It doesn’t matter if you are natural or relaxed, conditioners especially the good ones are a must have in your product arsenal. Personally, if a conditioner does not have slip it goes into what I like to call the rubbish cabinet. You americans would probably call it the “trash cabinet”. That is the cabinet that has all the products with the fancy label and bold claims but literally nothing of substance inside the bottle. Don’t you just hate that? You spend lots of time researching a product, or in my case, being taken in by some flashy ad, only to realise later that you wasted your money. But back to the subject at hand…
What is slip and why is it so important?
Slip is that almost silky glide that a product gives you when you apply it on your hair. It’s that slippery, smooth feeling that you get that makes you feel like maybe, just maybe this time your wiry strands will turn into silk.
Putting aside wishful thinking, in practical terms, slip in your hair products helps lessen the friction in your individual strands so that your hair tangles less making detangling and styling easier and ultimately it also prevents breakage. Slip should be one of the first characteristics you should look out for when deciding which product to buy.
There is a little-known way to identify a conditioner with slip and it’s hidden in plain sight right there on the product label. You simply want to look at the ingredients and search for emollients. Examples of emollients are Shea Oil, Jojoba* Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, and even mineral oil* which has a bad rap in natural hair circles but it is still an emollient.
To help you along, since we are lovely like that, here in no particular order are our picks for the best 6 conditioners that have fantastic slip!
1. Design Essentials Almond Butter Express Instant Moisturizing Conditioner
This conditioner contains sweet almond oil* amongst other ingredients which aid in repairing and strengthening the hair shaft. It delivers incredible slip as the formula is super creamy, and when you add it to your hair you can literally feel the tangles melt away. It has hydrolyzed protein but doens’t seem to cause any brittleness or drying so this makes it a huge hit for many with low porosity or protein sensitive hair.
It does a great job of absorbing into the strands and it works great on its own without you having to add oils or humectants to rev it up. Although that is always an option if you are that way inclined of course. This gets the greenlight as an awesome addition to your go-to product shelf. Don’t be stingy with it however, add enough to allow you hands to slip through your hair with little resistance with each pass as you detangle. When a product is so bomb it is pushing other brands to the back, you know it’s the business!
2. Curls Dynasty Give Me Slip Blast Hydration Conditioner
This one is a multitasking ninja. It can be used for deep conditioning*, co-washing and detangling kinky*, curly and coily hair. It lives up to its name as it hydrates extremely well and is being touted as one of the best detangling potions for your hair hands down.
The slip is amazing and the conditioner though not super thick in consistency, it still puts in work. The fact that it is not as thick allows it to absorb well and not just coat the hair.
It is free of silicones, parabens and mineral oil* just to name a few and it won’t leave your hair weighed down so it can be used daily. If you like it but feel like you are missing the thick consistency you prefer, just add a dollop of whipped shea butter* and a little oil to the conditioner, mix well then use as normal. You will not be disappointed.
April says
I’M LOOKING FOR SOME RODUCTS FOR MY DAUGHTERS HAIR. HER HAIR IS 4C AND I WOLD LIKE SOME HELP ON WHAT PRODUCTS I SHOULD BE USING FOR HER HAIR. ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME!!
Shernese Williams-Hunter says
My fave four at the end!
Michelle Nicole Charley says
I LOVE my Aussie Moist conditioner with a tablespoon of baking soda and coconut oil !!! …..Look it up, I have amazing results 🙂
Alexis Daniels says
What does it do for your hair
Michelle Nicole Charley says
I have low porosity hair, so the baking soda opens up the cuticle so that the conditioner and oil can penetrate better….. Works AMAZINGLY. You can close the cuticles back with an ACV rinse or cool water, but personally I just choose to do a second conditioning with a higher quality conditioner (to make sure I get out all the baking soda mixture) and then rise, dry and style.
Jasmine Houston says
Has anyone tried satinique?
Kita says
Your question was posted almost 6 months ago and was wondering if you have since tried the Satinique Hair Care line. And if so, what were/are your thoughts?
Jennifer Goodwin says
The Traders Joes conditioner is my absolute favorite! And it’s only $2.99!
Melissa HoodTimes says
I want to try the Traders Joe line
Jasmine Threatt says
I’ve tried 3 (Shea Moisture, Trader Joe’s, and Herbal Essences). The only one that gave me a lot of slip was the Herbal Essence.
Re Shelly Tay says
Can it be used as a leave in, or is it rinse out only?
Re Shelly Tay says
..the herbal essence that you use..
Jasmine Threatt says
The one I use is a rinse out one.
Re Shelly Tay says
Alrighty. Thanks doll!
Jasmine Threatt says
You’re welcome!
Joanna Garner Mcclorrine says
What does slip mean?
Tameka Testman says
I wanna know too?
Amber Perkins says
Slip means that the conditioner makes the comb/fingers feel like its easily slipping thru ur hair during detangling process
NaKisha Harvey says
Slip makes it easier to detangle. It feels like your fingers glides down your hair.
Shanita Clark says
I have them all except the Trader Joe’s. I love them all!
Princess Meka says
I had purchased all those expensive conditioner and always end up back to VO5 instant slip on my hair
Nicole Julie says
Where’s the DevaCurl? … truly best conditioner for curly hair (IMO)
Keshia M. Shaw says
Tresemme is my staple conditioner now.
Herbal Essences is great as we’ll.
I use the V05 as a leave in for my daughter’s hair.
Tina Benson says
One ‘n Only Argan oil conditioner work very well. Most buy works wonders! ! Love it!
Tiki Triplett says
Herbal essences works great on my daughter’s hair.
Angel Monique says
the shea moisture does not give me good slip….it leaves my hair dry I had to put olive oil in it to finish both the shampoo and conditioner off.
TiffyTiff Marie Smith says
I like Suave Almond & Shea
Dee J. Chancellor says
I like Keracare Humecto Cream Conditioner. It is awesome. I buy a big tub of it.
Karma Amanfi says
Has anyone done research on DMDM hydation…it’s in a lot of shampoos ans conditioner and leavin and it can release formyldah or however its spelt (same thing in kertain treatments)
Erica McNeil says
Love Hello Hydration
Linda Herring says
The first two are a joke, at least for transitioning hair. Tangle city.
Cristen Moore says
Love herbal essence
Asha Lewis says
Personally, the trader joes did nothing for me, I’ll try tresseme next.
Allyson Wright says
Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner is excellent
Courtney Davis says
Aussie Moist all day everyday. Love how soft and easy it is to detangle with. Also love the smell ^-^
So Thankful Smith says
Aussie moist is the best… And the deep conditioner is great also Family Dollar usually marks them down.. Walgreen’s too..
So Thankful Smith says
Trader Joe’s I have never heard of it.. Or over looked it… Where can I buy the products??
kaela lindsey says
At Trader Joe’s
Novelette Phillips says
I’ve never heard the term “slip” before, regarding hair. What does it mean?
Mo Cox says
I’ve tried all of them (product junkie). Believe me when I say out of these conditioners, Tresemme Naturals has the best slip, conditioning and smell!!!! My favorite!!!! And it’s silicone and paraben free!!
Sherry Miles says
I tried Tresemme after the supposed change in formula. The old formula must’ve been great. I can’t rave about this one. I get minimal slip.
However, I get fantastic slip from VO5 and Hello Hydration.
Aslan Armendariz says
Herbal Essences 🙂 my fav
Wendy Jean-Louis says
Organix is the bomb. I don’t see many people mention those. I have very course dry hair and as soon as I put it in my hair girl up naturally and I finger comb
Shorty Mi-Mi says
Yes what does slip mean?
Tera Bryant says
Nessa Lyn
Melanie Rucker says
I use Creme of Nature Detangling Shampoo conditioner. Loved it back in the day and started back using it again
joysolo says
The slip is when your hair feels silky and you can finger omb thru to detangle your hair..Havent tried V-05 but I have 4 C low porosity hair, Auggie Moist works the best. I need to check out Trader Joes Brand too.
Cherry Dolphin says
What do you mean by “slip”? Slip your hands right through your hair?
Sarah Gibbs says
I never heard of this “slip” either
Asha Jamia says
Yes, slip your hand through your hair. And to make it easier to detangle
Suzanne Webb says
Aussie Moist and Spa Conditioner are the truth, they are inexpensive and work great at detangling my hair. I’ve been using them for years! VO5 is good too if you are on vacation and forgot to bring conditioner with you. It’s cheap so if you leave it or don’t bring it home you won’t lose any sleep over it.
Brenda Warner says
Thank you
Cheryl Williams says
Slip refers to the feeling of your hair when conditioner is in it. When your able to use your fingers, comb or brush can slip through your strands with ease.
Nebronna Adams says
The tresume naturals is all I use!!
Kamela M Oxner says
Its A 10 is really good
A.T. Thermond says
Treeseme natural is my fav.
Sieta Glenn says
What’s the best for natural hair?
Sherelle Willis says
Herbal essence hello hydration conditioner is good but don’t buy the shampoo
Caroline Barrett Miller says
all of these are old posts…Anybody out there got any info on the best conditioners with the best slip properties for today?
London City says
Who else? <3