BLOG
How to Condition Your Mane – For Men
Shorter hair is no doubt a low-maintenance choice for men, but if you’ve decided to transform yourself and grow a mane, it’s the right time to learn more about hair grooming. Your hair requires the same level of care as your beard does–and we mean more than just washing and styling.
Conditioning isn’t just for women; it’s essential for men too. If you want soft, healthy hair and a nourished scalp, make conditioner part of your routine.
So, should men use conditioner? If you have frizzy, dry, or tangled hair–absolutely! Here is your A to Z guide to conditioners, plus top product recommendations listed at the end.
At this point, you may be asking yourself, “Do I need conditioner?” The short answer is yes, you absolutely need it! It’s not just about smooth, soft hair—it’s about hydrating your mane and banishing frizz and dryness.
If you have curly, wavy, or even straight hair, your mane will not only be more manageable but also improve the pH level of your scalp.
But isn’t conditioner bad for your hair? It’s time to debunk this and other myths:
- Hair conditioner is unhealthy for your hair. Wrong! If you apply conditioner correctly, it can only benefit your hair and scalp.
- Hair conditioner is made only for women. Wrong! Hair health isn’t gendered, and men benefit from conditioners as much as women.
- Conditioner makes hair greasy. Wrong! Your hair becomes greasy only when you overuse the product or don’t thoroughly rinse it off.
- Conditioner weakens hair. Wrong! When used correctly, conditioner can actually strengthen your hair by reducing breakage and protecting it from damage.
- Conditioners are optional if I have an expensive shampoo. Wrong! If it’s not a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, then your shampoo only cleanses your hair and scalp without hydrating it.
Types of Hair Conditioners for Men
Instead of grabbing the first conditioner you spot on the shelf, you should know what type of product you’re getting and what it is designed for. To your surprise, there are four different types of conditioners, and each is equally good but for a different purpose.
Here are the all types of hair conditioners for men:
Rinse-Out Conditioner
The rinse-out conditioner is the most common and easy-to-use conditioner. Before or after washing your hair with a shampoo, apply and massage a rinse-out conditioner into your wet hair.
Depending on the brand of conditioner, you may need to leave it to sit for only a few seconds or up to a few minutes. In some cases, the longer you keep the conditioner absorbing into your hair, the better the result will be.
The rinse-out conditioners are available as creams. They are easy to apply, and the cream type offers more oils, better absorption, and smoother texture than other conditioning alternatives.
The rinse-out conditioner is ideal for men with curly, frizz-prone, or tangle-prone hair but works well for all hair types.
Leave-In Conditioner
The leave-in conditioner is the second most-used conditioner for hair among men and women. As the name suggests, it is applied to the hair and does not rinse off. One rule you should keep in mind is that the leave-in conditioner is used only after taking a shower when your hair is clean and wet.
Leave-in conditioners are available in two types: sprays and creams. While sprays are effortless you use on your hair, creams require more time to absorb but provide better hydration.
This conditioner is great for people with all types of hair, including wavy and curvy.
Deep Conditioning & Masks
Deep conditioning and masks are more advanced products that offer maximum hydration and keep your hair protected. Unlike leave-in or rinse conditioners, deep conditioning and masks take longer to use but provide an almost immediate effect.
These conditioners come in various types with brand-specific instructions. Unlike daily-use options, masks and deep conditioners are typically for occasional use, allowing flexibility to switch between products.
2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
The last type of conditioner is a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, which is perfect for men who want to save space in their shower cabins and money in their wallets. This 2-in-1 bundle is undoubtedly convenient, but it doesn’t deliver the exact results as conditioners.
Since you wash your hair with shampoo that cleanses your strands and scalp, you may also suppress the effects of the conditioner. Moreover, conditioners need time to absorb and won’t deliver a shiny and smooth texture after just a few seconds.
Hair Conditioners for Men - Comparison
| Conditioner Type | Moisture | Ideal for | Use Frequency |
| Deep Conditioner | 💧💧💧💧 | Tight texture | 1x/week |
| Rinse Conditioner | 💧💧💧 | All hair types | Daily |
| Leave-in Conditioner | 💧💧 | All hair types | Daily for dry hair or 1x-2x/week for oily hair |
| Shampoo+Conditioner | 💧 | All hair types | 4x-7x/week |
How to Choose the Right Conditioner for Your Hair Type
| Hair Type | Hair Features | Pain Points | Recommended Conditioner |
| Straight | Smooth, flat, oily | Lack of volume, oiliness | Lightweight conditioner |
| Curly/Wavy | Textured, frizzy, and dry | Frizz, dryness | Deep conditioning, leave-in conditioner |
| Fine/Thin | Lacks volume, easily breaks, delicate | Weak, flat appearance | Volumizing conditioner |
| Thick/Coarse | Dense, rough texture, prone to dryness | Dryness, frizz, tangling | Rich in oils and butter |
If you don’t want to deal with your mane for hours–you need the right conditioner. To choose the product that will suit you, find your hair type below and discover what conditioner will save you time when brushing your hair.
Straight Hair
If you have straight hair, you may have noticed it getting oily at the roots quickly. Logically, if your scalp is oily, there is no need to moisturize your hair, right? Not really. While the hair closer to the scalp may be hydrated, the rest of it remains dry and frizzy.
The best hair conditioner for men with a straight type of mane is the one with lightweight ingredients. It won’t add extra weight and will keep your strands soft and shiny.
Curly and Wavy Hair
Curly and wavy hair may be the most challenging to maintain, so investing in a good conditioner for men will make your styling a breeze. Your hair may get drier naturally after shampooing, so the best solution is to use deep conditioning or a leave-in conditioner.
Fine and Thin Hair
If your hair resembles Henry Cavill’s in The Witcher—fine, thin, and prone to breakage—then a volumizing conditioner is your go-to solution. It hydrates your strands while adding body and lift, leaving your hair looking fuller and healthier.
Thick and Coarse Hair
Thick or coarse hair benefits the most from rich, hydrating conditioners that lock in moisture and make the hair more manageable. Look for formulas with oil or butter to combat dryness and frizz and other conditioners rich in hydration.
How to Properly Apply Conditioner
Let’s get to practice and break down the steps involved in conditioning your hair. Now the main thing you need to remember is that you only apply conditioner to the middle to the ends of your hair. Why only the lower part of the hair? Because the hair closer to your scalp is new, healthy hair that already gets all the necessary nutrients and moisture.
Follow our detailed steps on how to use conditioner for men:
Step 1: Start with Rinsing Your Hair
Before you can even open a bottle of conditioner, you first need to wet your hair. Be sure to use body-temperature water. Warm water has a good effect on your scalp, opening the pores and loosing the hair follicles.
Step 2: Remove the Excess Water
To allow the conditioner to moisturize your hair, it needs to reach it, but with excess water, only the part of the product will get through. Hence, gently squeeze out the water from your hair without pulling it down.
Step 3: Use the Right Amount of Conditioner
Squeeze a dime-size amount of conditioner onto your palm, smear it around with both hands, and rub it into your hair. Remember to focus on the mid-lengths to ends, skipping the roots where hair is naturally healthier.
To learn how to apply conditioner for men, you should work your way through the hair. We recommend using a brushing technique, sliding the palms of your hands across the hair, and the pressure iron technique for maximum absorption.
Step 4: Leave the Conditioner Sit
At this step, you might wonder how long the conditioner should sit in your hair, and honestly, it depends on the product you use. Let it sit anywhere between 1 to 3 minutes, and if you are in a rush, leave it on for at least 30 seconds before rinsing.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Make sure you rinse the conditioner thoroughly, as you don’t want it to leave any residue on your mane. We highly recommend using cold water to lock in the moisture in your strands.
Frequency of Conditioning Based on Hair Type & Lifestyle
"Should I condition my hair every day?" is a common question among men. The answer depends on your hair type and lifestyle habits. Regular conditioning is key to keeping your mane healthy, but how often you should condition varies. Here's a breakdown:
Daily Conditioning
- Best for: Men with dry, flat, damaged hair and those using styling products every day.
- Benefits: Dry hair wants natural oils, and the only way you can nourish your hair is by conditioning it every day.
>2-3 Times a Week
- Best for: Men with oily, thin, and fine hair.
- Benefits: Oily hair should be moisturized in moderation. Hence, a few times a week is enough to maintain your hair smooth and soft.
Lifestyle Considerations
- Swimmers: Chlorine strips moisture; that’s why you should condition it every time after swimming.
- Outdoor enthusiasts: Sun exposure is very damaging to your hair, and if you spend a lot of time outdoors, you should condition it daily or at least every time after long sun exposure.
- Frequent styling: Gels and sprays are excellent at styling hair, but they can cause brittleness and dryness. Hence, frequent conditioning should be considered to prevent product buildup.
Recommended Frequency Chart
| Hair Type | Frequency of Conditioning | Benefits |
| Dry/damaged hair | Daily | Restores lost moisture and prevents breakage |
| Oily/fine hair | 2-3 times a week | Maintains balance without weighing hair down |
| Chlorine-damaged hair | After every swim | Hydrates hair after exposure to chlorine |
| Sun/heat-damaged hair | Daily or after exposure | Protects hair against UV damage |
| Hair after styling products | 3-4 times a week | Prevents dryness and product buildup |
Benefits of Using Conditioner Regularly
What does conditioner do for hair? You will be surprised to learn that more than just hydrating it and adding a soft texture to it. Here are the top 3 benefits of why men should incorporate conditioner into their grooming routine:
Locks in Moisture
By now, you might have understood that one way to breeze life into your hair is by moisturizing it. Not only will your hair look healthy, but your locks will also be fuller, softer, and healthier.
Conditioning is a must for men who have naturally dry or thick hair because it will make styling much easier when you brush through hair effortlessly.
Protects Against Environmental Pollutants
Every time you leave home, your hair is exposed to environmental damage. UV light, pollutants, and moisture can make your hair weak, frizzy, and even dry.
Applying the conditioner regularly will help you create an invisible shield around your strands that will protect your hair from damaging elements.
Makes It Easier to Style and Manage
Many men start their day by styling their hair, which may involve heating devices, gels, and sprays. But there will be times when hair does not cooperate. In times like these, conditioning will soften your strands, smooth them out, and make them more manageable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Conditioning
Have you been using hair conditioner but haven’t achieved the desired results? Maybe you are using the hair care product incorrectly. Here are the key mistakes our customers make:
- Using too much product: Applying way too much conditioner too often will have an adverse effect on your hair and scalp. It will weigh down your hair and make it look greasy instead of shiny.
- Applying conditioner on the scalp for oily-prone hair: If you are an oily-prone man, you should never apply the conditioner to your scalp. Instead, focus on the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair.
- Skipping conditioner due to greasiness: Greasy hair doesn’t always mean it is nourished with oil, and you don’t need conditioning. On the contrary, they have nothing in common, so you should continue grooming your hair with conditioner with a lightweight formula.
- Not rinsing thoroughly: If you don’t rinse the conditioner well, there will be residue left on your hair that will leave your mane looking dull.
Recommended Conditioning Products for Men
So, what are the best hair conditioners for men? You’re in luck because we have 3 different products to make your hair look shiny and soft:
 |  |  |
| Hydrating Conditioner | Moisturizer | Moisturizing Shampoo |
| Containing no harmful ingredients, Ideal Conditions is designed for straight, wavy, and curly hair. | Ideal for all hair types, Hydro Flow contains argan oil and moisturizers to nourish your hair and make it easy to manage. | A hydrating shampoo with conditioning agents to achieve smooth hair texture and simplify styling. |
| Best for: Smoothing and detangling | Best for: Anti-frizz and moisturizer | Best for: Cleaning and softening hair |
Watch the video from El Moreno
Frequently Asked Questions
Tell us about your conditioning regimen. How often? What’s your technique? What products have you tried? Any questions after watching El Moreno?
