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What would you do if you found a few extra 10- or 20-minute intervals of free time throughout your week? It’s easy to spend them scrolling on social media, texting with a friend, or simply sitting and soaking up the unexpected break. These short bursts of time are also the perfect opportunity to incorporate a deep conditioner or moisturizing hair mask into your routine. After the winter, you might be finding that your hair isn’t as shiny or swingy as usual. If it’s feeling parched, looking thirsty, or simply isn’t anywhere near as bouncy as when you last left the salon, an at-home treatment could be the answer.
“When your hair is dry, damaged, or chemically treated, the outer layer of the strand—otherwise known as the cuticle—becomes raised, as opposed to laying flat and smooth, allowing moisture from the surrounding air to enter, causing it to swell and turn into frizz,” Hien Nguyen, co-founder and chief science officer at Function of Beautypreviously told Well+Good. “Therefore, the more hydrated your hair is, the more the cuticle layer will lie flat, leaving you with smooth, flyaway-free strands.”
There are so many brand-new deep conditioners and masks on the market, and they’re formulated for all hair types. Adding moisture to strands can keep them looking their best and also possibly extend the time between trips to the salon. So, take that 20 minutes of found time and dedicate it to a hair masking session. You can do it while you’re in a Zoom meeting (probably off camera, but you do you), watching your favorite show, or cooking dinner. This self-care for your strands is totally worth it. Ahead, check out the best deep conditioners that are big on moisture and nourishing benefits.
Color Wow Money Masque Deep Hydrating Treatment — $45.00
Speaking of scrolling on social media, if you’ve been looking at beauty pages recently, chances are you’ve seen this bright blue mask making an appearance. Created in collaboration with Chris Appleton, the celeb hairstylist who happens to be J. Lo’s mane man, this deeply hydrating and strengthening treatment mask delivers super glossy, “expensive-looking” hair to all hair types. It’s formulated with blue sea kale that binds with damaged keratin to strengthen and help improve elasticity. It also has color-protective antioxidants and features a hydrolyzed vegetable protein complex to help smooth the cuticle, while remaining weightless on strands. A Mediterranean sea kelp and algae blend infuses hair with natural moisture and long-lasting hydration, especially beneficial for dry, porous, and chemically-processed hair.
Simply use once a week or every three shampoos as needed. Apply it after shampooing. Leave it on for between three to five minutes, or up to twenty minutes for a more intensive treatment, there’s no problem if you end up leaving it on longer. It stops working when your hair has absorbed as much as it needs. Then rinse out and style as usual.
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner — $3.00
A drugstore fave, this creamy deep conditioner provides hair with three times the moisture in as short as three minutes. It’s made with Australian aloe, avocado, jojoba, and sea kelp for a highly hydrating, nourishing result. It’s formulated for all hair types. Massage it into clean, wet hair, wait three minutes, and rinse it out.
Pattern Intensive Conditioner — $25.00
Curls and coils crave moisture and this deep conditioner, the richest in Pattern’s collection, is ultra-hydrating. Formulated for tighter textures and good for low porosity hair that takes longer to absorb moisture, this rich formula is packed with avocado oil, shea butter, safflower oil, and acacia decurrens flower to intensely replenish and protect against breakage, while leaving definition. To use, apply to wet hair from roots to ends and work through with a brush or fingers, then rinse out. You can also leave it on for ten minutes as a revitalizing treatment.
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask — $28.00
A stylist favorite and salon staple, all Olaplex products are formulated with a patented bond-building technology that literally repairs hair, making it more resilient and strengthened over time. Often used during color appointments and at stand-alone treatment appointments, this fan-favorite finds new at-home purpose in a moisture mask. The concentrated mask intensely moisturizes all hair types while providing shine, smoothness, and body. It’s proven to provide two times the shine, four times the moisture, and six times the smoothness. Apply to clean, damp hair and work through evenly. Leave it on for ten minutes and then rinse fully.
Dae Deep Conditioning Treatment — $28.00
This deep conditioning treatment amps up hair’s hydration levels and moisturizes to strengthen and repair. It’s formulated with moringa leaf extract which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants to boost keratin production. Coconut and jojoba seed oils hydrate, protect against breakage, reduce frizz, and detangle, while infusing strands with restorative vitamins. The clean, vegan formula has a signature citrus scent and works on all hair types. Simply mist it through damp hair before brushing or styling and then continue with your routine. Work the treatment through damp hair from mid-lengths to ends and leave on for five to ten minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Use weekly or as needed.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask — $36.00
An intensive reparative weekly treatment, this mask restores hydration and enhances hair’s resilience. It’s perfect for those with dry, damaged, chemically-treated, and/or lifeless hair, as well as straight, wavy, curly, and coily textures. Made with a blend of rosehip, sweet almond, and argan oils, as well as vitamin B5 and biotin to moisturize, nourish, and protect against future damage. Hair looks shinier and healthier after use. After shampooing, massage into hair and leave on for five to ten minutes before rinsing. It can also be used as an even deeper conditioner by applying it, covering hair in a plastic cap, and sitting under the dryer for 30 minutes, then rinsing.
Looking to hack your haircare routine based on texture? Check out the video below.
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