The Best Deep Conditioners for Bleached Hair Restore Shine Instantly

Your blonde will be healthier than ever.

best deep conditioners including Kerastase, Briogeo, K18 hair mask
(Image credit: Future)

I’ve been dyeing my hair blonde for the greater part of a decade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that bleach is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it allows me to achieve the platinum, bronde, or honey hue I love, transforming my look and giving me that fresh-from-the-salon confidence. On the other hand, bleach can be incredibly harsh, leaving my strands feeling dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Over time, I’ve realized that maintaining healthy, hydrated hair requires more than just regular trims and a good shampoo—it demands serious moisture and nourishment.

Thankfully, the best deep conditioners for bleached hair have helped me keep my strands soft, shiny, and resilient between color appointments. "Bleaching hair is drying for the hair and scalp, so it's very important to maintain hair health and quality at home," says hairstylist Madison Garrett, a blonde color specialist in New York City. "Deep conditioners are able to nourish and provide intense moisture back to processed or dry hair."

Throughout the years, I’ve tested countless deep conditioners, from affordable drugstore finds to high-end masks that truly justify the splurge. To help fellow blondes (or anyone with color-treated hair), I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorites—and consulted with top hairstylists for their expert recommendations and tips.

The Best Deep Conditioners for Bleached Hair

kerestase

(Image credit: Future)

gisou

(Image credit: Future)

shu eumura

(Image credit: Future)

fenty

(Image credit: Future)

kerna

(Image credit: Future)

Also Recommended

What to Look For in Deep Conditioner for Bleached Hair

  • Ingredients

You want a product with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to nourish and moisturize the hair shaft. You'll likely also want to see a natural oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil extract.

  • Texture

Certain hair masks will be formulated for specific hair types. For example, someone with coarse hair can tolerate a heavier formula than someone with uber-fine hair, who might get weighed down by the excess of hydration.

  • Hair Type

It's incredibly important to consider both your hair type and hair porosity when choosing a deep conditioner for bleached hair. "Hair is like skin—one routine does not work for everyone," says Garrett. If your hair is low porosity (water sits on top of the hair and doesn't sink in easily), you might want to consider a deep conditioner. If you have high porosity hair (hair soaks up water quickly), consider using a deep conditioner and a bond builder like K18 or Olaplex.

Before and after of the K18 molecular mask on bleached hair

The K18 Molecular Repair Leave-In repairs and nourishes bleached hair.

(Image credit: K18)

Do I Need to Use a Deep Conditioner?

Yes, you need to use a deep conditioner on bleached hair. “Deep conditioners have a high concentration of extremely beneficial ingredients that promote the healthiest hair possible," says celebrity hairstylist Brand Mondo. They’re an easy way to get a quick pick-me-up and noticeably softer, easier-to-manage hair in minutes.”

How to Use a Deep Conditioner

Depending on the conditioner, deep conditioners work best on damp hair and should sit on the head for anywhere from 10 minutes to overnight.

If you’re looking for a more penetrating mask application, Mondo recommends putting a plastic bag over your hair and then wrapping a towel on top. "This will keep your head as hot as possible which will help expand the hair fibers and get the hair mask to work on a deeper level," he says.

How Frequently Should I Use Deep Conditioner?

"I recommend using a deep conditioner once a week," says Garrett. "using a deep conditioner too much can cause buildup on the scalp and hair, which can cause hair to become oily limp, and appear duller." The latter is particularly something to be wary of if your hair is on the thinner side. “If you have fine hair or are worried about losing volume, be mindful as it can weigh your hair down when it comes to styling," says celebrity hair colorist Rachel Bodt.

Meet the Experts

.
Madison Garrett

Madison is an experienced stylist and color specialist determined to effectively contribute to creating and styling great hairstyles. She's currently the master colorist at NYC salon Spoke & Weal.

Brad Mondo
Brad Mondo

Brad Mondo is the founder and CEO of Xmondo, a vegan and cruelty-free haircare brand. He developed his passion for haircare from his late father, who owned and operated a salon.

Rachel Bodt
Rachel Bodt

Rachel Bodt is a senior Colorist at Red Door in New York City and is a brand ambassador for Matrix haircare. Her work has been featured in a number of magazines and she regularly collaborates with Balenciaga during their Paarif Fashion Week Shows. Her clients have included Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Tilda Swinton, Michelle Williams, Emily Blunt, and Marisa Tomei.

TOPICS
Gabrielle Ulubay
Beauty Writer

Gabrielle Ulubay is a Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. She has also written about sexual wellness, politics, culture, and fashion at Marie Claire and at publications including The New York Times, HuffPost Personal, Bustle, Alma, Muskrat Magazine, O'Bheal, and elsewhere. Her personal essay in The New York Times' Modern Love column kickstarted her professional writing career in 2018, and that piece has since been printed in the 2019 revised edition of the Modern Love book. Having studied history, international relations, and film, she has made films on politics and gender equity in addition to writing about cinema for Film Ireland, University College Cork, and on her personal blog, gabrielleulubay.medium.com. Before working with Marie Claire, Gabrielle worked in local government, higher education, and sales, and has resided in four countries and counting. She has worked extensively in the e-commerce and sales spaces since 2020, and spent two years at Drizly, where she developed an expertise in finding the best, highest quality goods and experiences money can buy.

Deeply political, she believes that skincare, haircare, and sexual wellness are central tenets to one's overall health and fights for them to be taken seriously, especially for people of color. She also loves studying makeup as a means of artistic expression, drawing on her experience as an artist in her analysis of beauty trends. She's based in New York City, where she can be found watching movies or running her art business when she isn't writing. Find her on Twitter at @GabrielleUlubay or on Instagram at @gabrielle.ulubay, or follow her art at @suburban.graffiti.art

Read more
the best hair glosses on white backgrounds
The 14 Best Hair Glosses and Glazes, Tested by Editors
women with detangled hair
The 17 Best Detanglers for Silky, Smooth Hair, Tested by Editors
models with shiny hair from a hair gloss
What Is a Hair Gloss? Your Guide to the Toning Treatment
woman walking on the street with a dry scalp
12 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Dry Scalps, Tested and Reviewed by Editors
Kim Kimble
Here's Absolutely Everything You Should Know Before Dyeing Your Hair at Home
Collage of women with different hair colors
Spring 2025’s Best Hair Color Trends Look Natural, Sleek, and Incredibly Luxe
Latest in Hairstyles, Haircuts, and Hair Colors
Carolyn Gray
Is Box Dye Worth It? The Results Are In
Influencer touching hair up
My Overgrown Roots Don't Stand a Chance Against This $5 Treatment
Kim Kimble
Here's Absolutely Everything You Should Know Before Dyeing Your Hair at Home
Luvme Hair
Here's Why You Should Try These Instagram-Famous Wigs
Grace Kelly
32 Old Hollywood Hairstyles That Exude Glamour
Shark FlexFusion
This New Do-It-All Hair Tool Is My Best-Kept Secret
Latest in Buying-guide
Nikki Ogunnaike wearing a black button down shirt
4 Easy Spring Outfits That Always Get Compliments
Product collages
From Cream Blush to Pretty Linen Pieces, Here's What Should Be on Your Spring Wish List
the 2025 sunglasses trends at Chanel, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Sportmax, Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent Spring 2025 runway shows
2025’s Sunglasses Trends Are Not for the Faint of Heart
spring 2025 shoe color trends on the runways of Chanel, Ferragamo, Rabanne, and Prada
Spring 2025's Candy-Coated Shoe Color Trends Prove Neutrals Are Overrated
women wearing white heels
Black Pumps Are Out—Everyone Is All-In on White Heels
a graphic of the boxing sneakers trend from Getty Images/Stella McCartney
Fashion’s Betting the Boxing Sneaker Will Be the Knockout Shoe Trend of 2025