Conditioners & Hair Masks

Conditioners, deep conditioners, leave-ins and hair masks for dry, damaged, curly and color-treated hair from clean hair-care brands.

Conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in or mask?

All four add moisture and softness, but they work on different timescales:

  • Rinse-out conditioner goes on after every wash for a minute or two. Try Shibui Everydayness or Ultra Hydrating Conditioner, the Rose Hydrating Conditioner, or Dermazen's Nourishing Conditioner for a sensitive scalp.
  • Deep conditioner and hair masks stay on for longer, usually five to twenty minutes, once a week. The Coconut Milk Strengthening and Mixed Fruit Nutrient-Rich deep conditioners and Davines' single-use Circle masks (Quick Fix, Renaissance, Spotlight) sit here.
  • Leave-in conditioner is applied to damp hair and not rinsed out. It helps with detangling, frizz and moisture through the day. We stock the Banana Leave-In Conditioner, ShiBui Peptide Primer Leave-In Treatment and Davines Replumping Leave-in.
  • Hair creams and butters like Davines OI Hair Butter and OI Hair Care Cream are rich treatments for dry, coarse or damaged lengths.

Choosing by hair type

  • Dry or damaged hair: a weekly mask plus a leave-in. Davines OI Hair Butter or the Renaissance Circle mask, then a leave-in on damp hair.
  • Curly and coily hair: layer a leave-in under a styler from our hair styling collection. The Fenugreek Detangling and Papaya 2-in-1 pre-poos help before shampoo.
  • Fine hair: keep conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends and choose lighter formulas. Davines Replumping Leave-in is made to add body.
  • Color-treated or bright fashion shades: Davines Alchemic conditioners and creams (Red, Creative Pink, Marine) deposit tone as they condition.

Getting the most from a hair mask

  • Apply to towel-dried hair so the mask is not diluted by water.
  • Concentrate on the ends, comb through, and leave on for the time on the label.
  • Rinse with cool to lukewarm water. Pair with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo.

Questions

What is the difference between a deep conditioner and a hair mask?

The terms overlap. Both are richer treatments left on longer than a regular conditioner, usually once a week. Brands use the names differently, so go by the directions on each product.

Do I still need a regular conditioner if I use a leave-in conditioner?

Many people use both: a rinse-out conditioner after shampooing, then a leave-in on damp hair. If your hair is fine or gets weighed down easily, you may prefer one or the other.

How often should I use a hair mask?

Once a week suits most hair. Very dry, bleached or curly hair may like it twice a week, while fine hair may only need it every couple of weeks.

What is a pre-poo?

A pre-poo is a treatment applied before shampooing to soften and detangle hair and reduce the drying effect of the wash. It is popular with curly and coily hair.

Can leave-in conditioner make hair greasy?

Too much can. Start with a small amount on the mid-lengths and ends, and avoid the roots if your scalp gets oily.