All hair conditioners are not created equally. Often we refer to them as “conditioners,” but when we dive deeper into the bottle of creamy concoctions, we find out what they really are.
My mama would hold us down after a shampoo and make certain she used what she called “cream rinse” in our hair. It was simply a conditioner with a different name much like “detanglers,” “hot oil treatments” and “deep conditioners.” Perhaps they all look the same, but trust me. They all serve a different purpose. Listen up!
Basic conditioners are the gentlest. They mostly just smooth and detangle the hair, making it easier to style. These are rinsed off immediately and sometimes can even be found in the same packaging and fragrance as shampoo. I have friends who even swear by the “all-in-one” shampoo with conditioner in one step. The jury is still out on those for me.
If you want extra conditioning from that shampoo bottle, then go ahead and use it, following with a special deep-penetrating, extra moisturizing conditioning treatment. When left on the hair from five to twenty minutes once or twice a week, the hair is bathed in emollients that mend, protect and soothe hair.
Every now and then, reward your locks with a spa day, either in your favorite salon or at home by painting on a thick coating of a hair masque, usually made of clay and other rich ingredients. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave it on for an hour before rinsing. Your hair will thank you.
Unless you are prone to have excessively dry or brittle hair that mats easily when wet, or unless you are 7-years-old, detanglers are usually not necessary. Just use a good conditioner for a few weeks, and you will be tangle-free before you know it. Regular trims will help as well.
Regardless of the condition of your hair, all heads should surrender to a conditioner. Yes, even if your hair is fine or limp, you can douse it with conditioner. Apply it to the ends only, and the roots will still stand up and salute you. So, go ahead — shampoo, rinse, and condition.
Former Columbian David Creel owns Beautiful with David Salon in Jackson and is a national makeup artist for Estee Lauder. E-mail him at [email protected]
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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