Here's the thing–we all know curly hair can be a little bit of a thirsty diva. Whether you've got tight coils or loose curls, your hair is always looking for a chance to soak up as much moisture as possible. This is why deep conditioning is a staple in nearly every curly natural’s routine. But since we’re all about looking for the best ways to make your curls stronger, healthier and living their best life, we’ve got to let you in on a little secret. You can actually revamp and upgrade your deep conditioning session to enhance its moisture and hair-nourishing benefits on wash days.
Read ahead to find out how to take your deep conditioning game to the next level and if you’re still sleeping on the amazing benefits of a deep conditioner, it is time to get on board and get into all the juicy goodness it brings to your curls.
Benefits Of Deep Conditioning
If you have curly hair, you're likely no stranger to deep conditioning. It is the ultimate sidekick in every curly natural’s post-shampoo routine. It is an intensive conditioning treatment meant to nourish and smoothen the cuticles while replenishing the hair with moisture.
A deep conditioner is often incorporated into most people's weekly, biweekly or monthly hair regimen for the sole purpose of keeping your tresses bouncy and hydrated. But, in case you're not yet convinced about the amazing powers of deep conditioning, here are a few extra goodies it offers your tresses.
- It reduces breakage and frizz
- It softens and hydrates the hair
- It restores moisture and shine
- It strengthens the hair strands
Should You Deep Conditioning Overnight?
Overnight deep conditioning is a very polarising topic among curly naturals, with some believing it to be the secret to well-moisturised hair while others recommend staying away from it completely.
Our take? It depends on your hair and its preference. Ideally, it is not necessary to go to bed with your deep conditioner. If you stick with the recommended time on a deep conditioner like our Manuka Honey & Avocado Deep Conditioning Mask, you will all get the moisture and nourishment your hair needs. So, we would not recommend deep conditioning overnight as it can lead moisture overload. Excess moisture may not sound like the worst thing for your dry curls but trust us, that is the last thing you want. It will leave your curls feeling weak, gummy and unmanageable, and bare able to hold a hairstyle. Remember: too much of even a good thing like deep conditioning can be bad sometimes, so don't overdo it.
Toss In Some Extra Humectants
A deep conditioning session is like a cool drink of water for your curls after being subjected to different styling and weather conditions that may have left them dry and brittle. So, if you want to crank up that moisture, there is no better way to do it than to make sure your deep conditioner is loaded with humectants like the manuka honey in Sofnfree's Deep Conditioning Mask.
Humectants are hair hydrators that attract moisture from the environment and are absorbed into the hair for moisture retention. They keep your tresses soft, bouncy and moisturised for longer, and if you have dry curly you need all the humectants you can get.
Glycerin, manuka honey, and flaxseed gel are great humectants you can easily get your hands on. Our Deep Conditioning Hair Mask With Manuka Honey And Avocado is the perfect solution to all your humectant goals. It contains a nourishing blend of manuka honey and avocado oil working to repair and intensely moisturise your hair, leaving you with bouncy, shiny and super-hydrated curls.
Incorporate Some Heat
Have you ever used a deep conditioner and felt like it just sat on top of your curls and didn't create any noticeable difference (low porosity naturals can relate to this)? Well, this one is for you.
Depending on your hair's porosity and density, a deep conditioner may not easily absorb into your hair shaft so adding heat into the equation will help open up the cuticles to improve penetration of the product. After applying the deep conditioner, wrap the hair in a processing cap and sit under a hooded dryer or hair steamer for 15-30 minutes. This will ensure your hair absorbs all the moisture, nourishment, and smoothing ingredients in the deep conditioner, leaving you with soft hydrated curls.
Use The Praying Hand And Finger Detangling Method
When it comes to deep conditioning, if you want the best results then you've got to make sure no strand or curl is left behind. So, your method of application is very important. Remember: Deep conditioner is for your hair and not your scalp, so make sure to keep the focus on your strands
To ensure complete coverage of all the hair strands, apply the deep conditioner in between your palms, then rub it down the length of your curls in a prayer hands-like motion. Follow up by finger detangling to work the product into the crevices of each hair strand. This will ensure every part of the hair properly absorbs the product and gets a taste of that moisture and nourishment. Additionally, it is important to also focus on the ends of your hair, as they are the oldest and often driest part of the hair shaft so they need all the moisture they can get.
Follow Up With A Hot Oil Treatment
A hot oil treatment is another great way to enhance the results of your deep conditioning session. Hot oil treatments involve the application of hot oil to the hair to help seal the cuticles and reduce excessive loss of moisture. But it goes even further to help condition, prevent breakage, reduce frizz, and strengthen the hair and scalp.
So, incorporate a hot oil treatment as a follow-up to your deep conditioner to help lock in the nourishing ingredients and also keep the hair moisturised for longer. It may seem like an extra step but trust us, if you have dry frizzy curls this hot oil treatment and deep conditioning combo will leave you with the shiniest and softest curls you've had yet.
Choosing the right oil for your hot oil treatment is important because you want something that penetrates the strands but does weigh down your curls. Some great options include coconut, jojoba, baobab, and olive oil but, make sure to choose based on what works best for your hair.
If you want an oil cocktail that offers the benefits of different oils all in one, our Scalp & Hair Oil With Manuka Honey & Avocado should for sure be your go-to. It contains a rich blend of baobab oil, almond oil, avocado oil, rapeseed oil and an antimicrobial dose of honey to help rejuvenate, strengthen and seal moisture into the hair and scalp. Add a few tablespoons of this golden goodness into a bowl and place it over a pot of boiling water. Then, wait a few minutes for the steam to warm up the oil. After rinsing out your deep conditioner, massage the oil into the hair and scalp and cover for 30 minutes. Then rinse out the oil thoroughly and follow up with our curl-defining and strengthening Leave-in Conditioner With Manuka & Avocado Oil and prepare to be blown away by the gorgeous perfection you will see in the mirror.
Keep It Consistent
A deep conditioning session here and there is no doubt going to leave you with moisturized hair in the moment. But if you want long term results that will ensure your hair stays well-nourished and continuously hydrated in between washdays, then you have to deep condition regularly. Whether you're doing it once a week or every two weeks, stick with the routine and overtime you will notice that your hair has essentially been moisture trained and enriched with the right nutrients. So, it will not dry out as fast as it used to. Regular deep conditioning will also smoothen the hair strands overall and will make it more manageable and shinier as time goes on, which means your hairstyles will come out looking much better.
Upgrading your deep conditioning session with some of the tips we’ve covered can seriously take your curly hair from zero to a hundred, so be sure to give them a try. It may take some trial and error to see which option your hair enjoys the most, but your curls will definitely be thanking you for the refreshing transformation.