to toe (and having soft, healthy hair is a nice touch, too). Ahead, everything you need to know about the brand’s special launch.

The Inspiration

The 10th anniversary of the Don’t Despair, Repair! Conditioning Mask served as inspiration for the new scent, and what’s a birthday party without cake? The Don’t Despair, Repair! Vanilla Cake Conditioning Mask keeps the same formula that promises to reduce breakage and strengthen hair but with a limited-edition sweet vanilla scent reminiscent of a freshly baked birthday treat.

Yes, gourmand fragrance can be intense, but the Briogeo formula features notes of vanilla, cocoa, jasmine, and musk for a mature, floral-tinged take on the nostalgic scent that’ll leave your hair smelling sweet all day long.

The Formula

Quick refresher: The hair mask has gained a cult following since its release a decade ago for strengthening and reviving the hair without weighing it down. Nothing about the original formula is changing—just the scent! It includes plant proteins that replenish keratin in the hair, red algae extract that serves as a protective antioxidant, and rosehip oil, avocado oil, argan oil, and almond oil that adds nourishment and moisture. The brand recommends applying it weekly in place of conditioner or using it as a deep treatment mask for 30 minutes.

The Review

“I love the original formula of the Don’t Despair, Repair Conditioning Mask, and have been using it for years. It leaves my bleached hair super soft and smooth, yet is so lightweight that I can even use a few times a week without weighing down my hair. I don’t love ultra-scented hair products or sweet fragrances, so I was a little scared to try the cake version, but I’m into it! The vanilla is balanced with florals and musk for a more sophisticated cake flavor that doesn’t make my head smell like a cheap candle. The glitter ‘sprinkles’ on the cap are such a cute touch as well.” —Bella Cacciatore, news editor