10 Best-Smelling Conditioners For Women, Cosmetologist-Approved: 2024
Nourishing formulations that make every hair wash feel like a pampering hair spa.
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and loves to make her clients feel amazing and welcomed.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Experience: 3 yearsKirtana has a postgraduate degree in mass communication and journalism from St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru, and 3 years of professional experience. She developed a deep passion for writing after reading the brilliant works of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl and has chosen a career that is driven by creativity.
Read full bio of Kirtana Divakar
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 3 yearsSwathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.
Read full bio of Swathi E
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There are numerous times when we want to choose a hair product but send it ziplining back to the shelf simply because it doesn’t smell good. We believe, and we know you’ll agree, that life is too short to be using shampoos and conditioners that smell like a bunch of chemicals. And especially as the last step in your hair wash routine, we have a list of the best-smelling hair conditioners. Applied after cleansing the tresses with shampoo, conditioners add a shiny and glossy finish. If these potions don’t have a pleasant scent, you might be in trouble.
So to keep your mane smelling as delicious as your favorite treats, these formulas work super hard. Fruity-smelling, herbal, floral-scented, and woodsy fragrances are available in light or strong notes in these conditioners so you can choose them according to your preference. Now you can enjoy salon-style hair right from the comfort of your own bathroom! Pick your personal favorite from the list below.
In This Article
10 Best-Smelling Conditioners For Women (2024)
1. Best Vegan: Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Conditioner
This best-smelling hair conditioner by Maui Moisture is heavensent for curly hair as this classic leave-in conditioning spray quenches dry and brittle hair. For root-deep nourishment, the formula is enriched with aloe vera, shea butter, coconut, and macadamia oils that nourishes dry and porous hair. Gentle with only vegan ingredients and rendering even coarse hair soft and touchable, this fragrant hair conditioner helps repair damaged hair as well. This fruit-scented potion is your best bet to tangle-free, elastic, and breakage-resistant curls that bounce back for sure!
Pros
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- No mineral oil
- Sulfate-free
- Can be used on color-treated hair
Cons
- Might make hair greasy
Quick tip2. Best Cruelty-Free: OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner
Is it a fact that any good-smelling conditioner has coconut in it? Well, this one by OGX sure stands true! Dry and frizzy hair along with flyaways are easily tamed down with this restorative formula. This conditioner with coconut aroma also contains the goodness of vanilla bean extract and tiare essence. It works to repair damaged strands and bounce them back to life. Coconut oil adds a lustrous finish for salon-quality tresses and with a combination of shea butter and white peach, you won’t be able to get enough of the warm scent! As a bonus, it has an amazing scent!
Pros
- Softens dry hair
- Tames flyaways
- Adds a glossy finish
- Repairs damaged hair
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Might leave behind a residue
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 15,904 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.
3. Best For Detangling Hair: TeaTree Special Conditioner
If you’ve been on the lookout for a conditioner that smells good and gives you awe-worthy strands, you need to hit up this one by TeaTree Locking in moisture and preventing its loss, the formula contains no gluten or parabens to work its magic. The luxurious fragrance in this conditioner is peppermint, lavender oil, and natural tea tree oil that stimulate the scalp and leave your mane with a refreshing scent. No animal testing is done for this product and is hence a good option for ethnically conscious consumers.
Pros
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Color-safe
- Detangles hair
- Softens and smoothes
Cons
- Some might find the consistency to be thin.
| Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Conditioner Best Vegan | OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner Best Cruelty-Free | TeaTree Special Conditioner Best For Detangling Hair | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | - | Dry, Frizzy, Coarse, Fine, Damaged, Curly, Color Treated | - |
| Dimensions | - | 8 x 10 x 8 inches | - |
| Weight | - | 14.4 Ounces | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 4,272 | 15,904 | - |
| Price | $30 | $6.57 | $18 |
4. Best Restorative Ingredients: SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Conditioner
Known for their effective hair care ranges, SheaMoisture’s best-smelling deep conditioner doesn’t disappoint either. Using nature’s restorative ingredients such as mafura oil, fig extracts, and manuka honey, this hydrating formula softens hair that has been rendered brittle by chemicals and heat. Rich in texture with no addition of harmful irritants, this aromatic conditioner dives deep for an intensely moisturizing experience, while giving you shinier hair. Moreover, this product is not tested on animals and is a good option for all animal lovers and conscious consumers.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- SUlfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Petroleum-free
- No mineral oil or propylene glycol
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Might be too thick for finer hair types
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 770 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
5. Best For Dry And Frizzy Hair: Fanola NutriCare Restructuring Milk Conditioner
A nice-smelling hair conditioner that can also transform your hair strands for the better? Try Fanola’s restructuring formula that works like a charm on color-treated or chemically-treated hair. Enriched with nutrient-laden linseed oil, this milk-scented formula boosts hair smoothness while also multitasking to reduce the appearance of split ends. It has been especially designed for hair that visits salons often, helping restore its vibrancy and health.
Pros
- Ideal for color-treated and chemically-treated hair
- Softens dry and frizzy hair
- Prevents split ends
- Makes hair manageable
- Lightweight
- Helps detangle hair
Cons
- Some might find it overwhelmingly sweet in smell.
Quick tip6. Best Lightweight: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Nourishing Conditioner
To revive dull and lifeless hair with an incredible fragrance, this is the best-smelling conditioner for curly hair by L’Oreal Paris. Lightweight and luscious oils are used to give both your scalp and strands an intense nourishment. While flower oil and golden sunflower work to soften hair to make it silky, the gourmand woody blend lends a warm scent that is a treat for your olfactory sense. This hydrating boost is a great pick-me-up for hair that suffers greatly when the cold winter months set in.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Hydrates dull and flat hair
- Sustainable packaging
- Ideal for normal to fine hair types
- Works on color-treated hair
- Adds a glossy finish
Cons
- Contains parabens
7. Best Gluten-Free: Renpure Originals Coconut Cream Nourishing Conditioner
Treat your dull hair with Renpure’s nice-smelling hair conditioner, so you won’t dread washing your hair anymore! Rich, creamy, and restorative with the help of vitamins and minerals, this plant-based formula adds a boost of moisture to even the driest of hair. Girls with curly and color-treated hair can also rejoice as this good-smelling hair conditioner uses the goodness of coconut oil to deliver a nutrient-rich treatment.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free and phthalate-free
- No dyes or propylene glycol
Cons
- Some might find the consistency too watery.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 6,044 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
8. Best For Color-Treated Hair: Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Conditioner
Aveeno’s best-smelling conditioner keeps even fine hair looking its best after a single wash. Oat aids in soothing your scalp while almond milk makes hair soft from the root to the tip. Containing no chemicals or irritating elements, this formula hydrates each dry strand and makes your hair healthy from the inside out. Reviewers on Amazon claim that you can also use it on color-treated hair as it adds a bout of moisture to prevent drying and breakage.
Pros
- Clinically-proven formula
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
- Safe on color-treated hair
- Soothes scalp
- Softens hair
Cons
- Might not detangle hair
9. Best pH-Balanced: Herbal Essences Smooth Rose Hips Conditioner
Hair-loving ingredients like rose hips, jojoba extract, and vitamin E team up in Herbal Essences’ formula for full-on nourishment to your hair, while also protecting it from future damage. With this best-smelling color-protecting conditioner, women can enjoy a smooth, sleek, and shiny mane that looks like it’s straight out of their favorite salon. Created mindfully, the floral bouquet and top notes of rose petals lend your strands a sweet floral scent that is reminiscent of the bright spring months.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Silicone-free
- pH-balanced
- Color-safe
- Dermatologist-tested
- Contains no mineral oil
Cons
- Might cause too much build-up for some
10. Best 100% Vegetarian: Alba Botanica Plumeria Colorific Conditioner
Alba Botanica brings to you the best-smelling conditioner for color-treated hair owing to its natural, safe, and gentle formula that also provides volume to your hair. It hydrates each hair strand so that the moisture is locked in well, preventing dryness that sets in due to chemical treatments. This invigorating conditioner also helps trap color so your favorite style remains for long without fading or causing any further damage. Oils like sunflower and macadamia seed and jojoba, along with fruit extracts like papaya and pineapple strengthen hair from within.
Pros
- 100% vegetarian
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Some might find the consistency greasy.
Now that we’ve gone over some of the best-smelling conditioners out there in the market, let’s learn how you can pick the right one for your hair’s needs.
How To Choose The Best-Smelling Conditioner
- Hair type
If you have hair which is limp or oily on the regular, you might think skipping conditioner will help. But there are a few that can help you with reducing and controlling the amount of oil your scalp produces. Don’t reach out for formulas that claim to be hydrating or moisturizing as they can further weigh your hair down. Something that is lightweight with a volumizing or strengthening claim can help reduce oil. If there are any protein-rich formulas you can get your hands on, this is also a good pick.
For hair that is damaged, brittle, dull, and dry either naturally or due to exposure to heat or chemicals, you need a formula that will offer restorative care and reduce this damage over time. Deep conditioners can be used for these hair types 2 to 4 times a month as they will deliver intense moisture. If you are dealing with only minimal dryness, a balancing or smoothing conditioner will be helpful. These kinds of products balance the moisture levels even in your finest strands without weighing them down too much.
- Conditioner types
If you can’t figure out what type of conditioner you need to choose for your hair type, let’s look at what each formula does so you can choose better. Hydrating and moisturizing formulas work to add shine, moisture, and smoothness to coarse, thick, or curly hair. Volumizing conditioners boost and give a lift to hair that is fine and limp without weighing it down.
Strengthening or fortifying formulas are the best choice for hair that has been damaged, highlighted, overprocessed, or is weak and brittle. If you need something in the middle, balancing formulas are your best friend. They don’t add too much moisture but also don’t cause any dryness. Smoothing conditioners seal hair cuticles and keep hair smooth, working best on straight and sleek hair types. People with curly hair must choose conditioners marketed towards this hair type as they help reduce frizz, tame flyaways, tighten and define curls to increase the bounce.
- Safety
Always look for gentle formulas, especially if you have sensitive skin or scalp, as they can help preserve the health and quality of your hair. Dermatologist-tested and clinically-tested products are excellent choices in this regard. Those who struggle with sensitivity can benefit from natural products, including vegan or vegetarian formulations made without any parabens, sulfates, silicones, petrolatum, phthalates, or mineral oils. If you can’t tolerate strong fragrances, seek out conditioners that don’t use any synthetic or artificial fragrance.
- Ingredients
When choosing conditioners, look for solutions that use hair-loving elements such as keratin, argan oil, fruit extracts, coconut oil, aloe vera, and chamomile extracts. They are not only gentle on the hair but nourish it to make it softer, smoother, and healthier over time.
The Bottom Line
Conditioning your hair is the best way to enhance its condition and elevate its look. Often the last step in everyone’s hair care regimen, these formulas might have chemical-like odors that we’re not fond of. Obviously, no one likes their hair to stink, especially after fighting tooth and nail to cleanse it thoroughly. This is why our list of the best-smelling hair conditioners with exotic scents and natural fragrances, will leave your hair smelling so incredible that you won’t be able to get enough! And that’s not all, as some of these formulas will treat your hair concerns, improve its appearance, and put you on your way to salon-like tresses. Now come winter or summer, you can keep your mane cared for while still causing it to turn heads no matter where you go! Experience the sweet scent of citrusy aroma, the alluring woody scent, or the comforting vanilla fragrance with our selection of organic conditioners. Indulge in the calming lavender scent, the invigorating rosemary fragrance, or the enchanting jasmine aroma to transform your hair care routine. For a refreshing touch, try conditioners with an oceanic scent that will transport you to the beach. The Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Conditioner is enriched with shea butter and coconut oil to deeply nourish dry tresses, while the OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner is popular for combating frizz and flyaways. The TeaTree Special Conditioner is another excellent product that features a botanical-rich formula to promote better manageability and to effortlessly detangle rough strands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should your hair feel after conditioning?
Hair should feel softer, shinier, smoother, and silkier after conditioning.
Why is it often recommended to leave the conditioner in your hair for a few minutes before washing it out but not shampoo?
It is recommended to leave the conditioner in your hair for a few minutes before washing it out because it provides moisture and aids in detangling, resulting in extra shine and luster. On the other hand, if you leave the shampoo on for too long, it will dry out your strands.
How does hair conditioner work?
Conditioners, used to improve hair’s feel, texture, look, and manageability, contain fatty alcohols, humectants, and oils that soften and stretch hair.
Why does my hair smell bad, even after washing it with shampoo and conditioner?
Hair smells bad even after washing it with shampoo and conditioner because your shampoo may be inadequate in controlling fungal and bacterial activities on your scalp, resulting in an unpleasant odor.
How can I make my conditioner smell last longer?
You can make the conditioner smell last longer by using essential oils, serums, and hair perfume.
How can I make my hair smell good all day?
Maintaining proper hair care by washing it frequently with scented shampoo and conditioner can make hair smell good all day.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Kirtana Divakar, the author of this article, has a deep interest in hair care and loves reviewing different products in this domain. She has compiled this list of the best smelling conditioners after conducting thorough research. She went through numerous user reviews on multiple forums and brand websites to shortlist the best smelling conditioners for the list. The products add a shiny finish and pleasant scent to your tresses.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Read full bio of Kirtana Divakar
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Swathi E
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