The Best Deep Conditioners for Curly and Natural Hair, According to Hairstylists and Editors

As far as this beauty editor is concerned, Spoiled Child's conditioner is one of the all-time best products for high porosity hair. It smells fantastic and has a silky touch that makes it easy to spread through my waist-length hair, making for a delightful shower experience. Whenever I put it to use, I notice an immediate improvement in my texture. My curls are more defined and my hair feels significantly softer. It's also easier to detangle my hair and breaks less during styling.

Pros: Editor-approved; Subtle, fresh smell; Soft texture; Fast results

Cons: Not a lot of product in the small container

When I spoke to Tracee Ellis Ross, she recommended this mask for those with transitional curls. She explained, "Some people are transitioning out of using relaxers, and some people are transitioning out of damage." This mask was made with transitional curl phases in mind, with its blend of nourishing glycerin, castor oil, and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract. It's deeply hydrating, boosts shine, and promotes hair growth.

Pros: Expert-approved; Free of sulfates; Shine-enhancing; Great for transitional curls; Great for hair growth

Cons: Some users dislike that it's scented

For those with thick, dense, or wavy hair, Chicago-based hairstylist Ryan Babbitt recommends this buttery formula. This antioxidant-infused formula is completely free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, talc, and mineral oil, and its ingredients are sustainably sourced. Plus, it promises to both soften hair and protect it from dangerous UV rays that can weaken and dry out strands. Simply leave the formula on for five to ten minutes (depending on your hair type and how much moisture you need) and rinse.

Pros: Expert-approved; Offers UV ray protection; Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, talc, and mineral oil

Cons: None found

I've been using this hair mask once a week for several months, and it always gives my hair an instant boost from root to tip. After just one use, my hair is softer and my curls are more defined. Plus, it has a fresh, subtle scent that lasts until my next wash day but never clashes with my perfume or scented body lotion.

Pros: Editor-approved; Defines curls; Clean; Cruelty-free

Cons: Packaging requires a key in order to get every last drop

Marie Claire Beauty Director Deena Campbell constantly rotates between curly and straight styles. "Catch me in the summer and it’s 90 percent curly, but if my vibe calls for a longer style, then I’ll wear it straight without hesitation," she says. All that variety leaves her hair in need of major TLC—which she finds in Camille Rose's strengthening mask. "It quickly nourishes my scalp and strands without weighing them down," she reports. "I love the rosemary oil that stimulates hair growth, while soothing my scalp after wearing curly or protective styles.”

Pros: Editor-approved; Affordable; Black-owned brand; Works well on protective styles; Free of parabens

Cons: None found

Babbitt, who has more than 15 years of experience styling hair of all types, swears by this shine-enhancing, sulfate-free formula from Mizani. "This is so rich and nourishing but somehow still light," he says. He also uses the product as a detangler, a cutting lotion (a milky product used during hair trims that eases the friction and potential irritation of scissors and shears), and a daily leave-in conditioner for curly hair. The formula smells "fresh and honest," too.

Pros: Expert-approved; Free of sulfates, SLS, SLES, and mineral oil; Shine-enhancing; Reduces frizz

Cons: Strong smell may not be for everyone

"The Nexxus Amino Bond Intense Rebond Treatment is designed to repair damage, which curly hair can benefit from," says Redway. "It has bond-building technology to repair any signs of damage in your hair. This is especially useful for any curl types that manipulate and alter their natural curl patterns, taking them from curly, straight, chemical treatments, and protective styles."

Pros: Editor-approved; Great for all curl types; Reparative

Cons: Contains fragrance, which may irritate some users

"Curly hair can benefit from ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba oil to moisturize and help manage unwanted frizz," says Redway. This formula contains both sesame oil and shea butter, along with nourishing macadamia and saw palmetto oil to enhance its moisturizing capabilities without weighing hair down.

Pros: Editor-approved ingredients; Affordable; Works quickly

Cons: Contains silicones

Davines' protein-rich hair mask is specifically formulated for curly hair—and a regular in Babbit's rotation. "This is one of the most softening products I've ever used," he gushes. The hair expert notes that it's gentle enough for use on finer curls, which are more prone to dryness and breakage. Simply apply to towel-dried hair and comb through for even application. Then, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing. 

Pros: Free of sulfates, parabens, pthalates, talc, and silicones; Cruelty-free; Expert-approved

Cons: Not as suitable for thick hair

This conditioner from Eden Bodyworks features marshmallow toor as one of its key ingredients, which Redway explains is deeply hydrating. It's worthwhile for all curly hair, but especially damaged, dry hair that's in need of an immediate pick-me-up.

Pros: Editor-approved ingredients; Great for damaged hair; Affordable; vegan

Cons: Relatively long application time (about 40 minutes)

This versatile, moisture-rich formula is made for any hair type that needs an emergency boost of hydration. "It really works for hair that is flimsy and lacks shine," Babbitt says, adding that it’s lightweight enough to sit in coily and natural hair for long periods of time, too. It's also fast-absorbing in color-treated, curly hair. For best results, apply to towel-dried hair and either wash out or leave in until your next regular wash day if you have thick hair. 

Pros: Free of sulfates, gluten, and parabens; Expert-approved

Cons: Contains silicones

This hair mask comes highly recommended by Priscilla Valles, a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with the likes of Chrissy Teigen, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. It's "a strengthening hair mask that repairs and restores while preventing breakage with intense hydration and nourishment for dry and damaged hair," she says.

Pros: Shine-enhancing; Expert-approved; Works on all hair types and curl patterns

Cons: Contains silicones

Strengthen and prevent your curly hair from damage by incorporating this incredibly reparative mask into your routine. "The combination of biotin, creatine, and rice oil complex in this product fortifies the hair and repairs any existing damage while providing hydration and reducing frizz to curls," says Sims.

Pros: Expert-approved; Contains damage-fighting ingredients; Affordable

Cons: Some users find it too thick

Mielle's rosemary mint hair growth oil has seen incredible popularity in recent years, kickstarting the trend of using rosemary oil for hair growth. But did you know that the brand has an entire line devoted to this scalp-supporting formula? When I struggled with post-Covid hair loss, I loved reaching for this mask, which made my scalp feel clean and my curls feel soft and defined. Along with a healthy, protein-rich diet and a regimen of other hair growth products, it helped restore my hair to its full, dense glory.

Pros: Editor-approved; curl-defining; Supports a healthy scalp and therefore a healthy environment for hair growth

Cons: Creates a tingling sensation on the scalp, which may be unpleasant for some

As I Am is one of my favorite beauty brands. Founded by a refugee, their products are 100 percent ethically and sustainably made, and they donate a portion of their profits to charitable causes like Voto Latino, RAINN, the NAACP, Save the Children, and more. I love using this intensive hydrating treatment after my hair has been subjected to wind, pollution, chlorine, salt water, or other environmental factors that leave it looking dry and frizzy.

Pros: Charitable brand; Editor-approved; Alleviates damage; Great for all curl patterns, Including textured hair and relaxed hair

Cons: Scented, which some users may not like

Babbitt considers this leave-in product from Shea Moisture to be a perfect option for those who want to condition and go instead of rinsing the product out after. "Shea Moisture is so responsible, the ingredients are so clean, the products are easy to find, and they really work," he says. This mask can be used on either dry or damp curls, and can simultaneously correct the high porosity and low shine levels typical of curly hair.

Pros: Expert-approved; Easy to use; Affordable; Made with natural hair in mind

Cons: Small bottle

Suffering from dull, overworked, and over-styled hair that’s in desperate need of TLC? Look no further than this formula from Raw Sugar Living (or RSL). It's made with organic, cold-pressed ingredients like avocado, banana, coconut, and agave suited to natural hair. It’s also cruelty-free, color-safe, and vegan, making it a top recommendation from experts like Kimble. One more bonus: For every product purchased, the brand donates a bar of soap to a family in need.

Pros: Vegan; Cruelty-free; Color-safe; Expert-approved; Uses natural ingredients

Cons: None found

Arizona-based haircare brand Dae uses organic ingredients exclusively to moisturize and nourish hair for lasting strength. Kimble says the lineup "really caters to people with natural hair." In the five to ten minutes needed to wear this moisturizing mask, it “really helps nourish the hair,” she says. Dozens of reviewers agree, lauding both its efficacy and its signature fresh scent.

Pros: Free of parabens, Sulfates, SLS, and SLES; Clean; Expert-approved

Cons: Contains silicones

Marie Claire Digital Art Director Brittany Holloway-Brown considers moisture the primary goal of her hair routine—so she has been using hair masks in lieu of traditional conditioners for a while. Sienna Naturals' is her favorite for its spa-like herbaceous scent and hardworking formula. "This mask has a thick butter-like texture as opposed to the standard thick lotion, making my hair easy to detangle, soft, and shiny," she says. "Also, the vegan formulation ensures that my hair isn’t weighed down by too many proteins."

Pros: Thick consistency; Good for low porosity hair; Defines and moisturizes curls

Cons: Some reviewers dislike the scent