Conditioner

The right conditioner should match your hair type and primary concern. Conditioner helps replenish moisture after cleansing, improve softness and slip, reduce tangles and make hair easier to style. Different formulas can also provide targeted support for damage, volume, colour protection, curls, frizz and other hair needs.

Choose your conditioner based on your hair:

• Dry or dehydrated hair: Hydrating and moisturizing conditioners help replenish moisture, improve softness and restore shine.
• Damaged or brittle hair: Repair and strengthening conditioners help support hair weakened by bleaching, colouring, chemical processing or heat styling.
• Fine or flat hair: Lightweight and volumizing conditioners provide softness and detangling without unnecessarily weighing hair down.
• Colour-treated hair: Colour-safe conditioners help maintain moisture, softness, shine and colour vibrancy.
• Frizzy or coarse hair: Smoothing conditioners help improve softness, control and manageability.
• Curly or wavy hair: Moisturizing and curl-supporting conditioners help maintain softness, manageability and natural texture.
• Blonde, grey or highlighted hair: Conditioning and toning formulas can provide moisture while helping maintain cooler, brighter-looking tones.
• Thick hair: Richer conditioning formulas can provide additional moisture, smoothing and control.

Hydrating vs. Repairing Conditioner

Hydrating conditioners primarily address moisture loss, dryness and rough texture. Repair conditioners are designed for hair weakened by bleaching, colouring, chemical services, heat styling or other sources of damage. Hair can be both dry and damaged, so some routines benefit from combining moisture and repair.

Lightweight vs. Rich Conditioner

Fine hair usually performs best with a lightweight conditioner that provides softness and detangling without reducing volume. Thick, coarse or very dry hair can often benefit from richer conditioning formulas that provide additional moisture and smoothing.

For example, Kevin Murphy Angel.Rinse is designed for lightweight conditioning of fine and fragile hair, while Kevin Murphy Hydrate.Me Rinse provides more moisture for normal-to-dry hair.

Conditioner vs. Hair Mask

Conditioner is generally part of a regular wash routine and provides moisture, detangling, softness and manageability after shampooing. Hair masks are usually more intensive treatments designed to provide deeper hydration, repair or strengthening when hair needs additional support.

If your hair needs more intensive care than your regular conditioner provides, explore our Hair Treatments, Masks & Serums.

Rinse-Out vs. Leave-In Conditioner

Traditional rinse-out conditioner is applied after shampooing and rinsed from the hair after the recommended time. Leave-in conditioner remains in the hair and can provide additional detangling, hydration, smoothing and manageability between washes or before styling. Some routines benefit from using both.

Do You Need Conditioner After Every Shampoo?

Many hair types benefit from conditioning after shampooing because cleansing can leave the lengths and ends needing additional moisture, softness and detangling. The amount and type of conditioner should be adjusted to your hair. Fine hair may need a lighter formula or smaller amount, while dry, coarse, curly or chemically processed hair may need more conditioning.

Who Are Professional Hair Conditioners For?

• Dry, damaged, frizzy, fine, curly, thick or coarse hair
• Colour-treated, highlighted, blonde, grey or bleached hair
• Hair that tangles easily or feels rough after shampooing
• Fine hair needing lightweight softness without excessive weight
• Hair weakened by chemical processing or regular heat styling
• Anyone wanting softer, smoother, shinier and more manageable hair

Why Choose Professional Hair Conditioner?

• Helps replenish moisture after cleansing
• Improves softness, slip and detangling
• Helps smooth rough or frizz-prone hair
• Provides lightweight options for fine hair and richer options for dry or coarse hair
• Includes targeted formulas for repair, volume, colour protection and curls
• Helps prepare hair for easier styling and improved manageability

Authentic Professional Hair Conditioners in Canada

Hair Care Canada is a Canadian-owned online retailer of authentic professional hair care. Shop salon-quality conditioners from professional brands including Kevin Murphy, Eleven Australia, amika, K18, OLAPLEX, Pureology, Ethica, Neuma and L’Oréal Professionnel, with fast shipping across Canada.

What does hair conditioner do?

Conditioner helps replenish moisture, improve softness and slip, reduce tangles and make hair easier to manage after shampooing. Different conditioners can also provide targeted benefits such as strengthening, smoothing, volume, colour protection or curl support.

What conditioner is best for dry hair?

Dry hair generally benefits from a hydrating or moisturizing conditioner that helps replenish moisture and improve softness, smoothness and shine. Kevin Murphy Hydrate.Me Rinse is one option specifically designed for normal-to-dry hair.

What conditioner is best for damaged hair?

Damaged hair can benefit from repair or strengthening conditioners designed for brittle, over-processed or weakened strands. If damage is significant, a repair conditioner can also be combined with an appropriate treatment or mask.

Should fine hair use conditioner?

Yes. Fine hair can still benefit from moisture and detangling, but a lightweight conditioner is usually the better choice. Kevin Murphy Angel.Rinse is designed specifically to provide weightless conditioning and volume for fine and fragile hair.

What is the difference between conditioner and a hair mask?

Conditioner is generally used as part of a regular wash routine for moisture, softness and detangling. Hair masks are usually more intensive and are used when hair needs additional hydration, strengthening or repair.

Should conditioner be applied to the scalp?

Most traditional conditioners are primarily applied through the mid-lengths and ends, where hair typically needs the most conditioning. Some products are specifically designed for scalp use, so follow the directions for the individual conditioner.

Is conditioner important for colour-treated hair?

Yes. Colour-treated and highlighted hair can become dry or more difficult to manage, so an appropriate colour-safe conditioner can help maintain moisture, softness, shine and overall hair condition.

Can I use both rinse-out and leave-in conditioner?

Yes. A rinse-out conditioner provides regular conditioning after shampooing, while a leave-in can add further hydration, detangling, smoothing or styling support. Adjust the amount and weight of the products to your hair type to avoid unnecessary buildup.

How long should I leave conditioner in my hair?

Application time varies by formula. Follow the directions on the individual product, as some conditioners require only a short conditioning period while others are intended to remain on the hair longer before rinsing.

Where can I buy professional hair conditioner in Canada?

Hair Care Canada offers authentic professional conditioners from salon brands including Kevin Murphy, Eleven Australia, amika, K18, OLAPLEX, Pureology, Ethica, Neuma and L’Oréal Professionnel, with fast shipping across Canada.