Start at the ends. Use enough conditioner for your fingers to glide through the sections that catch. Length, density and the concentration of the formula all affect the amount you need.
Where should it go in the shower?
After shampooing, rinse and gently squeeze out excess water. Spread a little conditioner between your palms and smooth it over the last few inches. Move up toward mid-length only where the hair still feels rough or tangled.
For a short cut, pinch the tips in small sections with coated fingertips. Fine, dry curls may need conditioner farther up. Follow the feel of the strand rather than measuring a fixed distance from the scalp.
How do you find your dose?
Divide your hair in two. Spread a small dab over the driest sections and slide your fingers through without tugging. Add a touch only where they catch. Follow the bottle instructions, especially for a concentrated formula.
Rinse, then assess once dry
Leave rinse-out conditioner on for the time indicated. Separate sections under the water so it reaches the nape. Once dry, assess the roots and ends separately.
- Soft ends, roots that still move: keep the same amount next wash.
- Heavy lengths: try a smaller amount with the same shampoo.
- Just one side tangles: reserve a little conditioner for that area before increasing the dose everywhere.
For a complete wash-day sequence, see our fine hair routine. TheAmerican Academy of Dermatology recommends concentrating conditioner on the ends for fine or straight hair.