5 Best Leave In Conditioners

If you’re not happy with the way your hair is behaving lately, chances are your mane is simply craving for a good leave-in conditioner. You might think that this product is absolutely unnecessary, especially if you regularly use a nice conditioner in the shower—but hear us out.

Consider everything that your hair goes through after you step out of the bathroom: rough towels, combing, hair brushing, hot tools, teasing, tying, rough caps and hats, rough pillows. If you really think about it, your hair goes through a lot—and it’s the perfect recipe for damaged, knotty, and dull locks. Leave-in conditioner to the rescue!

Leave-ins contain ingredients like humectants and lightweight silicones to hydrate, repair, and add shine to your hair. They can make even the roughest hair more manageable, and they’re an awesome ally against frizz and flyaways.

In this buying guide, we’ll talk about all the things you have to consider when you’re shopping for a leave-in conditioner. We also have a step-by-step guide on using leave-in conditioner, as well as some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of this product. Let’s go!

Who should use leave-in conditioners?

We believe that just about anyone can benefit from using a leave-in conditioner. Even if your hair is already healthy and smooth, adding a leave-in conditioner to your routine can take things to the next level. Whatever your hair type is, it will help add moisture and shine and help protect your hair from damage.

Of course, there’s a particular demographic who would benefit the most from using a leave-in conditioner—and that’s made up of people who struggle with frizzy, dry, and unmanageable hair. A leave-in conditioner will also make things easier for girls with long hair, as it helps prevent tangles and knots.

Leave-in conditioner shopping tips

Now that you know that pretty much anyone can benefit from adding a leave-in conditioner into their daily routine, it’s time to look for the best product for your hair! Here are some key points you need to keep in mind throughout the shopping process.

1. Look for a product that’s formulated specifically for your hair type.

Oftentimes, different hair types will have wildly different needs when it comes to conditioning. A product that’s specifically made for thin hair might not be nourishing enough for curly-haired gals. Some leave-in conditioners are indeed all-rounders in the sense that they work well with various hair types—and opting for one of them is alright, too. However, for more serious concerns, investing in special formulas will most likely pay off.

Alternatively, you may look for something that targets your particular concerns or issues. For example, if you have frizzy hair, then it makes sense to stick to products that help tame flyaways and smooth hair. Leave-in conditioners with repairing ingredients can help damaged and dull hair. And if you’ve recently had your hair colored, a color-care leave-in conditioner will help preserve the look and shine of your beautiful locks.

2. Consider the product’s packaging.

Leave-in conditioners come in different types of packaging. Some come in squeeze tubes, while others come in tubs or spray bottles. When choosing a product, consider the user-friendliness of its packaging, as well as what would work well with your hair type.

For example, if you have super thin hair, a spray bottle will be able to deliver a very fine mist that won’t bog your hair down with tons of product. But if you have super thick hair, cream from a tub or bottle might be more efficient to use.

3. How’s the weather?

The performance of a leave-in conditioner may also be significantly affected by what season it currently is. You might find that a liquid leave-in conditioner is unbeatable during the summer, but the same product might not be moisturizing enough in the winter. Likewise, a heavy and super-moisturizing product might be too heavy for hot, humid weather.

When shopping, you should consider the type of climate you have in your city. It can also be helpful to have at least two different types of leave-in conditioner on your vanity. That way, you can easily switch one for the other depending on the weather or your hair’s needs for that particular day.

4. What hairstyles do you usually go for?

A light, bouncy, and airy hairstyle is best achieved using light products, so if that’s your type of look, we recommend that you go for a liquid conditioning formula. On days when you feel like wearing your hair in tight braids or cornrows, a creamy leave-in conditioner might make your scalp feel icky, so a liquid product is recommended here, too.

However, if you like super sleek hairstyles like the understated classic bun, a creamy leave-in conditioner will do a really great job at calming frizz. So, before you make a final decision, think about what type of hairstyles you like doing. The consistency of the leave-in conditioner you choose can really make or break your look.

5. Consider the scent, too.

Many hair care brands like to give their products very distinct scents—meaning most leave-in conditioners will have a strong fragrance. And since a leave-in conditioner is a frequently used product, it’s important to find one that agrees with your nose.

If you find something whose formula you absolutely adore but you’re not a fan of its scent, consider applying the leave-in conditioner at night so that its scent won’t linger the next day.

How to use a leave-in conditioner

Step 1: Start with clean hair

Leave-in conditioners work best with freshly washed hair. So hop in the shower and get all sudsy and clean!

Use a shampoo and conditioner combo that is formulated for your hair type—whether you have dry, frizzy, curly, thin, or damaged hair. After rinsing, use a towel to gently squeeze out excess water from your hair. Once you’ve reached the point wherein your hair is still damp, but not dripping wet, it’s time to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Apply the leave-in conditioner of your choice

Before we get going, make sure to read the usage directions on the bottle of your favorite leave-in conditioner, mist, or cream, and take note of any special instructions. Usually, leave-in conditioners should be applied to damp hair, which is then air-dried to avoid heat damage.

Apply the product on your mid-lengths all the way to the ends using your fingers. As much as possible, avoid touching your roots, as leave-in conditioner can make your scalp unnecessarily greasy and weigh your hair down. If you have super fine or thin hair, you need to be even more careful as applying even a small amount of leave-in conditioner near your scalp can instantly deflate its volume.

If it’s your first time using the product, start off with a small coin-sized amount. Typically, when it comes to leave-in conditioners, a little goes a long way. It’s always easier and more economical to start small and then just add more later on.

Step 3: Comb your hair.

Use a comb to evenly distribute the product while simultaneously detangling your hair strands. Because your hair is still damp at this point, we recommend that you stick to a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush. A comb is much kinder and more forgiving to fragile wet hair.

Step 4: Dry and style your tresses as you please.

As we’ve mentioned, we recommend that you air dry your hair to avoid heat damage. However, you’re really free to blow-dry your hair if you wish. Just make sure to use some heat protectant to protect your hair from the effects of high-temperature styling.

Bonus tip: Want to wake up with silky soft hair? Apply leave-in conditioner right before you go to bed and leave it on overnight. This is also a good option if you’re always in a hurry during the morning and you don’t have a lot of time to fuss with your hair.

Getting the most out of your leave-in conditioner

1. Use a clarifying shampoo every now and then.

Regularly using a leave-in conditioner will do wonders for your hair. The downside, however, is that it makes you more prone to product buildup. At this point, we’ve established that you’re not supposed to apply conditioner directly on your scalp. But we all know that this isn’t easy to follow 100% of the time.

2. Listen to your hair.

You may have found the perfect product—well, theoretically, at least. It has the best ingredients, smells amazing, and is formulated to answer every single one of your hair concerns. But even in situations like this, it’s possible that the product just won’t work well with your hair.

Trust us, it’s easy to tell if your hair starts hating your chosen leave-in conditioner. And when that happens, listen to it! Take a break, use a deep-cleansing shampoo, or try out a different product.

3. Consider how it interacts with other hair products.

It’s always nice to find rare gems that work well with other products. But if you like experimenting with different brands and formulas, then you know that some products simply don’t mesh well with each other.

If the leave-in conditioner you bought is a thick, creamy formula and it just doesn’t agree with the styling products in your routine, consider trying a lighter or liquid formula instead. You can also try letting it completely dry before applying anything else, though we understand that that might take some time.

Best leave-in conditioner for men

Do men need a special type of leave-in conditioner?

The answer is no. Basically, the only thing that separates men’s and women’s leave-in conditioners is the scent. Typically, products that are targeted towards men simply have a more masculine or neutral scent, while women’s products have floral and fruity fragrances.

In terms of formula, however, they’re basically the same. If you’re a dude, you have to consider the same factors and look into the same aspects of the product before making a purchase.

Bonus tip: Consider looking for a leave-in conditioner that will work well on both your head hair and beard hair. Yup, you can totally use a leave-in conditioner to tame (and even style) your beard.