Beauty editor tricks for getting the most out of your deep conditioner
For some people, using a deep conditioner is a way of life: they use it instead of regular conditioner every time they wash their hair. For others, it’s a special occasion or once-a-month treat that goes hand in hand with a Big Shower (you know the ones; they often also include a full body scrub followed by slathering yourself in moisturizer).
But it doesn’t matter what camp you fall into when it comes to your deep conditioner or moisturizing hair mask. There are a whole host of beauty editor-approved tips, tricks and ways of getting the most out of your hair treatments, however often you use them. Here’s what you need to know…
Try alternate masking
Multi-masking has been popular in skincare for a few years now, but have you ever thought about translating the trend into hair care? It’s a simple trick that works wonders, and it’s easy to do – just consider all the different needs your hair might have and target them with a variety of products. Do your roots get oily but your ends stay dry? Invest in two different products that fix those problems and alternate between them. Of course, the combination that you use is down to your individual hair type, but the most universal pairing that will help most hair types is using one deep conditioner that adds moisture and another that strengthens. Nexxus’s Humectress Ultimate Moisture Intensely Hydrating Masque works to hydrate hair from deep within the strands, while the brand’s Keraphix Damage Healing Treatment Masque works to restore and strengthen damaged locks.
Apply the mask into towel-dried hair
One of the most overlooked deep conditioning tricks is also one that’s extremely simple to execute: ensure that you apply the product onto damp, towel-dried hair instead of onto strands that are sopping wet. Having too much water in your hair will prevent the product from absorbing properly, so you won’t reap all of its benefits. Start by shampooing as normal and then once you’ve rinsed, grab a microfibre towel and soak up any excess water. Then apply your product and, voila, your deep conditioner won’t be diluted.
Leave the mask on for the recommended time (not longer!)
This one may surprise you because it seems counterintuitive: the longer you leave a mask on, the more it helps your hair, right? The truth is, this is not always the case. It’s not advisable to leave a deep conditioner on your hair for longer than the bottle suggests – it won’t work any harder or be any more effective, and it could end up over-conditioning, leading to excess weight on the hair and – completely avoidable – breakage. There’s a reason the bottle gives a specific amount of time to leave a deep conditioner on for… because that’s how long it takes to work!
Comb deep conditioner through
If your hair is on the thicker, curlier side, or it’s particularly knotty, combing it through after applying deep conditioner is a game changer. Not only does it help to evenly distribute the product you’ve just applied, but it also makes hair easier to manage once you have rinsed it out. The only caveat is to make sure that you’re using a comb and not a brush – they’re much more gentle, which is important because hair is at its most fragile when wet.
Rinse deep conditioners with cool water
A cool rinse is an age-old trick hairdressers have been using for years to add shine to hair. Take the experts’ lead and do the same at home each time you use a deep conditioner – or even after every wash. Rinsing hair with water that’s too hot can damage it and counteract all the goodness the deep conditioner has just injected in. Plus, a cool water rinse closes the hair cuticle, which results in that shiny finish. Win win!
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