Condition & treat

Compare rinse-out, leave-in and pre-wash application methods.

10 guides · Free to read

Choose your starting point

Start with the product you have and when its directions say to use it. A conditioning mask used before shampoo needs its complete wash-out sequence; a rinse-out mask used after shampoo has a separate guide. Conditioner, leave-in and bond-care methods also differ. Match the product type and wash-day stage before comparing the time involved.

Compare the methods

Explore the methods below. Open a guide for when to use it, what you’ll need and the full steps.

Supporting damp ends while smoothing clear conditioning gloss.

8–15 min hands-on

Apply a clear rinse-out gloss

A clear rinse-out gloss is a no-pigment conditioning treatment used for temporary feel and shine.

Distributing leave-in treatment through a small damp section with both palms.

6–12 min hands-on

Apply a leave-in bond-care treatment

Leave-in bond care applies a labeled treatment that stays on hair at a specified point in the wash routine.

Smoothing a thin layer of conditioning mask along a supported damp section.

12–25 min hands-on

Apply a pre-shampoo conditioning mask

A pre-shampoo conditioning mask is a hair-length treatment used before cleansing for softness and manageability.

Smoothing pre-wash treatment through a supported damp section.

12–20 min hands-on

Apply a pre-wash bond-care treatment

Pre-wash bond care applies a labeled hair treatment before the cleansing and conditioning steps that remove it.

A woman smooths a thin film of oil over the mids and ends of her own dry loose hair.

8–15 min hands-on

Apply a pre-wash oil treatment

Pre-wash oiling places a suitable hair oil on the lengths before the shampoo step that removes it.

A woman smooths a visible layer of white hair mask through the middle and ends of one wet hair section.

3–6 min hands-on

Apply a rinse-out hair mask

Rinse-out mask application coats the label-directed hair areas for the stated waiting time, then removes the product with water.

Smoothing dissolved treatment through wet lengths while supporting the ends.

15–25 min hands-on

Apply a rinse-out mineral-removal treatment

A mineral-removal treatment uses a formulated product to address mineral deposits on hair before it is rinsed away.

A thin coating of conditioner being smoothed over the lower lengths and ends, away from the scalp.

3–5 min hands-on

Apply conditioner to mids and ends

Targeted conditioning applies rinse-out conditioner to the middle lengths and tips to soften those areas.

A woman smooths a thin layer of leave-in conditioner over the middle and ends of one damp hair section.

1–3 min hands-on

Apply leave-in conditioner

Leave-in conditioning distributes a product made to remain on the hair after application instead of being rinsed away.

Open palms cup the wet ends upward and gently compress conditioner and water through the waves.

4–7 min hands-on

Squish conditioner into waves

Squish-to-condish presses water and rinse-out conditioner upward through wet wavy lengths while forming curl groups, then rinses as directed.