What is the best deep conditioner for my hair?

 Not all Deep Conditioners are the same. They just aren't. Their ingredients are different and that will create different results which will benefit different needs. Today I am going to talk about hair types, what results they need and what deep conditioners work best.

Chemically Damaged Hair

If your hair is chemically damaged that means you have dry, brittle, porous ends that have seen color, lightener, perm solution or permanent straighteners. Your hair is on it's last lengths here, and has had the keratin stripped from it as well as may of it's bonds permanently broken. But there are a couple options for you.

Olaplex Treatments and Brazilian Blowout B3 Demi Permanent Conditioning Treatments. Both of these treatments have a powerful in salon option that repairs broken bonds, strengthens existing bonds, and creates false supporting bonds in the hair to prevent breakage and transform your hair. They also both have at home options that are really best when used after the salon service. For Olaplex that is the #3 (pictured on the left above) and for Brazilian Blowout B3 Systems that is the Instant Restore and Protect Reconstructor (pictured directly to the right).

Unfortunately most other masks and conditioners only hydrated and heal the outside of the hair shaft, but do not make real lasting change. So you will need to invest. Please note that these two brands do not sell through Amazon or online retailers and only sell through salons. PLEASE go through a salon for these, as these products have a lot of popular knock offs that are horrible for your hair. I do believe you can get the Olaplex #3 at Sephora, but that is it.

The biggest difference between the two is that the Brazilian Blowout is a hydrating mask that nourishes the hair and moisturizes, while also creating bonds, where the Olaplex mainly focuses on strength and bond building. If your hair is fine or prone to getting oily then go for the Olaplex. If you need frizz management or if you have coarse hair the Brazilian Blowout is the better option.


Heat Damaged Hair


Heat Damaged hair comes from the use of hot tools. Things like blow dryers, curling iron, curling wands and flat irons can truly take a toll on your hair. Th biggest issues that you will find form heat damage is that the cuticle (which is the outer protective layer of the hair) is damaged and blown open, and this can result in loss of protein and moisture. Check out my Guide to Hot Tools Here to learn more about choosing hot tools that are high quality and won't damage your hair.

If you have fine hair I highly recommend the Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment. It is lightweight, packed with protein and will help to heal your hair. I also like the Redken Extreme Antisnap and Sexy Hair Core Flex for leave in treatments on fine hair. Just be sure you aren't over using any of these. The mask should be once a week, and the leave ins 2-3 times a week only.

Now if you have coarse or frizzy hair I prefer the Joico KPak, which is a fan favorite among salon stylists. This one will have more weight to it and will do more to smooth your hair as well. I feel it's to heavy for fine hair.

If you have hair that is "normal" or in the middle, I would probably go with the restore from Living Proof just because you don't need the extra weight to fight frizz. Just know that the KPak (like the other mentioned products) should not be over-used.


Dry and Frizzy

Sometimes your hair is dry and frizzy even when you don't chemically treat it or use heat. This is often a result of poor choices in shampoo and conditioner. Click here to see my guide on choosing a good shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. So your hair still needs incredible moisture, without the protein. I mentioned a few times above that the repairing deep conditioners should not be used to often. I know a lot of people that use the general moisture treatments in between their repairing treatments to keep their hair soft and hydrated, but not overdo the keratin. So that is also an option with these.

One of my die hard favorites is the Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm. I also love the It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask along with the Redken Frizz Dismiss Mask. I also don't hate the Hask Beauty Macadamia Oil Moisturizing Deep Conditioner. It's a decent inexpensive option for those on a budget. If you have fine hair you need to be careful not to use a moisture mask that is to heavy. For you I would recommend something more like the AG Texture Moisture Mask, which is weightless, but still hydrating. I also don't mind the Biolage R.A.W. Uplift Rebodify Mask for fine haired people.



Curly Hair

If you have curly hair your hair has different needs. Your cuticle layer is consistently open due to the coiled nature of your hair and it makes frizz and dryness a constant in your life. There are certain ingredients that sren't horrible for your hair because of this, that are not recommended for others. In the end you really can't go wrong with any of the Deva Curl Masks. But I particularly like the Deva Curl Melt Into Moisture Matcha Green Tea Butter Conditioning Mask but they also have the Deva Curl Deep Sea Repair Seaweed Strengthening Mask which is better for repairing curly hair, not just moisturizing like the first. You can also pick up this great little trio set called the Curls on the Go Treatment Trio which has small samples of their build up buster along with both of the previously mentioned masks.