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The Best Conditioner for Every Hair Type

Even though hair routines may differ, there are a few common products that should see their way into all types: the right shampoo, heat protectant, stylers, and of course conditioner.

While conditioner is generally used to restore moisture and nourishment to your hair that can be lost in the process of cleansing, there are different kinds you can use depending on your hair type and needs — whether that means color protection, stronger nourishment for dry ends, or even repairing conditioner for hair that’s been chemically damaged. No matter what kind you do end up using, your conditioner should help to lock in moisture and shine, leaving you with healthy and protected strands. But if you’re noticing that your hair isn’t looking its best, your conditioner might be partially to blame. So let’s take a closer look at what conditioner does for your hair, as well as the different kinds you can use, to ensure that you’re choosing the right conditioner for your hair type.

What does conditioner actually do?

Before we can tackle the kinds of conditioner you can use, let’s start with the basics: what does conditioner do? One of the roles of sebum is to nourish the follicle and help the cuticle lie flat — this helps to protect your hair, keeping it shiny and moisturized. But everyday wear and tear, overly-frequent shampooing, and heat styling can strip away too many natural oils or raise the cuticle, which makes your hair look frizzy and dull. The science behind conditioner is that the negatively charged hair strand will bind with the positively charged surfactants (the main cleaning agents) in conditioner, helping to coat the hair, smooth the strands, fight tangles and help re-fortify the cuticle.

Here are some of the most common benefits to making conditioner a part of your hair routine:

Restores moisture
Detangles, making hair easier to comb
Coats and protects the cuticle
Makes hair smooth and manageable
Reduces frizz
Helps prevent split ends
Boosts softness

How to choose the right type of conditioner based on hair type

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what conditioner can do for your hair, let’s talk about the main kinds you can choose from. While most people won’t have hair that falls into one solid category (you can have colored hair that’s also thin or dry), try to see which kind fits with your hair type the most, and consider rotating different kinds into your routine to see what your hair best responds to.

Thickening conditioner

BEST FOR: Thinning or fine hair
NOT SUITED FOR: If you already have thick, dense hair, this type of conditioner probably won’t be richly moisturizing enough for your needs.
WHAT IT DOES: Thickening conditioner, also known as a volumizing conditioner, helps to create a fuller appearance on fine or thin hair, boosting thickness and encouraging new growth.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Ideally it should also provide ample moisture without weighing strands down, since fine and thin hair can look heavy and lifeless if you use a product that’s too rich. Look for a product description that mentions lightly hydrating ingredients, or anything that promises to nourish and protect the hair. But most importantly, any ingredients that have been shown to promote new hair growth — like rosemary oil, argan oil, coconut oil, or caffeine.
HOW TO USE: Use after every shampoo and follow the instructions on the packaging. As a general tip, it’s probably best to test out washing your hair less frequently if you’re experiencing fineness or thinning.

Deep conditioner

BEST FOR: Most types of hair
NOT SUITED FOR: If you have very fine or thin hair, using a deep conditioner too frequently can weigh it down and make it look limp, since they’re usually thicker and richer. But other than that, most hair types can benefit from occasionally using a deep conditioner.
WHAT IT DOES: Deep conditioners, often referred to as hair masks, offer deeper nourishment and moisture for hair. They have a longer application time than conditioner too, since you want to give the ingredients time to penetrate and soften your strands. Think of it like an extra-nourishing face mask, just for your hair.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Keep an eye out for rich ingredients that can properly penetrate the hair shaft — the nourishing Roucou oil in OI Hair Butteris an amazing choice for softening even the most stubborn strands.
HOW TO USE: Since deep conditioners are much richer than normal conditioners, you should use them less frequently. Start by swapping in a deep conditioner for your regular conditioner once a week and see how your hair responds, leaving it on your hair for at least 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.

Moisturizing conditioner

BEST FOR: Dry hair
NOT SUITED FOR: All hair types need adequate moisture, but if you have an irritated scalp or greasy hair you might want to consider more targeted treatments for your conditioner (for those with the latter issue, be sure to read our blog post on how to get rid of oily hair).
WHAT IT DOES: Healthy, shiny hair needs moisture to stay that way, and a moisturizing hydrating conditioner will replenish your strands with what it needs. Everyday activities like styling or changing weather can strip your hair of necessary moisture, leaving it frizzy, dry and more vulnerable to breakage and damage.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: To find the right hair conditioning treatment, look for ingredients that will restore lost moisture that your dry hair needs to look healthy and shiny. MOMO moisturizing conditioner is formulated to detangle and moisturize your hair from within, balancing the proper hydration levels in your hair — the Cartucciaru melon extract in MOMO is extremely hydrating, and contains Vitamins A and C, potassium, phosphorus and zinc.
HOW TO USE: After cleansing and rinsing, apply your moisturizing conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out.

MINU Hair Mask

Illuminating and regenerating mask for colored hair.

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SU Hair Mask

RestoreS the hydration of hair damaged by the sun, chlorine and salt.

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Intense Treatment

Reinforcing, brightening treatment for blondes.

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Protein Conditioner

BEST FOR: Damaged hair, especially from chemical treatments or heat damage.
NOT SUITED FOR: Fine, thin hair, as it can be too weighed down.
WHAT IT DOES: According to Sally Beauty, a protein conditioner is “a type of deep conditioner that adds protein to the hair cortex, which helps to strengthen hair and restore elasticity. Designed for periodic use, these deep-penetrating treatments are formulated to repair damaged hair."
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Ingredients that will strengthen the hair structure from within — our Naturaltech Nourishing line contains protein and phytoceuticals extracted from grapes, which are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants to improve the health of your hair.
HOW TO USE: After cleansing and rinsing, apply your protein conditioner through your lengths and ends, ensuring an even application. Let it sit for at least 10-15 minutes, then rinse.

Curl Conditioner

BEST FOR: Curly or wavy hair
NOT SUITED FOR: “Straight” hair
WHAT IT DOES: Curly hair usually needs extra moisture to stay healthy: if you have naturally straight hair, your follicles are perfectly round; those with curly hair have oval-shaped follicles, and the flatter the oval appears the curlier your hair will be. These twists and turns mean that sebum produced at the scalp — which is responsible for softening, protecting and bringing nutrients to your hair — has a harder time working its way to the ends of your hair. This is why those with curly hair are more prone to dryness and need moisturizing curl conditioner. For more tips and tricks on how to keep your locks looking their best, be sure to read our blog post on how to care for curly hair.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Moisturizing ingredients, as well as ones like Vitamin B that add elasticity and volume to your curls without weighing them down.
HOW TO USE: After rinsing out your curl shampoo, apply conditioner to lengths and ends. Comb through and leave on 5-10 mins. Rinse thoroughly, towel dry and use your favorite styling products to style your curls.

Leave-In Conditioner

BEST FOR: Leave-in conditioners are suitable for all hair types, especially those prone to dryness or frizziness
WHAT IT DOES: While normal conditioners are used after shampooing and rinsed out in the shower, a leave-in conditioner is usually the first step of your styling routine on towel-dried hair. Leave in products provide extra moisture, protection, and help to detangle.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Ingredients that can soften, detangle and moisturize your strands, without weighing them down. OI All In One Milk leave-in spray is formulated with Roucou Oil to help detangle by softening your strands and smoothing frizz.
HOW TO USE: Apply about 10 spritzes to towel-dried hair from lengths to ends, then proceed with styling as usual.

Smoothing Conditioner

BEST FOR: Most hair types, but especially frizzy hair
WHAT IT DOES: Helps to control and manage frizz by smoothing hair strands, leaving you with sleek locks and more well-defined curls.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Your smoothing conditioner needs to have ingredients that deliver on their promises to control frizz — the Minuta olive extract in LOVE/smoothing is abundant in fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are extremely nourishing, softening and moisturizing.
HOW TO USE: After rinsing out your smoothing shampoo, apply a small amount of conditioner to lengths and ends. Comb through and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, towel dry and use your favorite styling products to blow dry.

Final thoughts on finding the right conditioner for your hair type

With so many products out there, it can seem intimidating (and potentially very expensive) to find the right conditioner for your hair type. But now that you know the basics of what the different kinds of conditioner offer, as well as what won’t be beneficial for certain hair types to use, you should have a better idea about what you should be trying. And since one step can’t carry your entire hair care routine, remember to follow other best practices for healthy hair: washing no more than a few times a week, brushing gently, and using other sulfate and paraben-free hair products like the ones we carry at Davines. If you have any other helpful tips on choosing the right conditioner for your hair type, or still have lingering questions you’re saving for your hairstylist, let us know in the comments below!

By Lauren Hannel, staff contributor

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