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23 Best Deep Conditioner Products for Every Hair Type

We put our hair through a lot from blow-drying to dyes to pollution so treat your hair to a spa day with the best deep conditioner. All hair types need a drink now and then to stay supple and strong. I’ve broken down these top hair masks into pros and cons so you can easily find the right one for you and reveal how gorgeous and healthy your hair can look. Upgrade the rest of your hair care with the best organic shampoo.

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I have blue hair. Does my hair love this dying process? No, not at all. So I went on the search to find the best deep conditioner for me.

My research led me to learn that, like most personal care products, it really depends on your hair type, damage level, type, and needs. I want to share with you what I learned so you can better choose the hair mask that's right for you.

Who Should Be Doing Regular Deep Conditioning Treatments?

It's not just hair dye that stresses out hair. Chemical treatments, flat ironing, blow-drying, hair products, swimming in chlorine pools or saltwater, pollution, and even just being out in the sun can lead to dry, damaged hair in need of some real pampering.

Sometimes it doesn't take anything at all. Some hair types, especially natural hair or curls in the three and four ranges, need that deep drink from time to time to stay supple and strong.

What Is a Hair Mask?

Deep conditioning treatments are turbo-powered conditioners that moisturize, strengthen, and repair unhappy hair. They're not for everyday use like normal conditioners and are generally best when used between once a week and once a month depending on how much attention your hair needs.

How long you leave the hair mask in depends on the product and your hair. When in doubt, follow the instructions on the label.

Treatments are left on anywhere from three minutes to overnight. Infrared heat, like from a hair processor, improves the absorption of moisture so put a shower cap over your mask or wrap your hair in plastic wrap then cover the whole thing in a warm towel.

Make it a mini spa day--throw a mask in your hair, throw on some Netflix, and relax. In between treatments or when you don't have the time for a long soak, it's important your hair is getting the conditioning it needs.

How Does a Deep Conditioning Treatment Work?

Hair masks work on the outer layer of your hair called the cuticle. The cuticle is made up of overlapping scales. On healthy hair, these scales lay flat making your hair smooth and shiny.

When your hair is damaged, these scales start sticking up all over the place causing your hair to frizz, tangle, and lose its shine.

Hair masks bind to your hair's cuticle and smooth the shaft down again.

What Are the Main Players in a Hair Mask? Oils and Proteins.

Natural oils, like argan oil or coconut oil, moisturize and calm hair. They protect against future heat damage and give hair its soft feel.

Protein.

When your hair is damaged to the point of being brittle and you're finding lots of breakage, it's because your hair lacks protein.

Your hair is made of a protein called keratin and protein treatments coat your hair and fill in the weak, thin areas of your cuticle strengthening it.

Protein gives your hair its elasticity, bounce, and volume. Treating your hair with protein too often will weigh it down so keep high protein masks to once every two weeks or more.

Oil.

One of the major differences between masks is what oil they use as their base. Here are three of the most common oils and what they're best for.

Coconut Oil.

We live in a world that says coconut oil will solve all your problems, but I have coconut oil in my kitchen and it has yet to do my dishes. It will, however, do wonders for your hair.

Coconut oil works on all hair types from baby-fine to type 4c. If your hair is on the greasy side, it's best to leave it off your roots.

To get the benefits of coconut oil you need cosmetic-grade coconut oil. The oil you can get at your grocery store is processed differently and will leave your hair limp and greasy.

Argan Oil.

I love argan oil. It reduces frizz and breakage and is great for dry or color-treated hair. It's full of omega fatty acids and vitamins that make hair more manageable and silky. Plus it smells amazing.

Avocado Oil.

Avocados are full of omega fatty acids, protein, and vitamins--and they're tasty as all heck. With their richness, they are best for medium to thick hair.

Now I have tried the DIY route of putting avocado on my head as a hair mask and regretted it with every fiber of my being. I was combing and rinsing avocado bits out my hair for hours and my shower was disgusting.

I don't even want to think about what that did to the plumbing. Stick with professional products. It's worth it.

What Does Your Hair Need?

A not-at-all-universal rule of thumb is that fine hair needs protein and curly hair needs moisture. Most treatments are a mix of both and have different pros and cons. 

Best Hair Mask for Curly Hair.

Curls need a balance of moisture and something that won't weigh our curls down. For curly or coiling hair, go for more moisture with something like Curl Immersion Triple Threat. Hair that's only wavy should probably stick with something silicone-free.

Best Hair Mask for Natural Hair.

Natural type four hair breaks easily and dries out quicker than other hair patterns. For hair that's not chemically damaged, go with a mask packed with natural butters and botanicals nutrients like Camille Rose's Algae Renew

If you're working with hair that's been chemically relaxed, go with SheaMoisture's Deep Treatment Masque.

Best Deep Conditioning Treatment for Bleached Hair.

Bleach opens up the hair's cuticle, allowing pigments to leach out but that allow means that the hair's natural moisture leaves too. Bleaching is one of the fastest ways to damage your hair, leaving it feeling like straw. 

There's nothing like Olaplex for repairing damaged hair bonds. It's the industry standard.

Best Hair Mask for Relaxed Hair. 

Relaxed hair has had the protein bonds of the hair broken so it can lay flat. It's effective for straightening but it can weaken hair and leave it brittle and prone to breaking. 

This type of damage calls for protein treatments like this Keratin Mask with biotin and castor oil.

Best Deep Conditioning Treatment for Hair Growth.

A hair mask is really not the right place to be going for supporting hair growth. Conditioning treatments are often not meant to sit on your roots because they can make some people's hair look greasy. 

Instead, look for scalp treatments or hair growth shampoos that contain caffeine, rosemary oil, peppermint, or green tea which are study-proven to help counter hair thinning.