Don’t get it twisted, the best conditioners deserve a place in a well rounded haircare routine. Even if you think you’ve got things covered with a weekly deep conditioning hair mask and a hydrating hair oil, conditioners do actually serve a unique purpose. “A conditioner smooths and seals the hair’s cuticle after shampooing, adding shine, detangling, and providing light hydration,” celebrity hairstylist Briget Brager tells Vogue. Fellow pro hair stylist agrees, encouraging us to think of conditioners as part of our daily (or however often you wash your lengths) hair health care.
Vogue’s Top Picks
Featured in this article
In This Story
- Do conditioners actually work for all hair types?
- Difference Between Conditioner and Deep Conditioner
- The Best Way to Apply Conditioner
- How We Tested
- Meet The Experts
Below are the best conditioners for every hair type, according to the experts. After a few washes, you won’t have to go to great lengths (see what we did there) to see softer, more manageable hair.
Best for Super Soft Hair: Roz Hair Foundation Conditioner
- Why We Love It: Think of this conditioner as the haircare equivalent of a nourishing face cream. It features the kind of high-quality ingredients you’d normally associate with luxury skincare, which contributes to its indulgent feel. “Roz’s smoothing conditioner is great for all hair types, especially fine, straight, wavy hair. It’s light and perfect for daily use—it’s formulated with peptides and packs a nice little punch without adding any extra weight to your lengths,” says Brager. After rinsing and drying, expect hair that feels soft, smooth, and almost plush—like it’s been pampered with professional-level care
- Editor’s Note: “I’ve been loyal to Rōz’s Foundation shampoo and conditioner since it launched—the scent is heavenly (Mara, you’re a genius!) and formulated with a botanical oil blend of grape seed, walnut, ginger root extract, and frankincense that makes my natural waves look their best when air-dried.” —Talia Abbas, associate shopping director
- Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, pea protein, peptides, walnut seed extract, grape fruit extract, ceramide blend (NP, AP, and EOP)
- Best For: All hair types in pursuit of softer-to-the-touch lengths
- Size: 10.1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vegan, cruelty-free, silicone free, paraben-free, and SLS free | Best to use sparingly if you have thinner, or more oily hair |
| Hydrating, smoothing formula |
Best with Hyaluronic Acid: Nécessaire The Conditioner
- Why We Love It: Just like sensitive skin, sensitive scalps simply don’t mesh well with heavily synthetic-fragranced or harshly formulated products. Nécessaire’s conditioner solves for that through the brand’s minimal-but-effective approach. The fragrance-free formula nourishes both scalp and lengths, with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and niacinamide working together to hydrate, strengthen, and support a healthier hair environment.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, coconut oil, avocado oil, aloe leaf juice, niacinamide, ceramide blend (AG, AP, EOP, NG, and NP).
- Best For: Anyone with sensitive skin who doesn’t want to risk a flare up from their hair products
- Size:
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Rich in hyaluronic acid, and plant-based emollients | Coconut oil is comedogenic—so those with acne-prone skin should rinse thoroughly, avoiding their face. |
| Color-safe formula | |
| Dermatologist-Tested, hypoallergenic, and approved by the National Eczema Association. |
Best Reparative: K18 Damage Shield Protective Conditioner
- Why We Love It: When hair is damaged (whether it be from too much bleach, hot tools, or everyday styling), regular conditioner alone often isn’t enough. K18’s Damage Shield Protective Conditioner steps in with a bond-repairing approach that actually helps strengthen hair from within rather than just masking damage on the surface. It uses the brand’s biomimetic peptide technology to rebuild broken bonds, smooth split ends, and improve resilience over time. The texture is lightweight yet deeply conditioning, leaving hair soft and smooth without that heavy, coated feel. Think of it as both daily care and long-term recovery in one bottle.
- Key Ingredients: K18 Peptide (bond-repair technology), ceramides, avocado oil, and hemisqualane
- Best For: Chemical or mechanical damaged hair in need of bond maintenance
- Size: 5 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| This doesn’t just coat hair—it actually fills in and repairs broken hair bonds | Curly, coily, or textured hair may prefer heavier duty hydration |
| Silicone-free and lightweight formula |
Best for Fine Hair: Ouai Fine Hair Conditioner
- Why We Love It: Just as the name suggests, this conditioner is made with thin hair in mind. “Fine hair simply means that individual hair strands are thinner in diameter, which can lead to the appearance of less volume and fullness,” pro hair stylist Andrew Ly tells Vogue. “This formula adds volume, bounce, strength without weighing the hair down.” Brager agrees, explaining more about the star ingredient. “Chia seed oil acts as a hair thickening agent and aids in achieving a fuller, more voluminous look without drying already brittle hair.”
- Key Ingredients: Biotin, keratin, chia seed oil, hemp seed extract
- Best For: Fine or flat hair that needs lightweight hydration and volume without heaviness.
- Size: 10 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Volumizing and hydrating formula | Not suited for thick or textured hair types |
| Lightweight enough to ensure thinner hair isn’t weighed down |
Best for Hair Growth: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Conditioner
- Why We Love It: Brager considers Vegamour’s conditioner a smart pick for anyone noticing a drop in overall density from hair loss. The formula is designed to improve strand resilience, which can help reduce shedding and, in turn, create the appearance of fuller, healthier hair. “If you’re dealing with visible thinning, reduced density, or hair breakage, Vegamour uses kermatin (a vegan alternative to keratin) to help strengthen and hydrate your lengths,” says Ly.
- Key Ingredients: Murumuru seed butter, macadamia seed oil, moringa seed oil, broccoli seed oil, biotin, aloe leaf juice, kermatin
- Best For: Improving hair density and breakage
- Size: 8 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vegan and cruelty-free formula | Remember—this is supportive for overall hair health, not a quick fix |
| Reduced hair shedding and improved overall density with consistent use |
Best for Color Treated Hair: Pureology Hydrate Conditioner
- Why We Love It: With over fifteen thousand glowing reviews on Amazon, it’s clear this conditioner has earned a devoted following—and for good reason. Pureology’s Hydrate Conditioner is a must-have for anyone seeking hair that looks as radiant as it feels—soft, shiny, and resilient, whether your color is natural or freshly dyed. Jojoba oil and multi-weight proteins deeply moisturize and strengthen each strand, while green tea and sage extracts deliver antioxidant protection to help reduce color fading and support a healthy scalp. A hint of menthol and mint leaves hair feeling instantly refreshed and invigorated.
- Key Ingredients: Sage leaf extract, green tea extract, jojoba extract, sunflower seed oil, shea butter, vitamin E
- Best For: Color-treated or over-processed hair
- Size: 9 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and color-safe | Might be too heavy for oily, or fine hair |
| Deeply hydrating for overly processed or dry hair | |
| Antioxidant-rich ingredients to prevent from color dulling |
Best for Thick Hair: Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner
- Why We Love It: “Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner is infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil, leaving hair irresistibly smooth and luxurious,” says Brager. “It’s particularly effective on thicker or frizz-prone strands, helping them look healthier and feel more manageable.” Celebrity hairstylist Cervando Maldonado echoes the sentiment, noting that while the conditioner delivers serious nourishment, it leans on the richer side. “Because of its creamy texture and nourishing oils, this conditioner is best suited for those with a full mane or naturally curly hair,” he tells Vogue.
- Key Ingredients: Argan oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, linseed extract, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C
- Best For: Medium to thick, dry, or frizzy hair
- Size: 8.5 oz, 33.8 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Deep hydration for dry, frizz-prone hair | Potentially heavy for finer hair |
| Sulfate-free | Some find the scent to be intense |
Best for Curls and Coils: Pattern Beauty Intensive Conditioner
- Why We Love It: Tracee Ellis Ross’s Pattern Beauty was founded with curls and coils in mind, filling a gap in the market for hair inclusivity. “Pattern’s intensive conditioner is a rich and ultra hydrating conditioner that restores moisture to low porosity, dry-dull hair,” says Brager. “The added hydration works to better define curl patterns. Meanwhile, the combination of avocado oil, shea butter, and safflower oil really aids in both strengthening and moisturizing deep into the hair shaft.”
- Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, shea butter, safflower oil, acacia decurrens flower
- Best For: Curly, coily, and tight-textured hair types (3A–4C), especially those with low porosit
- Size: 3 oz, 13 oz, 29 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Thick and rich formula is perfect for tighter curl patterns | Some say this conditioner doesn’t have as much slip for combing out tangles |
| Protects against breakage and improves curl definition |
Best for Shine: Oribe Gold Lust Repair Restore Conditioner
- Why We Love It: When it comes to maintaining lustrous locks, the right conditioner can make or break results. Cervando uses Oribe’s conditioner on his blonde and color-treated clients because it delivers “a lot of shine and luster.” Brager adds that it also revitalizes hair without weighing it down. “The combination of plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide penetrates the hair’s cuticle, fortifying the hair shaft and even lifting hair at the root,” adds Ly.
- Key Ingredients: Biotin, plant collagen, caffeine, niacinamide, watermelon, lychee extract, edelweiss flower extracts, mediterranean cypress extract, argan oil
- Best For: All hair types aiming for lustrous lengths
- Size: 6.8 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Improves softness, shine, and overall smoothness | Not for significantly damaged or dry hair |
| Sulfate-free and Vegan formula |
Best Drugstore: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Conditioner
- Why We Love It: Salon-quality hair without the salon price tag? This conditioner draws inspiration from skincare, using a hyaluronic care complex to deeply hydrate dry, dehydrated strands and boosts shine. Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture within each hair fiber, glycerin locks in hydration while smoothing the cuticle, and dimethicone helps detangle and create a sleek, polished finish. The formula feels indulgent and effective, yet remains refreshingly affordable for everyday use.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone
- Best For: Managing brittle or dull hair, without breaking the bank
- Size: 12.6 fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating and shine-boositng formula | Not silicone-free, so it may cause buildup |
| Affordable price point |
Best for Oily Hair: Crown Affair The Volumizing Conditioner
- Why We Love It: Crown Affair’s volumizing conditioner does more than just boost bounce—it strengthens and nourishes hair, all while being impossibly lightweight. Rice protein fortifies each strand to reduce breakage, while hyaluronic acid provides weightless hydration so hair stays soft without feeling heavy. Plus, panthenol boosts body and elasticity, giving even fine hair natural bounce and movement without stripping hair.
- Editor’s Note: “I’ve yet to encounter a Crown Affair product that hasn’t impressed me, from their brushes and microfiber towels to the overnight repair serum. The volumizing shampoo and conditioner, in particular, were a game changer. After cutting my waist-length hair into a bob, I noticed it became oily much faster than usual. This lightweight gel conditioner feels unlike anything I’ve tried before—ultra-light yet effective. My hair emerges soft, shiny, and full of movement, and best of all, the formula is completely non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores or weigh hair down.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Rice protein, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, meadowfoam seed oil, tsubaki seed oil
- Best For: Oily hair types who need a boost from limp to bouncy
- Size: 8 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight formula | Not ideal for dry hair types |
| Adds volume and shine |
Everything You Need To Know
Do conditioners actually work for all hair types?
Brager explains that a conditioner holds a worthy place in every hair type’s routine, but it’s about personalizing your pick to your hair’s specific needs. “Different hair types require different levels of conditioning—it all depends on hair type, texture and density,” she explains. Cervando agrees, noting that coarser, thicker textures require richer formulas while lighter blends are better suited for fine or oily hair to avoid weighing down lengths.
What Is the Difference Between Conditioner and Deep Conditioner
Understanding the difference between a regular conditioner and a deep conditioner can completely change the way you care for your hair. “Standard conditioner is meant for everyday or frequent use. It mainly smooths, detangles, and seals the hair cuticle after shampooing,” explains Ly. “Meanwhile, a deep conditioner is a more intensive treatment designed to repair, strengthen, and deeply hydrate the hair after heat damage or processing.”
The Best Way to Apply Conditioner
You don’t need to go overboard when applying your conditioner. Brager advises applying your go-to conditioner from the mid-lengths to ends of your hair. From there, you can leave it on for just one to four minutes. “Think of it as just enough time as it takes to shave your legs,” she says. Leaving it on any longer won’t boost the smoothing effect—if anything, you you’d likely just end up bored while standing in the shower.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue s vast network of experts—from professional hairstylists and colorists—to gain professional acumen on the industry s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to conditioners, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, and what hair types they’re best suited for. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Experts
- Briget Brager is Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist. Her roster includes Diane Kruger, Kristen Stewart, Sarah Paulson, Priyanka Chopra, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more.
- Andrew Ly is a New York-based celebrity hairstylist. His roster includes Katy Perry, Sasha Calle, Anitta, Lucy Liu, and more.
- Cervando Maldonado is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hair stylist. He’s responsible for the cuts of Daisy Edgar-Jones, Naomi Watts, Miley Cyrus, Kirsten Dunst, Margot Robbie, Sofia Coppola, and more.
