Conditioners Buying Guide

We all want perfectly silk, healthy hair. Though we can't promise that you'll look like a hair model, we do know one product that can definitely improve the look and health of your hair. Conditioner  is an essential ingredient in attaining the perfect balance of bounce, volume, silkiness and suppleness. Even those lucky few who have soft hair all the time can benefit from a conditioner as long as it isn't so heavy that it weighs down the hair.

How to Choose Conditioners

• Choose a conditioner for your hair type. Do you colour treat your hair? Do you have split ends? Is your hair greasy by the end of the day? Or perhaps your hair is pretty normal. Whatever your hair type, choose a conditioner that is made for it and you are half way there.
• Choose your budget. Quality and price almost always go hand in hand with conditioners. Have you ever used one of those little travel sized conditioners from a hotel? Have you ever had your hair dresser wash your hair at the salon? There is a huge difference. A cheap bottle of conditioner isn't going to treat your hair as well as an expensive bottle. However, there are conditioners that are middle of the road in price. These are usually what the average person buys, but if you have the money, a special event coming up, or really damaged hair, it's best to go with an expensive bottle. Remember, the longer and thicker our hair is, the quicker you will run out of conditioner and need to buy more. Remember to factor hair length and thickness into your budget plan.
• Read the labels. We'll explain more about ingredients and labels in the next section.
• Consider using a deep conditioner  once a week if you have extremely dry or damaged hair.

Ingredient and Label Tips

• Don't believe everything the label says. Basically, companies can claim that their conditioner turns you into a unicorn. Don't buy into all those words like "volumising" and "moisturising". Read the ingredients. That's the only way that you'll know what a conditioner will do to your hair.

Emollients

It is inevitable that the first ingredients in a conditioner are water, emollients (Cetearyl Alcohol/Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate), silicone slip (cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone) and perhaps an anti-static (behentrimonium). Emollients help soften the hair by penetrating the shaft and by coating the outer surface in a silky, protective layer. The drier your hair the more emollients you'll want in your conditioner and vice versa.

• Dry Hair: Shea butter, mineral oil (only on tips of hair) and petroleum elements are good for dry to very dry hair. Jojoba, coconut, olive, sweet almond, walnut, sesame, avocado and safflower oils are also good for dry hair. Avoid products containing alcohol, which will dehydrate dry hair.
• Flat Hair: Vitamin B5 (panthenol or pantothenic acid) is a lightweight conditioner that is ideal for fine or thin hair.
• Oily Hair: Citrus oils such as lime, lemon and orange can be irritating to the skin, but for those with oily hair, these are ingredients to look for since they are drying agents. Rosemary and peppermint oils are the same. Clay might even help for those with very oily hair.

Best to Avoid

• Isopropyl alcohol and sodium polystyrene sulfonate are two examples of bad chemicals for your hair.
• Avoid capsicum, menthol, resorcinol, balm mint, cinnamon and coriander that might cause irritation on sensitive skin

Quick Picks

Sebastian Potion 9  This lightweight conditioner helps retain moisture that may be lost through the use of heat appliances. Enriched with jojoba, safflower, macadamia nut and evening primrose oils.	Aussie 3 Minute Miracle  Perfect for coarse hair, this conditioner was designed to smooth rough cuticles, reconstruct damage and restore manageability and shine. Use whenever you need a moisture boost or a repair session.	Paul Mitchell Extra-Body  For those with thin, flat hair, this is your saviour. Paul Mitchell's conditioner will leave behind little residue, and thus weigh your hair down less than a normal conditioner.	Pantene Pro-V Classic Care  This conditioner is perfect for those with normal hair. If your hair isn't too damaged, too oily or dry, or too thick or thin, then this is the standard conditioner you've been searching for.	Matrix Curl.life  If your dry, curly, or frizzy hair needs taming, this conditioner is for you. While this is a great daily conditioner, those with curly or very dry hair should also invest in a deep conditioner to use on the tips at least once a week.

Hayashi Daily Remedy Conditioner for Damaged Hair  This conditioner is great for those with coloured, dry, or damaged hair that is thin or normal. Beware of build-up though!	Nexxus Phyto Organics Intensive Reconstructor  Give your hair a complete makeover. This conditioner repairs damage, leaving hair smoother and healthier.	Phytokarite Ultra Nourishing Conditioner, for Ultra-Dry Hair  A must for those with, well, ultra-dry hair. This conditioner, though pricey, will give your hair the moisture it deserves.	Pureology SuperStraight Condition  Pureology SuperStraight won't act like a straightening iron, however, it will gradually help smooth your hair for a shinier more manageable appearance.	Kerastase Masquintense  This product comes in two formulas: one for thick, dry hair and one for fine, dry hair. It contains little fragrances, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or scalps.

Popular Conditioner Brands

• Alberto VO5 
• Aussie 
• Aveda 
• Back to Basics 
• Bumble and Bumble 
• Burt's Bees 
• Dove 
• Frederic Fekkai 
• Garnier Fructis 
• Head & Shoulders 
• Infusium 23 
• John Frieda 
• Kiehl's 
• L'Oreal 
• Marc Anthony 
• Neutrogena 
• Nexxus 
• Ojon 
• Pantene 
• Paul Mitchell 
• Philosophy 
• Phyto 
• Pureology 
• Redken 
• Rusk 
• Suave 
• Sunsilk 
• Tresemme 
• Vo5 

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