The 23 Best Leave-In Conditioners, According to Hairstylists
Allure / Clara Hendler
Rinse-out conditioners are essential hydrators that soften and smooth hair after cleansing, but the best leave-in conditioners go one step further. They linger, sink into hair follicles, and make a noticeable difference in how hydrated your hair looks. Plus, leave-ins offer a variety of extra benefits when it comes to UV protection and hair-type-specific styling help.
Leave-in conditioners are also absolute miracle workers for the time-starved among us who don't have the extra 15 minutes to wait around in the shower for an intensive hair mask to work its magic — but want to replicate some of the smoothing, deep-conditioning, shine-inducing results of using a mask, nonetheless.
Dimitris Giannetos, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist who regularly works with Camila Cabello and Jasmine Tookes, tells Allure that he loves uses leave-in conditioners when styling clients. "Think of a leave-in conditioner as a balm that kind of does it all," says Giannetos. "It can tame flyaways and add shine — even if the hair is a bit dry or damaged."
When you're shopping for leave-in conditioners, cosmetic chemist Ginger King suggests looking for ingredients like oils, fatty alcohols, and triglycerides that will "smooth the cuticles and keep the hair in place."
For detangling in particular, King also notes that quaternium compounds work well, such as quaternium 4, 7, and 11 (look out for ingredient names that start with quaternium or polyquaternium).
With all these criteria in mind, we asked hairstylists to share their picks for the best leave-in conditioners to fulfill your hair hydration needs, and we added a couple of our own favorites, too.
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Kérastase's Nutritive Hair Balm for Severely Dry Hair leaves hair feeling soft and smooth, while making it much more manageable for styling. It draws on the nourishing powers of glycerin and ceramides, along with sunflower seed oil, to boost moisture levels and strengthen hair. This balm can be worked through towel-dried hair, but Giannetos prefers to use it on dry hair to "tame flyaways, add in some shine, and make dry hair more malleable."
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Giannetos also likes Garnier's Whole Blends Honey Treasures Miracle Nectar Repairing Leave-in Treatment for its atomizer, which makes it easy to apply to hair that's in need of a boost of nourishment. He says that this product is a "good, quick way to help split ends." It's also beneficial for detangling, thanks to hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and honey.
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L'Oréal Paris's Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi-Use Hair Treatment comes in a big black-and-gold tub, so there's no forgetting it in the shower. The formula contains almond oil and a blend of proteins, which combine forces to strengthen and hydrate damaged hair. Giannetos notes that he likes to "apply a pea-sized amount along the ends of dry hair" for extra nourishment without weighing hair down.
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As if Ouai products couldn't smell any better, the brand partnered with Byredo to infuse this leave-in conditioner with the fragrance brand's famous Mojave Ghost scent. The Ouai x Byredo Mojave Ghost Leave In Conditioner has a thick, creamy consistency made of vitamin E, tamarind seed extract, and hydrolyzed protein that help seal in moisture and guard against heat damage. As a bonus, the spray top diffuses an even mist over coarse, dry hair.
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When it comes to protecting your hair — whether from humidity or heat damage — Color Wow really delivers, and its Dream Cocktail Kale-Infused Strengthening Leave In Treatment is no exception. The brand's kale- and kelp-infused formula actively works to reduce breakage, leaving your ends looking and feeling much smoother, while castor oil strengthens hair from the inside out.
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IGK's Mistress Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner Hair Balm harnesses the power of coconut oil to deeply condition hair, while shea butter moisturizes and improves shine. Its lightweight formula works well on fine hair without making it feel overly sticky or heavy. To see a seriously shine-infused difference, apply this luxurious hair balm to damp hair before styling.
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The Garnier Whole Blends Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter Smoothing Leave-In Conditioner is proof that you don't need to spend a lot of money to achieve great results with your hair. You can lessen frizz and boost shine with a fast-absorbing formula that costs less than five bucks.
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No matter your hair type, the sprayable Ouai Leave-In conditioner is a boon. In addition to smoothing flyaways, it detangles and makes dry ends look like new. Plus, you can even use this do-it-all detangler for heat protection before styling.
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Marc Anthony's Grow Long Super Fast Strength Leave-In Conditioner is so much more than just a pre-styling moisturizing treatment. As the name suggests, it supports hair growth and healthy hair with ingredients that help prevent breakage and seal split ends (such as caffeine, ginseng, and vitamin E). Mist a few spritzes on dry or damp hair for extra nourishment.
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Carol's Daughter Monoi Repair + Moisture Star Strength Leave-In Cream is aimed specifically at curls in need of some love — and by love, we mean moisture, strength, and smoothness. You can also count on this drugstore heavyweight to detangle damp hair.
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Another amazing option for curly hair, Verb Curl Leave-In Conditioner contains a blend of sunflower seed extract, coconut oil, and shea butter to work moisturizing wonders wherever your hair falls on the thickness spectrum. Waves and curls look and feel bouncier and less frizzy after every use.
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It's not every day that you hear a conditioning product described as "purifying," but Virtue's Purifying Leave-In Conditioner earns its name from the way it imparts moisture, manageability, and protection without even the slightest hint of product buildup. The lightweight mist is ideal for fine hair, so spritz away to achieve hair that feels super-soft, but not weighed down.
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"This creamy, spray-like substance is great for wavy hair," says hairstylist Kendall Dorsey, who has worked with celebrity clients such as Yara Shahidi and Solange in the past. He loves Bumble and bumble's Bb. Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer because "it controls frizz and seals split ends."
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"This product is designed to work like skin care, with an infusion of lavender and chamomile that smoothes the cuticle," says Dorsey, who appreciates that the Oribe Foundation Mist also protects from UV and heat-styling damage.
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"When your hair is naturally curly, you might be aiming for a frizz-free, smooth definition," says stylist Deycke Heidorn. "This leave-in creates a flawless and refined curly texture with a blend of antioxidants, panthenol, and vitamin E. She says Ouidad's Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner is the perfect primer — just apply after washing and set your hair with curlers, or let it air-dry.
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"The name really says it all, as this cream makes hair shiny, moisturized, plump, and juicy," says hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein of the Oribe Super Shine Moisturizing Cream. "It's great just to nourish hair or to use as a pre-blow-dry styling product."
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"Since I discovered this product, using heated hair-styling tools feels safer, more efficient, and the result is smoother and healthier," says Heidorn. "This leave-in is a true miracle to use on every hair type." Infused with coconut oil and fennel seed extract, Mizani's 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Treatment protects, moisturizes, and adds shine to hair.
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Hairstylist Danielle Priano considers this leave-in conditioner spray an ideal pick for fine hair. She recommends using a small amount (maybe a spritz or two) of R+Co's Pinstripe Intense Detangling Spray for adding maximum moisture to dry hair.
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Priano also recommends the Davines Oi All In One Milk, which is spiked with hydrating sunflower seed oil and glycerin. "This lightweight product boosts shine and hydration while controlling and protecting hair from frizz," she says.
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"This leave-in protects your hair from breakage while growing it longer," says Heidorn, who appreciates the luxurious ingredients in Rahua's Finishing Treatment, such as palo santo oil, green tea, and raspberry leaf extract to nourish hair. "It's best to use on the lengths and ends of your hair," she says.
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"If your curls are over-processed or dry, this leave-in will make them both shiny and healthy," Priano says. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Grow Leave-In Conditioner is virtually weightless and loaded with good-for-your-hair omega acids, organic shea butter, and peppermint.
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"Though not a traditional leave-in, this cream is great for hydrating and conditioning hair," says Priano, who explains that taming frizz is one of the Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream's many talents.
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Dorsey loves the It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin not only because it efficiently detangles dry, damaged hair, but also because it adds softness to any texture.
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