Damaged hair can feel dry or brittle, tangle easily and be more prone to snapping, particularly when wet. A Vogue roundup of 10 conditioners looks at formulas designed to improve softness and manageability, with products for concerns including severe damage, color-treated hair, dryness, fine hair and curls.
The guide’s top overall pick is Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, which trichologist Jay Small says targets damaged hair bonds rather than simply coating strands. It is listed at $30 and is recommended for everyday use. Other featured options include Pantene Miracle Rescue Deep Repair Conditioner, the drugstore pick at $13, and Davines NOUNOU Conditioner, recommended for severely damaged or over-processed hair and priced at $42.
For ongoing care, the roundup names K18 Damage Shield Protective Conditioner, priced at $39, as a lightweight maintenance option. Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner, at $36, is highlighted for color-treated hair, while Sisley Paris Restructuring Conditioner is the pick for fine hair. The guide also recommends Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Conditioner for dry hair, Bumble and bumble Bond-Building Repair Conditioner as a bond-building choice, Virtue Recovery Conditioner for keratin-focused care, and SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner for curls.
The products differ in richness and application. Davines NOUNOU, for example, is described as deeply nourishing but potentially too heavy for fine hair to use every wash. K18’s gel formula is lightweight, while the SheaMoisture option is designed to provide extra moisture and slip for curls. The guide advises applying conditioner mainly through the mid-lengths and ends, following each product’s recommended leave-in time and rinsing thoroughly.
Vogue says its selections consider factors including ingredients, texture, detangling slip, treatment time and finish, alongside expert recommendations and editorial evaluations.
Sources: Vogue.