For those of you out there who are currently skipping conditioner altogether, we’ve got news for you: it’s not going to cut it. If you style your hair in any shape or sort, conditioner is a necessity. Without it, your hair is prone to dehydration, frizz, and flyaways – the worst base for a hairstyle.
Just as with shampoo, there is no one-size-fits all when it comes to conditioner. If you have thick, coarse hair, the conditioner that works best for you will probably not do the job for a guy with flat, thin hair.
However, when you’re short on time it can be easy to grab the first thing you see at the drugstore. To save you the trouble of decoding buzzwords and ingredients lists, we’ve put together a guide to the best conditioner for your hair type. Choose the right lather and the difference will be immediate (plus it’ll make hairstyling a breeze).
Flat, Thin Hair
Look for conditioners that boost texture and are lighter than regular formulas, so they don’t add extra weight to your hair.
Get a boost of volume from a conditioner like Portland General Store Thick Conditioner, which fortifies cuticles with antioxidants and Vitamin B for stronger, thicker hair.
Tip: Don’t use smoothing conditioners, which are way too heavy for your fine strands.
SHOP: Portland General Store Thick Conditioner
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Curly Hair
While typically we advocate using small amounts of hair product (whether it’s pomade or conditioner) and only adding more as needed, when it comes to conditioner for curly hair, feel free to layer.
Combat dryness with an intensively moisturizing deep conditioner. Dreadnought Concentrated Conditioner contains hydrolyzed wheat protein to strengthen hair follicles, and aloe to soothe.
In need of extra curl control? After conditioner, apply a leave-in treatment like Living Proof Curl Leave-In Conditioner, which delivers hydration for defined curls.
SHOP: Dreadnought Concentrated Conditioner and Living Proof Curl Leave-In Conditioner
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Color-treated Hair
If you’ve dyed or chemically treated your hair, your focus with conditioner is two-pronged: prolong the color and rehabilitate hair. Look for words like “color care,” “sulfate-free,” and “color extend.”
Get the job done with Bumble and bumble Super Rich Conditioner, a luxurious balm that softens, detangles, and restores life to damaged hair.
Tip: If you have thick, curly, and/or coarse hair, you can skip the shampoo altogether and just use conditioner. Using shampoo can strip too much moisture from your hair, causing additional damage.
SHOP: Bumble and bumble Super Rich Conditioner
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Wavy Hair
Your conditioner should be lightweight enough not to weigh your carefree waves down, but contain enough hydration to keep dry ends in check.
Strike a balance between the two with a conditioner like Baxter of California Daily Moisturizing Conditioner, which adds shine while promoting hair manageability.
SHOP: Baxter of California Daily Moisturizing Conditioner
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Thick Hair
Opt for a lightweight conditioner that improves manageability. Try Acca Kappa Muschio Blanco Conditioner, which locks in moisture with coconut oil but is mild enough to use daily. We’re talking soft, shiny hair without the heaviness.
SHOP: Acca Kappa Muschio Blanco Conditioner
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Dry, Frizzy Hair
A rich conditioner will do the trick. DR Harris Conditioner – Coconut Oil has the consistency of a thick cream, and is fortified with aloe and coconut oil to leave locks shiny and smooth. It also shields your hair from sun damage while controlling flyaways.
Tip: You may have heard of oils for your face, but you can also apply them to your hair! Combat frizz and flyaways with a hair oil like Ouai Hair Oil, which contains natural extracts that restore moisture. Rub a couple of drops into wet hair and air dry, or work it in after blow drying your hair to reduce frizz.
SHOP: DR Harris Conditioner – Coconut Oil and Ouai Hair Oil
