10 of the best conditioners, hand-picked by our editors, for the silkiest hair going
We know, we know. Conditioner is to our hair routine what moisturiser is to our skincare stash: AKA essential and sorely missed if skipped.
Shampoo may do the job of getting our hair clean, but if it's not followed up with conditioner, we're missing out on a golden opportunity to give our strands a nourishing creamy, boost and to seal in moisture. In fact, conditioner is the single most important step for preventing breakage and split ends, and ensuring hair looks enviably glossy and healthy.

Of course, all hair types differ, so along with finding the right formula, it's just as important to tailor your application technique to your hair type and condition. Greasy-haired girls will know that coating your roots in thick, buttery conditioners is a no-go (best to stick just to the ends). Likewise, curly girls get that nourishing your strands from root to tip can make a world of difference in creating soft, bouncy curls. If your hair is coloured or bleached, you'll know you need to pay extra attention to keeping your hair hydrated (to swerve breakage and maintain the colour). And, fine-haired peeps will likely lack volume, so something that's nourishing, but lightweight will work best.
Now that we're spending more time WFH, we can use it to our advantage. We may not be able to get into the salons for treatments just yet, but we can get stuck into some deep conditioning at home. So, if your hair is feeling a little sapped, leave your conditioner in, braid it out the way, then wash it out in the evening to give those ingredients a proper chance to sink in.

As for the big question: which conditioner is your strand soulmate, we've rounded up the best thick formulas for curly and afro hair, the top lightweight lotions for fine hair and the most popular hydrating conditioners for bleached strands to ensure you're able to find a conditioner that meets your hair's unique needs. We've also got leave-in conditioners for extra added hydration.
Since you're here, you might also want to think about adding a hair mask to your regime, as well as the best heat protection sprays that not only protect hair against the high temperatures of your styling tools, but also against the summer heat ahead (roll on the warm weather).