Looking for the greatest lazy beauty hack of all time? Look no further than deep conditioners. All you have to do is slather one on and then chill while they take half an hour (or much less!) to work their magic. Think about it: in about the same amount of time it takes to catch up on the latest episode of your favorite TV show, you can hydrate damaged hair, smooth frizzy hair, or make dry hair shinier than ever.
From DIY mixtures to specialized leave-in conditioners, giving yourself a deep dose of hydration once a week is always a good move. You'll reap the benefits no matter your hair type or texture, and you don't need to spend a ton of time to get noticeable results.
Ready to take your moisturizing game to a whole new level? Keep reading for our picks for the best deep conditioners available today, and get ready for your best hair day yet.
1. Best Repairing Deep Conditioner:
MARC ANTHONY Repair Bond +Rescuplex™ Concentrated Hydrating Mask
This hair mask is ready to get down to business. Designed to help repair and protect, it's a game-changer for damaged hair. With the Repair Bond™ system, it helps rebuild weakened bonds, while the rich formula delivers intense hydration and nourishment to your strands. IPSY members are already big fans of the brand’s Repair Bond +Rescuplex™ Leave-In Treatment, so Glam Bag subscribers should keep an eye out in their September bags for the deep conditioner version.
2. Best Deep Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair:
BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask
Between the initial process and the toning and touchups in the months that follow, color-treating your hair really puts it through the wringer. Lifting by more than a couple of shades can strip moisture and cause frizz or breakage. To reverse that damage and strengthen your strands, choose a deep conditioning treatment specifically for color-treated hair like this one from BRIOGEO. It's made with rosehip oil, aloe vera leaf juice, algae extract, B vitamins, and almond oil that work together to nourish your hair, restoring its shine and luster–and made without parabens, sulfates, or other harsh chemicals.
3. Best Deep Conditioner for Dry Hair:
OUAI Treatment Masque
Keratin still reigns supreme as the go-to treatment for brittle, dry hair. This multi-award-winning healing mask also uses artichoke leaf extract to seal your hair's cuticle and protect against future damage. OUAI HAIRCARE recommends finger-combing this masque through dry hair so it's not competing with water to absorb fully into your strands. Leave it on for up to 10 minutes before rinsing, then get to styling as usual. If you have tightly-coiled strands or lots of split ends, you can use this treatment every time you shampoo your hair.
4. Best Pre-Shampoo Deep Conditioner:
R+CO Gemstone Pre-Shampoo Color Protect Masque
Forget everything you think you know about deep conditioners. This pre-shampoo treatment from R+CO turns the whole concept of conditioning on its head (literally) because this color-protecting hair mask goes on before shampoo. That’s right! The lightweight foam with ChromoHance technology, which helps deliver vibrant, longer-lasting color, is designed to work its magic on dry hair before you hop in the shower. Just rinse it out after 10 to 20 minutes, shampoo and condition as normal, and bask in your soft, shiny, color-protected strands.
5. Best Deep Conditioner for Coily and Tight Textures:
PATTERN BY TRACEE ELLIS ROSS Transition Mask
Transitioning out of a protective style or growing out chemically-treated hair? This nutrient-dense deep conditioner has got your back—or should we say strands. It’s packed with white tea, which helps reduce strand shedding, and manuka honey, which helps prevent breakage while maintaining your hair’s moisture.
6. Best Protective Deep Conditioner:
NATURELAB. TOKYO Perfect Repair Treatment Masque
Have you ever eaten a huge bowl of salad on a Monday after a maybe-too-exciting weekend and immediately felt like the picture of health? Consider this moisturizing treatment like a hangover salad for your hair. “My damaged hair sprung back to life after one treatment,” wrote an IPSY member in their product review. This hydrating hair mask is made with bamboo stem cells that work to extend the anagen (aka growth) phase of your hair's natural cycle, plus prickly pear oil to defend against free radicals and UV damage. From scalp to tip, you'll feel thoroughly nourished and ready to take on the world.
7. Best Deep Conditioner for Fine Hair:
STYLEDRY Pineapple & Coconut Hair Mask
Straw-like strands get a boost of strength, shine, and softness with help from this deliciously scented hair mask. Murumuru butter and coconut oil helps to transform your tresses from dry and damaged to luminous and replenished in just a matter of minutes. “Love the smell,” said one IPSY member “[It’s] very moisturizing but not greasy,” making it perfect for all hair types. Yes, even fine hair won’t get weighed down.
8. Best Shine-Enhancing Deep Conditioner:
GLOSS MODERNE Clean Luxury Hair Masque in Soleil
Tell straw-like strands to get glossed with this moisturizing mask that helps transform your stressed-out tresses into soirée-worthy hair that shines, thanks to super-nourishing shea butter. Your locks are left looking lustrous, replenished, and restored. Use weekly or daily, and leave on for as long as desired. But don’t take our word for it. This IPSY member agrees: “AMAZING! I was camping all weekend so my hair was a mess! Used this in the shower and was able to easily comb through my hair, and it is super soft and manageable. Please send more of this.”
9. Best Fast-Acting Deep Conditioner:
FOXYBAE HAIR Insta-Bae 3 Minute Hair Mask
Dryness, damage, split ends, frizz…this deep conditioner helps fix all of your most annoying hair issues with a cocktail of strand-strengthening biotin, nourishing shea butter, and smoothing sesame, argan, and coconut oils. And the best part? It works in only three minutes! “I used it three days ago instead of the usual conditioner, and the difference in softness and sheen is amazing!” wrote one IPSY member in their review.
10. Best Deep Conditioner for Curls:
BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY Hair Mask
Make dry, damaged curls a thing of the past thanks to this deep conditioning treatment. “Got this for my daughters who have very coarse and curly hair,” said one IPSY member after receiving the product in their Glam Bag. “This is a miracle cream! Definitely will be a new staple in our hair care products.” The deep conditioner is infused with nourishing ingredients like Australian kakadu plum and starflower oil to help strengthen hair follicles to prevent breakage all while hydrating curls to boost bounce and shine.
11. Best Deep Conditioner With Scalp Benefits:
SLEEK'E Silk'e Repair Therapy Deep Conditioning Mask
Dull, dry, and over-processed hair will love the moisturizing and repairing benefits of this deep-conditioning mask. It uses keratin to strengthen weak strands, shea butter to smooth and soften, and green tea to promote scalp health and hair growth. Our members agree, one writing: “Really loved this conditioning mask! It smells awesome & really made my curly hair feel soft! Def recommend trying!”
12. Best All-Purpose Deep Conditioner:
PURE BRAZILIAN Deep Conditioning Masque
Skin isn’t the only thing that needs some TLC. That’s where this deep conditioning masque comes into play. “This product is one of the best AND it smells great, too,” wrote one IPSY member in their review. The rich cream is infused with keratin, acai, cocoa seed butter, and panthenol to help hydrate, nourish, and strengthen your strands with each use. After you rinse it out, hair looks crazy-shiny, silky smooth, and your color looks more vibrant too. New to hair masks? They’re super easy (and relaxing) to use. And don’t worry, this one won’t leave your hair feeling weighed down or greasy.
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