This ultra-rich hair mask from Briogeo helps combat the damage my thick, dry hair experiences living in Arizona's desert-like climate

• Briogeo is a haircare brand that specializes in nourishing, cruelty-free products.
• Its Be Gentle, Be Kind™ Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask is a thick, ultra-hydrating mask made for parched hair of all types.

My shower is always stocked with a few shampoos and loads of conditioners and hair masks. That's because I have a lot of hair; it's long, thick, and coarse in texture. I also happen to live in one of the hottest and driest places in the world — Phoenix, Arizona — which doesn't bode well for my hair type, anyway.

Basically, I deep condition my hair a lot, and I require a lot of product in order to saturate my strands from root to ends. I have a number of favorites, but I recently added Briogeo's Be Gentle, Be Kind™ Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask ($36) to my list.

What Briogeo's avocado and kiwi hair mask is like to use

I've used a handful of Briogeo's products in the past, so I had high hopes for this avocado and kiwi hair mask.

The mask is thick and creamy in texture, but it still has enough slip to easily work into my hair. It instantly begins working out little tangles and it rinses out cleanly without leaving any residue behind or weighing my hair down. Even before drying my hair, I can tell that the mask has worked its hydration magic based on touch alone. Once dry, my hair is visibly shinier and healthier looking.

I also appreciate that this hair mask (and everything else from Briogeo) is cruelty-free and "six-free," which means it does not contain the six biggest ingredient offenders often found in hair products: sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, DEA, and synthetic color. As far as what the mask does contain, you'll find fatty acid-rich avocado oil and antioxidant-loaded kiwi fruit extract, along with extracts of spirulina, watermelon, eggplant, turmeric root, basil, and aloe vera, plus nourishing fats like cocoa butter, salvia oil, and sunflower seed oil.

Cons to consider:

• Cost: At $36 for 8 ounces, this product is on the higher end of the cost spectrum compared to other masks. Your mileage may vary, but my thick, long hair requires a good amount of the product. I can get between four to six uses out of one tub, which does make the price tag sting a bit more.
• Scent: I personally do not care for the sweet and fruity scent, but that's a personal preference. Reviews from others regarding scent are quite mixed. Some say they absolutely love the way it smells, while others have said the scent is too strong or that, like me, they prefer a more traditional salon fragrance or no fragrance at all.
• Might be too rich for some hair types: This mask is ideal for thick and medium hair textures, especially those with curls, kinks, and waves. It does work on straight hair, too, but if you have very fine hair, you might find it's too heavy.

The bottom line

I feel good using this mask knowing what's in the formula and what's been omitted. The mask applies easily and delivers on its formula promises to nourish, hydrate, and restore shine. The biggest consideration is the cost, which is quite high for the number of uses I get, but as far as efficacy goes, the mask works so well that I still think it's worth the cost.

Overall, I would recommend this product to those who prioritize clean and cruelty-free products, don't mind fruity scents, and have medium to thick hair in need of a good drink.