Conditioner for curly hair
Conditioner is the 2nd step in the Curlsmith Method. Curly hair is dry by nature, so conditioning is essential to keep it moisturised and soft. You should always use them after cleansing in the shower, no matter how gentle your shampoo is. There are different types of conditioners, based on the amount of moisture they provide: rinse-out conditioners are suitable for everyday use, while deep conditioners are great for intense moisture boosts.
Why is it important to condition curly hair?
Curly hair is inherently dry. Because of its texture, natural oils struggle to travel down the hair shaft and keep it lubricated. Using conditioning products helps to target the hair lengths and replenish those natural oils that are missing. Conditioner is also an essential step in detangling the hair. To preserve the curl pattern, curly hair should only ever be brushed in the shower, while it’s wet. Wet hair is easier to detangle, but at the same time it is also more fragile, so using a conditioner helps increase slip and reduces the friction that may lead to breakage.
What is the difference between rinse-out and deep conditioner?
Rinse-out conditioners are lighter formulas suitable for everyday use. They tend to be more fluid, as that helps spread them more evenly on the hair. They don’t need a waiting time to work - you can rinse them out as soon as you are done detangling and proceed with your shower. Deep conditioners, on the other hand, are thicker formulas designed as a hair mask. They should be left on for 15-30 minutes to allow the moisture to deeply penetrate into the hair shaft.
How do you introduce conditioner to your wash routine?
Rinse-out conditioner should be used every time you wash your hair, no matter how often you wash it, to contrast the drying effects of shampoo. Apply it before you wash your body, so you can leave it on a couple of minutes longer and rinse out together with your shower gel. As for deep conditioner, you should use it regularly to keep your hair moisturised. Once a week is a good rule of thumb to make sure you’re giving it the hydration it deserves and keep it healthy.
Choosing your conditioner based on your curly hair needs
Conditioners can have different additional benefits for your hair, aside from hydrating them. Depending on your hair needs, you can pick a certain conditioner, or a combination of more than one to alternate into your routine. Alternating products with different benefits ensures you keep your hair in the right protein moisture balance.
- Extra Moisture: all conditioners provide a level of moisture, but for a rich boost of nourishment, and to help combat protein overload, look at the Moisture Recipes.
- Protein Boost: to fortify and repair damaged hair, as well as help combat moisture overload, look at the Strength Recipes.
- Colour protection: if you have coloured hair, you should use lightweight conditioners that won’t make the colour fade quickly, like the one in our Colour Recipes.
- Scalp soothing: if you have healthy hair but you want to give your follicles some TLC, check out the Scalp Recipes.
- Shine boost: if your hair is dull and needs some vibrancy, explore our fragrance-free Shine Recipes.
Curlsmith conditioner range
Conditioner is such an important part of any curly hair routine that it is shocking to see how many people are still skipping it. If you’re not convinced on what might be the right pick for you, go take the curl quiz for a personalized recommendation on our vegan and cruelty free range!