Splurge or Save? The Smartest Beauty Buys

Splurge or Save on Hair Conditioner?

Splurge.

Conditioner is the main way to protect and repair hair. Yes, you rinse conditioner out, but "these products are emulsions, which means they contain an oil or a wax that doesn't mix with water. Whatever healthy ingredients are in them adhere to the hair and don't wash away," says Alison Griffin. High-end conditioners sold in salons tend to have more advanced delivery systems for ingredients, meaning they penetrate the hair shafts rather than simply coating them. Spend money on one great product that makes the most difference in your daily style, says Los Angeles stylist Charles Dujic. You can conserve hair conditioner by slowly adding it to your hair's ends, rather than your entire head, then rinsing excess away, says Maité Lopez, a stylist at the James Joseph salon, in Boston. Recommended product: Leonor Greyl Nourishing Treatment Jasmine Mask ($55, amazon.com) can be used as a daily conditioner. It has a high concentration of botanical oils and proteins, so only a small amount is needed.

The Exception

Women with fine or oily hair don't need a heavy conditioner weighing it down. They might skip conditioning altogether in favor of a light, leave-on spray.