It seems to be part of human nature: we will never stop searching for ways to get shinier, stronger, healthier hair. And social media always has a new theory—hair tonics, rosemary oil, water temperature. The latest? It’s called “dry conditioning.”

“Dry conditioning is when you apply a conditioning treatment to last-day hair right before you wash it,” says hairstylist Xavier Velasquez, cofounder of the Manhattan salon Franklin’s. Yes, dry conditioning is a step you do before you get in the shower, while your hair is still dry—leave it in for as long as the mask instructs—then shower as usual. “It creates a barrier on your strands so you don’t get overly tangled in the shower.” He adds that this is meant to protect and hydrate the parts of hair that oil doesn’t usually reach, so you should focus on the mid-shaft to ends when trying it.

Coating hair in conditioner before washing isn’t exactly new. British trichologist Philip Kingsley actually created a pre-shampoo conditioning mask called Elasticizer in 1974 for his client Audrey Hepburn. But social media loves to rebrand things with catchier names (see: ferritin face or the facelift manicure).

Online, reviews for dry conditioning are glowing: Stephanie Mendoza included it as a key step in her conditioning tutorial, while Tina Prokas added heat to her treatment and credits it with glass hair.

Velasquez says he’s a fan of the technique—it can help maintain color for dyed hair and cause less frizz—but adds that it’s not for everyone. “If your hair tends to get flat or oily quickly, dry conditioning isn’t for you,” he says. “But if you still want to try it, just do the pre-conditioning and skip it after you’ve shampooed.”

Shop Vogue’s Favorite Conditioners
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Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner
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Rōz Hair
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Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Can Dry Conditioning Give You Healthier Shinier Hair

1 What is dry conditioning
Dry conditioning means applying a conditioner or conditioning product to dry hairusually before washing or as a leaveinrather than after shampooing in the shower

2 How is it different from regular conditioning
Regular conditioner goes on wet freshly washed hair and gets rinsed out Dry conditioning happens on dry hair and often stays in or gets washed out later

3 Can dry conditioning actually make my hair healthier
It can improve how your hair looks and feelssofter smoother shinierbut it cant repair damage or change your hairs underlying health Think of it as a cosmetic boost not a cure

4 What are the main benefits
Less frizz more shine easier detangling extra moisture and protection from heat styling or environmental dryness

5 Does it work on all hair types
It works best on dry coarse curly or colortreated hair Fine or oily hair can get weighed down so use a light hand or skip it

6 What kinds of products count as dry conditioners
Leavein conditioners hair oils serums dry conditioning sprays and prewash masks or oil treatments

7 When should I apply it
Anytime hair is dry before washing as a pretreatment before heat styling or on daytwo hair to refresh it

8 How much should I use
Start with a peasized amount or a few sprays focusing on midlengths and ends Add more only if needed

9 Can I use it on my scalp
Generally no Most dry conditioners are meant for midlengths and ends Scalp application can cause buildup or greasiness

10 Will it make my hair greasy
It can if you use too much or apply it near the rootsespecially on fine or thin hair Less is more

11 Do I still need to use regular conditioner
Yes most people do Dry conditioning is a supplement not a replacement for washing and rinsing conditioner

12 Can dry conditioning repair split ends
No Nothing can truly repair split ends Dry conditioning can temporarily smooth them and make them less visible but the only fix is a trim