Conditioner

The function of hair Conditioner is to neutralize any un-rinsed shampoo, close the cuticle layer of the hair, and replace vitamins and essential oils that your hair & scalp may have lost. Today, conditioners do much more and are manufactured to help our hair overcome a variety of hair problems.

How you choose a hair conditioner should be based on your hair, and the condition your hair is in today. The shampoo should be picked by answering the question "Which shampoo works best with the conditioner my hair needs?" In short you pick the conditioner based on your hair needs and the shampoo based on what the conditioner needs.

The average consumer is unaware that the secret to hair conditioning is to pick your conditioner first, based on the condition your hair is in today. Most product lines offer a matched set of products to achieve this result. Manufacturers use similar names for the shampoo conditioner and a similar packaging design, with colors matching on the shampoo and conditioner labels, so you will be inclined to pick their matched sets. Moisture shampoo goes with moisture conditioner. Volume Shampoo goes with volume conditioner. The manufacturers know the conditioner comes first but helps you get both the conditioner your hair needs, and the shampoo that works best with and conditioner your hair needs. This way, you get the best results possible when you use their products together.

In today's world of sun, heat, flat irons, curling irons and color treatments, shampoo is simply not enough to achieve the healthy, shiny hair. Conditioner is a necessity when it comes to keeping hair healthy, shiny and beautiful. A good conditioner will coat and smooth the hair shaft, protecting your hair from heat damage and harsh environmental elements.

Conditioner is designed to make hair healthy, vibrant, strong, and full of moisture. If your conditioner is weighing down your hair and creating build-up, then it's time to switch. Hair conditioner comes in different forms. Leave-in cream, finishing rinse, leave-in spray, hair masks (or masques), hair oil are just a few types of hair conditioners. It is important to identify your hair type and hair needs when select the best conditioner for your hair.

If your scalp is not normal and has specific needs, you may want to assist your scalp with a specialty shampoo. However most people just need to shampoo and condition daily, turn down the hot water to stop damaging their scalp, stop scratching their scalp with their fingernails or brush, and to use a clarifying shampoo if they are not shampooing daily. For more tips on how to shampoo properly, see What is the Best Shampoo.

In the Framesi Options line, the Framesi company believes that choosing the right conditioner is so important that they teach Framesi Stylists that it is the first thing to consider before making a product recommendation. In the Framesi Options line, the first step in finding the perfect conditioner for your hair is to identify your hair condition. Common hair conditions include Natural Hair (hair that hasn't been chemically treated and has not been exposed to pool water for long periods of time), Color Treated or Permed Hair, Color Treated and Permed Hair, and Over-Treated Hair.

See Best Hair Conditioner for help choosing your conditioner using the Framesi Options system.

Other stylists think that choosing your hair type is more important. We recommend following the Framesi Options line of thinking, where Hair Type is the second item to consider in picking your conditioner. The Hair Type Descriptions reference below should help confirm your hair type.

Hair Type Descriptions

Fine/Thin Hair

For hair that is limp, fine or very thin you'll want a daily, in the shower, volume conditioner. Volume enhancing conditioners will help your thin/fine hair to reach it's full potential. When you have fine hair, it's important not to use too much conditioner and to rinse it from your hair thoroughly, otherwise your hair will get weighed down and will appear oily. Start with a small amount of conditioner and if your hair isn't improving, slowly increase the amount of conditioner you use each time you condition until you find the amount that is right for you. You can also use a volume adding Deep Conditioning Treatment for Thin Fine Hair

Frizzy Hair

For hair that is dry, frizzy, has many split ends, fly-aways, and/or breaks easily, you'll want a moisture rich conditioner.

Curly Hair also see Curly Hair Tips

Curly hair tends to get frizzier than most, and humidity doesn't help. Continued use of deep conditioners can improve the quality and manageability of curls over time, making your curly hair healthier, shinier and easier to style. There are also specially formulated curl conditioners that will enhance and improve your curly hair. Deva Curls, designed especially for curly hair, has a travel size kit including a how-to DVD. It is a great way to to test this product.

Naturally curly hair can also fool you into thinking it is dry when it may not be dry at all. Naturally curly hair is not round. The tighter the curl, the more the cross section of the hair moves towards a flat or rectangular shape. The flat edges on curly hair feel "scratchy" between your fingers giving you the same sensation as you would get when running your fingers through dry hair.
See Curly Hair Tips for answers & more...

Colored/Permed/Highlighted Hair

If your hair has been permed, colored or highlighted, you need a protective conditioner. Many color protecting conditioners are also formulated to use on permed or semi-permed hair. Chemically altering your hair can cause severe damage, especially when done multiple times. That's why it's so important to use a good conditioner to replenish the vitamins and oils that chemicals tend to deplete from your hair.

Healthy Shiny Hair

If your hair is already healthy and shiny, congratulations! Either you have amazing genes or you've found the perfect conditioner for your hair! If your hair is healthy and shiny, but you still think your hair can improve, try a weekly moisture mask or hair oil treatment.