The best conditioner for curly hair, tested by beauty editors

RRP: £12.99

The first thing to note is that Shea Moisture Jamaican Strengthen & Restore Conditioner is a generous size for the price. It's what's on the inside that counts though, and that is an intensely nourishing conditioner which is brilliant for hair that's been over-processed and is crying out for moisture. Texture-wise, it doesn't feel super thick, but it's the ingredients (black castor oil and shea butter) that make it so moisturising. The downside is that it's not the easiest to rinse, and our testers prone to oiliness found that their hair was greasy again not too long after washing. We would recommend for coily and curly hair that's on the thicker side.

Buy if: You have coily or very curly hair
Avoid if: Your hair gets greasy easily

RRP: £28

Having curly hair is high maintenance, so know sometimes it's easier to reach for the best straighteners for curly hair than wear your hair naturally. If that is the case, your hair will need extra protection and this formula uses quinoa protein to form a protective shield over your strands. It is possible to over-protein your hair, and some of our testers found that it made their hair feel dry and coated – both of which are tell-tale signs to switch to a protein-free conditioner like Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Conditioner for a few washes. However, if your hair isn't at protein saturation point, you'll be impressed by the softness. "My curls are always much more manageable, softer and smoother after use," says our curly-haired Senior Beauty Editor Rhiannon Derbyshire. If you're looking for a shampoo to go with it, try Trepadora Goji Berry Mint Reviving Hair Rinse which made our best shampoos and conditioners list.

Buy if: You heat style your hair
Avoid if: Your curls aren't damaged

RRP: £26

If you're looking for a conditioner for curly hair that makes wash day feel like a treat, this is it. It's velvety in texture and smells heavenly – thanks to the delicious combination of tangerine pill, citrus lemon, Ximena and olive fruit oils. Our tester's curls were impressively silky after using this, but not so soft that the curls were elongated or lost their shape. As its creator, pro hairdresser Charlotte Mensah is an oracle of curl care she also recommends two extra ways to use it – as a leave-in treatment or as a deep conditioner. Because it's so gorgeous, you will want to slather a lot on at a time, which would be a very expensive habit if you're on a budget. If you can't stretch to make this your everyday conditioner, keep a bottle for when your hair needs some TLC.

Buy if: You want a luxurious product
Avoid if: You're on a tight budget

RRP: £8.99

The best conditioner for curly hair doesn't have to cost the earth, and you might find that this more purse-friendly option is the right choice for you and your spirals. "You have to use so much conditioner as a curly girl, so finding an affordable formula is wise," says Rhiannon Derbyshire, our Senior Beauty Editor. "This is my favourite - it's really well-priced for such a big bottle, and it works brilliantly. It's not too heavy or rich, so it works well even quite close to the roots, leaving my curls looking bouncy and defined. I always have a bottle or two stashed away." If your hair is seriously dry then this won't be thick enough to restore softness and shine, in which case we'd recommend the Shea Moisture Jamaican Strengthen & Restore Conditioner instead.

Buy if: You're on a budget
Avoid if: You want an intense formula

RRP: £19

Find that your curls quickly stray into birds-nest territory with knots and tangles that are tedious (not to mention painful) to tease out? The Bouclème Curl Conditioner is just what the doctor ordered. It has a lovely lightweight milky texture that has just enough hydration for medium to fine curly hair when rinsed out but can be left on for longer if your hair is thicker and seriously parched. Although it's not very heavy it is still super nourishing and, a couple of reviewers found that the oil content built up in the hair over time. In this case, try using a clarifying shampoo once a month as a reset. There are two options to choose from, a fragranced version for a more sensory shower or a fragrance-free option for sensitive scalps – they really have thought of everything.

Buy if: You're prone to tangles
Avoid if: You're worried about product build-up

RRP: £42

If your curls are prone to breakage and don't have much spring to them, then your hair should be deficient in protein. Enter Virtue's Curl Conditioner, the most expensive on our list, but for good reason. The key ingredient is Virtue's Alpha Keratin 60ku, a patented protein that has been proven to restore damaged hair to its former glory by smoothing over and sealing gaps – think of it like high-end hair Polyfilla. That's what's going on at a structural level, and what that looks like to the naked eye is improved elasticity for extra bounce and spring without snapping, increased shine and reduced frizz. It might not be that you need to use it every time you wash, but just once or twice a month. It is available in a travel size if you want to give it a try without the commitment.

Buy if: Your hair keeps breaking
Avoid if: You already use protein treatments

RRP: £9.25

The ingredients list for Umberto Giannini Thirsty Curls Conditioner reads like a hardworking moisturiser for your skin, with hyaluronic acid and tremella snow mushroom to hydrate and black oat extract to condition your curls so they're less likely to snag and snap. This trio work wonders to reduce frizz and fluff on curls prone to flyaways, by rehydrating what's been lost through shampooing for enhanced definition and extra shine. You'll see results if you have dehydrated curls, but it's unlikely to solve the problem if your hair is especially dry or damaged – in which case try Virtue's Curl Conditioner instead. Just a quick application and rinse is enough time for thirsty hair to reap all the benefits, so it's a great choice if you don't have time for a mask on time on wash day.

Buy if: You struggle with frizz
Avoid if: You need nourishment

RRP: £23.50

The Davines NOUNOU Nourishing Conditioner is a bit of a contradiction. Yes, it's intensely rich and creamy, and a little goes a long way, but it also washes out incredibly well and doesn't feel heavy on the hair, making it an excellent buy for anyone with fine curls that can be weighed down. It did a brilliant job of detangling messy curls, increasing volume and making hair look more defined. It was formulated especially for bleached, permed and relaxed hair that's been through the wringer, so a few uses will bring curls back from the brink. One con our testers found is the tub isn't entirely shower-friendly (we ended up getting water in it) and we were also heavier-handed with this than with a squeezy bottle which makes for overuse.

Buy if: You need some serious hydration
Avoid if: You like prettier packaging

RRP: £24

We're big fans of Briogeo's conditioners so we were excited to give this one a whirl. It promises to bid farewell to frizz, and on fine to medium curls it definitely does that, using a combination of rosehip, argan and coconut oils to banish that dreaded halo of fluff. It didn't pack quite enough of a punch for our thicker-haired testers though, so if your hair is seriously stubborn or especially coarse then you'd be better off with the Davines NOUNOU Nourishing conditioner instead. It doesn't contain silicones, which is another plus for finer curls as these can collect on the hair over time making them heavy and dull. And the scent is lovely, lingering to extend that just-washed feeling for days. All in all, a brilliant conditioner for everyday use.

Buy if: You've got frizzy hair
Avoid if: You have thick hair