Leave In Conditioner For Curly Hair – The 10 Best Options
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If you’re looking to reduce some frizz or following the curly girl method, then you may be looking for a good leave in conditioner for curly or wavy hair. Curly hair leave in conditioner helps you get soft, defined, healthy curls that are easier to manage. Read on to find my picks for the best leave in conditioner for curly hair.
I tried my best to include high-quality leave in conditioners for all curl types and included budget options.
Also looking for other curly girl-approved products? Be sure to check out the following:
- 10 Best Curly Girl Approved Shampoos
- 10 Best Curly Girl Approved Conditioners
- 10 Best Curly Girl Approved Gels
The 10 Best Curly Girl-Approved Leave In Conditioners
I chose the following leave in conditioners for curly hair based on a few points:
- ingredient quality
- concentration – how much you need to use
- how lightweight to heavy it is
- buildup potential
- slip
- also noted if it contains protein or glycerin
I have assigned a number from 1 to 5 for each category, 1 being the worst and 5 being the best. Of course, they are all silicone-free and drying alcohol-free, which is what makes them curly girl approved.
1. TreLuxe Untie The Knot – Best Slip For Detangling
This leave in conditioner has the best slip and softening abilities without weighing down your hair. This leave-in doubles as a regular conditioner too and it’s also on my list of the best conditioners for curly hair.
Untie The Knot is creamy, has a strong cinnamon scent, and provides a good amount of moisture. I use this every evening to detangle my daughter’s long curly hair.
- ingredient quality – 3
- concentration – 3
- moisture level – moderate
- buildup potential – moderate
- slip – 5
- protein
Use code holisticenchilada15 at discovertreluxe.com to save15%.
2. Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture – Best All Around
This is one of my favorite leave-ins to use when I need more moisture than the super lightweight EVOLVh but not as much as the other options since my hair does not do well with moisture.
The Direct Leave-in Weightless Moisture is creamy, has a very light scent, and works well for all curl types. It’s light but still moisturizing enough to keep hair feeling soft and help with detangling. For the price, it’s also a pretty concentrated product.
- ingredient quality – 4
- concentration – 4
- moisture level – lightweight
- buildup potential – very low
- slip – 3
- glycerin & protein free
3. Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler – Best Protein & Glycerin Free
This is another option that has great slip and is really good for detangling. It’s also free of both protein and glycerin, which is really hard to find.
This one is a little more moisturizing than others, and it can also be used as a rinse-out conditioner. Be sure to water it down when using it as a leave-in.
- ingredient quality – 5
- concentration – 4
- moisture level – moderate
- buildup potential – very low
- slip – 5
- protein & glycerin free
KCKT is a cult favorite because of its great slip for detangling and softening, while not being heavy.
4. Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Creme – Best For High Protein
For an added boost of protein with lightweight moisture, this is my favorite. It’s a thin, creamy leave-in that really does help define my curls.
Note that this contains a lot of protein and is a high-protein product. Several different types appear throughout the ingredients list.
- ingredient quality – 4
- concentration – 4
- moisture level – lightweight
- buildup potential – moderate
- slip – 3
- protein & glycerin
I don't often use leave in but this is definitely my favorite. It has some protein, is lightweight, and creates a little definition.
5. Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner – Best For Lightweight Protein
This leave-in is loved for its blueberry scent and because it has enough protein to balance out the moisture for hair that gets weighed down easily but still needs some moisture.
It has a creamy consistency, and you don’t need much. If you have damaged hair, regularly color treated hair, or struggle to find something to moisturize without weighing it down, give this a try.
- ingredient quality – 4
- concentration – 4
- moisture level – lightweight to moderate
- buildup potential – moderate
- slip – 4
- protein
6. EVOLVh SmartCurl Leave-In Conditioner – Best Ligthweight Leave-In
If you need a lightweight leave-in conditioner, then this is your pick. This leave-in is really concentrated and comes in a spray bottle. I like that I can really target certain areas with a spray.
Because this is lightweight, it doesn’t have much slip. The best way to use this leave in conditioner spray is to spray it on wet hair and let it sit for a few minutes. Once you feel your hair has softened, detangle and rinse out.
- ingredient quality – 5
- concentration – 5
- moisture level – lightweight
- buildup potential – very low
- slip – 2
- protein
Use code HE15 to save on your first order with EVOLVh.
7. Miribel Naturals Powerhouse Protein Cream – Best For Protein & Moisture
Not only does this leave-in conditioner pack a punch of protein. It’s also a hydrating leave in conditioner and has really good slip. This leave in conditioning cream has a nice creamy consistency and is pretty concentrated. It has a light scent that should not be a problem unless you’re really sensitive to scents.
If you need good slip for detangling, moisture, and some protein, then go with this one!
- ingredient quality – 4
- concentration – 4
- moisture level – moderate to heavy (add water to thin it out)
- buildup potential – low
- slip – 4
- protein
Code HOLISTICENCHILADA saves you 10% at miribelnaturals.com
8. EVOLVh InstaVolume Elixir – Best For Volume
This is the best leave-in I have used to add some volume to my fine curls and prevent my roots from getting oily. It’s very, VERY low moisture – like barely a conditioner. So only try this if you’re sure your hair doesn’t need extra moisture. But it will give you volume and soften your hair a bit.
If you need slip, this won’t cut it. As with their other conditioner, this is best used on wet or damp hair and should be left sitting for a few minutes before it softens your hair enough to brush and style.
- ingredient quality – 5
- concentration – 4
- moisture level – very lightweight
- buildup potential – very low
- slip – 1
- protein & glycerin
Use code HE15 to save 15% at evolvh.com
9. Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner – Best Organic
This leave in conditioner has some polarizing reviews, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for something fully organic. Some people hate the smell, but it’s essential oil-based, so it’s great for those who avoid synthetic fragrances.
The Sweet Spirit leave-in comes in a spray bottle. It’s a little thicker and heavier than the EVOLVh, so it’s good for most hair types.
- ingredient quality – 5
- concentration – 5
- moisture level – low to moderate
- buildup potential – low
- slip – 3
- protein & glycerin
10. Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner – Best Drugstore Option
Although this is a great drugstore option, this would probably not work for hair that needs light moisture.
This is a creamy green leave-in with a silky feeling. It has good slip, so it’s good for detangling really thick curly hair.
Note that this product contains itchy m’s, which can cause irritation to sensitive scalps.
- ingredient quality – 2
- concentration – 3
- moisture level – moderate
- buildup potential – low
- slip – 4
- protein & glycerin
So those are my top picks for the best leave in conditioner for curly hair, and they’re all curly girl approved leave in conditioners too! Whether you have fine hair or coarse curls, or thin or thick hair, one of these curly hair leave in conditioners should work well for your hair.
If you’re new to the curly girl method, I recommend you check out my post on affordable curly girl-approved products to start off. That post contains over 60 affordable and drugstore options.
Best Leave In Conditioners FAQs
Is Leave In Conditioner Good for Curly Hair?
Leave in conditioner preps and nourishes curly hair before applying styling cream or other products. Think of it like priming your hair to look its best. Leave in conditioner for curly hair can help reduce frizz. It also protects hair, increases moisture retention, and retains its shine.
Is Leave In Conditioner or Oil Better for Curly Hair?
Curly hair does better with both leave in conditioner and oil. This is because oils don’t hydrate hair but can lock in moisture. You can choose from various oils, including argan oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil. The key is when to use them, as there are two methods.
The LOC method is best for medium and high-porosity hair. With this method, add leave-in-conditioner to wet hair, apply oil, and then a curl cream.
The LCO method is best for low-porosity hair, and requires that you apply leave-in conditioner directly to wet hair, then curl cream, and finally, oil to seal the hair cuticle.
Does Leave In Conditioner Hold Curls?
If you’re trying to achieve bouncy curls, leave in conditioner creates the foundation for hydrated curls while protecting them from damage. To hold your curls, though, consider using a high-quality curl cream in addition to your leave in conditioner.
Can Leave in Conditioner Be Used on Both Wet or Dry Hair?
Leave in conditioner is best on wet hair, but you can use it to freshen dry hair too. The best way to use leave in conditioner on dry hair is to dilute it with water in a spray bottle and lightly spray it on your dry hair.
Curly Hair Product Matching Guide
If you need help finding the products that will work for your hair type, check out my product matching guide. There are so many things to consider when choosing products and this guide will help you narrow down what you need to look for.
This product guide will help you identify your hair type and characteristics, provide some styling tips, and list exact products that will work on your hair type. Click here for more info.
Bottom Line
In summary, choosing the right leave-in conditioner can be a game-changer for your curly hair routine. The top ten curly girl approved options we’ve shared with you are sure to give your curls the love and care they deserve.
Remember to always read the labels, look for ingredients that work well with your hair, and listen to what your curls need. With the right leave-in conditioner by your side, you’ll be well on your way to achieving healthy, bouncy, and beautiful curls. Happy styling!
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Kinky Curly Knot Today is technically not a leave in. It’s labeled as a conditioner and the creator of it says it’s a conditioner. She even demoed using it as a conditioner.That’s how I use it, but it can be used as a leave in. It’s the best leave in for my hair and I get better clumping with it than any other product.
Thanks for sharing – I didn’t know that!