While the summer sun takes its toll on my curls, winter can be brutal. The cold, dry winter air and indoor heating – not to mention reduced sebum production – can leave curls downright parched. And that doesn’t even count any coloring, highlighting, flat ironing, or other things you do to your hair.
Dry curls can break more easily and lose their spring. That’s why deep conditioners are such a staple for curly girls. But a good hair masque can be pricey. Some can run $40 or more for an 8-ounce jar! While some of these expensive deep conditioners are incredible, many won’t break the bank, loaded with quality butters and oils.
Here are 24 priced at $17 or less – all loaded with quality butter and oils.
Note: If you want to splurge on a more expensive deep conditioner but want to try it before you buy, many are available in sample-size packets for just a few bucks. Depending on the length of your hair, you may be able to stretch that sample for multiple uses.
1. Mielle Organics Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Overnight Conditioner ($9.99)
Not all conditioners are formulated to be left on overnight. But this powerhouse is infused with avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and ginger. Apply it to your hair, work from ends to the root, apply a shower cap, and rinse out in the morning before you shampoo.
2. Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque ($12.99)
This masque has been a regular NaturallyCurly’s Best of the Best list of top deep conditioners. It provides a mega dose of moisture, making it great for dry or damaged hair. It features mineral-rich sea kelp, argan oil, and shea butter.Other great deep conditioners from SheaMoisture include Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Treatment Masque and SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque.
3. Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner ($13.99)
Another favorite, this deep conditioner from Mielle Organics offers protein and moisture for curlies needing to re-strengthen their hair. It features babassu, an Amazonian palm fruit, plus mint oil which leaves a refreshing tingly feel. It’s great for all textures.
4. Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner ($14.99)
Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner has been a staple in many curlies’ cabinets for years. This is a very thick, moisturizing deep conditioner that works well for both waves and curls. It hydrates, softens, and smoothes your curls.
5. GROSECRETS 10-MINUTE MASK ($8.99)
This deep treatment is infused with a mix of argan oil, shea butter, olive oil, keratin, and coconut oil. It revitalizes and strengthens dull, dry hair.
6. DESIGN ESSENTIALS WASH DAY DEEP MOISTURE MASQUE ($15.99)
This deeply penetrating moisture treatment rebuilds and strengthens the hair with almond, avocado, and sunflower oils. It’s creamy with plenty of slip, making it great for coily hair types.
7. Taliah Waajid Repair & Restore Hair Strengthening Treatment Masque
This masque contains shea butter and honey to replenish your hair’s moisture, plus a banana to repair damage and strengthen each curl. It has a rich, creamy consistency and a lovely light scent. It’s great for type 3 and 4 hair.
8. Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner ($9.29)
This is one of my favorite deep conditioners. It’s rich and creamy, easy to apply, and it instantly melts all the dryness out of my hair. Plus, it’s under $10. Featuring jojoba oil, it’s suitable for any hair type.
Eden BodyWorks also has a couple of newer deep conditioners that are equally affordable and amazing: the Almond Marshmallow Split End Repair Masque and the Hibiscus Honey Hydration Custard.
9. Sashapure Restorative Conditioning Masque
A hair masque that’s affordable plus environmentally friendly? Yes, it’s possible! This masque from Sashapure features organic, wild-crafted ingredients, including the brand’s signature ingredient: certified Peruvian sacha inchi oil. It’s intensively moisturizing and has great slip, so you can also use it to detangle. Good for all hair types.
10. AUNT JACKIE”S COCONUT CREME RECIPES COCO REPAIR DEEP CONDITIONER ($9.19)
Whether the damage is from chronic dryness, over-processing with chemical straighteners or color, heat styling, braiding, or specific environmental conditions. Cover hair with a plastic cap and sit under a warm hooded dryer for 10 minutes as an intensive repair treatment. It’s especially good for 2c-4c textures.
Another standout deep conditioner from Aunt Jackie’s is Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque.
11. African Pride Moisture Miracle Moroccan Clay & Shea Butter Heat Activated Masque ($5.49)
At under $6, you really can’t go wrong with this Heat Activated Masque from African Pride. It removes impurities and product build-up while replenishing moisture, strengthening and softening the hair. It’s designed to be used with heat, so it’s great for low-porosity hair.
12. AS I AM HYDRATION ELATION INTENSIVE CONDITIONER ($15.99)
This superstar is packed with sugar cane, coconut, green tea, apple, lemon, Shea butter, and vitamin E, making it an incredibly potent conditioner that takes your hair’s moisture to the next level. It will smooth and align your cuticle layer while repairing weak areas and promoting shine. As I Am’s Restore & Repair Jamaican Black Castor Oil Moisturizing Masque Is another favorite.
13. AUSSIE 3-MINUTE MOIST DETANGLING DEEP CONDITIONER ($4.99)
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Detangling Deep Conditioner is one of the best deals. This hardworking hydration miracle absorbs quickly and has tons of slip. It is a staple for many Type 3 and Type 4s.
14. BELLA CURLS COCONUT OIL DEEP CONDITIONING MASQUE ($6.99)
Another ridiculously inexpensive hair masque, this Deep Conditioning Masque contains coconut oil to moisturize, soften and protect your hair. It also provides slip, so it can detangle your curls.
15. MAUI MOISTURE HEAL & HYDRATE SHEA BUTTER MASK ($8.99)
Here’s a reliable, affordable hair mask that you can likely find in any drugstore. This mask is ideal for dry or damaged hair with its blend of coconut oil, shea butter, and macadamia oils. It’s versatile, too — it can even be used as a leave-in treatment for extra-thirsty curls. Other Maui Moisture deep conditioners include the Detoxifying + Volcanic Ash Scalp Care Mask and the Strength & Anti-Breakage Agave Hair Mask.
15. CANTU SHEA BUTTER DEEP TREATMENT MASQUE ($6.99)
This NaturallyCurly Best of the Best winner penetrates deep into the hair shaft for an intense treatment to repair and replenish over-processed, damaged hair. It’s made with pure shea butter. And at less than $7, it’s a bargain!
16. ApHogee Curlific! Texture Treatment ($8.99)
Curlific! Texture Treatment restores elasticity and life to damaged, textured hair. It helps eliminate hair loss due to breaks and splits.
17. ZOTOS PROFESSIONAL ALL ABOUT CURLS DIVINE TREATMENT ($11.99)
This intense treatment – developed with input from NaturallyCurly editors – drenches extra-thirsty curls with rich moisture for glorious results. Use once or twice weekly to create shiny, soft curls.
18. TRESEMME EXPERT SELECTION INSTANT RECOVER MASK REPAIR & PROTECT ($9.25)
This luscious treatment is designed to repair seven types of damage – brushing, blow-drying, bleaching, coloring, curling, flat-ironing, and braiding – with each use. Formulated with Biotin, it treats visible damage instantly, strengthening against breakage, so you can keep styling. The mask is also available in single-use sachets.
19. PANTENE PRO-V MIRACLE RESCUE HAIR REVIVAL MASK ($8.39)
Over the years, Pantene has become known for affordable hair treatments. This thick, rich mask deeply nourishes and conditions dry hair, leaving it soft and smooth after every treatment. It coats every strand with the power of hydrating nutrients made to improve hair health and add shine.
20. CURLS BLUEBERRY BLISS REPARATIVE HAIR MASK ($15.99)
Formulated with certified organic Blueberry Extract, Aloe Leaf Juice, and Chamomile, this mask is a deep penetrating, intensive treatment that softens, detangles, and hydrates. Plus, it smells delicious!
21. KRISTIN ESS STRAND STRENGTHENING RECONSTRUCTIVE MOISTURE MASK ($15)
This luxurious deep conditioner quenches curls and coils. In addition to moisturizing tresses, it has great slip for detangling.
22. ANDREW FITSIMONS FANTASY CURLS NOURISHING MASK($16)
This mask from Andrew Fitsmons – a Stylist to the Stars – feeds curls with an enriching moisture treatment formulated with Shea and Avocado Butter. It also contains Castor Oil to promote hair growth. For Type 3s and Type 4s.
23. ORS HAIRESTORE HAIR MAYONNAISE ($10.99)
This deep conditioning, protein-rich treatment is an oldy but a goodie. It moisturizes and helps strengthen damaged, weak and over-processed hair with hair-nourishing herbs, Olive Oil, Egg Protein, and Wheat Germ Oil.
24. The Mane Choice Exotic Cool Laid Fresh Mango & Passion Fruit Mask ($16.99)
Infused with natural fruit extracts to nourish the hair and scalp, this scrumptious deep conditioner conditions and softens curly and coily textures. It also contains nourishing ingredients such as aloe leaf juice, coconut oil, shea butter, and biotin.
Have you tried one before? Please share your favorite with us in the comments!
This article was updated in 2023 to replace discontinued products.
