How to Use Conditioner for Coily Hair

As a curly girl, there’s pretty much one product that we cannot live without: conditioner! Yes, it is an absolute must, especially if you have tighter coils. The most commonly recognized type of conditioner is the rinse-out form, but did you know conditioner comes in many other forms? Leave-in conditioners, deep conditioners, liquid conditioner refresher sprays — you name it there’s pretty much an option for you. The many types of conditioner options can be overwhelming, but finding the right ones can be essential for achieving and maintaining healthy hair.

Make it part of your routine

First, let’s talk about the importance of using conditioner in your hair routine. Conditioners are used to help restore the nutrients to your hair that have been washed away with shampoo. They also help to increase volume and soften while adding brilliance and shine to the hair strand itself. It is especially important to follow shampoo with conditioner so your hair won’t be dry and brittle after removing the buildup that has accumulated between cleansings. The great thing about conditioner is that it actually can be used to wash your hair too. The term “co-wash” comes from the act of using conditioner instead of shampoo when washing your hair. Many companies are even beginning to make products geared towards those who practice the curly girl method and are strictly conditioner-washing only. Darcy’s Botanicals Daily Cleansing Conditioner Cream, As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner and Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner are a few examples of the newest products on the market for conditioner washing.

Types of Conditioners

There are a variety of conditioners available on the market: rinse-outs, deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners.

1. Rinse-out conditioners are quite the multi-purpose item. Some people use them as directed, leaving the product on for a short period of time and then rinsing, but others are modifying their use of this traditional product to suit their needs. Some of my favorites are Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner, Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp, Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Conditioner and EDEN BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Conditioner. Many ladies doing the curly girl method opt to leave a little bit of conditioner in their hair as a styler for wash and go’s. This diluted conditioner envelops your curls and adds a bit of weight to them, making for a great styler option. You have to be careful to make sure all of your products play well together if you’re using this method. The last thing you want to end up with is flaky hair!
2. Deep conditioners are the ultimate pampering product for your coils and should be incorporated into your routine regularly. Weekly or every other week treatments are recommended when you have coily hair to help strengthen and moisturize your hair. Many people notice a big difference in their hair after routine use of a good deep conditioner. Some of the best deep conditioners on the market are b.a.s.k. Y.A.M Nectar, Curl Junkie Curl Rehab, EDEN BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner, Karen’s Body Beautiful Luscious Locks and Jessicurl Too Shea Deep Conditioner. To get the most out of your deep conditioning session, follow the directions on the packaging. Some should be left on for 20 minutes, while others need an hour. Either way, following the directions ensures you are getting the maximum benefits. You can even add heat to amplify the deep conditioning properties.
3. Leave-in conditioners are a great addition to your conditioning routine. They range in consistency from watery to creamy and can have many different uses and complement different hair styles. I like to call the liquid leave-in products refreshers because they work well to revive your second and third day hair and beyond! Some of my favorites are Darcy’s Botanicals Herbal Leave-In Conditioning Spritz and Oyin Handmade Juices & Berries. The creamier leave-in conditioners can even be used for styling and make great finishing products to the L.O.C. method (liquid, oil, cream”> method of moisturizing your hair. Two of my favorite creamy leave-ins are Kinky Curly Knot Today and Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia. They’re both chocked full of yummy ingredients and they easily make my curls perk back up!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a ton of options in the world of conditioners and I hope this helps along your journey. It can be easy to amass a large stash of conditioners, but they are definitely worth the investment. Once you find the best ones for your coils, your hair will thank you! Happy styling!

How do you use conditioners in your routine?