How To Use Conditioner The Right Way: A Step-By-Step Guide

By Jelani Addams Rosa & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

When you’ve been using conditioner every few days for most of your life, it’s hard to imagine there’s a chance you might be using it wrong. It seems like there’s no wrong way to use something as simple as a conditioner. Unfortunately, your regular routine may have a few flaws. The good thing is once you know what you’re doing wrong, it’s easy to fix it.

The biggest mistake most people make when using conditioner is applying it all over their head. Conditioner is not designed to do anything for your scalp and piling it on top of your head could potentially lead to buildup.

Still not sure if you’re using conditioner the correct way? We’re breaking down exactly how to use conditioner and the best formulas from the L'Oréal portfolio of products to buy whether your hair is oily, dry, or curly.

If you have oily hair:

If your hair is oily, you might be tempted to skip conditioner altogether—don’t. While your hair probably feels moisturized, conditioner is a crucial step that no one should skip. Even though removing the natural oils from your hair sounds like a great solution for extremely oily locks, it can sometimes have the opposite effect. Your dry strands may prompt your scalp to produce even more oil, leaving you with slick, oily hair once again.

Instead, apply a lightweight conditioner like Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner from the midshaft of your hair down to your ends. Applying the conditioner to the mid-shaft down to your ends can help moisturize the driest part of your hair (your ends) without adding more moisture to the oiliest part of your hair (your roots).

If you have dry hair:

If you have dry hair, you already know how important conditioner is to your hair care routine. Even though your hair is dry, it is still very important to only apply conditioner to the midshaft of your hair down to your ends.

Instead of applying conditioner directly to your entire head, apply an intense moisturizing conditioner like Kérastase’s Aura Botanica from the mid-shaft of your hair, down to your ends. If the hair closer to your roots feels parched, comb the conditioner evenly throughout your strands making sure to avoid your scalp. Leave the conditioner in your hair for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing out.

If you have curly hair:

If you have curly hair, you’ve probably been shaking your head at our suggestion to only apply conditioner from the mid-shaft down—but hear us out. Curly girls not only use conditioner to soften their locks, but also many of them use conditioner as a styling product. However, it’s important that curly girls note the difference between a conditioner and leave-in conditioner.

Leave-in conditioners are styling products that are meant to remain on your hair until your next wash day, while regular conditioners are meant to be washed out of your hair. Even though purchasing a regular conditioner and a leave-in conditioner may be bit more than you bargained for, your hair will thank you in the long run.

Start with a regular conditioner like Mizani True Textures Moisture Replenish Conditioner and apply to the midshaft of your hair down to your ends to help your strands look and feel moisturized. Then apply a leave-in conditioner like Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In to clean, damp hair and comb through prior to styling.

Deep Conditioner

Just like there is a proper way to use conditioner, there is a right way to use a deep conditioner. Deep conditioner should not replace your regular conditioner. Instead, it should be treated as a supplement to your hair care routine. These days deep conditioners don’t just impart extra moisture to your locks, they can also address several hair woes. If you’re experiencing breakage try L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert B6 + Biotin Inforcer Strengthening Anti-Breakage Masque. The indulgent reinforcing formula infused with B6 and biotin, for instant reduced breakage action and intense conditioning.

If you’re unsure how to incorporate a deep conditioner into your hair care routine, we suggest finding a deep conditioner that can address some of your hair concerns and apply it to your locks once a week.