The 13 Best Conditioners of 2021

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Billy Madison may have famously debated whether shampoo or conditioner is better (remember the bathtub scene with the battling bottles?), but we’d like to argue that they’re equally important. Sure, shampoo does the cleansing, but conditioner is paramount for re-introducing lost moisture back to your hair. And more moisture ultimately equals strands that look smoother and shinier, not to mention are much easier to comb through and generally feel stronger and healthier. So consider conditioner to be your shampoo’s unfailing sidekick, a must-use any time you wash your hair.

Looking for a good one? Check out the best conditioners, below.

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This standout works by targeting—and strengthening—your hairs’ natural protective barriers. Translation? Moisture gets locked in for up to 24 hours. Credit a caviar and protein complex that also works to leave your stands ultra-silky smooth, all in a formula that never feels greasy or heavy, even if you have fine hair.

Dove Beauty Nutritive Intensive Repair Solutions Conditioner

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If you’re anything like us and like to really load up on conditioner, opting for a wallet-friendly option, like this one, is always a good move. It works equally as well as its pricier counterparts, thanks to the brand’s unique Nutri-Keratin Repair active ingredients. These transform strands from the inside, out, delivering both immediate smoothing benefits but also improving the condition of your hair over time, too.

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As a general rule, we heart pretty much all of the conditioners (and shampoos, for that matter) found at the drugstore, but this one really stands out. The namesake ingredients work to tamp down frizzies, hydrate, and prevent breakage, and the formula also happens to be sulfate-, paraben-, and dye-free. We’re partial to this variant, but don’t miss the four other options, all of which boast delicious scents.

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As the name suggests, the star of the show here is Moroccan oil, one of the best oils for hair there is. (Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-6 fatty acids, it’s naturally deep conditioning.) This luscious and thick formula is ideal for those with extra-parched hair, leaving it unbelievably silky after even just one wash.

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Matrix Total Results High Amplify Shine Rinse

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Conditioning can prove to be slightly tricky for those with fine hair. Choose too heavy or too rich of a formula and you risk it weighing down your strands, leaving your fine hair looking even flatter. While this newbie may not technically be called a conditioner, it’s the perfect conditioner sub for anyone with limp locks. The water-like formula boasts a special technology that penetrates the hair cuticle to leave hair nourished and with a mirror-like shine…all in just eight seconds.

Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner

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Byrdie Senior Editor Hallie Gould sings the praises of this conditioner—as well as the accompanying shampoo and treatment—time and time again. The entire line targets broken protein bonds in the hair caused by things such as coloring, chemical processing, and more. In a nutshell, it’s choice for strands that need a little (or a lot) of extra TLC. Just a quick FYI, because it is very thick, Gould says it’s best applied only on mid-shafts to ends, especially for those with fine hair.

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Fun fact: Curly hair is naturally more likely to be dryer than straight hair. (The shape of the hair makes it harder for oils from the scalp to make it all the way down the hair shaft.) In other words, conditioner is arguably even more of a non-negotiable for those with curly hair. Enter this creamy formula, specially formulated to moisturize, smooth, and detangle curly and wavy textures, yet without ever weighing down the hair.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Foam Conditioner

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Not only is this an airy foam conditioner, with a lightweight texture to ensure thinning hair looks full and voluminous, it also boasts ingredients to help improve the density of your strands. Namely, amala Indian gooseberry and red clover, two herbs known for boosting hair thickness and strength. Pair it with the accompanying shampoo and scalp treatment in the line if you’re dealing with unwanted shedding.

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This salon brand has been a staple in the industry for two decades but recently got a revamp and now has new packaging and even more exceptional formulas. We’ve long been fans of this color-protecting conditioner; while it’s always been sulfate-free, it’s now also free of mineral oil and parabens. What it does contain is a patented antifade complex comprised of sunflower seed and vitamin E to ward off color-fading culprits, think UV rays and pollution. The formula is also super concentrated—you get over 70 uses from one bottle—and the scent is delightful, an invigorating herbal and minty combo.

Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Conditioner

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Team Byrdie loves this conditioner, a surefire pick for pretty much anyone and everyone. The lightweight cream works on all hair textures, thanks to a line-up of ingredients (banana, coconut, and acai, to be exact) chock full of nourishing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Taking a cue from those active ingredients, the juice bottle-inspired packaging and sunny yellow hue are sure to make you smile.

Seed Phytonutrients Moisture Conditioner

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There are no sulfates, parabens, silicones, or otherwise questionable ingredients to be found in this plant-based conditioner, a favorite of Byrdie Social Media Editor Star Donaldson (who says she noticed a difference in her hair after just one wash). Instead, it touts a litany of natural, good-for-your-hair butters and oils, namely organic meadowfoam seed oil and mango butter for a heavy hit of hydration. And we’d be remiss not to mention the sustainability factor; the bottle is made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper, using 60% less plastic than a typical conditioner bottle.

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For those looking to step up his or her conditioning game—and/or whose hair isn’t in the best shape—following a wash-out conditioner with a leave-in is like the cherry on top of the good hair sundae. Here’s one foolproof pick, great for all hair types, and offering detangling, heat-protective, moisturizing, and reparative benefits with every lightweight spritz.

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At least once per week, swap your standard conditioner for a hair mask. As a face mask does for your complexion, it’s a quick and easy way to notably improve the condition of your mane; think of it as a regular conditioner on steroids. More specifically, stock your shower with this mask. It works on all hair types and textures, from stick-straight and fine to coarse and curly, and imparts mega hydration and shine, yet has a surprisingly lightweight feel.

For the best results, leave it on for at least five minutes before rinsing (our move is to apply it before shaving our legs).

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