Curly hair looks beautiful. But if you have curly hair, you must be familiar with the struggle to detangle and manage the curls. Above all, curly hair is vulnerable to damage every now and then.
So, what’s the solution then? One word – Conditioners!
Conditioners are the best solution for your curly hair. They provide hydration, and hydration keeps your locks bouncy and smooth.
Before we move on to our top 10 list, let’s look at the difference between a leave-in conditioner and a regular conditioner.
Difference Between a Leave-In and a Regular Conditioner
As their names indicate, one you leave in and the other one you rinse after applying. People often ask, what does leave-in conditioner do? And the answer is this: Leave-in conditioner rehydrates your hair between shampooing sessions.
On the other hand, a regular conditioner rehydrates and gives strength to hair after shampoo.
Can I Use a Typical Conditioner as a Leave-In Conditioner?
It may or may not be suitable to use a regular conditioner as a leave-in conditioner on your hair. It depends on your hair type. If your hair is super dry, use a regular conditioner as a leave-in conditioner. Another thing you can do is dilute the conditioner with distilled water and put it in a spray bottle. Use this spray on your hair. This will act as a basic leave-in conditioner.
10 Best Leave In Conditioners for Curly Hair
Some of the best leave-in conditioners for your curly hair are:
1. Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
Ouidad’s moisture lock conditioner keeps your hair healthy and shiny. It is made with prickly pear and green tea extract that hydrates your hair and leaves your curls smooth and soft.
This conditioner also works as an excellent detangler after washing your hair, so the comb just glides through.
2. Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner
This is the best leave-in conditioner for damaged hair. The formula is a mixture of almond and coconut oil. This combination prevents hair from breakage. It also prevents your hair from heat damage.
Besides, the shea moisture leave-in conditioner provides a protective layer that improves the appearance of split ends.
3. Philip B Mega Curl Enhancer
As the name suggests, this conditioner is a curl enhancer. It contains amino acids and botanical extracts that enhance the appearance of your locks. Shampoo your hair and then condition to lock moisture.
Use this product afterward. It adds shine to the hair and hydrates dry strands.
4. No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner
Living proof’s frizz-free formula helps block humidity and tame frizz. It leaves your hair soft and smooth, and more manageable. It is also safe for colored hair as it doesn’t wash away the color.
In fact, you can use this product if your hair gets damaged by chemical treatments.
5. Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner
This conditioner has vitamin-rich blueberries extracts, hydrating oils, and mango butter. It gives your hair all the requisite nourishment it needs. This formula repair restores and conditions your overworked curls.
Not to mention, it helps your hair grow longer and stronger.
6. Miracle Leave-In Product
The Miracle’s leave-in conditioner is suitable for dry curly hair. It contains a good amount of silk amino acids and moisture-sealing aloe vera. This formula gives strength to your hair.
It is ideal for colored and chemically treated hair. Before styling your hair with heating products like flat iron or curler, use Miracle leave-in products for a more silky look.
7. Kinky Curly Knot Today Conditioner
The Kinky curly knot today conditioner has a creamy texture. It is a herbal product made with organic ingredients. It detangles your hair, smoothens the cuticles, and removes knots.
It makes your hair easy to brush. You can also use it as a regular after shampoo conditioner.
8. Camille Rose Naturals Fresh Curl
The Camille Rose is a deep conditioner for curly hair. While it’s a leave-in conditioner, you can also use it as a detangler.
It moisturizes and nourishes your frizzy hair, as it contains castor seed oil, avocado oil, and glycerin. These ingredients give shine and smooth texture to the hair.
9. Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner
Alikay’s product is an award-winning and best seller product of this category. It contains lemongrass oil, silk amino acids, and aloe vera juice that repairs any kind of hair damage. It adds shine and volume to your hair.
In addition, lemongrass oil gives a pleasant fragrance to your hair and strengthens hair follicles. Therefore, it is perfect for all hair types.
10. Curl Junkie Beauty Curls Leave-In Hair Conditioner
The Curl Junkie’s conditioner contains some of the most curl-friendly botanical herbs and emollient butter that add shine to your hair. It is a lightweight, glycerine-free conditioner that you can leave after a hair wash.
You can also use it as a hair styler gel. Overall, it’s one of the best leave-in conditioners for frizzy hair.
So, What’s the Best Leave In Conditioner for Curly Hair?
Generally, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioners are best for curly hair. Sulfate can cause dryness. Curly hair already needs more moisture as compared to straight hair.
Conditioners for hair that contain oils, butter, and proteins are also good for curls. You can use any brand but always check the ingredients.
Try to select an all-natural ingredients conditioner. Ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil are good for curly hair.
Too much moisture can give an oily look to your hair. Therefore, always use conditioners that are suitable for your hair type.
How to Use a Leave-In Conditioner
You can use a leave-in conditioner along with your regular shampoo and conditioner. But, you can also replace a regular conditioner with a leave-in conditioner.
If you have damaged or rough hair, use a leave-in conditioner instead. It’s better to use after regular shampoo and conditioner.
Leave-in conditioners work better when you apply them to damp hair. Always read the instructions written on the product before use.
Follow these steps for the best results:
- Wash your hair with shampoo and rinse.
- Use a regular conditioner and rinse hair thoroughly. (Skip this step if your hair is not damaged or rough)
- Use a towel to remove excess water from hair.
- Take a small amount of leave-in conditioner. Rub it in your palms. Then massage it into your hair.
- Brush your hair to detangle it.
- Leave your hair to air dry or use a hairdryer.
- Style your hair in your desired style.
Use a wide-tooth comb to spread the leave-in conditioner evenly in your damp hair. A wide-tooth comb detangles curly hair easily.
If you have thick bouncy hair, you may use more leave-in conditioner than someone with normal hair. You can also use leave-in conditioners daily if it makes your hair smooth and shiny. If your hair is getting oily, use it less often.
Benefits of Using Leave-In Conditioners For Curly Hair
In case you have curly hair, a leave-in conditioner is the best option to protect your hair from damage and dryness.
Some of the benefits that you may get by using leave-in conditioners are as follow:
- Leave-in conditioners help to detangle your hair.
- They keep your hair hydrated.
- They make your hair shiny and frizz-free.
- Leave-in conditioners repair damages and breakage.
- Leave-in conditioners can help your curls appear healthier and more defined. Apply into the length of your hair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is leave-in conditioner good for curly hair?
Yes, it is. Curly hair is susceptible to dryness. Because natural oils produced by your scalp can take more time to spread down the length of your curls. Leave-in products offer extra moisture to the hair.
It protects your hair from damage. It helps in detangling your curly hair.
Should I use a leave-in conditioner or curl cream for styling?
If you have straight hair, you can use both products together. The Leave-in conditioner itself is not a styling product. It is just a moisturizer for your hair.
When you use these products together, curl cream supplements your leave-in conditioner. Curl creams have a special holding agent in them, which keeps your hair in the desired style.
Should I use a leave-in conditioner daily?
It depends on your hair texture. Experts do not recommend using leave-in conditioners every day. More than required use can cause damage to your hair.
If you use a leave-in conditioner every day, it can leave behind some product in your hair. It is not suitable for your hair.
Do you put leave-in conditioner on wet or dry hair?
You can use leave-in conditioner both on freshly washed or dry hair. After washing your hair, simply spray the product on your damp hair. And leave to air dry or blow dry. Avoid applying conditioner to your scalp.
To apply a leave-in conditioner on dry hair, mist the conditioner all over your hair. And leave it to air dry for better results.
How long can I leave leave-in conditioner in my hair?
Leave-in conditioners work best when you leave them in your hair for a long time. You should not leave the regular conditioner in your hair for more than 30 minutes.
It can damage your hair. But leave the leave-in conditioner for a longer time to get maximum benefits.
Can I skip using a leave-in conditioner on my curly hair?
Yes, you can skip the leave-in conditioner in your daily routine if you find no need for it. Leave-in conditioners also act as heat resistant.
You can skip the leave-in conditioner if you use other hydrating hair products.