Deep Conditioning - Products, Techniques, Tips & Tricks!

A little while back a friend of mine asked on my facebook page for some product recommendations.
 

 

I know that I am beginning to reach many individuals who are new to this hair journey thing and don't know where to start re products, so I thought that instead of answering her directly, I would do a short series dedicated to that purpose.

Now, I know that products work differently for each individual, so rather than "recommend" products, I will go ahead and tell you about some of my personal faves in each category.

Deep conditioning, in my book, is perhaps the most critical part of a hair journey so of course, that is what I'll start the series off with. So without further adieu, here are some of my all time favorite deep conditioners. 

First Impressions - Profectiv Mega Growth Deep Conditioner

I picked up this deep conditioner about 10 days ago, and to date I have used it about 3 times. Now this conditioner says anti-breakage & strengthening! Those who know me know that is not my thing at all. I'm a lover of all things moisture. However I saw this conditioner and was interested in it, and decided to give it a try.

DIY Edible Masks

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food

                                                                                     Hippocrates (+ Chronixx lol)

 

 

I used to be a master mixologist. I loved to check my cupboards for awesome ingredients to whip up a delicious-looking batch of soft, fluffy...conditioners? Yep, that's right! These days I find myself reaching for a store-bought conditioner (maybe it's the availability in Ja compared to Jp), but last wash day (and a time or 2 before then) I wanted a kick of protein and decided to make my own strengthening treatment. It was love all over again. It's no secret that many natural ingredients make great conditioners. Here's why:

Love Potion - natural moisturizing & strengthening hair masque

I haven't had a protein treatment in about 9 weeks, since my post-relaxer wash, so I guess I am due for one now. But I am not protein's biggest fan, so rather than going for a strong or even a regular strength, full-on treatment, off to the kitchen I go to whip up a moisturizing hair masque with a strengthening twist. Come along!

ingredients for moisturizing + strengthening hair mask

Left Me Wanting More - Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream

As per website 

Between chemicals, styling and the elements, your hair takes a beating everyday. Reverse the damage and protect your hair with Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream. The original alcohol-free deep-conditioning treatment was created to save dry, damaged, chemically-treated and over-processed hair. It leaves a natural healthy shine with extra body and resilience.

Ingredients:

Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Mineral Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Lanolin, Ceteth-24, Choleth-24 (Cholesterol), Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Benzyl Salicylate, Fragrance (Parfum), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Red 33 (CI 17200), Red (CI 16035)"

Directions

Sleep in it - Pros and Cons of Overnight Deep Conditioning

There are mixed feelings in the healthy hair world about deep conditioning overnight. Some advocate for shorter periods of deep conditioning with the aid of heat, while others say they get great results from it. Let's dissect it.

Pros:

Quickie - Make it Last

Do you have a conditioner that you love oh so much, but it comes in an itsy bitsy bottle or jar? Do you only get one or two uses from your beloved deep conditioner? Make it last by adding water, your favorite oils, or other conditioners and get more bang for your buck. Adding other ingredients will give you the added benefit of those other ingredients while allowing your favorite conditioner to last even longer.

Caution*

Add other ingredients at the time of use only so as not to throw off the balance of the original product while it is being stored.

XOXO,

Abbi

Quickie - Cool and Seal

Love the feeling of your hair while deep conditioning but hate that you have to rinse all that goodness away? Yes?

 

Operation Moisture - Deep Conditioner Mix

So as I said before, I am taking some steps to combat my dry, seemingly protein-overloaded hair. Read more in this post. I am making some changes to a few steps, one of which is my deep conditioning session. I have eliminated the proteins from this step and amped up the moisture. Here's how it went down this past weekend.

moisturizing deep conditioner mix

Store-bought Deep Conditioners - My five faves

Deep conditioning really is one of the pillars of my hair regimen. I've never missed a week since the start of my hair journey. I have tried a few deep conditioners so far, some I didn't care much for but made them work, others I loved straight out the bottle. Let's take a look at my faves.

1. ORS replenishing Conditioner - conditions my hair adding both moisture and protein. Gives great slip making detangling a breeze. Results in soft, strong, shiny hair.
   
   
   

Love Potions - DIY Deep Conditioner #1

Banana Avocado Deep Conditioning Treatment

Ingredients: 

1/2 avocado

1 overripe banana

2 tbs olive oil

3 tbs Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose (or your favorite moisturizing conditioner)

3 tbs water (optional)

Steps: 

Hot, Steamy Sessions ... of Deep Conditioning

MMMMMmmm This is the feeling deep conditioning evokes within me! I absolutely love this step of my regimen. 

deep conditioning session

What is it? 

The name says it all. Deep conditioning is simply using a conditioning agent to penetrate the hair shaft providing the requisite nourishment to the strand making it stronger, moister, and/or more elastic. 

What's in it?