Leave-in conditioners seem to split the nation: some swear by them for taking care of their tangles and adding much-needed moisture, while thers simply can’t get on with having any kind of conditioning product left in their hair.
But here’s the thing: everyone can benefit from a leave-in conditioner. You just need to find ‘the one.’
You see, a great leave-in conditioner can make or break the look and feel of your hair. Granted, if you go too heavy-handed you could be left with limp, greasy-looking locks. And, similarly, if you don’t use enough your thick or curly hair simply won’t be satisfied.
But if you know a) which formulation your hair will benefit most from – because leave-in conditioners come in many guises – and b) what your hair’s sweet spot is in terms of how much product it actually needs, leave-ins can be an absolute life savior.
Unlike rinse-off conditioners which are usually heavier and, well, rinsed away, leave-ins stay on your hair to pack a more powerful, longer-lasting punch. And they needn’t replace your trusted in-shower conditioner, either as most can be used as an added extra if that floats your boat.
So, if you fancy giving one a try but have no clue where to start, here are some of our favorites, depending on your hair’s needs.
1. Best For: Curly or Textured Hair: JVN Complete Instant Recovery Serum
If there’s any hair type that can benefit from a leave-in conditioner, it’s curls. After all, the key to bouncy, shiny curls is moisturization so why would you NOT want to start right with nurturing, nourishing ingredients that don’t get washed down the drain?
And if you’re looking for the crème de la crème (or, should we say serum de la serum?) this leave-in treatment is everything. Free of silicones and sulfates, this baby is jam-packed with hair-loving goodies like squalane and niacinamide to reduce frizz and smooth, protect and strengthen your gorgeous curls.
What’s more, it’s the brainchild of top celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness. Count. Us. In.
2. Best For: Fine Hair: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Lite
Fine hair and leave-in conditioner might not be the best of friends (hello limp locks!) but it’s not impossible to find the right formula that offers the exact amount of nourishment without weighing down your hair.
And, good news, we’ve done the searching for you and found what we believe is the absolute winner if your hair errs towards the flat side. Similar to the brand’s fan favorite original, Miracle Leave-In Product, but with a lighter than light texture, this spray-in treatment combines chamomile with silk amino acids for weightless conditioning every time.
3. Best For: Colored Hair: Lolavie Perfecting Leave-In
An awesome choice for colored or chemically-treated hair, this multi-tasking dream cream not only hydrates, smooths, tames and fights frizz but it also helps deal with existing and future damage thanks to fortifying ingredients like chia seeds, Rose of Jericho and bamboo extract.
With 99 percent naturally-derived ingredients and none of the bad stuff, it’s quite the award-winner and also comes in a travel-sized bottle meaning you never have to leave it behind when you go on your travels. Of course, it helps that Jennifer Aniston is the driving force behind the brand. You may have heard of her…
4. Best For: Blondes: Kérastase Blond Absolut Cicaplasme Thermique Leave-in Protecting Spray
Blonde hair has a real tendency to look brassy and/or feel dry and kind of dull so a leave-in conditioner is a great shout for combating all of this and, if you choose the right one, so much more!
We have to admit, we’re massive fans of Kérastase products, in general, and this treatment spray does not disappoint. Packed with antioxidants and thermo-protection it helps strengthen, detangle and gloss up every strand while promising 69 percent softer hair. We like those kinds of stats.
5. Best For: Fragile Hair: Moroccanoil All-In-One Leave In Conditioner
Argan oil might not have been on your radar 20 years ago (if you were even born then!) but it’s now ‘the’ go-to oil for healthy, shiny hair. And this is due, in part, to Moroccanoil which was one of the first brands to bring this hair-replenishing oil to the world’s attention.
Chock-full of nutrients like fatty acids and vitamin E, argan oil strengthens the hair, restores elasticity and encourages smoother, silkier strands. However, it’s extremely rich and, in its purest form, not for everyone.
So, we highly recommend this leave-in conditioner which is so lightweight you’ll forget you even applied it. But your hair will thank you for it, we promise.
6. Best For: Heat Styling: Color Wow Money Mist Leave-In Conditioner
Does your hair feel like a bale of straw thanks to daily blow-drying and a slight addiction to your straightening or curling irons? Then you need this peptide-infused leave-in spray in your life.
A special Baolized Amino Complex is the secret here which works hard to penetrate each strand to hydrate and care for damaged hair, encouraging it to spring right back to life. Furthermore, it protects your locks from heat and UV damage, without weighing it down, which makes it an absolute must for vacations.
7. Best For: Frizz Taming: Ceremonia Guava Leave-In Conditioner
Well-formulated and super effective, the second you apply this multi award-winning conditioner you know that your hair is in safe hands. For starters, it smells absolutely divine which we know isn’t that important… but, let’s face it, really is!
It’s also light enough not to weigh down your hair while being moisturizing enough to do the job it’s made for. Great for dealing with frizz while moisturizing, strengthening and intensely hydrating it also gives your locks a touch of hold which makes styling way less of a hassle. And we are always down for an easy life!
8. Best For: Redheads: Just For Redheads Dream Conditioner
Crammed with every redhead’s favorite ingredient, henna, this deeply conditioning leave-in is sulfate- and paraben-free and uses plant botanicals like sunflower extract to boost the shine factor of your hair.
Red hair is notoriously drier than other hair colors which can make it look dull, wiry and, well, a little bit sad. Sounds familiar? Then anything you can do to retain moisture and add a touch of polish should be a regular go-to. Add this to your routine and you won’t regret it.
9. Best For: Extremely Dry Hair: Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner
For intense repair minus the heavy load, you need to try this leave-in cream that practically laces the hair with hydration. Great for fine and thick hair types that need some serious love, it helps seal the cuticles, add texture, intensely moisturize and reduce frizz.
We hate to call any beauty product a ‘miracle worker’ but this gorgeous conditioner comes pretty close. In our opinion, it’s 100 percent worth every cent of its $48 price tag. Who needs rinse-out conditioners, anyway?
10. Best For: Aging Hair: Arey Live In Mist Leave-In Conditioner
The self-confessed ‘wrinkle-cream of haircare,’ Arey is all about caring for mature hair that’s started to lose its natural pigment and vitality. This spray-on conditioner sits nicely alongside the brand’s range of supplements, scalp serums and haircare formulations and does a great job of protecting the hair from UV radiation (a known contributor to gray hair) while smoothing and detangling lengths and ends.
It’s also great for freshening up the hair in-between washes and gets extra bonus points for being vegan, cruelty-free and made with clean ingredients.
How To Get The Most From Your Leave-In Conditioner
Now that you’ve found your favorite, follow these simple tricks for perfecting your leave-in conditioning game, every time…
1. Towel-dry your hair first then apply your product to damp hair. If your hair is too wet it’ll dilute the product too much. Too dry and you could end up with too much product in one area.
2. Apply only a small amount and experiment until you learn what your hair needs.
3. If you’re using a cream, lotion or serum formulation, rub it between your hands (front and back) before running it through your hair. This helps distribute the product evenly all over.
4. For sprays, spritz it straight onto the lengths and ends of your hair then use your hands or a comb to work it through.
5. Avoid your scalp area as this can cause build-up and potential irritation.