The 12 Best Deep Conditioners for Curly and Natural Hair, According to Hairstylists and Editors

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), rinse, and voilà! 

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

Cons: None found

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

Customer Review: "When I finally rinsed out the conditioner, my hair felt soft, and moisturized, and it definitely defined my curl pattern." – Target

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 an overall delightful shower experience. Whenever I put it to use, I notice an immediate improvement in my curly, high porosity hair: My curls are more defined and my strands feel significantly softer. It's also easier to detangle my hair—and it breaks less during styling.

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

Cons: Not a lot of product in the small container

Babbitt has more than 15 years of experience styling hair of all types, and he 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. To top it all off? He raves that the formula smells "fresh and honest." Talk about a quadruple threat.

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 your 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. Plus, it contains nourishing macadamia and saw palmetto oil, enhancing 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 Babbit swears by it. "This is one of the most softening products I've ever used, and to be honest, the whole Love range is softening," he gushes. The expert notes that it's gentle enough for use on finer curls, which are more prone to dryness and breakage. To apply, simply apply to towel-dried hair and comb through for even application. Then, leave on for ten to 15 minutes before rinsing it all out. 

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

Cons: Not as suitable for thick hair

Customer Review: "This mask is very, very concentrated so even though the container is small, you can get many uses from it. My curly hair goes to the middle of my back. It’s naturally very dry, and the ends tangle like crazy. When I use this mask two times a week for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, my hair stays softer, and it doesn’t tangle nearly as easily —even overnight!"– Davines

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 attests, adding that it’s lightweight enough to sit in coily and natural hair for long periods of time, too. Plus, Babbit says it's fast-absorbing in color-treated, curly hair. For best results, apply to towel-dried hair and either wash out or, if you have thick hair, leave in until your next regular wash day. 

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, Celine Dion, 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," Valles says. Plus, it’s perfect for the hair aficionado on the go: Simply apply the formula through mid-lengths and ends, leave on for five to ten minutes, rinse, and move on.

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

Cons: Contains silicones

This product from Kimble’s brand is infused with argan oil, collagen, and honey, culminating in a formula that promises soft, smooth, frizz-free hair. She developed it to "bring the right amount of moisture to natural hair and help it become silky and smooth." It works within 20 minutes, and is formulated for every curl type, from loose waves to tight curls. While it's completely hypo-allergenic, its heat-activated formulation induces a warming, tingling sensation on the scalp that mimics the feeling of sitting under a dryer at a salon. 

Pros: Expert-approved; Softening; Color-safe

Cons: Creates a tingling sensation on the scalp that some users find uncomfortable

"The Nexxus Curl Define Pre-Wash Hair Treatment strengthens the innermost cuticle layer of your hair to repair and strengthen your curl pattern.

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. "I'm always into Shea Moisture. The company 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 Babbitt says that it simultaneously corrects 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 from RSL, 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, the expert says it “really does help nourish the hair.” Dozens of reviewers agree, lauding both its efficacy and its signature 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