Key Takeaways
- When used regularly after shampoo, conditioner promotes healthy hair by providing moisture, protection, and detangling benefits.
- OLAPLEX conditioners repair damaged hair bonds while improving strength, shine, and manageability.
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With options like Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, Nº.5P Blonde Enhancer™ Toning Conditioner, Nº.5 CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Conditioner, and Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, there are conditioning solutions for every hair type.
Jump to
- What Does Hair Conditioner Do?
- Is Using a Conditioner Necessary?
- OLAPLEX Conditioners
- How Can I Condition My Hair Even More?
- What Are Hair Bonds?
Back to Basics: Hair Conditioner 101
Conditioner is an important step in your routine—it moisturizes, hydrates, detangles, and much more. But conditioner isn’t one-size-fits-all, and different hair needs benefit from different conditioners. OLAPLEX® offers a range of conditioning options, including hair conditioners, masks, and leave-in treatments. Explore all conditioners and choose the best option for your hair with this guide.
What Does Hair Conditioner Do?
The outermost surface of each hair strand is coated with a thin layer of fatty acids called the “F-layer,” with the “F” standing for “fatty.” UV rays, chemical treatments, rough handling, and heat styling can strip away or damage the F-layer, leading to dryness, dullness, and increased breakage. Conditioners help compensate by coating the hair strand with moisturizing and smoothing agents, such as emollients and oils. This protective layer makes hair more manageable, reduces friction, and makes hair easier to style and detangle.
Many conditioners need to be rinsed out after a designated amount of time, but treatments like leave-in conditioners are applied after showering and don’t require rinsing. The conditioner you need depends on your hair type and your specific hair needs.
Is Using a Conditioner Necessary?
If you’re showering in a hurry, you may be tempted to skip conditioner. However, you’d be missing out on the numerous benefits this staple has to offer your hair. Conditioners fortify the hair strand with a protective coating, helping prevent breakage and promote stronger, healthier-looking hair. It also aids in detangling and makes hair smoother, softer, and shinier. We recommend conditioning every time you shampoo.
Choose Your Own Adventure: OLAPLEX Conditioners
OLAPLEX offers a variety of conditioners to meet different hair needs, including:
OLAPLEX Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner
Add strength to your conditioning routine with Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner. In addition to hydrating, detangling, and improving manageability, Nº.5 is clinically proven to repair hair and reduce breakage. Pair with Nº.4 Bond Maintenance® Shampoo for a gentle cleansing and conditioning routine.
Nº.5P Blonde Enhancer™ Toning Conditioner
For blonde, grey, and highlighted hair, use Nº.5P Blonde Enhancer™ Toning Conditioner to lock in brightness and tone from root to tip. This conditioner is proven to smooth, strengthen, and reduce brassiness after just one use. Pair with Nº.4P Blonde Enhancer™ Toning Shampoo to cleanse without stripping or drying.
Rich Hydration Moisture Mask
Looking for intense moisture and damage repair? Swap your usual conditioner for Rich Hydration Moisture Mask—a highly concentrated reparative mask that adds shine, smoothness, and body for visibly healthier hair. Infused with OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this hair mask treats damage by absorbing deeply into your hair in just 3-5 minutes.
N º.5 LEAVE-IN™
Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™ instantly hydrates, softens, and detangles while sealing split ends for healthier-looking hair after one use. Powered by OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, it repairs and protects from the inside out. Enjoy long-lasting moisture and stronger hair with every application.
Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner
Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner is designed for damage-prone fine hair types that need a lightweight conditioner. It doubles hair volume, adding body and bounce while improving detangling and manageability. Use after Nº.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo for best results.
Nº.5CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Conditioner
OLAPLEX has a conditioner that’s specifically made for wavy, curly, or coily hair: Nº.5CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Conditioner. This curly hair conditioner deeply nourishes, smooths frizz, and enhances curls. It also helps detangle curls for easier styling. For the best results, apply it to the mid-lengths to the ends of hair after shampooing with Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper™ Hydrating Curl Shampoo.
Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™
Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™ is a leave-in conditioner that instantly hydrates, softens, and detangles while sealing split ends for healthier-looking hair after one use. Powered by OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, it repairs and protects from the inside out. Enjoy long-lasting moisture and stronger hair with every application.
How Can I Condition My Hair Even More?
If your hair needs extra strength and hydration, try a hair mask on days when you’re not using a conditioner. OLAPLEX has two different mask options: the Rich Hydration Mask and the Weightless Nourishing Mask.
Rich Hydration Moisture Mask
Looking for intense moisture and damage repair for medium to coarse hair? Swap your usual conditioner for Rich Hydration Moisture Mask—a highly concentrated reparative mask that adds shine, smoothness, and body for visibly healthier hair. Infused with OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this hair mask treats damage by absorbing deeply into your hair in just 3-5 minutes.
Weightless Nourishing Mask
Lock in lightweight hydration for fine to medium hair with the Weightless Nourishing Mask. This hair mask reduces and prevents breakage even after 5 washes and provides instant volume that lasts all day. It’s formulated with Biomimetic Cuticle Technology to lock in hydration and seal cuticles for up to 5 washes.
If you’re still not sure which hair mask to use, take the Mask Quiz today.
What Are Hair Bonds?
Hair consists of keratin, a type of fibrous protein, that’s held together by bonds. Hydrogen and salt bonds are physical bonds that can be easily reshaped by changes in pH, water, or heat. In contrast, disulfide bonds are strong chemical covalent bonds that cannot be broken by water.
These bonds are crucial in providing hair with structure, strength, and stability. When disulfide bonds are broken, hair can appear frizzy, dry, and damaged. Most conditioners can address hydrogen and salt bonds. OLAPLEX treatments and leave-in conditioner are powered by OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™ to repair disulfide bonds at the molecular level to restore your hair’s health and appearance.
Looking for a personalized haircare routine? Take our Hair Quiz to learn more about your hair type and get custom recommendations for conditioner and more.
Sources
1. https://www.allure.com/story/what-does-a-conditioner-do-why-should-you-use-it