The Right Hair Conditioner For Your Hair Type

Just like skin moisturizers, hair conditioners seem pretty straightforward. They exist to smooth and hydrate hair. Simple, right? Not quite — just as your skin type can dictate which ingredients and textures work best for your face, your hair type affects how you should choose your conditioner.

Different ingredients provide different levels of hydration and not every iteration is right for every type of hair. What works for naturally curly hair does not always give the best results for thin, straight hair. Not to mention that each hair type comes with its own complications, be they frizz, flatness, or chemical damage.

Not sure which hair hydrator is right for you? Check out our comprehensive guide to hair conditioners to help you find the best pick for your strands.

Fine Hair

One of the main issues those with fine hair deal with is flatness. Because the hair shaft is usually smoother and less porous, it’s easier for your hair’s natural oils to travel down the shaft and weigh it down. The result is hair that can look limp and lifeless.

A lightweight volumizing conditioner, like the Kiehl’s Rice & Wheat Volumizing Conditioning Rinse is a stellar way to prevent that — it provides hair the hydration it needs with conditioning extracts of Pure Honey and Jojoba Seed, plus Rice & Wheat Proteins and a chemist-created volumizing complex that creates fullness and body without stripping hair of its natural lipids. Pro tip: Since fine-haired people usually have more oil on their scalps, avoid putting conditioner on your roots. Instead, focus on the mid-lengths and ends, where hair needs extra moisture.

Thick Hair

Conversely, thick strands (which most people with textured or curly hair have) are very porous, meaning they won’t retain moisture well. This can make hair feel coarse, look frizzy, and have visible split ends and breakage.

The good news is that thick hair handles conditioner well — you want a formula that adds some weight to the hair, as it will help create definition and the smoothing effect hair needs to look and feel shiny and soft.

Kiehl’s Smoothing Oil-Infused Conditioner uses a base of two extremely hydrating oils — Babassu and Argan — to provide the ultra-nourishing, smoothing benefits of a mask in a convenient cleansing cream. Great for curls and thick, straight strands alike, it can help prevent frizz, protect the hair shaft from damage, and deliver superior shine, softness, and manageability to thick, unruly hair.

Color-Treated Hair

When you dye your hair — whether you go for platinum highlights, raven black, or something in between — you’ll find your hair has different needs than virgin hair. Namely, in order for your stylist to deposit the color into your strands, the hair cuticles have to be “lifted” up. This allows the color to penetrate the strand, however it leaves the hair vulnerable to environmental aggressors and styling damage. The result? Weak and brittle strands that frizz, break, and can be generally unmanageable. Which is why opting for a product made for color-treated hair is key.

Any conditioner you choose should have two main functions: repairing the damage to the hair shaft that the dye has caused, and keeping your color fresh and vibrant for as long as possible. Kiehl’s Sunflower Color Preserving Conditioner is a lightweight, silicone-free conditioner infused with Sunflower Oil. Known to contain powerful levels of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it works in tandem with Apricot and a fortifying blend of B Vitamins (plus a UV-protective filter) to seal and protect the hair. It helps maintain smoothness for optimal manageability, extend color vibrancy, and leave hair silky smooth with a healthy shine.

Damaged Hair

When your hair is damaged — be it from chemical processes, heat styling, or just general wear and tear — it becomes much more difficult to manage. All that breakage makes hair dull, dry, and in desperate need of some serious TLC.

Our Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Conditioner is made for just that. The rich, creamy formula instantly detangles and conditions even the most fragile hair. It’s been formulated with Moringa Tree Oil, hydrating Hyaluronic, and Ceramides to replenish and fortify each hair fiber, bringing hair back to its original luster, for a healthy and shiny look with a supple, soft feel.

Ensure every day is a good hair day by taking the best care of your hair. The easiest way to do that? With a conditioner that aligns with your hair’s needs. Once you find the one, you’ll see that hair feels stronger, looks healthier, and is easier to style. No bad hair days here!