We Tried Cécred’s New Hydrating Conditioner on 5 Different Hair Types

Cécred made a splashy debut in February, hitting the market with seven hair care products focused on strengthening and conditioning. The core collection—developed by Beyoncé Knowles Carter and Tina Knowles—features everything from clarifying shampoo to treatment masks, each powered by the brand’s patent-pending bioactive keratin ferment. This month, the brand is adding to its foundational lineup with the debut of its Hydrating Conditioner. 

The product has been highly requested since Cécred launched, and the brand began teasing its release on social media before announcing pre-orders. As of today, the Hydrating Conditioner is officially available for purchase, and it’s clear everyone is eager to get their hands on it. Team Byrdie was able to snag samples ahead of launch, allowing us to test the formula on all different hair types. Ahead, read our reviews of Cécred’s Hydrating Conditioner.

The Formula 

Though Cécred offers a Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, the brand says the Hydrating Conditioner is perfect for those who want a quicker wash day or lightweight hydration. The silky conditioner provides hydration and detangling benefits, only needing to be left on your hair for one minute. The formula—which is made with all hair types and textures in mind—is enriched with a blend of oils and actives that enhance softness and shine.

Of course, the hero ingredient is the bioactive keratin ferment, comprised of lactobacillus, hydrolyzed wool keratin, and honey. The innovative blend works to decrease breakage, deliver protein to the hair, and repair each strand with humectants. The conditioner also contains antioxidant-rich olive oil, moisturizing amino acids, and shine-boosting African oils (baobab, moringa, and black seed oils).

Our Reviews

Olivia Hancock, editor

“I recently took my knotless braids down after wearing them for a month, so my hair needed some serious TLC. As I detangled my hair in the shower, I could tell it was craving hydration, so I was eager to see if the Cécred formula would rise to the occasion. After shampooing with the Hydrating Shampoo, I worked the Hydrating Conditioner through my type three curls. I immediately noticed how much slip the formula had, allowing me to work it through my hair easily and detangle any remaining knots. After letting it sit on my hair for one minute, I noticed my curls were much shinier, smoother, and softer. After applying the brand’s Moisture Sealing Lotion and diffusing my hair, it was clear that my curls were back to their usual bouncy, healthy state. Though the Hydrating Shampoo is the lightweight option in Cécred’s conditioning category, it still packs in hydration instantly, so it’s definitely worth adding to your routine.”

Star Donaldson, associate social media director

“This launch came at the perfect time, as I needed to tackle my first wash day post-braids. I used this conditioner to help detangle my hair and found that the texture was perfect for the job. The formula is light enough to provide great slip and conditioning to keep my hair hydrated and smooth. It has Cécred’s signature scent of sandalwood, musk, and jasmine, which I think smells very sophisticated and complements my daily fragrance wardrobe. This formulation is thinner than the Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, which makes it work better as a detangling agent. After thoroughly brushing my hair, I layered on the Moisturizing Deep Conditioner for a much-needed treatment to seal the moisture from the hydrating formula. Overall, I’m super happy with how my curls turned out this wash day and definitely will be keeping this in my shower.”

Adi Giesey, editor

“I have very thick, straight hair. So, in an attempt to get more volume at my roots, I have veered away from super hydrating products, assuming they will only add extra weight. However, a hairstylist recently told me that I needed to add more moisture to my strands, so it was almost kismet when the Cécred Hydrating Conditioner came across my desk. After just one use, I noticed my hair was softer to the touch and had visible shine. As far as application, I concentrated on my mid-lengths through ends and let the product sit for a few minutes while I did my body care routine. I was worried the scent would be too intense for my sensitive skin, but it didn’t linger after I rinsed my hair. Overall, I was impressed with the formula and could see this in my regular hair care rotation.”

Holly Rhue, editorial director

“I’m terrible about getting regular trims, so my ends are perpetually dry and frayed. I let the Hydrating Conditioner sit on the mid-lengths of my hair for about three minutes in the shower, then combed through and rinsed. To really put this conditioner to the test, I air-dried my hair and skipped all of my usual styling products—mousse, smoothing cream, and a little salt spray—and was super impressed with the results. While I of course could still use some styling products to help give my hair some shape (this is a conditioner after all, not a styling product), I found that my hair was ridiculously soft and free of tangles. The ends of my hair in particular were silky smooth, with noticeably less frizz… and generally less chaotic energy.”

Essence Wiley, editorial intern for Byrdie and Brides

“Cécred has a winner on its hands. As someone with thick, bleached, type four hair, conditioners and masks are the chief products in my routine. I love protective styles like quick weaves, sew-ins, and braids, so I need to nourish and repair my hair between appointments. Cécred’s Hydrating Conditioner did just that. I shampooed my hair twice with a scalp-focused (I have seborrheic dermatitis) shampoo and then a moisturizing one. I intentionally skipped my usual pre-poo and detangling session to see how well the conditioner would work. I applied it thoroughly throughout my hair before detangling it with a detangler brush designed for natural hair. The consistency of this product is a happy medium between milky and creamy. It has a strong, musky scent that may be off-putting to some people; however, I enjoyed it. My hair immediately felt softer and easier to manage after rinsing it out. I was able to easily brush through my curls within five minutes—a record time considering I was wearing a slicked-back bun before wash day. I also noticed some of the bright blonde pieces of my hair were more defined than usual. After rinsing, my hair felt extremely hydrated. I usually get this feeling after deep conditioning, so it blew my mind. I continued with a hydrating mask and my usual wash-and-go products. After my hair dried, my curls looked, felt, and smelled amazing. This conditioner is a product I’d definitely spend my money on.”