8 Conditioner Mistakes To Avoid

How To Choose a Conditioner for Your Hair Type

Take some time to evaluate the current condition of your hair to determine what type of conditioner you should use. There are options based on your hair thickness, curl pattern, hair color, and damage level to provide the best benefits for your hair. And if you pick one of the many options from L’Oréal Paris, you can get a matching shampoo for the ultimate in-shower routine. Check out a few suggestions for how to use conditioner for your specific hair type below.

For damaged hair

If you have processed or damaged hair try L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Conditioner. Both are formulated with citric acid and can help strengthen damaged hair bonds weakened by frequent heat or chemical processing.

Editor’s Tip: For even more hair-repairing benefits, pair your shampoo and conditioner with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment.

For color-treated hair

Color-treated hair is often susceptible to dryness, so restoring moisture is a must. Reach for color-safe formulas designed to be gentle on your hue, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. Both formulas are crafted with UV filters to protect hair color from fading while the glossing conditioner leaves hair shiny and silky.

For wavy or curly hair

If you have wavy, curly, or coily hair try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Seal Conditioner. Both contain hydrating hyaluronic acid and help nourish and redefine curls and coils.

For all hair types

For a cleansing experience that feels like a daily luxury, reach for L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Shampoo with Essential Oil and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Conditioner with Essential Oil. The dye-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, vegan duo is suitable for all hair types and textures—and the rosemary oil-infused formula smells divine.

8 Common Conditioner Mistakes To Avoid

Choosing your ideal conditioner (and the shampoo to go with it) is only half the battle. The other half is knowing how to use conditioner properly. Below, discover eight bad conditioner habits to avoid next time wash day rolls around.

Applying hair conditioners from the root to tip

It’s a good idea to apply conditioner only where it’s needed the most—for example, your mid-lengths to your ends (since this part of your hair tends to be the driest). Applying conditioner at the roots can weigh down your hair and cause your roots to appear greasy, even right after you’ve finished cleansing.

Not leaving hair conditioners on long enough

If you apply your conditioner only to rinse it off immediately, you may not be reaping all of its benefits. Typically, you’ll want to leave the conditioner on for the amount of time listed in the directions on the packaging, which is usually between one and five minutes—just enough time to detangle your hair.

Leaving conditioner in for too long

Life is all about balance and leaving your conditioner on for longer than recommended isn’t ideal, either. Knowing exactly when to rinse or apply a product can get lost as you rush through your morning or daydream in the shower. Be sure to review the instructions on the back of your products, as their directions are not one-size-fits-all.

Using too much or too little conditioner

When it comes to conditioner, less is definitely more—especially if you have fine hair. Using too much can potentially make your hair look (or feel) weighed down. A good rule of thumb is to use one or two quarter-sized dollops of conditioner, depending on the thickness and length of your hair. When in doubt, check the product packaging for the recommended usage amount before you get started.

Not conditioning regularly

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you should always condition your hair after washing it with shampoo. But what about the other times?

Depending on your hair type and how oily it gets, you may only shampoo two to three times a week or even once a week. But you can (and should) still condition your hair more regularly to replenish lost moisture. If you have dry hair you can use an in-shower hair conditioner every day if desired, or use a leave-in conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-in Conditioner on damp hair when you don’t have time to hop in the shower.

Using the wrong type of conditioner

Matching your hair type and the condition of your hair to the right kind of conditioner is essential. Conditioner options for thin or flat hair, for example, are typically going to utilize different ingredients than those for thick, dry, or damaged hair. If you’re unsure which type of conditioner is best for your needs, ask your stylist to describe your hair next time you get a trim—their description should be able to point you in the right direction of your ideal conditioner.

Not adjusting conditioner use based on your hair condition

Similarly, not switching up your go-to conditioner when your hair has clearly changed is not optimal. If your hair is damaged, you may want to swap your usual conditioner for a reparative formula, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Conditioner. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced is also a good option if you’ve recently colored your hair. If you find that your hair has become more oily, you may want to opt for a lighter option that hydrates without weighing down your mane.

Ignoring the benefits of leave-in conditioner

Reinforcing the moisturizing properties of a traditional conditioner with a leave-in conditioner is an all-too-important step in your haircare routine. Using a leave-in conditioner like the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Recharge Leave-In Conditioner can provide additional support against daily wear and tear and nourish your strands between wash days.

How To Properly Apply Conditioner

Whether you have color-treated hair, frizzy hair, or find yourself heat-styling your hair often, using conditioner is key to healthy-looking hair. But using it the right way is just as important as having the right formula for your hair needs. Follow the steps below to ensure that you are making the most of your conditioner.

1. Wash your hair with shampoo

Pick your shampoo of choice and lather a quarter-sized amount (use more if needed) on your scalp before rinsing with warm water. If you’re picking up one of the many nourishing shampoos from L’Oréal Paris, follow up with the conditioner from the same system for the ultimate in-shower routine.

2. Apply your conditioner

Pour a quarter-sized amount of conditioner into your hands and coat your strands from the mid-length to the ends with your hair conditioner of choice. If you have thick hair, curly hair, or extra long lengths, consider sectioning your hair in the shower before applying conditioner to make sure your entire mane (except the roots) is coated in the hair conditioner.

3. Gently detangle your mane

While the conditioner is sitting on your hair, take the time to detangle your mane free of knots or clumped hair pieces that may lead to more tangles and eventual breakage. Try and use your fingers to gently detangle your mane without ripping at hair or creating a lot of tension. If you have curly or kinky hair, opt for a detangling brush or wet brush that is designed to remove knots while the hair is wet.

4. Let it sit on your hair

Always follow the directed instructions to determine how long you should leave the conditioner on your hair. As stated earlier, you’ll typically want to leave the product on your hair for at least one to three minutes. You don’t need to count in your head or set a timer to keep track of time. Simply continue with your body care or skincare routine in the shower and come back to rinse before toweling off.

5. Rinse with warm water

After the allotted time, thoroughly rinse out your hair conditioner with warm water. Make sure you rinse all the product out to avoid product buildup that may leave your hair feeling greasy or weighed-down.

6. Finish with an in-shower treatment

Depending on your hair needs, finish your in-shower routine with a hair treatment to continue adding hydration, shine, or even color. Hair masks, deep conditioners, glossing treatments, and any other type of hair care can be added after shampooing or conditioning, depending on the formula. One option that we love for all hair types is the aforementioned L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Recharge Leave-In Conditioner, which helps replenish dry, damaged hair.

Can You Use Conditioner Before Shampoo?

Sure, you know the order is often shampoo and then conditioner, but a reverse hair-washing method could also be beneficial. There are times when you may want to use conditioner before shampoo—giving your hair much-needed hydration before you cleanse and avoiding any product weigh-down from your conditioner. Typically, these pre-shampoo treatments aren’t classified as conditioners, per se, but they can offer similar benefits as your standard conditioner. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Oil-Erasing Serum for Oily Hair, for example, helps provide up to 72 hours of hydration while removing build-up and other impurities for fresh, clean-feeling strands. If you want to use a pre-shampoo treatment to level up your haircare routine, we suggest opting for one that aligns with your specific hair type and concerns.

Next Up: What Are Pre-Shampoo Treatments and How To Use Them