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It's time to find options for the best leave-in conditioner for curly hair because maintaining curly hair can be a real struggle.
Keeping the shine, taming the frizz, and adding volume to curls is complex, but this task can be easily handled by choosing the best leave-in conditioner for your hair.
We understand that it is frustrating to untangle knots, and this frustration may turn into an emotional breakdown when you can’t untangle them. All this is not worth your precious time. So, once again, we're here to show you some of the best curly hair styling and maintenance products, today we'll focus on leave-ins.
Also, if you aren't sure if you need a good leave-in pudding or a hair gel instead, check out our article about hair pudding vs gel.
OK, so here are some of the best leave-in conditioners to make your life a little easier:
We're gonna start our list of best leave-in conditioners for curly hair with a highly-rated professional-grade leave-in that is becoming a super star in the curly girl natural hair world...
Davines OI All in One Milk is a multi-function leave-in spray that detangles your hair and has an anti-frizz moisturizing effect on it. The product promises heat protection and has antioxidant properties.
Made with a blend of roucou oil and ellagic acids, the product encourages hair growth while making your hair shiny. It works to fight free radicals and protects from UV radiation.
Pros (things we like):
Cons (things we didn't like):
People allergic to citronellol, linalool, and limonene shouldn’t use it
Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"This is the overall best leave-in conditioner; I have ever used. My hair feels so soft and smells fantastic after usage. I usually bleach my hair; therefore, I needed a good leave-in conditioner after using the shower conditioner, which is the best."
This two-in-one formula with MoroccanOil argan oil curl-defining cream is the only thing you'll need to use on your hair between wash days. It’s part leave-in conditioner, part curl-cream styler.
Use this Moroccan argan oil–infused styling and conditioning formula for soft, bouncy curls (never crunchy). It'll smooth, hydrate, and style your hair all in one sweet-smelling product.
Just work a dollop through your hair and you’ll be left with smooth, hydrated curls that are defined and separated. Buy it HERE.
This light and velvety textured curly girl product can be used as a leave-in conditioner for curly hair or as a rinse out conditioner that acts as the ultimate frizz fighter and moisturizer for wavy, curly, tight curly or transitioner’s hair. This is one of the best leave-in conditioners because of the ingredient quality and the result you get from them.
This leave-in is blended with nourishing organic certified Shea Nut butter, Jojoba, Sunflower and Olive oils
Enriched with moisturizing Aloe Vera and conditioning Sugar Beet Betaine.
It's one of the best leave-in conditioners because it leaves your curls super soft and uber shiny without any oily buildup. Pudding Cup leaves your hair smelling amazing while it coats your curls and locks in an extra layer of moisture protection.
Formulated with Coconut Oil and Aloe for its moisturizing properties Puddin' Cup is a must have in your hair care routine. This leave-in conditioner is great for wavy, curly, tight curly, color-treated hair and transitioners hair. And it's perfect for twist outs, braid outs, wash-n-go styles, loose afros and so much more!
DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Ultra-Moisturizing leave-in conditioner is a lightweight conditioner that has everything your curls need. The product provides intense moisture to dry, damaged, frizzy curls.
The formula adds instant shine, plumpness, and shine to curls without fear of them getting sticky or greasy. The product brings the goodness of chufa milk with quinoa and pequi oil which acts as a soothing balm for your hair.
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Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"I think it’s my favorite product. I wanted DevaCurl to make a leave-in conditioner, and it has performed well for me. It makes my curls soft and moisturized. I apply it on wet hair and work it through, then let it sit in a microfiber towel, then air dry them."
CURLS Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In Conditioner works to rejuvenate your hair, creates volume, and detangle those nasty knots. The product promises to repair and restore overworked curls quickly.
The product is formulated using certified organic blueberry extract, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and mango butter. The product works effectively for wavy, curly, very curly, and kinky hairs.
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Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"I have fine 2b 2c 3a 3b hair. And it’s challenging to find products that don’t weigh my hair down and moisturize them right with a protein balance. The leave-in is fantastic. It’s moisturizing and lightweight. It gave me a ton of definitions without being heavy."
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Leave-In controls frizz and softens your dry locks. It helps in detangling your hair and protects from breakage.
This leave-in product was formulated to work on kinky, curly, or wavy natural styles. It is made with Jamaican black castor oil and certified organic shea butter, and the conditioner works to nourish, moisturize, and promote elasticity.
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Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"The package was packed nicely. I am a Caucasian, and my hair has an average thickness, gets frizzy or dry quickly. The product is suitable for my hair because of the oil and moisture to fight frizz and dryness."
Garnier Fructis Style Curl Nourish Butter Cream Leave-In Conditioner helps with lock in natural oils in your hair. Working to nourish your follicles and replenish moisture.
A blend of coconut, jojoba & macadamia oils, and fruit proteins helps make your hair stronger, your curls more defined, softer, and brings a shine to them. The product promises 24-hour frizz-free control.
Pros (things we like):
Cons (things we didn't like):
Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
Great product for curly hair. It doesn’t last the entire day due to the humidity. Good buy.
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Living Proof is a hydrating leave-in conditioner treatment for your curly hair, which protects them from any kind of frizz. It works best on straight, curly, wavy, and coily hair. It blocks humidity from damaging your hair.
It is made with the patented healthy hair molecule formula that provides a weightless shield around each hair strand. And in that, glycolic acid is added to relax the cuticle layer. See it's current price at Amazon.
Pros (things we like):
Cons (things we didn't like):
Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"It works great for my hair on day 2 or 4, but any other day after that, it doesn’t seem as effective."
The Daily Dose leave-in conditioner was developed for all hair types, an all-rounder that repairs damaged hairs and split ends. The product promises instant results after a single-use.
Made with a formula that promises to make your hair soft and smooth while eliminating frizz. It makes your hair looking healthy and shiny as it restores moisture in them.
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Cons (things we didn't like):
Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"Initially, I was skeptical about buying any kind of hair care product from Amazon, but OMG. My hair feels and looks amazing due to it. It feels so soft and manageable, and I can’t stop smelling my hair."
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner softens hair when wet, providing them fewer snags, tugs, and snaps. The product is a hydrating experience that your curls crave.
Black vanilla leave-in conditioner is a blend of aloe vera, shea butter, sweet clover, and whey protein. Such a combination helps fortify hair to keep it healthier and strong with a sensual black vanilla smell.
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Cons (things we didn't like):
Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"I like the conditioner, but it runs out relatively fast for me. I have a hard time gauging quantity with it. It smells fantastic. And it is light. It doesn’t build up or harden; it just makes your hair a little curlier."
TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave-in Conditioner promises to leave your hair soft and shiny. This hydrating super-moisturizing leave-in product is NHP approved because it works wonders for stubborn 4C knots and tangle, as well as penetrates the scalp to prevent any damage.
A blend of green tea, argan oil, and shea butter, this lightweight formula is the perfect combination of moisture and antioxidants. This combination works to keep frizz at bay with a natural fragrance. The product is safe for kids. This is also a Black-owned natural hair product company, support Black business.
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Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"This leave-in has become a staple for my hair. I have dense, high porosity 4c and thick hair that doesn’t respond well to certain products. But this leave made my hair soft and moisturized."
Sun Bum Revitalizing 3-in-1 Leave-in Hair Conditioner Spray protects, conditions, and detangles your hair as well as enhances and restores them. This leave-in curly girl conditioning product reverses any damage that color does.
A solution made with coconut oil, banana pulp and leaf, quinoa protein, and sunflower seed oil shields your hair from harmful UV rays, prevents your hair from becoming dull, brittle, and discolored.
Pros (things we like):
Cons (things we didn't like):
Typical Leave-in Conditioner Review:
"Awesome stuff. My hair is long and fine, so it becomes super dry and tangles easily when it is washed and clean. On the other hand, even lightweight conditioners weigh it down. I bought this thinking it’s a detangler. But it worked for me. It made my hair soft and moisturized."
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Although the best leave-in conditioner for curly hair will differ depending on the hair porosity, level of hair damage, hair type and various other factors, this list should lead you in the right direction.
If you're looking for more than the best leave-in conditioners, you can find shampoos, curly girl deep conditioners, co-wash products and more, jump over to our curly hair products guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Lee
Melissa Lee is a Contributing Editor to NHP and a former owner of the BlackhairOMG website. She formed 4C Trichology Growth Services, LLC., a US based hair care consultation service. She has also contributed as a writer and consultant for various hair and beauty websites. Melissa can be followed on Twitter here.