Have you ever wondered why hairdressers unfailingly recommend using a hair conditioner? The reasons are multiple, with conditioner acting as a damage-mitigator, minimising future damage by fortifying, helping hair to look silky and smooth, and encouraging balayaged portions to stay colour true for longer.

How does hair conditioner work?

When you apply hair conditioner after shampooing, positively-charged ions in the solution bind to the negative charge of frayed cuticles,. This enables the  product to wrap around each strand and infuse them with some of the myriad of ingredients designed to give hair a helping hand, which include smoothing and strengthening ingredients like acidifiers, oils, and thermal protectors.

The question therefore shouldn’t be whether or not you use conditioner, but rather which one you go for.

First, let’s debunk a myth. Conditioner won’t weigh your hair down. If your hair feels heavy once blowdried, it’s more likely that you haven’t rinsed yours out properly, or that you’re using too much. Try pulling conditioner through your balayaged ends, combing it through with fingers or with a wide-toothed comb, before rising thoroughly with warm water.

If you’re still concerned that you’re using the wrong type, this guide to quality conditioners for each hair type should help:

Best hair conditioner for severely dehydrated hair: Bumble and Bumble Super Rich Conditioner contains ingredients to lubricate and hydrate each strand.

Best hair conditioner for balayaged hair: Schwarzkopf BlondMe Keratin Restore Bonding Cleansing Conditioner will help to nourish hair and protect lightened portions.

Best hair conditioner for fine hair: Christophe Robin Volumizing Conditioner with Rose Extracts gel conditioner will help to pump up roots and won’t weigh hair down with any oil.

Best hair conditioner for frizzy hair: John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Conditioner will repair the core of damaged hair, helping it to look smooth.

Best hair conditioner for brittle hair prone to breaking: Kerastase Resistance Therapiste Bain delivers protein to repair hair fibres and encourage strength.