I’ve been dyeing my hair blonde for the greater part of a decade. Bleach is a necessary evil—it gives me the platinum, bronde, or honey hue I’m after, but can leave my ends looking dry and dehydrated. Thankfully, the best deep conditioners for bleached hair have allowed me to maintain shine and moisture between color appointments. "Bleaching hair is drying for the hair and scalp, so it's very important to maintain hair health and quality at home," says hairstylist Madison Garrett, a blonde color specialist in New York City. "Deep conditioners are able to nourish and provide intense moisture back to processed or dry hair."
The products I've tried run the gamut, from drugstore options that leave my hair silky and smooth to luxe masks that are surprisingly worth the splurge. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorite deep conditioners—and consulted with top hairstylists in the business for their tips and tricks.
The Best Deep Conditioners for Bleached Hair
- Best Deep Conditioner for Bleached Hair Overall: Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
- Best Deep Conditioner for Bleached, Curly Hair: Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask
- Best Deep Conditioner for Bleached, Straight Hair: Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor
- Best Deep Conditioner for Bleached, Fine Hair: Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask
- Best Bond-Building Deep Conditioner for Bleached Hair: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
This is the hero of deep conditioning masks, especially if you have curly hair. It delivers extreme hydration in just a 10-minute session, smells unbelievably amazing (don't worry, the fragrance isn't *too* strong), and boasts a sulfate-free, color-safe formula. The hero ingredient here is algae extract, which gives the mask the ability to strengthen your hair over time.
Pros: vegan; planet-positive; protein-infused
Cons: not as frizz-fighting as other, oil-based masks
Deep conditioners from Black-owned brands are always A+ options for curly and natural hair, and this one focuses on revitalizing locks after they've been damaged. Customers with natural hair love the product, writing that it didn't weigh down their curls and that it's perfect for penetrating low-porosity hair. It is a heavy-duty option though, so if your hair falls on the finer side of the spectrum, look elsewhere.
Pros: Black-owned brand; affordable; contains natural ingredients like shea, cocoa, and coconut oil
Cons: not well-suited for thin or straight hair
Full of proteins like keratin and primrose oil, this mask will strengthen hair with regular use. The instructions recommend leaving it on for five minutes. However, overnight use will add moisture to extremely damaged hair that needs it. You can add this at-home keratin treatment into your routine for an every-other-week treatment—even if your hair is incredibly fine.
Pros: great for low-porosity or dry, dull hair; good for regular use
Cons: not ideal for curly or thick hair
Fine hair types have to be cautious that deep conditioners aren't too heavy. If your hair is on the thinner side, Garrett recommends this Christophe Robin option. "It's lightweight but because of the aloe vera in the formula, it's super hydrating and helps increase shine and reduce frizz," she says. Just use a small amount after shampoo and make sure to rinse out thoroughly.
Pros: expert-approved; lightweight
Cons: not hydrating enough for super thick hair
I cannot sing K18's praises any louder: The brand is a savior for hair repair after bleaching and coloring sessions. Their clinical studies are based on hair bleached eight times (yikes), with hair proving softer after each use. The secret? Their proprietary peptide technology has been proven to restore strength and shine. Just a warning: A super, super small amount is all you need.
Pros: stylist-approved; clinically tested; clean; vegan
Cons: high price point
Also Recommended
If you fall into the fine hair camp, deep conditioning masks can take all the volume out of your hair and leave you with lifeless, flat-as-can-be roots. But this particular product is formulated with thin hair in mind. Its vitamin-enriched, oil-infused, and shea butter-centric formula delivers lightweight hydration that can't be beaten. While it's not volumizing by nature, it certainly won't weigh you down.
Pros: good for fine hair; smells nice
Cons: expensive
Bleach is dehydrating, not just to the hair, but to the scalp. If you find that you're getting all different kinds of flaky and itchy post-color, I cannot recommend this Maria Nila hair mask enough. It's specifically formulated treat and prevent dandruff, and sooth the skin on the scalp with aloe vera. As a bonus, it preserves your hair color so you can go longer between appointments.
Pros: has active ingredients to treat dandruff; color safe
Cons: none
If you need to re-hydrate your hair in one wash, pick up Bodt's favorite. “Protein, moisture, bond repair, and a heat protectant should be included in a bleached hair routine. If you have fragile and colored hair, heat styling can really damage it, so it’s crucial to use something to create a barrier," she says. "This works wonders as it can help to create a barrier, protect hair from heat damage, nourish hair, and smooth the hair cuticle."
Pros: great for all hair types and textures; increases shine; affordable
Cons: single-use
When it comes to getting specialized treatment for your hair concerns, Kerastase knows the drill. They have different lines for different issues—and the Resistance range is the way to go for all-over hair restoration (think: breakage; dryness; dullness). “This is a great mask to use once a week or whenever your hair needs extra love and hydration. It has great ingredients like ceramide to smooth the hair’s surface,” says Mondo.
Pros: promotes shine; good for all hair types and textures
Cons: contains sulfates; high price point
Bleaching hair actively strips hair of its natural oils while lightening, which results in hair that desperately needs nutrients. The Moroccan lava clay not only leaves a welcome scent but also penetrates follicles to promote growth and rid hair of excessive fats from build-up. A whopping 94 percent of users on Sephora recommend it, with straight-haired users to 4C hair type users and everyone in-between saying that it made their hair look and feel softer and more moisturized
Pros: clean; silicone-free; Black-owned brand; good for all hair types and textures
Cons: high price point
Bleaching your hair platinum blonde is one thing, but keeping your blonde strands bright is another. When your color gets a little brassy—it’s inevitable—combat that with this reparative mask in a cooling purple that will infuse hair with nutrients while lightly toning. Be careful though, because while the mask effectively reduces brassiness, leaving it on too long could result in a purple tint or a grey color.
Pros: combats brass; vegan; works on all hair types
Cons: should be used in moderation; high price point
It’s well-established that the enemy of bleached hair is a dry scalp—and after numerous chemical treatments, your scalp might be crying for some help. Skip the abrasive scrub that will only cause more damage; instead, use this scalp-stimulating conditioner from The Doux. It leaves curls soft and bouncy while showing results in a mere five minutes.
Pros: cruelty-free; Black-owned brand; great for curly hair; affordable
Cons: contains propylene glycol
If your bleached hair is dry and knotty, this intense hair mask helps detangle while it hydrates. Natural ingredients power this formulation, with shea butter, avocado oil, sunflower oil, and herb extracts combined to nourish and fill locks with antioxidants. This is particularly great for thick hair because you can brush through strands without breakage.
Pros: great for curly hair and for bringing out curls
Cons: strong smell; thick and can be time-consuming to rinse out
Your bleached hair could be damaged to the point of limited hair growth and oil production, so a good scalp treatment will repair strands while inviting growth. Natural hair types especially love this minty mask for its invigorating feel and curl-preserving hydration.
Pros: affordable; good for all hair types; silicone-free
Cons: strong mint smell
After bleaching, section the hair into four parts to ensure maximum coverage of freshly lightened hair. Between bleach treatments, take a beat to give hair time to recover and do a repairing mask-like this amino acid-based one from Wella, to keep breakage minimized. Reviewers love how bouncy and shiny it makes hair look and feel. Plus, multiple people note how effective it is at detangling.
Pros: color-safe; good for regular use
Cons: small container
You can’t go wrong with Redken—it’s one of the most beloved salon-care brands for a reason. Cica is a known hero ingredient popularized by Korean skincare, but it can also help restore bleached hair that can’t keep the good oils in. Technically a leave-in conditioner, this light formula works well for thin hair that is prone to product buildup.
Pros: affordable; sulfate-free
Cons: thick; strong smell
What to Look For in Deep Conditioner for Bleached Hair
- Ingredients
You're going to want to seek out a product with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to nourish and moisturize the hair shaft. You'll likely also want to see a natural oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil extract.
- Texture
Certain hair masks will be formulated for specific hair types. For example, someone with coarse hair can tolerate a heavier formula than someone with uber-fine hair, who might get weighed down by the excess of hydration.
- Hair Type
It's incredibly important to consider both your hair type and hair porosity when choosing a deep conditioner for bleached hair. "Hair is like skin—one routine does not work for everyone," says Garrett. If your hair is low porosity (water sits on top of the hair and doesn't sink in easily), you might want to consider a deep conditioner. If you have high porosity hair (hair soaks up water quickly), consider using a deep conditioner and a bond builder like K18 or Olaplex.
The K18 Molecular Repair Leave-In repairs and nourishes bleached hair.
Do I Need to Use a Deep Conditioner?
Yes, you need to use a deep conditioner on bleached hair. “Deep conditioners have a high concentration of extremely beneficial ingredients that promote the healthiest hair possible," says celebrity hairstylist Brand Mondo. They’re an easy way to get a quick pick-me-up and noticeably softer, easier-to-manage hair in minutes.”
How to Use a Deep Conditioner
Depending on the conditioner, deep conditioners work best on damp hair and should sit on the head for anywhere from 10 minutes to overnight.
If you’re looking for a more penetrating mask application, Mondo recommends putting a plastic bag over your hair and then wrapping a towel on top. "This will keep your head as hot as possible which will help expand the hair fibers and get the hair mask to work on a deeper level," he says.
How Frequently Should I Use Deep Conditioner?
"I recommend using a deep conditioner once a week," says Garrett. "using a deep conditioner too much can cause buildup on the scalp and hair, which can cause hair to become oily limp, and appear duller." The latter is particularly something to be wary of if your hair is on the thinner side. “If you have fine hair or are worried about losing volume, be mindful as it can weigh your hair down when it comes to styling," says celebrity hair colorist Rachel Bodt.
Meet the Experts
Madison is an experienced stylist and color specialist that is determined to effectively contribute to the growth of an organization. Wanting to be involved in work where I can utilize my skill and creativity.
Brad Mondo is the founder and CEO of XMONDO, a vegan and cruelty-free haircare brand. He developed his passion for haircare from his late father, who owned and operated a salon.
Rachel Bodt is a senior Colorist at Red Door in New York City and is a brand ambassador for Matrix haircare. Her work has been featured in a number of magazines and she regularly collaborates with Balenciaga during their Paarif Fashion Week Shows. Her clients have included Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Tilda Swinton, Michelle Williams, Emily Blunt, and Marisa Tomei.
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