Beauty PSA Alert: The Best Deep Conditioners for Curly Hair Start at Just $12

It's likely that by now, you have your basic wash day routine down pat: shampoo, conditioner, and a heat protectant spray before styling with your hair dryer or hair dryer brush. Perhaps, you even use an anti-frizz serum to nix flyaways and dry shampoo after the gym when you need to revive sweaty hair on the go. But if you have curly hair, our hair experts say there's one product you likely overlooked, and you should consider one of the best investments in your hair's overall health: a hydrating deep conditioner for curly hair.

Best Deep Conditioners for Curly Hair

Why Use a Deep Conditioner for Curly Hair

We hate to break it to you, but that traditional conditioner you've been using is way too light, lacking the ability to soak up the hair-restoring powers a deep conditioner for curly hair provides. And according to celebrity stylist and IGK Hair cofounder Aaron Greenia, curly hair is more porous than straight and wavy textures, meaning it lets in more UV rays that can dehydrate your curls.

He says, “Curly hair is innately drier due to its follicle shape, meaning it is more difficult for the scalp’s natural oils to travel down the hair shaft. Highly processed and damaged hair, such as color-treated hair, can also experience more frizz than normal if not properly cared for.”

What does this mean for you? Well, regularly using an ultra hydrating deep conditioner for curly hair is non-negotiable because it'll add some much-needed boing back to your strands.

To help you show your curly hair some much-needed TLC, we asked Greenia and other influential hairstylists what to consider when shopping online for the best deep conditioners for curly hair. They also spill the tea on their all-time favorite ingredients and must-have deep conditioners for curly hair, as well as tips and tricks for making the most of your new purchase.

How to Shop

All of the experts we consulted agree the ingredients are the most important factor to consider when shopping for the best deep conditioner for curly hair.

Do’s and Don’ts of Deep Conditioners for Curly Hair

Sure, using a deep conditioner for curly hair is straightforward, but there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to gain even more beauty benefits highlighted by our experts.

• Do evenly distribute the product by sectioning your hair with a comb or your fingers.
• Do use a shower cap to help lock in extra hydration.
  
• Do incorporate steam or use heat while deep conditioning to help the ingredients deeply penetrate the cuticles.
• Don't overuse a deep conditioner or leave it in for too long. Jenna Spino, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago cautions that deep conditioners are different than leave-in conditioners and can actually harden over time. Renee Gadar, Aveda’s Global Artistic Director of Texture, adds you should always follow individual brand guidelines, but generally, using them once or twice a week for up to 20 minutes per session is best.

Ready for popping curls? Here are eight of the best deep conditioners for curly hair — each item is loved by the pros or our beauty editor, earned glowing online reviews, and sold at reader-favorite shops, including Amazon and Walmart.