Why You Should Condition Your Locks

The first modern hair conditioner was called Brilliantine (translates from
French to grease) and was invented at the turn of the 20th century by a
French perfumer. While conditioner has much the same function as it did
back in the 1900s, the market has expanded tremendously.  It's impossible
to go to the store and grab a bottle of conditioner without knowing what
you're looking for.  You''ll find intensive treatments, conditioners for colored
or damaged hair, strengthening conditioners, kid-friendly conditioners,
volumizing conditioners, detanglers, and the list goes on.  We've definitely
come a long way since Brilliantine.

Conditioner used to be made using natural oils such as tea tree and jojoba
oils.  Now, scientists have discovered ingredients like silicone, fatty alcohols
and quaternary ammonium compounds in addition to the oils.  These
modern marvels allow us to condition our hair without leaving a greasy
residue or heavy feeling.

Shampoo is great at removing dirt and grime from our hair, unfortunately, it
also removes much of our hair's natural oils, which keep our hair looking
healthy.  This is where conditioner enters the picture.  Conditioner coats
hair with a film (thickness depends upon type of conditioner used), making
it easier to comb and preventing static electricity from building up, which
reduces frizz.

Types of Conditioners

Pack - These are heavy, thick conditioners that "glue" the hair surface
scales together.  Usually, this type of conditioner is left in the hair for a
longer period of time.

Leave-in - These are lighter conditioners and add only a thin film to the
hair.

Standard - These conditioners are a combination of the pack and leave-in
conditioners.

Hold - These conditioners, similar to a hair spray or gel, hold the hair in a
desired shape.

If you aren't sure what type of conditioner to use, ask your stylist to point
you in the right direction.