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You might not be thirsty, but your hair probably is. No matter your hair type, natural hair is inherently dry and requires regular moisture to maintain optimal health. This is why deep conditioning should be a regular part of everyone’s hair care routine. Especially as the weather outside gets colder, our hair is even more susceptible to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. A good deep conditioner serves as a targeted boost of concentrated moisture, and a weekly or biweekly self-care treatment for you! Click through our gallery to check out ten of the best deep conditioners to keep your hair hydrated this winter.
TGIN HONEY MIRACLE HAIR MASK
The TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask ($13.29, target.com) is miraculous, indeed. This has been my go-to, holy-grail deep conditioner for years now. Not only does it deeply moisturize my dry, color-treated hair, it also melts through tangles like butter. The mask is made with raw honey, which is a humectant that literally attracts moisture from the air. This mask works wonders for all of my friends, from curly to kinky. I’m telling you, you need this one in your life.
BRIOGEO DON’T DESPAIR, REPAIR DEEP CONDITIONING MASK
Another fave is the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask ($36.00, sephora.com). This one is a little on the pricier side, but it’s so worth it. Ingredients like rosehip oil contain fatty acids which help to hydrate and control frizz and split ends. B-vitamins work to restore hair from heat and chemical damage. Think of Don’t Despair, Repair as emergency relief for overworked strands. There’s a reason it was selected for an Allure Magazine Best of Beauty award. Best part? The founder, Nancy Twine, is a black woman.
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NATURALL CLUB FRESH AVOCADO DEEP CONDITIONER
Hydration doesn’t have to break the bank. For a less expensive but impressively effective alternative, try the NaturAll Club Fresh Avocado Deep Conditioner ($9.50, naturallclub.com). This DC comes in a convenient squeeze-pouch packaging that must be refrigerated upon receipt to keep the avocado from perishing before use. Aside from avocado—which is rich in Vitamin E and protein to keep hair nourished—the NaturAll Club hair mask also contains glycerin, a natural liquid with humectant properties for ultimate moisture. This deep conditioner comes in three formulas — dry, damaged, and dull — to cater to your specific hair needs, but I recommend the dry formula to get that winter moisture popping.
CURLS CASHMERE & CAVIAR HAIR MASQUE
If your hair is on the kinkier end of the spectrum, try the Curls Cashmere & Caviar Hair Masque ($19.99, target.com). The Cashmere & Caviar Collection was made specifically for highly textured hair patterns, and yes, this mask makes the hair feel as luxurious as the name suggests. The cashmere and caviar extracts are full of strengthening antioxidants and vitamins.
CAROL’S DAUGHTER RHASSOUL CLAY SOFTENING HAIR MASK
The Carol’s Daughter Rhassoul Clay Softening Hair Mask ($15.50, carolsdaughter.com) is a real treat for your tresses. The mask applies like silk and has tons of slip to help you eliminate tangles, but most importantly, it’s made with Moroccan rhassoul clay and aloe juice to infuse major moisture. This is definitely one of my favorites for the winter season.
MIELLE ORGANICS BABASSU OIL MINT DEEP CONDITIONER
Natural hair needs both moisture and structure to maintain its health, and you get the best of both worlds with the Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner ($14.99, walgreens.com). This mask is formulated to be a protein/moisture replenisher for hair that is dry and damaged. Plus, the mint gives your scalp a tingly feeling which is not only invigorating, but also great for promoting hair growth through stimulating blood flow.
AUSSIE 3 MINUTE MIRACLE MOIST DEEP CONDITIONER
If you don’t have an hour to spend luxuriating with a plastic bag on your head, try the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner ($2.97, target.com) for speedy deep conditioning. This was one of the first DCs I tried when I first went natural, and it was one of the only products that helped me get through my often-tangled transitioning hair. I love that the product is packaged in a convenient squeeze bottle for easy in-shower application, and my hair feels like butter once I rinse this bad boy out.
SHEA MOISTURE RAW SHEA BUTTER DEEP TREATMENT MASQUE
The Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque ($13.99, sheamoisture.com) is a gem from one of the brand’s original product lines. This masque was my first foray into deep conditioners made for my thick natural hair. Even though this masque is thick, the organic raw shea butter, sea kelp, and argan oil penetrate deeply into the hair shaft to deliver a heavy dose of moisture. My hair always feels amazing after rinsing this out.
CAMILLE ROSE NATURALS ALGAE RENEW DEEP CONDITIONER
Made with vitamin-rich pure blue green algae extract — 65 vitamins, minerals, and antixodiants, to be exact—the Camille Rose Naturals Algae Renew Deep Conditioner ($17.29, target.com) is a moisture-dream. This DC has a superstar ingredient list, also featuring mango and cocoa butter, which add to the hydration.
GARNIER WHOLE BLENDS AVOCADO OIL AND SHEA BUTTER NOURISHING MASK
A fellow curly friend put me on to the Garnier Whole Blends Avocado Oil and Shea Butter Nourishing Mask ($6.99, garnierusa.com). While Garnier is not a brand I frequent for my hair care products, their whole blends line is an exception. I like this mask because the avocado oil and shea butter combination is killer for hydration. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s less than ten bucks.
Have a favorite moisturizing deep conditioner that’s not on our list? Leave it in the comments section below.
