Like many of us I often buy the conditioner that pairs with the shampoo I’m using, and vice versa. But this may not always be the best strategy for your hair, albeit the easiest (sigh).
Lucky for you, I’ve done the work for you and have carefully curated the below list of the top 5 Conditioners to transform your hair and your hair care routine. While some of these will match those found in my 5 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos list, others may surprise you (gotta keep you on your toes).
All of these options are Sulfate-Free and include hair pampering ingredients like Argan oil, Moringa Oil, and Keratin, much like the shampoos I recommend. All work beautifully on color-treated hair and will help to repair the damage you’ve done with hot tools and color treatments. Some will even go so far as to rebuild your broken strands. (wait… what?)
Add any of these 5 to your hair care arsenal and you might just find yourself looking up in the mirror like “damn she the one!”
5. MoroccanOil Moisture Repair Conditioner
Buy on Amazon | $24
This conditioner is fantastic if you have dry hair, and even if you don’t. It is designed for daily use (for those of you who can’t resist the urge to wash) and provides instant hydration and shine. Infused with Argan Oil (I can’t get enough Argan Oil), vitamins A & E, and red algae it detangles with ease and provides necessary moisture to dry or damaged hair. Bonus, it smells AMAZING.
4. Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner
Buy on Amazon | $33
This option is a bit lighter than my top 2 picks below, yet still does an amazing job at taming frizz (finally!). Because it is intended for smoothing, it’s not technically lightweight. However if you’re prone to flyaways and hair that disagrees with humidity (like me, ugh) then this might be the one for you. Like the MoroccanOil, it is infused with Vitamin E but, rather than Argan Oil, it comes from Minuta olive extract.
3. Verb Ghost Conditioner
Buy on Amazon | $16
Don’t let the affordable price tag of Verb’s Ghost Conditioner fool you; this is one fabulous conditioner. It is great for all hair types because it moisturizes without weighing hair down. This powerhouse is infused with sunflower seed extract which, according to Verb, is a natural source of UV protection that will help keep your color fresh – bonus! The addition of Moringa Oil makes this is a great option for detangling and softening that won’t break the bank.
2. Virtue Recovery Conditioner
Buy on Amazon | $40
This conditioner is a GAME CHANGER. It actually repairs damaged hair and did just that for me after a severe curling iron incident. By depositing Keratin protein directly into the hair using a first-of-its-kind Alpha Keratin 60ku®, the Recovery Conditioner reconstructs frayed cuticles and brittle ends. The result is incredibly soft, strong, and manageable hair. It has a really pleasant scent as well thanks to the coconut and yuzu extracts. This product is a winner.
1. Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Buy on Amazon | $28
This conditioner is pretty darn special. It tops our list of conditioners to transform your hair because It is formulated with Olaplex Bond Building chemistry, so it is both moisturizing and reparative. It restores internal strength and moisture levels by re-linking broken bonds. The result? Incredibly shiny, soft, and manageable hair with less frizz and split ends. It has a highly concentrated formula and a little goes a very long way. This one barely squeaked ahead of the others simply because of how soft and manageable my thick hair is when I use it.
Pair any of these winners with one of my top 5 shampoo picks and you’ll be good. Let me know what combo works best for your hair!
