Six Deep Conditioners to Bring Your Hair Bck to Life

Let’s face it – we put our hair through a lot. That’s where intensive hair masks come in. When regular conditioner just won't do for your dry, brittle, and lacklustre strands, it's time to switch up to something more hydrating – a deep conditioner.

Here we will talk about how these conditioners have the powers sent from above to deeply hydrate and save hair that's been damaged.

Heat tools, sun, chlorine, products, and everyday wear and tear can take their toll on your hair, and you need a treatment to go deep into the hair shaft and deliver nutrients that restore your mane. But first, the basics:

What’s the difference between a deep conditioner and a regular one?

Like daily conditioners, hair masks are used after washing your hair, but offer a higher concentration of conditioning ingredients (like slip agents, plant oils, amino acids, protein complexes, ceramide and butters), making them ideal for coarse, thick, or curly hair, or hair that's damaged because of chemical treatments (such as colouring or straightening) and frequent heat styling.

How to Use a Deep Conditioner

We can use Treatment masks whenever your hair needs a concentrated mega hit of nutrition they rarely need to be applied every day, and once a week is enough.

Massage deep conditioners onto shampooed, towel-dried hair, and then cover your head with a shower cap to amplify the absorption process.This works because heat activates the conditioning agents and supports deeper penetration past cuticle layer and into the cortex of the hair shaft. Leave on for at least 10 minutes (longer if possible) and then rinse thoroughly. There is no need to apply any other conditioner after a mask. You can use your normal styling products as your normally would.

Best Deep Conditioners

Once upon a time, you might have made your own ‘treatment mask’ by taking your regular conditioner and leaving it on for an extended length of time. That approach will still work but is limited to the lower concentration of a regular use conditioner - they are a weaker formulation.

Today, however, the range of deep conditioners that target specific hair issues is way beyond our wildest dreams. Whether its damage, frizz, or lack of volume, there’s an intensive treatment that’s just right for you.

Ahead, the 6 deep conditioners we use in the salon and tested on every hair type and concern:

Best deep conditioner for fragile hair and breakage...

Try a protein intensive treatment.

Original Mineral’s The Power Base Protein Masque

The “king of lifts” for damaged hair, this intense dual action treatment from O&M works to rebuild and strengthen damaged hair from within. Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein reconstructs weakened hair to bind broken strands ensuring smoothness and protecting against breakage caused by dyes, heat treatments and chemical styling. Apricot Kernel Oil and Sweet Almond moisturise and nourish the hair’s exterior to add gloss and shine.

Shu Uemura’s Ultimate Reset Hair Mask

This restorative deep repair hair mask repairs the hair fibre from roots to tips with Ultima6 technology, which contains specialised repairing ingredients such as Japanese sourced rice protein to specifically target damaged hair. Protein improves the elasticity of your hair, making it less prone to damage. With long-lasting nourishment without a heavy touch, this deep conditioner repairs the hair without weighing it down and leaves the hair feeling soft, strengthened, and manageable.

Best deep conditioner for frizz, flyaways and general dryness...Try a moisture intensive treatment.

Oribe’s Signature Moisture Masque

A super-rich indulgence, this crème de la crème deep-hydrating masque transforms even the driest, most over-it hair, leaving it supremely soft and irresistibly touchable. Watermelon Extract, from the Kalahari Desert, provides natural protection against oxidative stress and deterioration of natural keratin. Other ingredients include Sunflower Seed Oil, Amber Extract and Wild Mango Butter to deliver incredible shine and comb-ability.

Original Mineral’s Seven Day Miracle Moisture Masque

A delicious, hydrating masque for stressed locks, O&M’s Seven Day Miracle will leave all hair types deeply moved with its unique blend of Australian native oils. Macadamia Seed Oil and cold-pressed certified organic Australian Argan Oil boasts intense moisturising powers to restore dry and damaged hair to its former glory. Natural Silica increases hair shine and gloss. The divine scent of Vanilla Bean takes this potent, deep conditioner to the next level.

Best deep conditioner for lack of volume and baby fine hair... Try a light, yet enriched deep conditioner.

Shu Uemura’s Silk Bloom Hair Mask

A repairing deep conditioner that infuses moisture and restorative ingredients to reinforce the hair fibre’s structure and resilience, it leaves damaged hair firm, smooth and shiny with no unwanted weight. Recognised for its restorative and regenerative properties, Argan oil is the main active ingredient in this deep conditioner – a lightweight, but powerful hydrator that helps to repair the bonds between the hair cuticle.

When you’re in a full-blown hungry and thirsty hair crisis, pep up your locks with a concentrated hit of nutrition. The right deep hair conditioner for your healthiest hair will help transform it from straw to silk!