Best Deep Conditioner for Curly Hair

PATTERN Intensive Conditioner for a ten-minute mask option

PATTERN says to work Intensive Conditioner through wet hair from roots to ends, sectioning dense or long hair if needed. To use it as a mask, leave it on for ten minutes and rinse. Choose it if you want to apply from roots to ends, section as you go, and leave a mask on for ten minutes.

You can also use it as a regular conditioner. When you use it as a mask, it is your conditioner for that wash; don’t add another rinse-out conditioner. PATTERN’s own FAQ disagrees with the mask tip: it gives 3 to 5 minutes, calls Intensive a rinse-out conditioner rather than a deep-conditioning treatment, and points to its Treatment Mask instead. Until the two agree, go by the directions on your bottle. This page covers the Original scent only.

tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask for a long mask without heat

tgin says to follow shampoo with conditioner, then work Honey Miracle Hair Mask through damp hair, so it adds to your conditioning step rather than replacing it. Under a plastic cap it stays on 10 to 15 minutes under a dryer, or 35 to 60 minutes without heat, then rinse with warm water and finish cool. Choose it only when you have time for the one that matches how you’ll use it.

tgin doesn’t say how much to use, or give one schedule, in the product directions. Measure your own amount to work out the cost per wash, and choose how often to use it yourself.

Curlsmith Deep Quencher for a 10-to-30-minute window

Curlsmith says to apply Double Cream Deep Quencher to wet hair once shampoo is fully rinsed out. Spread it through, detangle, leave it for 10 to 30 minutes, and rinse well. Curlsmith labels it for weekly use and says to use either its rinse-out conditioner or this mask in a wash.

Choose it when you have 10 to 30 minutes and want it in place of your rinse-out conditioner. When an ingredient matters, check your jar: Curlsmith warns the website and the package may differ while a formula changes.

Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask in place of conditioner

Briogeo says to work Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask evenly through your hair after shampooing, leave it for at least ten minutes, and rinse. Use it once a week, in place of conditioner. For a deeper treatment, Briogeo suggests a plastic cap and 30 minutes under a hair dryer before rinsing.

Choose it when you want a quick mask in place of conditioner. Whatever its name and Briogeo’s claims say, we don’t claim it repairs any particular hair problem.

Mielle Babassu & Mint: a mask under a plastic cap

Mielle says to leave it 15 minutes under a plastic cap, or 30 minutes under a dryer, then rinse with cool water. Its current ingredient list includes fragrance and hydrolyzed wheat protein. Compare that list with the one on your jar rather than an older list.

Mielle’s page doesn’t say how often to use it, how much to use, or how much the jar holds. We compare its directions; we don’t claim it repairs hair.

Eleven more masks, from three minutes to half an hour

Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle Curls asks for at least three minutes on damp hair, the shortest time on this page. Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Deep Hydration Mask and Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner both say 5 to 10 minutes. Aunt Jackie’s Coco Repair says 5 minutes as a regular rinse-out treatment, or 10 minutes under a plastic cap and a warm hooded dryer.

Camille Rose Algae Renew says 10 minutes, or at least 20 under a plastic cap with heat. As I Am Hydration Elation is the longest of the new ones: 15 to 30 minutes under a plastic cap, then detangle with it still in before you rinse. Bounce Curl’s Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner gives no time at all, only weekly or as-needed use, so the time is yours to choose.

SheaMoisture’s Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque says 5 minutes, or up to 30 under a plastic cap with moderate heat; under a steamer, leave your hair uncovered. Its Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque says about 15 minutes under a plastic cap with a blow dryer on low, or up to half an hour without heat. Bouclème’s Intensive Moisture Treatment says 20 to 30 minutes as a mask, and its maker also describes it as a pre-shampoo treatment and a leave-in. Cécred’s Moisturizing Deep Conditioner gives no time: it says to cover your hair with a plastic cap and add heat from a hooded dryer, a steamer or a warm towel.

On the labels: Aussie and Aunt Jackie’s list silicones, Aunt Jackie’s also lists hydrolyzed keratin, Not Your Mother’s lists rice amino acids, SheaMoisture’s two masques list hydrolyzed rice, wheat or keratin, and Cécred’s lists a keratin ferment. The table below shows each one.

Start with how long you can leave a mask on

For at least ten minutes in place of conditioner, look at Briogeo. For ten minutes from roots to ends, with sectioning, look at PATTERN. For 10 to 30 minutes instead of your rinse-out conditioner, look at Curlsmith. For a long mask without heat (35 to 60 minutes), look at tgin. Each suits a different wash day; none wins for everyone.

Once you’ve settled on a time, compare sizes and ingredient lists. None of these makers gives a measured amount, so measure your own to work out the cost per wash.

Use a conditioner or a mask, not both

Shampoo, apply one mask as directed, rinse, then decide separately whether you want a leave-in or styler. When a maker says the mask replaces conditioner, skip the conditioner. If you don’t have time today, use a rinse-out conditioner and save the mask for another wash.

Questions before your next wash