I had a quick email conversation with a friend this morning. We were talking deep conditioners. Sigh.
Deep conditioners make me sad.
Why?
I can’t find one that does what I think it should do. I believe if I take the time to do a deep condition, my hair should be noticeable softer, more manageable, shinier or something. So far, they’ve all be ho-hum. These are the ones that I’ve tried out:
- Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Moisturizing Treatment. I don’t have a problem with it, but it’s been meh. I can’t say that there is a discernible difference when I use this product and when I just condition with a regular conditioner.
- Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment. Again meh. Nothing to write home about, unfortunately.
- Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque. It was OK. I like it better to do my twists than as a deep conditioner.
So, what has worked? My old faithful, shea butter. I don’t know why I act like I need to find something else when shea butter always seems to do what I need it to do. After washing my hair in about seven sections, I slather shea butter on each twist – making sure that my poor ends get an extra dollop. I use my heat cap for about 20 to 30 minutes and voila! I use to ‘rinse’ my hair afterwards, but I found that step to be useless. Now, I just start twisting using my modified Kimmaytube leave-in (Giovanni Direct leave-in, olive oil and aloe vera jelly).
My hair is soft, shiny and manageable, making me a very happy girl. I’ll use out the deep conditioners that I have – I’ll probably add some olive oil or honey to them and see what happens. But, honestly, I’m done being a mixtress – I want a product that’s just going to work out of the jar or bottle.
So, ladies, what deep conditioners do you use? Any tips or tricks to share? I’m curious to find out!
The Accidental Natural 
I use Aubrey Organics White Camelia. Love it! For masque I use Shea Moisture black label. It really stops the itchies.
I can’t tell you the last time I DCd. Now I use a leave-in (Netrogena Triple Moisture) and do hot oil treatments.
Ya, I’ve been lax in remembering to deep condition. But the last time I did, I used a combo of honey, olive oil and conditioner – heated and place on my hair, covered for 15-30 mins – and it was great. Super soft hair.
I need to step up on the deep conditioning too…lately I’ve been using Elasta QP;s DPR-11, and I love it. Very thick with a lot of slip, and it makes my hair feel incredibly soft. I love me some shea butter though, so I should try your method one time too!
My hair LOVES shea, but i never thought about using it as a deep conditioner. Maybe, I should…Now that the colder weather is approaching I know my curls need a little more TLC. Thanks for the tip!
Not sure if it’s a DC, but i’d be interested in a review of Wen’s Fig conditioning shampoo and conditioner. It’s sold primarily online and in the US, but they do ship to Canada. It’s pricey ($58), but I’m hearing a lot of good things, so I’d be interested in a review.
I simply deep condition with hot oil. Before discovering Vatika oil, I would deep condition with olive oil. I find for myself my hair seems to perform better with oils as conditioners.
I will try the olive oil – with some castor oil, maybe — and see what happens. I’ve still been using the shea butter and it seems to be doing an OK job. Thanks for the suggestion!
I never thought of using shea butter as a deep conditioner. Interesting although I don’t think shea butter likes my hair that much.