Christina's Choice 2016: Best Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair

The best moisturizing deep conditioners for natural hair are....

Now this is a category I get uber excited about. I mean, what naturalista doesn't love a great deep conditioner? Deep conditioning is such an essential component of any healthy hair regimen. Depending upon your hair's needs, either an emollient-rich, hydrating deep conditioner or protein-infused masque can be the lifeline that brings tired, weary, dry, dull tresses back from the brink.

And for that very reason, I've decided that for Christina's Choice 2016 I'm splitting the deep conditioners into two categories - moisturizing and strengthening. That way, my protein-sensitive naturalistas have a few options, as well as those who (like me), love ALL the proteins. Without further delay, let's get this party started!

Best Moisturizing Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair

The winners of 2016!

LUSH Deep Conditioner by Miche,8oz/$15.95
LUSH is the brainchild of beauty YouTuber Michelle B.//Everything Mich and burst onto the natural haircare scene in a real way. It's thick, rich, full of mega moisturizers like aloe, castor oil, babassu oil, and honey - while maintaining an intense amount of slip that will make any naturalista happy to have wash day. The fragrance is a dream, and it makes my curls feel smoooooth as buttah. LUSH Deep Conditioner is a knockout offering from Michelle, and I love the idea of supporting a content creator branching off into full-blown entrepreneurship.

Read More: LUSH Deep Conditioner Review

tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask, 12oz/$14.99
I don't think Honey Miracle Hair Mask will not never be on this list. It's one deep conditioner that I've seen naturalistas of all textures and types flock to - not only does it smell amazing and feel super creamy, it's loaded with honey, olive, and jojoba oils - providing a decadently moisturizing punch while making the hair feel super smooth and shiny. And the slip? Off the chain. I can't get enough of Honey Miracle Hair Mask - I've been rocking with it since my transitioning days...which is a crazy feat for a product junkie like me!

Read More: tgin Review

Bekura Beauty YAM Nectar, 8oz/$24
You ever have one of those products that you've had your eye on for a loooooong time, but never pulled the trigger? YAM Nectar was that product for me. I heard the stories and legends surrounding this product, but didn't dive in until this year. But when I did? LOVE. Love at first scoop. YAM Nectar isn't your typical moisturizing deep conditioner. It looks like honey, moves like sticky candy, but goes on the hair easily with sooooo much slip. The softness and shine that YAM Nectar delivers is out of this world. It's truly an experience - and one of the best that my curls had in 2016.

Read More: Bekura Beauty Demo & Review

Deserted Island Pick

Have you tried this yet?

Since my transitioning days in 2012, my hair has been through a lot. From heat damage, to healthy, to color damage, recovery, and the road back - Honey Miracle Hair Mask has seen it all. And performed beautifully in each scenario. That alone makes it worth the coveted Deserted Island Pick. But the fact that I can easily access tgin on the ground at Target and Sally Beauty makes it that much easier to love. No matter what condition your hair is currently in - Honey Miracle Hair Mask will work it out for sure!

Best Strengthening Deep Conditioners

These deep conditioners will leave your hair strong...and soft.

Inahsi Naturals Mango Hemp Restorative Hair Masque, 8oz/$9.99
Just in case you thought about sleeping on Inahsi Naturals Mango Hemp Restorative Hair Masque, let me tell you why you shouldn't. Mango, hemp, avocado, silk aminos, and oat protein make this strengthening masque one for the books! Not only is it super thick and moisturizing, it nourishes the hair while strengthening the weakest spots along the strand. My curls felt amazing after one use - so I kept coming back, and back, and back. I couldn't get enough. Still can't. Whether I use it for 5 minutes in the shower or 30 minutes with heat, the results are epic - smooth, shiny, soft, strong hair - every single time. I'll be posting a review on this soon, for sure. P.S. - Mango Hemp Restorative Hair Masque is on sale for $9.99 right now! Getchu some!

Read More: Using Mango Hemp Restorative Hair Masque on Wash Day

Soultanicals Afrotastic Curl Elastic, 8oz/$16
Listen. In 2015, Afrotastic Curl Elastic had me getting every inch of my life. In 2016, no exceptions are being made. Once Soultanicals had me regrouped from my LifeAlert bracelet moment (when they entered Target stores and fulfilled my lifelong natural dreams), you couldn't keep me off the hair aisle. Afrotastic Curl Elastic is always in rotation - it's a nutritional powerhouse for hair that needs a little extra TLC. The water is botanically infused with marshmallow, rosemary, burdock root, amla, sage, and more to strengthen hair at the roots and stimulate growth. Pro Vitamin B5 and hydrolyzed jojoba protein strengthen and fortify the hair, while ximenia, olive, and avocado deeply moisturize and smooth rough cuticles. P.S. Soultanicals is having their 50% off end of the year sale right now, (use code YEAREND50) plus salon sizes are $25! You can't beat that with a stick!

Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner, 8oz/$14.99
Listen, Linda. In my original Mielle Organics review video, I was mad, shocked, and hurt that nobody told me how bomb the Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner was. And then, I was in LifeAlert mode again when Mielle Organics showed up in Sally's. Y'all. I was literally calling various locations, driving around, calendaring the inventory delivery dates - in the name of getting my hands on this stuff. I literally would buy 2, 3, or 4 at a time - because I didn't ever want to be without it. And I still don't. The Unique blend of babassu oil and amino acids make this deep conditioner one for the ages - it strengthens and enhances natural texture without the direct use of hydrolyzed proteins - making it a great option for protein sensitive naturalistas.

Read More: Mielle Organics Demo & Review

Curls Dynasty Pumpkin Mint Deep Treatment Masque, 8oz/$16
New on the scene (for me at least), and pulling no punches is Curls Dynasty. I went into a pumpkin frenzy in 2016, after learning the DHT-blocking benefits of pumpkin. Curls Dynasty is one of the few brands to uniquely harness this nutrient powerhouse, using pumpkin seed oil and extract along with peppermint, yucca, horsetail, and nettle to strengthen and fortify hair from the roots on down. Even though it does contain protein (which I love), the Pumpkin Mint Deep Treatment Masque leaves the hair soft, smooth, strong, and supple while providing a tingly mint sensation on the scalp. It blew me away at first use, and I was instantly addicted. I kept going back. And back again. And back again.

Deserted Island Pick

Who was shocked by this one? Let me know in the comments below!

I will cross the ocean for you,
I will take this with me to the moon,
Babassu you're my hero, 
My strength,
Everything my curls need....

Okay, I'm sure Monica caught secondhand embarrassment from that terrible remix and rendition, but no truer words have been spoken. A few of you guys asked me if Mielle Organics was going to oust Soultanicals for the coveted spot, and I told you I didn't know. That was the truth. This was quite literally one of the most difficult decisions I had to make. They're both in the same price bracket, same product category, both available on the ground, and contain stellar ingredients. I bought them both like hotcakes...

But in the end, I had to choose. I couldn't violate the spirit of the Deserted Island Pick...so by the narrowest of margins, I present the winner - Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner.

What deep conditioners are winning with you as we go into 2017? Any on this list you're anxious to try?Let me know in the comments below!

Stay tuned - best leave-in conditioners are next!

Keep up with all Christina's Choice 2016 pick here!
Check out Christina's Choice 2015 winners here!