We love this conditioner for damaged curls that feel less defined or dull after heat styling, color treatments, or daily wear and tear. It’s packed with moisturizing oils like avocado and coconut, but a bond-enhancing blend of citric acid, urea, and glycine is the real star of the show, helping restore limp curls so they look more defined over time.
Testing notes: I occasionally heat style my hair, and after a few days of old silk press, I almost always shampoo and condition with the Redken Acidic Bonding Curls line. The duo works well together, but the conditioner is a must-try if you heat style. I leave it on for a few minutes in small, detangled sections on wet hair to allow it to work. The formula almost instantly erases and gives any curl that feels stretched out by heat a little more coil with every use, which is perfect if you’re on a quest to reverse damage.
Best Detangling: Aussie Miracle Curls Conditioner
Best for: Curly and tightly-coiled textures
This no-frills formula moisturizes and has great slip that is ideal for detangling. Plus, you can use it generously on thicker coils thanks to its affordable price point.
Testing notes: Glamour tester Corinne Court, who has type 3b curls, swears by this formula for combing through her hair quickly in the shower. “I love that I can use a huge heaping of this to get through my curls fast,” she says, adding that she has a busy schedule, so fast-acting conditioners are her preference. “The formula gets nice and slippery and makes it easy for me to detangle my hair and get it knot-free before I braid it, which is my preferred style. Court adds that the smell is delightful and refreshing, and the price point makes it a staple in her collection, as it’s easy to replenish.
Best Lightweight: Odele Curl Defining Conditioner
Courtesy of brand
Odele Curl Defining Conditioner
Best for: Curly and coily textures
For finer textures, you want to look for a conditioner that hydrates but isn’t too heavy to avoid weighing down your curls. This one is featherweight and has amino acids to help reduce the appearance of frizz without leaving a tacky cast behind.
Testing notes: Court, who also has fine hair, loved this formula, which she says didn’t make her hair feel heavy. “When I do decide to wear my hair out in its natural state, I like conditioners that feel featherweight, and this one felt amazing. It wasn’t too thick or heavy out of the bottle, which was a good indicator that it wouldn’t weigh down my hair. Detangling felt easy, and I was able to work this one through with my fingers. My hair felt soft and looked really shiny once it dried (after applying a lightweight curl cream),” she says.
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a conditioner for curly hair?
When shopping for a curly conditioner, Ocando recommends ingredients like butters and oils if your concern is dryness or lack of moisture. To tame frizz, she recommends looking for formulas that contain amino acids and silk proteins, which help “fill in” the gaps in the hair shaft. If your top concerns are damage from chemicals or hot tools, bond-repairing technology will help your curls feel stronger with continued use.
Does curly hair need a special conditioner?
“Curly hair doesn’t technically need a special conditioner,” Ocando says. “But it absolutely needs consistent hydration.” Ocando advises looking for ingredients with butters and oils that smooth the cuticle and add shine, while also seeking humectants like glycerin to “draw moisture to the hair shaft.” If your curls feel rough or dull, Ocando recommends looking for antioxidant-rich ingredients (like fruit extracts) to boost shine and vibrancy.
What’s the best way to apply conditioner to curly hair?
Start with wet hair. For thicker strands, apply the product in sections to ensure even distribution. Ocando says that if your hair is on the finer side, avoid using conditioner directly at the root, which could weigh you down, and “focus on the mid-lengths to ends instead.”
Koni Bennet, a New York City-based hairstylist, recommends using a brush or wide-tooth comb to distribute product throughout the hair. “You should detangle your hair with conditioner on the strands to work it through your curls and smooth the cuticles,” she says. “This will ensure your hair is evenly coated and properly moisturized and your curls are nice and smooth when you’re ready to style,” she says.
What’s better for curly hair, shampoo or conditioner?
Both shampoo and conditioner are equally important for curly hair, as they ensure the hair and scalp are properly cleansed and the hair shaft is properly moisturized. “You shouldn’t skip either,” Bennet says. “You want to make sure your hair and scalp are consistently cleansed, and using conditioner regularly will help keep your hair moisturized and hydrated, which is equally important.”
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