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How to find the best leave-in conditioner for your hair type...
Knotty, dry locks? These will help.
When it comes to keeping your hair as shiny and healthy as possible, a good conditioner is the most important weapon in your arsenal – so it almost seems silly that we tend to wash it out in the time it takes to shave our legs.
Of course, the longer you leave your conditioner on your head, the more time it has to work its magic – but we’re not suggesting you go to work with a head full of your fave formula (not a good look).
To get the best of both worlds, a leave-in conditioner is your best bet. These smart formulas work overtime to shield your strands from heat, pollution, rough brushing and abrasion (yes, your Ariana-inspired pony is pulled too tight), all while fighting frizz and adding shine.
But not all leave-in conditioners are made equal – the one that works best for you will depend on your hair type and condition. Thick, unruly hair will soak up a rich and nourishing cream, yet fine strands can be easily overloaded – the solution here lies in a lightweight mist that will impart moisture without weighing down your roots. (Yes, they do exist!) Now, there are clever colour-enhancing formulas that'll brighten brassy blonde, and shaping creams that'll make your blow-dry look as pro as possible.
To help you choose the best one for you, we’ve tested loads of the best leave-in conditioners on a range of hair types, so you can head straight for your perfect match.
A leave-in conditioner for each and every hair type
Olaplex No 6 Bond Smoother
Few brands have revolutionised the hair industry quite like Olaplex – if you’ve dabbled in bleach or balayage recently, you’re likely already familiar with the game-changing in-salon treatment. Finally, the brand has answered our prayers and released an entire at-home line, so we can fix those frazzled patches in-between salon appointments.Smooth No 6 into damp hair after your regular conditioner, and it’ll strengthen weary hair fibres while eliminating frizz and dryness. A little goes a long way, so the bottle should last you weeks.
Drunk Elephant Wild Marula Tangle Spray
If merely looking at a styling cream makes your scalp feel greasy, consider Drunk Elephant's outstanding new detangling spray. As fine as a face mist, this silicone-free spritz imparts an invisible veil of moisture and protection, (as well as an addictive sugared-almond scent).The hair-compatible proteins inside will penetrate each strand to condition weakened areas, while the brand's signature marula oil brings instant softness and shine.
The Inkey List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment
The Inkey List doesn’t miss when it comes to formulating high-quality products at a decent price point.
Its PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment is no exception: this lightweight spray helps to protect and strengthen damaged hair using unique technology that actually seeks out and fixes broken hair bonds. It's essentially an SOS saviour for bleached and damaged hair.
Spray a generous amount throughout towel-dried hair, focusing more on areas damaged by bleach, dye or heat.
IT'S A 10 Miracle Blow Dry H20 Shield
Few things are more annoying than spending an hour painstakingly styling your hair, only to have a classic British shower ruin it as soon as you step outside. It's A 10's latest launch is specifically designed to seal your hair (whether bouncy curls or sleek lengths) from humidity, meaning you're protected from frizz and flyaways whatever the weather decides to do.
L'oreal Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Infused with hyaluronic acid, L'oreal Elvive’s serum works to lock in moisture, combat frizz and add volume. Not only will a few spritzes of this leave-in conditioner have your hair feeling uber soft, but those struggling ends will feel much stronger, too.
What's more, its sweet scent — think fresh floral notes — leaves your hair smelling so good, you'll forget about your perfume.
Garnier Marvellous Oils Leave-in Conditioner
Garnier's clever new treatment offers the best of both worlds. Not only does the argan and camellia-oil infused formula bring the driest of ends back from the brink, but it's designed to replace your traditional conditioner, meaning you can accelerate your shower and use less water.
That's not all: the formula is silicone-free, vegan-friendly, and 98 percent natural too. It even comes in a recycled-cardboard tube.
Andrew Fitzsimons Repair Leave-in Conditioner for Damaged Hair
With Kardashian-approved stylist Andrew Fitzsimons at the helm, we knew this one would seriously impress.
This clever conditioner does a lot, but the main benefit is the intensive thermal heat protection it provides, meaning you can curl your ends without fear of making them drier. There's major shine and smoothness on the cards, too.
Kérastase Curl Manifesto Leave-In-Cream
The star addition of Kérastase's much-hyped curl line, this leave-in cream lives up to every expectation. It's light, so it doesn't weigh down your curls and, thanks to the Manuka honey, leaves lengths feeling super hydrated. The formula is specifically designed to detangle hair, leaving you with extra bounce and definition.
Slick it through just-washed hair, adding the Curl Control gel-cream for extra hold and to highlight your natural curl pattern.
As I Am Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave in Conditioner
Type-4 curls (that's tight coils and textured kinks), will soak up this black castor-oil based formula. It seals in moisture by creating a protective film over the hair to prevent breakage, while the nourishing ingredients work to promote healthy hair growth.
Thicker in consistency than most, it'll make textured hair easier to style, whether you're freeing the curls, slicking into a bun or prepping for protective styles.
John Frieda John Frieda Overnight Miracles Repair & Renew Hair Mist 100ml
Eight wavy-curly hair leave-in conditioner - 500ml
Made for hair types 2a to 3c, this rich but lightly-whipped leave-in cream is perfect if you're looking to nourishing your waves or curls. Formulated with just 8 ingredients, it's got calming chamomile and rosemary oil (TikTok's fave ingredient) to promote growth. Perfect for air drying in juicy definition.
Laura is a former writer for Cosmopolitan UK, covering everything beauty and fashion related and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube. Her favourite pastime is reminding everyone of that one time she met Charlie Hunnam and Jason Momoa. Please don't ask to see the pictures...
Mayola is former Ecommerce Intern, covering home and garden content for House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Red, Cosmopolitan and Elle. Mayola has an NCTJ-accredited degree from Brunel University London, where she spent time gaining experience at publications such as The Times, Sky News and Bloomberg TV.
Day to day, you’ll find her writing about the latest sales and launches, along with buying guides and reviews on the products you need to know about. From silk pillowcases to smart alarm clocks to dressing tables, Mayola is committed to finding the best products and deals to help readers buy with confidence.
Mayola loves to search the internet and social platforms for emerging shopping trends – and also tackles the occasional piece on fashion, beauty, tech and wellness. When not writing, Mayola can be found listening to podcasts, travelling, shopping and dining alfresco in London and beyond.
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