I'll be the first to admit it—as much as I love my natural hair texture, there's been more than a few wash days where I seriously consider shaving it off and starting all over after my arms get tired from scrubbing, detangling, and twisting. Maintaining curly hair is no small feat and deciding which products can make or break your haircare routine can be a daunting task but it doesn't have to be complicated. It's all about identifying the steps in your routine that can make the biggest difference and learning how to get the maximum benefit out of the products you elect to use.
If you have curly hair and don't deep condition your hair, you're making your wash day and styling process more difficult. Now's the time to finally add one (or two) into rotation to achieve healthy, bouncy, and defined curls. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of deep conditioning from an industry expert and discover which products have made our list of top picks.
What Is Deep Conditioning + Why Is It Important?
According to veteran celebrity hairstylist and Flawless by Gabrielle Union co-founder Larry Sims, deep conditioning offers a more intense treatment than a typical conditioner since its designed to rebuild and strengthen brittle hair that heat, chemicals, or stressors have damaged. This is especially crucial for individuals with curly hair, as its crucial to incorporate deep conditioning into wash day routines to deliver nourishment and preserve the integrity of their curls.
"Like all hair products, deep conditioners are best selected to target the specific needs of your hair type," Sims begins. "Curly hair types thrive when ultra-moisturizing and protein-rich deep conditioners like the Flawless Repairing Deep Conditioning Masque are used within a wash day regimen." This particular product stands out to him due to the formula's combination of biotin, creatine, and rice oil complex that works to repair any existing damage while delivering hydration and the reduction of frizz.
When looking for a deep conditioner that would work best for curly hair patterns keep an eye out for ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter and avoid any containing alcohol or sulfates; as they'll dry out your strands. Incorporating a deep conditioner in your wash day routine is quick, easy, and effective. "After using your favorite shampoo, apply your deep conditioner to damp hair. Make sure the product is fully saturated on your hair, leaving no curl behind," says Sims. "Massage the deep conditioner into hair from root to ends using fingers, or consider using a wide-tooth comb or brush to ensure each strand is coated."
For a quick shower routine, Sims recommends leaving the deep conditioner in the hair for 5 to 10 minutes or, for a more intense process, cover hair with a shower cap and sitting under a hooded dryer for extra saturation and nourishment to the curls. Next, rinse with cool water to seal in moisture before applying the next step in your styling routine.
Below, take a look at our picks for the best deep conditioners on the market based on our testing and thousands of glowing reviews across Sephora, Ulta, Dermstore, and more.
Best Overall: Bread Beauty Hair-Mask Deep conditioner
Bread Beauty's bestselling Hair-Mask Deep Conditioner plays defense against damage while softening and strengthening your strands. Its powerful formula is infused with rich ingredients like Australian Kakadu Plum Seed Oil which is lightweight, effective, and keeps your hair supple.
Customer Review: "I love this product! The hair mask to beat all other hair masks—leaves my hair feeling soft an luxurious. Soft, happy hair that feels like its thirst has been quenched. Smells food too.
"Pros: Hydrates curls and provides slip for detangling
Cons: None
Product Specs: Available in 3.3 oz and 12 oz dispensers
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
Use this weekly, clinically tested mask by Briogeo to help strengthen damaged hair and prevent future damage. It's superhero ingredients include rosehip oil to promote hydration, algae extract to protect the scalp against free-radical damage, and B vitamins to improve texture, body, and sheen.
Customer Review: "This deep conditioner is amazing! It’s so thick and creamy and smells so good! It really hydrates and nourishes my hair. It feels so soft and looks shiny and healthy. I’ve been using this brand for years and this product will always be a staple!"
Pros: Keeps tangles and frizz at bay
Cons: Not ideal for oily hair types
Product Specs: Available in 0.8 oz and 12 oz jars
Design Essentials Almond Avocado Wash Day Deep Moisture Masque
Everyone loves an extra-effective product offered at a drugstore price point. This Design Essentials deep conditioning mask cuts down your wash day time with a formula that provides intense moisture, improves hair elasticity, and eases the detangling process. Its key ingredients of almond and avocado work to provide intense moisture with sunflower oil delivers softness, shine, and protection.
Customer Review: "I love this deep treatment! It transformed my dry hair from the very first time that I used it. It helps bring my curls back to life and keeps my hair moisturized and protected until my next wash day. I don't have do add any type of moisture between wash days (every 7 to 8 days)."
Pros: Delivers moisture, softness, and shine
Cons: None
Product Specs: Available in a 12 oz jar
Adwoa Beauty Baomint Deep Conditioning Treatment
This Adwoa Beauty Baomint Deep Conditioning Treatment is moisture rich, thick, and creamy; perfect for combating dry strands and scalps. It deeply penetrates your hair for softness and a manageability while also treating dry, itchy scalps with pumpkin seed oil containing high amounts of zinc and vitamin E.
Customer Review: "This the best deep conditioner ever made! The slip is out of this world, the moisture is like no other and the strengthening properties from the protein is so on point."
Pros: Quickly detangles single-strand knots
Cons: Not ideal for those sensitive to fragrance
Product Specs: Available in 3.3 oz and 16 oz jars
Oribe Moisture Control Deep Treatment Hair Mask
Infused with a rich blend of coconut and almond oils, this deep conditioning mask penetrates the hair shaft to soften, nourish, and strengthen while enhancing shine and body. It's also lightly scented with has Oribe's signature fragrance Côte d'Azur featuring notes of Calabrian bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood.
Customer Review: "As someone who alternates between blowdrying my hair straight and wearing it curly, it's really important that I use a product that brings the moisture back into my hair. This does that and more! It's my absolute favorite hair mask."
Pros: Addresses breakage, split ends, and damage
Cons: Offered at a luxury price point
Product Specs: Available in a 8.5 oz jar
Superzero Deep Conditioner Bar
Did you know deep conditioners also come in bar form? I love this one because it delivers intense, long-lasting moisture, reduces frizz, and enhances curl definition using an all-natural blend of pequi oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, and more. One bar is equal to 1.5 x 8.4 oz bottles of liquid conditioner, making this easy to transport and use in a time crunch.
Customer Review: "I love this product for traveling so I don’t have to worry about taking liquids through security. A little goes a long way and it leaves my curls so moisturized and defined. I got the shampoo and conditioner and both are great"
Pros: Improves curl definition and shine
Cons: May be challenging to work into tight curls
Product Specs: Available in a 2.35 oz bar
Melanin Haircare Plumping Deep Conditioner
Melanin Haircare's moisture-rich, reparative deep conditioner instantly hydrates, softens, and smoothes dry and brittle hair using hyaluronic acid, bioitin, and fenugreek, and bamboo. It works to restore your hair's elasticity and detangle knots for quick and manageable styling.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this product, it leaves my hair soft and plump just like the name indicates. I highly recommend for all curly girls. It's also so silky smooth during the application process. Love it!"
Pros: Majorly cuts down on wash times
Cons: None
Product Specs: Available in a 16 oz jar
Ouidad Coil Infusion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner
The Coil Infusion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner nourishes and restores natural ceramides to help your strands retain moisture. Perfect for tight curls and coils, its unique formula features black castor oil helps strengthen the hair against past and future breakage.
Customer Review: "This is the holy grail! I love these products so much. I wish I found them sooner! Of your curly hair gets dry or even frizzy, this will save you!"
Pros: Restores natural hair patterns
Cons: Product lacks slip for easy detangling
Product Specs: Available in a 11.0 oz jar
Mixed Chicks Detangling Deep Conditioner Treatment
Formulated with castor oil, safflower oil, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, the Detangling Deep Conditioner Treatment is the key to achieving soft, smooth curls every time. In addition to reducing breakage and growth, it detangles and moisturizes for easy to maintain tresses in minutes.
Customer Review: "My hair is stick straight but very thick and full. I've been searching for a conditioner that keeps the tangles out of my thick hair, but also doesn't dull the fullness of it. This conditioner is perfect!"
Pros: Powerful formula promotes hair growth
Cons: None
Product Specs: Available in a 8.0 oz jar
Mielle Organics Babassu Mint Deep Conditioner
Mielle Organics may have gone viral for their Rosemary Mint Scalp Hair Strengthening Oil on TikTok, but its the brand's Babassu Mint Deep Conditioner that has completely won me over. Not only does it contain high concentrations of sterols and tocopherols to improve your hair and scalp, but it's also enriched with fatty acids and natural oils for additional protein and moisture.Customer Review: "I recently lost my curls due to some hair damage from hair products I've been using. I was in the search for a conditioning product to revive my curls and I have to say… this is the best one. After just one use, my curls are looking healthy again!"Pros: Reduces frizz and flyawaysCons: Not ideal for those sensitive to fragranceProduct Specs: Available in a 8.0 oz jar
TGIN Rose Water Hydrating Hair Mask
Blending proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins to revitalize dry and damaged hair, TGIN's Rose Water Hydrating Mask is a miracle-worker for getting ride of single-strand knots. It adds moisture and softness to support the hair shaft; quickly repairing the hair from inside out.
Customer Review: "I have low porosity hair and this gives my hair so much moisture and shine! It also smells amazing. Love TGIN products, and this line is superb. I also got the leave in conditioner which I highly recommend as well."
Pros: Adds moisture and softness to hair
Cons: Smells like fruit rather than rose water
Product Specs: Available in a 12 oz jar
Pattern Intensive Conditioner
Tracee Ellis Ross' Pattern haircare has done it again with a deep conditioner that's a holy grail for low porosity hair types like mine. Its packed with ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, and safflower oil to protect against dryness and flakiness while leaving definition behind after rinse-out.
Customer Review: "I loovveee this conditioner! It is thick and gives a lot slip. I can easily detangle my hair after leaving it in for 5 minutes. It works on my 3c/4a hair and my husband's 4c strands. It really is the best."
Pros: Works well with low porosity hair types
Cons: None
Product Specs: Available in a 13 oz tube
Curlsmith Multi-Tasking Conditioner
Curlsmith's protein-enriched multipurpose cream can be used as a rinse-out, deep conditioner, our leave-in-conditioner to support damaged hair and define your curls and coils. The presence of babassu, murumuru, hemp seed, and rice protein complex in this formula offers maximum moisture, shine, and elasticity.
Customer Review: "I feel like i’m always running out of leave-in conditioner, so i love this multi-use product! It smells amazing, but most of all I’ve been enjoying how hydrated it leaves my curls without being too heavy. I would def recommend!"
Pros: Promotes definition of curls and waves
Cons: Challenging to distribute through tight curls
Product Specs: Available in 8.0 oz and 32.0 oz jars
Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment
This hair mask helps to define curls and improve overall hair health resulting in moisture-intense, high-elasticity locks that are easy to style. Its powerful formula works to prevent breakage, tangles, and dryness with the help of nourishing ingredients like marula oil, marufa butter, camelia oil, and prickly pear seed oil.
Customer Review: "I used this after I washed my hair and it was amazing. [It] helps detangle and smooth out my hair without feeling like it is getting too greasy. Left a great shine to my hair when I styled it!"
Pros: Makes detangling hair quick and easy
Cons: Formula has high the glycerin content
Product Specs: Available in a 8.4 oz jar
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