The Best Deep Conditioners Will Help Your Hair Feel Softer and Stronger Than Ever
Yeah, you're gonna need one of these.
Ever wash your hair and no matter how much conditioner you slather on it's perpetually dry? You may want to make the small but valuable investment in a deep conditioner (trust me, the return on investment will be well worth it). Here's the deal: everyone can benefit from the moisturizing effects of a deep conditioner. But some hair—think damaged, colored, and naturally dry hair—may need it more than others. A deep conditioner doesn't just make your hair feel and look better; it "is a treatment that restores moisture, strengthens, and smooths your hair," says Mia Santiago, owner of Headspace by Mia and celebrity hairstylist in New York City and Columbus, Ohio.
If you want to add a deep conditioner to your haircare routine (and trust me, you absolutely want to), you should aim to "be using it once a week," says Ashley Ruiz, celebrity stylist at Flore Los Angeles. I use a deep conditioner every other wash day (and for context, I take my haircare routine as seriously as my skincare routine). Unsurprisingly, I've tried 'em all, and these are the best of the best.
The Best Deep Conditioners
- The Best Deep Conditioner for Straight Hair: RŌZ Foundation Mask
- The Best Deep Conditioner for Wavy Hair: Pantene Miracle Rescue Deep Repair Conditioner
- The Best Deep Conditioner for Curly Hair: Redken All Soft Mega Curls Hydramelt Treatment
- The Best Deep Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair: Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
- The Best Deep Conditioner for Damaged Hair: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 5 Minute Liquid Mask
The Best Deep Conditioners for Straight Hair
A lightweight deep conditioning treatment is key for straight hair so it doesn't get weighed down, while still providing serious hydration. This mask from celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak does all that and more: it also helps strengthen strands, reduce breakage, improve hair elasticity, and nourish the hair cuticle. And it does all of that while smelling great (hello, fresh garden scent!).
Key Ingredients: BotaniComplex™ (protects, soothes, hydrates); Vitamin E (revents dryness and frizz); Rice extract (boosts shine and strengthens)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Comes in recyclable packaging; Lightweight; Softens damaged hair
What I Don't: Some users find it difficult to use the aluminum squeeze-out tube
Review for MC: "As a beauty editor, I should know better, but one of my vices is putting my hair through excessive dryer and straightener use. And because of that, I am burdened with dry, damaged ends that require a lot of TLC. Thank god for the RŌZ Foundation Mask. It's lightweight and made with nourishing ingredients (glycerin! vitamin E! rice extract!) and my hair always feels so soft and smooth after using. Can't recommend enough." — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble after using the RŌZ Foundation Mask.
As someone with super fine hair, I find a deep conditioner risky business. I love that this Ouai option is designed specifically for my hair texture. It strengthens my hair and leaves me with a shiny, glossy finish while keeping my volume intact.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter (hydrating); Hydrolyzed keratin (strengthening)
Fragrance Free: No
What I Love: Leaves hair super soft; Lasts forever; Specifically formulated for hair type
What I Don't: If you use just a little too much, hair will feel greasy
Review for MC: "I use this once every two weeks and have noticed such a huge difference. My split ends are much less noticeable, and my overall hair has a strength to it that I've never had before." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Anyone with fine hair knows how important it is for a deep conditioner to not leave any greasy residue or heaviness behind. Santiago recommends this one from Hours specifically for fine hair, noting that it's "light and glossy without weight," she says. The formula can be used on any hair type, but it's especially great for straight and fine hair because it's lightweight.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil (nourishes, strengthens, protects from damage); Biotin (improves thickness and shine)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Doesn't leave any residue behind; Makes hair look softer and shinier; Can be used every wash day
What I Don't: Nothing
Customer Review: "This mask is everything. I have long, fine hair and I actually use it every time I wash my hair (2x a week). It's light enough that it doesn't weigh my hair down and it rinses out feeling sooo soft and smooth. I have long hair and it helps me detangle without having to use other products for that. I always wear my hair with volume and never have issues with it falling flat, all while still looking shiny, healthy and moisturized. 10/10 recommend." — Hours
The Best Deep Conditioners for Wavy Hair
For anyone who thinks drugstore products can't hold a candle to their luxury counterparts, let this Pantene deep conditioner prove you wrong. Formulated for dry, damaged, and color-treated hair, it does a little bit of everything, including restoring, strengthening, detangling, and reducing frizz, all at a price that's tough to beat.
Key Ingredients: Pro-Vitamin B5 (strengthens); Lipids (to help build bonds)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Affordable; Deeply moisturizes without interrupting wave pattern
What I Don't: Might be a little heavy for thin or fine hair
Review for MC: "Not to be dramatic, but this is my favorite deep conditioner I've ever used. I've trusted it on my hair for nearly three years. It provides amazing nourishment and makes my dry ends look hydrated and smooth. It's a little thicker, which is perfect for my long, thick, wavy hair. I use this almost every time I wash my hair, and it's super helpful during the winter when my hair is extra dry and staticky. I get so many compliments on my hair when I use this." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Managing hair has never been easier thanks to this hair mask. As the name suggests, it leaves hair feeling glossy, soft, and frizz-free. Enriched with pearl extract, it promotes soft, smooth hair, makes it easier to detangle, and replenishes moisture and shine for your sleekest strands ever.
Key Ingredients: Pearl extract (moisturizes and hydrates); Betula alba leaf extract (nourishes and strengthens the hair follicle)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Smooths frizz; Leaves hair feeling soft and healthy; Color-safe
What I Don't: Squeeze-out tube would be a little easier to use than the jar in the shower
Review for MC: "After washing, my wavy hair can get pretty all-over-the-place as it dries (sometimes the wave pattern wants to just do its own thing). Even after using this mask countless times, I'm still so pleasantly surprised at how smooth it makes my hair every single time. Plus, it smells so luxe." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
With ingredients like avocado and coconut right on the jar, you already know this mask will deliver serious moisture to help fight frizz. Designed for dry, damaged, and frizz-prone hair, expect shinier, stronger, and smoother-looking hair after just one application. You can use it once or twice a week. Bonus: the mask is made with several certified organic and cold-pressed ingredients, including coconut oil and shea butter.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil (moisturizes); Avocado (enhances shine); Shea butter (nourishes)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Made with organic and cold-pressed ingredients; Fights frizzy waves; Affordable
What I Don't: Some users wish it providing even stronger conditioning power
Review for MC: "I love how moisturizing this hair mask is, but what makes it even better is the amazing refreshing scent. It makes me feel like I'm on vacation (I wish!), and it's packed with hair-loving ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter to truly smooth my wavy hair." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
The Best Deep Conditioners for Curly and Coily Hair
Specially created for curl types 3A to 4C, this Redken treatment is a little different from the others in that it's a leave-in. The deeply moisturizing conditioner can be applied after you get out of the shower and left in without rinsing out. It's ideal for the driest hair, providing extra moisture, hydration, and nourishment while improving manageability.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera (hydrates); Cactus flower extract (hydrates); Glycerin (moisturizes)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Ultra hydrating; Vegan; Designed for all curl patterns
What I Don't: Leave-in formula is applied post-shower rather than getting rinsed out in the shower
Review for MC: "I am fully obsessed with the Redken All Soft line. The Hydramelt, in particular, is my favorite offering from the collection because, no matter how dry my hair is, a quick application of this leave-in makes it feel next-level soft. It’s like a full spa day for my hair all bottled up in one product and I’ve been obsessed for years now." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Want expensive-looking hair? This aptly-named mask from Color Wow and celebrity stylist Chris Appleton will do the trick. It can be used on all hair types, but Santiago recommends it for curls, as it delivers must-have intense hydration thanks to ingredients like blue sea kale and Mediterranean sea kelp. It instantly penetrates the hair's cuticle, leaving no greasy residue behind.
Key Ingredients: Blue sea kale (restores strength and elasticity); Mediterranean sea kelp (hydrates); Hydrolyzed vegetable protein complex (smooths)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Deeply hydrates hair sans residue or greasiness; Can be left on hair for a few minutes or up to 20 minutes for stronger effects
What I Don't: Some users with color-treated hair experienced brassiness after using it
Customer Review: "Use this twice a week for a treat for my curly hair. Really conditions my hair well, feels hydrated and my hair loves it!" — Color Wow
Vitamin C is the gold standard antioxidant and a popular skincare ingredient, but do you ever think about putting it in your hair, too? This mask is rich in antioxidants to help repair your hair's cuticle for more shine and manageability, along with other nourishing ingredients like murumuru butter. It's Ruiz's favorite for curly hair, as "it helps restore curl, shine, frizz, and hydration," she says.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (repairs hair cuticle); Murumuru butter (repairs, provides nourishing slip, moisturizes, reduces frizz, improves manageability); Grapefruit oil and orange oil (rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, nourishes, adds softness, and revitalizes damaged hair)
Fragrance-free?: Yes
What I Love: Contains good-for-your-skin-and-hair ingredients; Repairs dull and damaged strands; Naturally smells like citrus with no fragrance added
What I Don't: Needs to be left on hair for 10 to 15 minutes, longer than other deep conditioners
Customer Review: "This is a great product. Leaves my hair feeling so soft and manageable. I notice that when I use it it helps hair maintain the curls longer." — Amazon
The Best Deep Conditioners for Damaged and Aging Hair
With a name like "Don't Despair, Repair!" I know I can trust this formula to deliver on its reparative properties. Santiago likes this one for color-treated hair, as it strengthens while protecting your color. It helps reduce hair breakage and leaves strands feeling stronger, without any sulfates, silicones, or parabens (which makes it great for color-treated hair).
Key Ingredients: Algae extract (protects hair from damage); Vitamin B (nourishes heat- and chemical-damaged hair); Rosehip oil (hydrates frizz and split ends)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Clinically proven to reduce hair breakage and to strengthen hair; Can be used on all hair types
What I Don't: Contains protein, which is good for recently-colored or processed hair, but isn't great for hair that's prone to buildup
Review for MC: "As I've gotten older, my hair feels much less hydrated. I try and do this mask once a week and have noticed that my ends look less like straw and my overall color is shinier and silkier." —Mindy Holender
Mindy Holender after testing Briogio's Don't Despair Repair Hair Mask.
Redken's famed ABC (Acidic Bonding Concentrate) line is loved by many, including Sabrina Carpenter, and for good reason: In just five minutes, it provides serious hydration and repair on all hair types and textures without any weigh-down. Celebrity stylist Bradley Leake specifically recommends this mask. If you have damaged or processed hair, this deep treatment mask (and the entire line) will be a game-changer for you.
Key Ingredients: Citric acid and Conditioning Care Complex (detangles, smooths, moisturizes)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Delivers bond-repairing benefits to color-treated and chemically-processed hair; Doesn't strip hair color; Detangles and strengthens
What I Don't: Best results achieved when you use the entire Acidic Bonding Concentrate line
Customer Review: "Genuinely the best mask I have ever used. I have tried so many but nothing beats this one!!! Changed my hair completely!! I use heat on my hair and for YEARS it was dry and damaged, just looked lifeless now my hair looks so good! Get this mask!" — Ulta
There's a whole lot of talk about aging skin, but what about aging hair? Not to add more to your list to think about, but it's important to consider things like reversing dryness, thinning, and loss of hair elasticity when it comes to aging hair. This mask from Kérastase makes it easy, though: With hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and more, Leake recommends this intensive treatment specifically for aging strands.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrates scalp and hair and plumps strands); Abyssine (strengthens and revitalizes hair fibers); Vitamin E (nourishes scalp)
Fragrance-free?: No
What I Love: Intensely moisturizes and restores hair; Boosts hydration, shine, and strength
What I Don't: Expensive
Customer Review: "This hair mask really makes hair feel like butter. Makes hair easy to detangle and manageable. Hair feels healthier and nourished." — Sephora
What Should I Look For In a Deep Conditioner?
Your best bet is to look for deep conditioners tailored to your hair's biggest needs at the moment. "They can help bond chemically damaged hair. They can add moisture to dry hair," says Ruiz. "It can help control frizz for curly/ textured hair." When it comes to damaged and high-porosity hair, protein-rich formulas are ideal, while lightweight moisture is best for low-porosity strands.
Even though they share a name with conditioners, they do more than your regular everyday conditioner: "Deep conditioners are highly concentrated and go deeper into the hair more than an everyday conditioner, which sits on top of the hair," says Leake. Because of this, deep conditioners should contain ingredients such as avocado, olive, and coconut oils, shea butter, and keratin.
Hair masks and deep conditioners are mostly "interchangeable," says Leake, but you can "think of a mask targeted towards repair for damaged hair and a deep conditioner as more of a hydrating conditioner," he adds.
How Do I Use a Deep Conditioner?
Deep conditioner replaces your regular conditioner in your wash day routine, and should be applied after shampooing. "Apply it to clean, damp hair, comb through, leave it on for five to 30 minutes, depending on the product, then rinse," says Santiago. For dry or damaged hair, she recommends applying a deep conditioner one or two times per week. If your hair isn't dry or damaged, "once every two weeks is enough," she says.
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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
Catharine Malzahn is a longtime deep conditioner advocate and user. Her testing process included merging her go-tos with other Marie Claire contributor favorites and professional hairstylist recommendations. She also worked with the stylists to learn more about what deep conditioners do, signs you may need one, and how to use one properly.
This list includes her longtime favorite deep conditioners alongside editor and expert favorites. Each product was evaluated by its packaging, ability to moisturize and repair, claims, ingredients, and more. After all that, she compiled this list of the 11 best deep conditioners on the market.
Meet the Experts
Ashley Ruiz is a celebrity hairstylist at Flore Los Angeles.
Celebrity stylist and salon founder, Bradley Leake is known for his effortless, sun-kissed color and red carpet styling. Based in Los Angeles, his client roster includes Stassi Schroeder, Anna Sitar, and Chrishell Stause. As the founder of BRDY JAY, a luxury salon in Santa Monica, Bradley blends Hollywood polish with modern trendsetting.
Mia Santiago is a celebrity hairstylist in NYC and owner of Headspace by Mia in Columbus, Ohio.
