How to Decide Which Hair Conditioner To Buy

How to Decide Which Hair Conditioner To Buy

With thousands of hair conditioners on your local beauty supply store shelves, how do you decide which ones to leave the store with? Knowing which ingredients will work best for your hair type is very important in deciding which product to buy. If you have extremely dry hair, you should look for ingredients that provide moisture. But if your hair feels dull or over-moisturized, look for ingredients that strengthen the hair. It all comes down to knowing your hair’s need and reading your ingredient labels.

How to Decide Which Hair Conditioner To Buy

How to Decide Which Hair Conditioner To Buy

Rinse-out conditioners

These conditioners are used on the hair for detangling purposes. Some of them may come with a shampoo that you can use before conditioning the hair, but some don’t. You may see words like volumizing, fortifying, nourishing, or hydrating on the bottles when looking for a rinse-out conditioner. Whatever word the brand uses to catch your attention, most rinse-out conditioners should be left on the hair for no more than 5 minutes because their job is to provide nourishment to the outer layer of the hair shaft.

These conditioners make the hair feel silkier, shinier, or easier to comb through by smoothing the cuticle layers. Whether you have oily, dry, or normal hair, it is always recommended to use a rinse-out conditioner to restore moisture lost from the hair during shampooing. These conditioners are easy to find and they are great to have if you are on a healthy hair routine.

Deep conditioners

Repair conditioners also known as treatment conditioners, are deep conditioners formulated to penetrate the hair shaft. They are often left on the hair for 10-20 minutes to provide a more penetrating treatment. A hair dryer is sometimes used  to speed up the process. The formulas used in these conditioners include ingredients that restore either protein or moisture back to the hair.

Protein packs or protein deep conditioners are formulated to gently swell the hair and allow the ingredients to pass through the hair shaft and add protein to the cortex of the hair. This process restores the strength and elasticity of the hair. Getting a protein treatment also help your hairstyles look better and last longer. Whether to get a protein treatment or not depends on you hair’s needs. Severely weak and brittle hair require a high-protein repair conditioner that can strengthen the hair. Deep protein treatments should be used only once a week until the damage is repaired. Using a moisturizing rinse-out conditioner after each protein treatment, followed by your regular leave- ins will help balance your hair’s protein and moisture.

Moisture rich or moisturizing deep conditioners are especially good for hair that gets dry easily. My naturally kinky, coarse, 4c hair falls into that category. These conditioners contain moisture agents that fully penetrate the hair shaft. They also contain ingredients that smooth the cuticles to lock the moisture in once it’s been added.

Leave-in conditioners 

Leave-in conditioners are designed to be added to the hair and be left alone. They provide moisture to the hair, prevent dryness, and smooth the hair without weighing it down. They also help with detangling the hair before styling. Light leave-in conditioners are great for women with low porosity hair. They are easier for the hair to absorb. But if  your hair has trouble keeping moisture in,  a heavy leave-in cream can help your hair retain moisture longer. A heavy leave-in cream can also be used if you have normal porosity hair.

In conclusion

Feeling your hair and knowing what it needs plays a big role in your decision making when buying hair products. I have used hundreds of hair products since I started my natural hair journey. I even used a volumizing conditioner once. Can you believe it? But now I listen to my hair. I buy exactly what I know it needs. It is good to experiment with different products or read reviews before buying new ones. But always go back to what your hair loves. Because at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

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Nerline Germain
Nerline Germain

I am a content writer and Amazon influencer, but I am first a wife and mother. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading a good book while having a nice glass of Merlot or Pinot close by. My goal here is to share my experiences with you. Hopefully, you will learn from my mistakes.

Find me on: Web | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook

40 Comments

  1. Tomes Edition
    August 16, 2015 / 9:38 pm

    Great post! It does take a while to get to know what our hair likes after starting a hhj. SO many products are tempting but not alot of them work for each head.

    • August 19, 2015 / 1:36 am

      I agree. It is so easy to get lost.

    • August 19, 2015 / 1:43 am

      Using a little bit is a great idea.

  2. Diana Ashuayem
    August 17, 2015 / 2:40 am

    I always buy deep and leave in conditioners. Thanks for sharing this info.
    http://www.effortlesslady.com

    • August 19, 2015 / 1:49 am

      You are welcome!!

  3. Jackie Harrison
    August 17, 2015 / 10:52 am

    Great selection of products.

    • August 19, 2015 / 1:52 am

      Thanks Jackie

  4. Subha Bose
    August 17, 2015 / 2:17 pm

    Very informative, I usually go for leave in conditioner and deep conditioner once a week.

    • August 19, 2015 / 1:53 am

      Good choices.

  5. August 17, 2015 / 2:28 pm

    Those are all some interesting products, it´s not easy to find the right conditioner for your hair texture, that´s true. Thanks for this article!

    xoxo

    • August 19, 2015 / 1:55 am

      You are so welcome, Keke.

  6. Nicky mywishstyle
    August 17, 2015 / 3:17 pm

    Thanks for the tips dear, so helpful
    Happy Monday

    Mywishstyle

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:07 am

      Thanks love

  7. August 17, 2015 / 5:30 pm

    Great post, very informative. Finding products that your hair loves takes time but its worth the time and effort.

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:21 am

      I am still looking for the right leave-in for my hair, Candice.

  8. Lenya
    August 17, 2015 / 6:48 pm

    Great detailed information, Nerline. Hope your weekend was a great one. Happy Monday, babe, luv ya….muah muah muah.
    kisses
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:29 am

      Kisses my love. Thanks for stopping by!

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:37 am

      Thanks, Paola

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:35 am

      Thanks Robin

  9. August 18, 2015 / 4:52 am

    I'm finding out, what my hair wants and what I want is totally different! One must listen! Right now my hair needs everything. But I think I've found the right products to get it back on track. Great post Nerline!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:47 am

      I hope your hair recovers soon, babe. Thank you.

  10. August 18, 2015 / 6:44 am

    Great post! I am a user of leave -In conditioners for my short kinks and love Cantu. Thanks Sista.

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:45 am

      I love cantu also Neti!

  11. Busola Coutts
    August 18, 2015 / 8:18 am

    You have no idea how helpful this post. Conditioning the hair is just so important and you have shared some great points. Thank you Nerline.

    Hope you are doing well.

    http://www.thefashionstirfry.com

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:40 am

      I am doing well, love. Thanks for stopping by.

  12. Marcela Gmd
    August 18, 2015 / 11:20 am

    Great post!!! thank you for sharing!!!
    Have a good week!!! and my g+ for you!!!:)))

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:48 am

      Besos love!!

  13. August 18, 2015 / 3:48 pm

    Great tips Nerline.
    I hope your week is going great.
    Thanks so much for sharing.

    • August 19, 2015 / 2:38 am

      It's going great, Beauty. Thank you.

  14. August 21, 2015 / 1:01 pm

    I use hair mayonnaise as a deep conditioner, but honestly I hardly use leave-in conditioners. I just can't seem to find a good one around where I live. I just apply some oils and pomade and the girl is done.
    Thanks for sharing this info with us.

    missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

    • July 10, 2016 / 10:43 am

      It's hard o find a good leave-in. period. It is like finding a good pair of jeans.

  15. Amber Shannon
    August 25, 2015 / 7:36 pm

    Great guide!! I recently started using that Leave-in by CANTU… I'm loving it so far!!


    Amber
    All the Cute
    Recent Post: Basic Black & White

    • July 10, 2016 / 10:44 am

      I love it too, but I have to use it in small quantity.

  16. August 31, 2015 / 12:44 am

    Super informative! I live by live-in conditioners and tend to use them as my styling product. The neutrogena meadowfoam conditioner is by far my favorite from the ones listed but hate how little product they give you.

    The Style Boro

    • July 10, 2016 / 10:45 am

      I hate that too.

  17. The Mane Captain
    September 13, 2015 / 10:00 pm

    i'm finding myself going back to products that I use to use years ago too. Though it's hard to stick to the same products when new ones are coming out each week!
    great post!
    http://www.coilsandglory.com

    • July 10, 2016 / 10:45 am

      Thank you. I totally understand what you mean.

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