Conditioner

Conditioner for every hair type: smooth, soft, easy to comb

Conditioner is what makes hair smooth, soft and easier to comb after washing. This page has conditioners for dry, coloured, blonde and fine hair, care for curls and leave-in conditioner sprays.

You use conditioner after shampoo: it smooths the surface of the hair and gives the lengths a sleekness that lasts until the next wash. A good hair conditioner makes a difference when combing and styling: hair is easier to handle and shinier. Since there are many conditioners, start with the length and thickness of your hair and whether it is coloured, bleached or curly.

How to choose a hair conditioner

Pick a conditioner from the same line as your shampoo or at least for the same hair type, so the two work together.

• Dry and damaged hair: richer, nourishing and restoring formulas.
• Coloured hair: colour-protecting conditioners help the shade last longer.
• Blonde hair: silver and toning conditioners keep a cool tone.
• Fine hair: light, volumising conditioners that do not weigh hair down.
• Curls: moisturising conditioners that define curl.
• Leave-in sprays: make combing easy and also suit children.

A hair mask once a week complements conditioner, and a matching shampoo takes care of washing. Conditioners are available from Wella Professionals and Joico, among others; the wider range is in hair care.

Conditioner for dry and damaged hair

When hair is drier after blow-drying, colouring or sun, choose a richer conditioner. The Goldwell Rich Repair Restoring conditioner plays that role as a restoring treatment. For hair that wants moisture there is the Joico Moisture Recovery moisturising conditioner and the lighter Joico Hydrasplash Hydrating Conditioner. Nourishing care comes from Macadamia Professional Nourishing Repair in a 300 ml pack.

Conditioner for coloured and blonde hair

For coloured hair there are several good choices: Goldwell Color Brilliance, the Schwarzkopf Professional conditioner for coloured hair and the large Joico K-Pak Color Therapy in a 1000 ml pack, which is handy for frequent use. For blonde hair there is the Joico Blonde Life Brightening conditioner, and to keep a cool tone the Schwarzkopf BlondMe silver conditioner comes as a spray.

Conditioner for smooth, curly and wavy hair

If you want softer and straighter hair, look at the Goldwell Just Smooth Taming conditioner or the Wella Professionals Oil Reflections smoothing conditioner. For curly and wavy hair there is the Wella Professionals Nutricurls conditioner, which keeps curls soft and defined. Among the moisturising lines you will also find the Schwarzkopf Professional Moisture Kick conditioner.

How to use conditioner

• Wash the hair: use a suitable shampoo and rinse it out thoroughly.
• Squeeze out excess water: damp, not dripping, hair takes up conditioner better.
• Spread over the lengths: apply with a comb or fingers to lengths and ends.
• Wait a couple of minutes: let the conditioner work before rinsing.
• Rinse: finish with cooler water to keep the surface smooth.

After conditioner you can reach for styling products such as heat protection or a styling spray, and among the hair accessories you will find something to hold the style in place.

Conditioner in an everyday routine

Good hair care does not need ten products. Shampoo, conditioner and, if you like, a weekly mask are enough. A routine like that keeps hair soft and easy to comb and makes everyday styling simpler. If you notice your hair has become drier, swap the regular conditioner for a more nourishing one. If your hair turns oily faster, choose a lighter one and use it on the lengths only.

Gift ideas

Conditioner is a practical gift, especially together with a shampoo from the same line. A friend with coloured or blonde hair will enjoy a colour or silver conditioner, a person with curls a curl conditioner. Large packs are handy for frequent use, and a small spray conditioner fits in a handbag or a travel bag.

Fine and quickly oily hair

Fine hair needs a conditioner that does not weigh it down. Use a small amount and spread it over the lengths only, leaving the roots free. That keeps the feeling of volume and still gives smooth ends. If your hair turns oily quickly, choose a lighter moisturising conditioner and rinse it out thoroughly.

Frequently asked questions