Get the Silkiest Hair With These Conditioners That Byrdie Editors Keep Reaching For (2024)

TL;DR

Our favorite conditioner, Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, repairs broken bonds, strengthens your strands, and leaves your hair super soft and shiny—plus, a little goes a long way. For something more wallet-friendly,Dove Intensive Repair Conditioneris a solid choice that will flood your locks with moisture.

Our Top Picks

Read Full Review: The Olaplex Bond Maintenance System Kit Transformed My Hair

Hair Type: All | Size: 3.3, 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Byrdie team is all for Olaplex products. The entire line is pretty amazing, but if you're just looking for conditioner, No. 5 is a stellar choice. Originally used by professional colorists to minimize damage caused by bleach and dye, this beloved haircare system has quickly become a household name. Like all haircare items from the brand, this one is formulated with a patented molecule that repairs broken bonds within each hair shaft. In addition to addressing brittle, over-processed strands, No. 5 Conditioner leaves hair moisturized, smooth, and oh-so-soft.

Who It's For

Though the bond-mending formula is particularly helpful for bleached, color-treated, or chemically processed hair, all hair types can benefit from this conditioner. It is thick, though, so it can be a bit of a challenge to get out of the bottle, especially when there's not much left.

Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Size: 12 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're anything like us and like to really load up on cream rinse, opting for a wallet-friendly option like this one is always a good move. It works as well as its pricier counterparts, nourishing strands from the inside out.

We like that it delivers both immediate smoothing benefits while also improving the condition of your hair over time. The smell isn't everyone's favorite, though.

Who It's For

This affordable formula is perfect for those who tend to use a sizable amount of product each time they condition their hair. It's also nourishing, which is ideal for dry and damaged hair.

Hair Type: Curly, damaged, dry | Size: 17.9 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As a general rule, we heart pretty much all conditioners (and shampoos, for that matter) found at the drugstore—but this one really stands out. The namesake ingredients work to tamp down flyaways, hydrate parched strands, and prevent breakage. Although it does contain silicone, the simple formula is free of sulfates and parabens.

Who It's For

Those with damaged, dry, or tangle-prone curly hair will appreciate how this slick conditioner moisturizes and smoothes with avocado oil and argan oil.

Hair Type: All | Size: 13, 25.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

As the name suggests, the star of the show here is Moroccan argan oil, one of the best oils there is for hair. Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-6 fatty acids, the naturally nourishing ingredient is ideal for protecting and replenishing dry, color-treated, or brittle hair. We like that it leaves hair not only moisturized but also super shiny and silky-soft to the touch.

Who It's For

Though it's suitable for all hair types, this thick, nourishing formula provides the deep conditioning extra-parched and damaged hair craves.

Read Full Review: This Conditioner Smoothed and Softened My Strands After Just One Use

Hair Type: Dry, brittle, damaged | Size: 13.5, 33.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

This conditioner works by targeting and strengthening your hair's natural protective barriers. Translation? Moisture gets locked in for up to 24 hours. Fortified with caviar and a special protein complex, it leaves strands ultra-smooth, too.

We tried this product firsthand and were impressed with how soft and healthy it made our hair look after just one use. It does have a somewhat greasy feel when you put it on, so make sure you wash it out well.

Who It's For

Offering long-lasting moisture while strengthening brittle hair, Nexxus Humectress is great for those battling dryness or damage. Since it doesn't weigh down your hair, it's also ideal for fine hair.

Hair Type:Thick, coarse, dry| Size:10, 32 ounces| Cruelty-Free:Yes

While thick hair complaints may be considered champagne problems in the hair world, finding products that can actually penetrate and condition dense, sturdy strands isn't always easy. Jen Atkin answers thick hair prayers with a vegan, sulfate-free formula packed with rich conditioning ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, and marshmallow root extract. Beyond the luxurious consistency, we're all about the rejuvenating floral-citrus scent.

Who It's For

If you have thick or coarse hair that tangles easily, this conditioner will make it easier to manage post-shower.

Hair Type:Fine, oil-prone| Size: 9.3 ounces| Cruelty-Free:Yes

This formula is lighter than most, so it won't weigh down already oily or thin hair. According to the maker, lemongrass works double duty to combat excess oils on the scalp while restoring bounce and shine.

The bottle is also packed with calming herbal goodness, like lavender, eucalyptus oil, lemongrass, green tea, and rosemary, which treat your hair (and your senses) to a spa-like conditioning experience. It can sometimes be hard to get out of the bottle, though.

Who It's For

If you have an oily scalp or hair that quickly becomes greasy after washing, this lightweight, silicone-free formula might be your answer.

Hair Type:Curly, wavy, coily, textured| Size:3, 13, 29 ounces| Cruelty-Free:No

This conditioner is the richest in Tracee Ellis Ross's product lineup for natural hair. It's especially effective at penetrating coily strands and tight textures battling dryness or low porosity (hair that struggles to absorb treatments). It's chock-full of hair-friendly ingredients, like safflower seed oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil, which add bounce and a glossy finish.

Plus, it doubles as a repair mask—let it marinate with the steam of your shower for about 10 minutes before rinsing. Even the sweet floral scent of neroli rose and patchouli feels like a treat to your senses.

Who It's For

If you're looking for a rich formula that defines naturally coily or textured hair, we highly recommend Pattern Intensive Conditioner. But fine-haired folks may find it too heavy.

Hair Type:Wavy, curly, thick, coarse, dry| Size:8.5, 33.8 ounces| Cruelty-Free:Yes

Like curly or coily hair, wavy hair can be prone to dryness, which fights the formation of curvaceous locks. R+Co Atlantis mitigates this by working more like a deep moisture treatment than a basic conditioner, thanks to the intensely hydrating blend of vitamins and extracts. Vitamin B5, prickly pear extract, and rice bran penetrate strands to strengthen from the inside out while smoothing flyaways and nourishing the scalp (which we especially love in the dryer winter months). It strikes the perfect richness that leaves hair looking noticeably silkier without feeling greasy or coated.

Who It's For

We stand behind this hydrating conditioner for wavy or curly hair craving a glossy finish and protection from flyaways, as long as your hair isn't too fine (in which case it might weigh it down too much).

Hair Type: Thick, dry, color-treated, damaged | Size: 9, 33.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Color-treated hair is also prone to dryness and damage, so adding extra moisture and protection is key. We're particularly fond of this color-protecting conditioner from industry staple, Pureology. Formulated with dyed hair in mind, it's free of sulfates, parabens, and mineral oil (which can all strip color).

Instead, it contains a patented anti-fade complex comprised of sunflower seed and vitamin E and promises to ward off color-fading culprits (think UV rays and pollution). The formula is also super concentrated—you get over 70 uses from one bottle—and we think the herbal-minty scent is delightful.

Who It's For

This fade-preventing conditioner is designed specifically to protect and nourish colored-treated hair. However, it's not for those who are sensitive to strong fragrance.

Hair Type:All| Size:2.6, 8.8 ounces| Cruelty-Free:Yes

Everything about this buttery cream rinse feels pampering, including the impressively soft and shiny results. It's thick and rich when scooped out of the tub but melts into a blanket of softness as you apply it to damp hair—but you won't have to worry about it weighing down your strands.

This conditioner is formulated with the brand's signature roucou oil, which is loaded with beta carotene and vitamin A to nourish and condition dry, itchy patches on the scalp while protecting and silkening your hair. We just wish it came in an easier-to-open container (slippery shower hands are real!)

Who It's For

If you're dealing with damaged, brittle hair or a dry, itchy scalp, Davines OI Conditioner has your name on it (unless you dislike botanical fragrances).

Hair Type:All| Size:9.2, 16.9, 33.8 ounces| Cruelty-Free:Yes

Inside this cheerful mint-green bottle is a clinically backed bond-repair conditioner that provides a much-needed boost to dry, damaged, or over-processed hair. It's spiked with the brand's proprietary blend of plant-based proteins and natural butters to nourish and strengthen hair from root to tip. We love how it leaves you with smooth, shiny, polished-looking locks.

Who It's For

Just the thing for bleached, dyed, or chemically processed hair, this conditioner mends broken bonds to strengthen each strand and prevent further damage.

Hair Type: All | Size: 12.5, 33.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Team Byrdie loves this conditioner because it's like a healthy smoothie for your hair. The lightweight cream works on all textures and thicknesses, and, thanks to a lineup of hair-loving ingredients (banana, coconut, and acai, to be exact), it deposits much-needed vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants onto your hair.

Taking a cue from those active ingredients, the juice bottle-inspired container and sunny yellow hue will surely make you smile. We also love that it's vegan and sulfate, silicone, paraben and phthalate-free.

Who It's For

Suitable for all hair types and textures, this silicone-free superfood conditioner is a surefire pick for pretty much anyone and everyone.

Hair Type:All| Size:8.4 ounces| Cruelty-Free:No

It's easy to neglect your scalp—especially since it hides under your hair—but that can lead to dry, flaky skin and product buildup. Thankfully, one of beauty's buzziest brands has a conditioner you apply directly to the scalp instead of just mid-lengths to ends. This unique formula features a blend of hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide (which helps absorb oil).

It treats the scalp to a dose of TLC, gently removing buildup or flakes while nourishing your hair from the roots down. What's more, it detangles for easier combing post-shower.

Who It's For

If you're looking for something that gently treats your scalp while conditioning your hair and are open to a lighter-weight, milky texture rather than a classically creamy formula, Nécessaire is your guy.

Hair Type: All | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those looking to step up their conditioning game might consider using a leave-in conditioner after washing out their in-shower cream rinse (leave-ins help reduce frizz, prevent breakage, and boost shine). This one from Unite works to detangle your hair, making it easier to comb through, and preps it for styling.

We also like that it offers heat and UV protection to prevent sun fading and damage from hot hair tools. It's not a replacement or your in-shower conditioner, but rather like a conditioner wingman.

Who It's For

If you're looking for something to spritz on after showering to prevent knots and heat damage, this one's for you.

Hair Type: All | Size: 6.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At least once a week, you should swap your standard conditioner for a hair mask. As a face mask does for your complexion, it's a quick and easy way to improve the state of your mane—think of it as an elevated version of a regular conditioner.

We love Verb's Ghost Hair Mask, an extremely moisturizing yet surprisingly lightweight formula that imparts mega shine. We just wish more of it came in the container.

Who It's For

It works on all hair types and textures, from stick-straight and fine to coarse and curly.

Hair Type:Dry, damaged, fine| Size:3, 6.75 ounces| Cruelty-Free:Yes

Shaw suggests avoiding formulas with silicones if you can. "These make your hair super shiny, but they don't actually help the hair at all," she tells Byrdie. We're big fans of Christophe Robin's Hydrating Melting Mask which is a silicone-free conditioning treatment, but also much, much more.

It calls on aloe vera and omega fatty acids to support hair growth and replenish lost moisture without weighing down your strands. And yep, you'll still get that coveted shine without the unnecessary chemicals.

Who It's For

This product is for dry, damaged, or fine hair that craves moisture. Though it's called a "mask," it can be used as a daily cream rinse or a few times a week as a deep conditioning treatment.

A pump bottle can make conditioning your hair much more convenient—you never have to shake the container, tap the base, or remove a lid with slippery, wet hands. This conditioner comes in a 24-ounce pump bottle for easy dispensing (plus you get a lot of bang for your buck).

What's more, you can get a 32-ounce refill bag to replenish it when you run out, so it's easy to refill while also waste-reducing. (There's is a travel-size option and a smaller 8-ounce bottle if you need it, too.)

Who It's For

While it's not the best at detangling thick or curly manes, the silicone-free formula adds noticeable volume and lightweight moisture to fine, flat hair.

Hair Type:Fine, flat, straight| Size:8, 24, 32 ounces| Cruelty-Free:Yes

FAQ

• How often should you use conditioner?

  Generally speaking, you should condition your hair every time you shampoo. Shampooing removes dirt and oil and opens the hair shaft. Conditioning seals those shafts and locks in nourishment, which can help strengthen your hair and prevent it from drying out.

• How do you apply conditioner?

  Always apply conditioner to wet hair. Evenly distribute it throughout your strands, starting from mid-length and working your way down to the ends. For hair that gets oily easily, only apply conditioner to the ends. If you have curly hair, apply it closer to your roots and distribute it down your hair to lock in moisture and prevent tangling.
  

  Thoroughly rinse the conditioner out of your hair before drying and styling. (You can let the product sit in your hair for a few minutes, like a hair mask, before rinsing to let the ingredients work their magic.)

• Does conditioner expire?

  Yes, conditioner will expire. Depending on the ingredients, an unopened conditioner can last up to three years. Oftentimes, the expiration date is stated on the bottle toward the bottom. You can also look for the lidded jar symbol, which will have a number next to the letter M. Also known as the period-after-opening (PAO) symbol, this tells you how many months the product will still be good after you open it.