Conditioners

Hair conditioner serves several purposes in hair care:

1. Moisturising: Conditioners help to hydrate the hair, especially after shampooing which can strip away natural oils
2. Detangling: They contain ingredients that smooth the hair cuticle and reduce friction between strands, making it easier to comb and manage tangled hair
3. Protection: Conditioners often contain ingredients like silicones or oils that form a protective layer on the hair shaft. This layer can help shield the hair from damage caused by heat styling, environmental factors, and UV radiation
4. Repair: Some conditioners include proteins and other ingredients that can temporarily mend split ends and damaged areas of the hair shaft, improving overall hair health and appearance
5. Enhancement: Conditioners can enhance the appearance of hair by adding shine, reducing frizz, and improving the texture and manageability

Using a hair conditioner is a straightforward process, but it's important to do it correctly to get the best results. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Choose the Right Conditioner: Select a conditioner that suits your hair type (e.g., for dry, oily, curly, or colour-treated hair).

2. Shampoo Your Hair: Start by washing your hair with shampoo to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup. Rinse thoroughly.

3. Apply Conditioner:

• Amount: Use an appropriate amount of conditioner. For short hair, a small dollop may be enough. For longer hair, you might need a little more.
• Method: Squeeze out excess water from your hair gently. Apply the conditioner to the ends of your hair first, which are usually the driest and most damaged. Work your way up towards the mid-lengths. Avoid applying conditioner directly to your scalp, as it can weigh your hair down and make it greasy.

4. Distribute Evenly: Use your fingers to distribute the conditioner evenly through your hair. This helps ensure that every strand is coated.

5. Let It Sit: Allow the conditioner to sit in your hair for the amount of time recommended on the product label, typically 2-5 minutes. This gives it time to absorb.

6. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm or cool water. Make sure all the conditioner is washed out to prevent buildup and greasiness. Cool water can help to seal the hair cuticles, making your hair shinier.

7. Dry and Style: Gently squeeze out excess water with a towel. Avoid rubbing your hair vigorously with the towel to prevent frizz and breakage. Style your hair as usual.

Using a leave-in conditioner is a great way to keep your hair moisturised, detangled, and protected throughout the day. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a leave-in conditioner:

1. Choose the Right Product

• Select a leave-in conditioner suitable for your hair type and needs. There are various formulations for different hair textures, whether your hair is curly, straight, thick, thin, or chemically treated

2. Start with Clean Hair

• Wash and Condition: Begin with clean, freshly washed hair. Use your regular shampoo and rinse-out conditioner.
• Towel Dry: Gently towel dry your hair to remove excess water, but ensure it's still damp. Leave-in conditioner works best on damp hair.

3. Apply the Leave-In Conditioner

• Divide Hair: If you have thick or long hair, divide it into sections to ensure even application
• Dispense Product: Dispense a small amount into your palm
• Even Application: Distribute the leave-in conditioner evenly through your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. These areas are typically the most damaged and in need of extra moisture
• Avoid Scalp: Avoid applying too much product to your roots and scalp to prevent buildup and an oily appearance

4. Comb Through

• Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently comb through your hair. This helps distribute the product evenly and detangles your hair

5. Style as Desired

• You can now style your hair as usual. Leave-in conditioners are designed to stay in your hair until your next wash, so there's no need to rinse it out

6. Drying

• Air Dry: Let your hair air dry if possible. This is the gentlest method and helps retain moisture
• Blow Dry: If you need to blow dry, use a heat protectant spray in addition to your leave-in conditioner to protect your hair from heat damage

7. Touch Up if Needed

• If your hair feels dry during the day, you can apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to the ends to refresh and moisturise

8. Tips:

• Don't Overapply: Use the recommended amount. Overapplying can weigh your hair down and make it look greasy

Regular Use: Incorporate leave-in conditioner into your regular hair care routine, especially if your hair is dry, damaged, or prone to tangling

Typically conditioner should be left on the hair for 1 - 5 minutes. Although the exact amount of time will be stated on the product packaging directions.

Leaving conditioner in the hair overnight can leave behind grimy residue and chemicals present in the product. Leaving conditioner in the hair overnight continuously can lead to split ends, breakage, allergic reactions and damage to the hair cuticle.

When you use to much conditioner your hair can look weighed down. It's best to use two coin-sized dollops of conditioner depending on the length and thickness of the hair.

Hair conditioner provides many benefits to the hair including providing a protective layer on the hair that protects it from the sun, air pollution and styling. It also detangles your hair while masking it shiny, vibrant and soft to the touch.

A conditioner doesn't have the cleansing power of a shampoo to remove dirt, oils and debris from the scalp. While you can use a conditioner without shampoo it's important not to stop using shampoo altogether as this may cause the scalp to become itchy and exhibit dandruff.

1. Wash and Condition Your Hair

• Start with clean, wet hair. Use a gentle shampoo and a regular rinse-out conditioner. Rinse thoroughly to remove all product

2. Towel Dry or Air Dry

• Gently squeeze excess water from your hair using a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt. Avoid rubbing, as this can cause frizz

3. Apply Leave-In Conditioner

• Take a small amount of leave-in conditioner and rub it between your palms
• Apply the leave-in conditioner evenly through your damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends where hair tends to be drier
• Use your fingers or a wide toothcomb to distribute the product evenly and detangle your hair

4. Section The Hair

• For even application, section your hair into manageable parts. This is especially useful for thicker or longer hair

5. Scrunch Curls

• Scrunch your hair upwards towards your scalp to encourage curl formation. This helps enhance the natural curl pattern

6. Dry The Hair

• Allow your hair to air dry for the best results. If you prefer to use a hair dryer, use a diffuser attachment to minimize frizz and maintain curl definition

Blow drying your hair with conditioner in it is generally not recommended. Here are the reasons why:

1. Product Build-Up: Conditioner is designed to be rinsed out after application. Leaving it in your hair can result in product build-up, which can make your hair look greasy, heavy, and limp
2. Heat Damage: Applying heat directly to hair with conditioner can cause the product to break down and potentially damage your hair. Conditioners are not formulated to be used with heat in the way that certain heat-protectant products are
3. Hair and Scalp Health: Leaving conditioner in your hair, especially if it's not a leave-in conditioner, can potentially clog hair follicles and irritate your scalp. This can lead to issues like dandruff or scalp inflammation over time

If you're looking to add extra moisture or protection to your hair before blow drying, consider using a leave-in conditioner or a heat-protectant spray. These products are specifically designed to be left in your hair and work well with heat styling tools.