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Constant stresses to your tresses from heat styling -- along with chemical assaults from the environment, your tap water and styling products -- can do a real number on your crowning glory. A lush conditioner can help counteract these effects, with ingredients meant to protect as they provide a damage-controlling barrier. A panel of hair product experts picked a half dozen options that represent the best of the best, at every price range.
Bumble and Bumble
Detour Salon stylist and owner Jarrod Harms says Let It Shine conditioner from Bumble and Bumble had just been launched at the time of publication, but it has quickly became a favorite among clients and stylists. It totally delivers on its promise to make hair shiny. “It melts into damp hair during application, and you can literally feel thirsty strands drink it up,” he says. You can feel that your hair is conditioned, but it won’t feel like there’s a residue coating it. It works well for most any type of hair.
Everyday Shea
Beauty researcher and author of “Practical Glamour” Constance Dunn says Everyday Shea makes a natural moisturizer that is lush by virtue of its emollient shea butter base and essential oil fragrance. “The product naturally moisturizes your hair and makes is smell pure and lovely,” she says. It’s available unscented and in formulas scented by lavender essential oil or vanilla mint. For best results, leave the conditioner on your hair for about a minute, then rinse.
Kerastase
Luxe brand Kerastase is Soren Loffler’s lush conditioner favorite. The line’s Chronologiste conditioner is rejuvenating for the hair and scalp, and works well with virtually all hair types. “The product even looks like caviar; hair is left incredibly soft, supple and shiny. It’s worth every penny,” he says. The conditioning pearls buoying in a sea water-based cream give deep nourishment to tresses in a 10-minute weekly treatment.
L’Oreal Professional Series
Houston stylist Brittany Landreth Nobles says when her clients are looking for an ultra-lush conditioner, she points them to L’Oreal’s Professional Series. The Expert Absolute Repair Masque is a super-hydrating conditioning treatment that helps restore the hair to a healthy state.
Oribe
Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Aubrey Loots is a fan of the Conditioner for Moisture and Control by Oribe, calling it a "must-have." He says it’s great for all hair types but particularly works its magic on coarse, dryer hair. “Formulated with natural plant and flower extracts, this conditioner has become one of our most popular sellers in the salon,” he says.
Pureology
Hydrate by Pureology is hairstylist Gregory Quadagno’s best lush conditioner pick. He says the brand offers an extremely concentrated formula that includes peppermint and green tea. Once applied, it fills and plumps the hair for an intensely soft, hydrated feel.
