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Perhaps the easiest way to level up your overall hair health is with one of the best leave-in conditioners. Sometimes called detanglers, these versatile lotions, sprays, and creams are different from your standard rinse-out conditioners. They’re applied to damp hair after shampooing and conditioning—and then, crucially, left there. By staying put, they can lock in moisture throughout the day, nix frizziness and flyaways, reduce breakage, and protect against UV and heat damage from hot tools. “Using a leave-in can provide long-term benefits to hair—helping to mend and revive damaged or dry hair,” says Kerry E. Yates, a trichologist and founder of beauty-brand consultancy Colour Collective.
To help you find the right leave-in hair conditioner for you, we asked 16 editors and contributors to put expert-recommended, best-selling formulas to the test. Below, find the choices that left our hair feeling great at the end of the day. Notably, all of them are heat-protectant up to 450°F and color-safe.
The best leave-in conditioners for all hair types, at a glance
- Best Overall: Olaplex No.5 Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner, $32
- Best for Curly Hair: Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner, $26
- Best for Dry Hair: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask, $75
- Best for Fine Hair: Ouai St. Barts Leave-In Conditioner, $30
- Best for Frizzy Hair: Act + Acre Cold Processed Leave-In Conditioner, $48
- Best for Low-Porosity Hair: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In, $24
- Best for Hair Growth: Harklinikken Hair Hydrating Crème, $56
Answers to your questions about leave-in conditioners
1. Best Leave-In Conditioner Overall: Olaplex No.5 Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner
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- What we love: Light enough for most hair types; adds shine; smooths and protects split ends; heat-protecting
- Worth considering: Pricey
This Glamour Beauty Award–winning product is a hit with curly, fine, straight, and wavy hair for how hydrating and airy it is, thanks to its amino acids and glycerin. “When you’ve got highlighted hair that’s dry yet also superfine, leave-in conditioner needs to be hydrating but not too heavy—or it’ll quickly feel as though you never washed your hair at all,” Glamour contributor Petra Guglielmetti previously told us. “This weighs my hair down just enough, moisturizes my dry ends, and (gasp!) adds a little shine, even right after color appointments. I can’t believe I settled for my previous leave-in for so long.”
Our tester says: “You can’t go wrong with Olaplex to begin with. The line works wonders on my hair, generally, so I knew it would be a winner,” says Glamour art director Allie Folino. “This product, more specifically, leaves my curls feeling so hydrated. It’s a cream product and gives my hair a bit of body and shape to the curl while keeping it hydrated. It is on the pricier end, though.”
2. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair: Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Glamour reviewer Heather Mack testing Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
- Original photo from Heather Mack testing Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
- Original photo from Heather Mack testing Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
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- What we love: Very lightweight; softening; adds shine; fights frizz; detangles
- Worth considering: May be too light for some curls
This vegan lotion is a favorite of professional hairstylist and trichologist Keka Heron, who recommends it for thick, damaged, and curly hair types. Glycerin and panthenol help smooth and soften, while plant extracts like prickly pear support healthy-looking texture and shine. “Ouidad’s leave-in softened my hair and smoothed my curls, leaving them feeling light and healthy,” says Glamour reviewer Heather Mack. She notes that the leave-in comes in the form of a light lotion and its scent is barely noticeable.
Our tester says: “I have loose, dry curls and struggle to control frizziness without weighing down my hair with product,” says Mack. “I would not have been able to tell I added a product to my routine if it wasn’t for the noticeable difference in my curls. After two days of not washing my hair and pulling it back to go to the gym, my curls still felt soft and looked hydrated.”
3. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Damaged Hair: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask
- What we love: Repairs breakage from inside the strand; deeply conditioning; doesn’t require sitting and waiting, as most masks do
- Worth considering: Pricey
Designed for dry, damaged hair, this hair mask uses a patented peptide to repair breakage from heat styling, coloring, or chemical treatments. Unlike traditional masks that simply coat the hair, K18 penetrates the hair cuticle deeply, working from the inside out to restore strength, elasticity, and shine. The product’s instructions are specific: Skip your regular conditioner, let the product sit for four minutes on post-shampoo hair, and don’t rinse it out.
In her K18 mask review, Glamour contributor Bella Cacciatore says she turned to this mask after years of bleach damage: “Though it feels somewhat unnatural to skip conditioner, there’s no killing time in the shower while it does its thing or getting out to let the mask sit and then back in to rinse. The mask quickly absorbs into your hair with minimal residue and is very lightweight—more so than a traditional conditioner or leave-in treatment—making it a great option for finer hair like mine.”
Our tester says: “This leave-in is in cream form, which I much prefer compared to leave-in sprays,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “It’s easy to work through the hair and I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my split ends when using it on and off over the past few years. Generally, I have less breakage than usual and find that my flyaways are much more tame and my hair is a lot smother post-use. I like to run this through damp hair and then blow-dry—my strands come out like velvet every single time.”
4. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Fine Hair: Ouai St. Barts Leave-In Conditioner
- What we love: UV/heat protecting up to 450°F; pleasant beachy scent; lightweight
- Worth considering: Fragrance may be too strong to some
A must for anyone with fine, thin hair who hates the feeling of heavy, coated strands, this leave-in from Ouai delivers hydration with panthenol (a pro-vitamin B5), detangling power, and heat protection—all in a light, fragrant spray. “It’s great for all hair types and provides a soft, smooth finish without weighing the hair down, making it especially good for finer textures,” says Mandy Buechner, a hair-loss practitioner and certified trichologist. The spray also works as a heat protectant, in case you’re someone who regularly styles with hot tools (or who wants to give trending mermaid waves a go).
Our tester says: “I have long, wavy hair and whenever I let it air dry, this Ouai leave-in conditioner makes it so soft, hydrated, and less frizzy. (I mean just look at the difference in my pictures!)” says Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor. “The new St. Barts scent is amazing and transforms me straight to the beach. Pro tip: On day-two (or-three) hair, I like to reapply this and do a sleek bun. It helps smooth it out and smell fresh.”
5. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Frizzy Hair: Act + Acre Cold Processed Leave-In Conditioner
- What we love: Lightweight feel; absorbent and not sticky; frizz-reducing
- Worth considering: Not the most hydrating, so may not be the best choice for someone with especially dry or curly hair
Act+Acre makes some of the best hair-growth products, including a scalp serum and a clarifying shampoo. Its leave-in strengthens, smoothes frizz, adds shine, and keeps your strands manageable without any heaviness. “It’s great for dry, frizzy, unruly hair, leaving it shiny and manageable after use,” says Jodi Logerfo, a doctor of nursing practice and family nurse practitioner certified in dermatology. “It contains squalane, a hydrating and moisturizing ingredient that increases strength and resiliency for even the driest hair.” Glamour tester Maura Benton—who has fine to medium wavy hair—says it absorbed instantly and didn’t leave her strands greasy or weighed down. Bonus: The subtle herby scent is super refreshing.
Our tester says: “After shampooing and conditioning my hair and using a keratin mask, I applied two pumps of the Ace+Acre leave-in conditioner to damp hair,” says Benton. “The product is very lightweight in texture and has a pleasant, light herby smell. It absorbed into my hair right away and did not feel greasy or weigh it down. I then let my hair dry and noticed that the frizz was slightly reduced and my hair did not feel like it was bogged down with product.”
6. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Wavy Hair: Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Heat Protecting Leave-In Cream
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Glamour reviewer Carolyn Todd testing Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Heat Protecting Leave-In Cream
- Original photo from Carolyn Todd testing Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Heat Protecting Leave-In Cream
- Original photo from Carolyn Todd testing Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Heat Protecting Leave-In Cream
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- What we love: Strengthens and enhances natural waves; deeply conditions thick hair; heat-protectant
- Worth considering: Fragrance may be too strong for some
“Wavy hair loves lightweight moisture with some protein to define the waves without weighing them down,” says professional hairstylist and curl specialist Chantell Carrtherol. The plant-based proteins in Kérastase’s leave-in seal in moisture, while the anti-inflammatory niacinamide strengthens the hair follicle and helps with breakage. The formula smooths waves without breaking their shape. Celebrity hairstylist Sophie Rose Gutterman recommends the product because it’s easy to layer with other products and is very nourishing for dry, damaged hair. “It’s great for all hair types. And it has heat protection plus healing properties to repair any previous damage while preventing future damage,” she says.
Our tester says: “I love my wavy hair, but since it’s pretty fine, I find it hard to get enough moisture into it to plump up and define my waves—without it getting greasy,” says Glamour reviewer Carolyn Todd. “I usually stick to lightweight sprays or thin, clear liquids for that reason. Creams can be a little heavy or gluey, so I was pleased at how lightweight this one felt. I scrunch a dime-sized amount into my damp waves post-shower from the ends up to the mid-lengths, and once it’s 50% air-dried, I finish with a diffuser. My waves were significantly softer, smoother, shinier, more defined, and hydrated than usual. And they weren’t weighed by the product at all. Plus, the warm, amber-y perfume-like scent was lovely. I’m a big fan!”
7. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Low-Porosity Hair: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In
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- What we love: Super hydrating and curl-defining ingredients for coily, natural hair
- Worth considering: May be too thick for fine curls
“Curly and coily hair is more prone to dryness, so a leave-in is crucial for locking in moisture, fighting frizz, and keeping curls bouncy and shiny,” says Sarah Potempa, a celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of hair care brand The Beachwaver Co. This thick leave-in cream from Briogeo—the brand behind our favorite hair mask and scalp scrub—gives low-porosity coils the extra love they need. It features aloe vera and glycerin, humectants that draw water from the atmosphere and into the hair shaft. Keratin and avocado oil, meanwhile, boost elasticity, tame frizz, and help curls hold their shape.
Our tester says: “I really like other Briogeo products, but I wasn’t sure what to expect with its leave-in cream,” says Glamour editorial assistant and writer Monique Wilson of this leave-in conditioner for natural, curly hair. “As soon as I put it in my hair, I knew it would become a part of my daily routine. I used this product followed by Fenty Curl Cream, and this combo worked wonders for my hair and left my curls feeling hydrated and moisturized for the next few days.”
8. Best Drugstore Leave-In Conditioner: Pantene Miracle Rescue 3-in-1 Leave-In or Rinse Out Conditioner
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- What we love: Frizz-reducing; lightweight; budget-friendly
- Worth considering: Does not provide hold
Affordable, effective, and easy to work into any routine, this multitasking leave-in is a standout for curly hair in need of repair. Pantene’s Miracle Rescue uses panthenol and panthenyl ethyl ether—two forms of provitamin B5—to help smooth the hair’s surface and improve softness over time. Fatty alcohols like stearyl and cetyl alcohol condition without heaviness. “It’s especially good for those with dry or overprocessed curly hair that needs intense nourishment,” says Buechner. Glamour reviewer Tegan Plock agrees that it helped tame frizz without weighing down her curls.
Our tester says: “I’d been looking for a leave-in conditioner to add to my routine, and this one did a solid job,” says Plock. “It distributes nicely into wet hair and doesn’t feel too thick. My main hope was that it would help keep down frizz, which it definitely did without weighing down my curls, and it has a pleasant, not-at-all overwhelming scent. I would have loved just a bit of hold so I could eliminate having to use gel, but this didn’t offer much.”
9. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Hair Growth: Harklinikken Hair Hydrating Crème
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- What we love: Frizz-fighting; natural, minimal ingredients; adds shine to curls
- Worth considering: Very pricey
This fragrance-free leave-in from Harklinikken is made to support healthier hair growth with nourishing oils like organic argan, abyssinian, and sunflower seed. It also includes panthenol and hydrolyzed quinoa to improve elasticity and smoothness over time. The weightless formula absorbs easily, giving your hair the moisture it needs without build-up—excellent for dry, damaged, or fine hair. It works as a heat protectant and styling cream, leaving your hair feeling soft and healthier-looking.
Our tester says: “I’ve used this leave-in on my curly, thinning hair for almost a year now,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “It’s tough to find a leave-in that doesn’t overload my hair but that actually hydrates—my curls are quite dry. This formula is so light and has little fragrance, which I appreciate, and it functions as a heat protectant. Its ingredient list is super minimal, and I’ve noticed that, over time, my hair feels noticeably more voluminous, shinier, and more hydrated. My curls are visibly defined and also less frizzy, thank God. My hair stylist has stopped giving me grief for dryness, finally! I think this would be a great pick for anyone with damaged hair, and it’s safe for color-treated hair too.”
10. Best Leave-In Conditioner for Straight Hair: Eva NYC Stay Hydrated Leave-In Conditioner
- What we love: Mist consistency; strengthening; free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates; under $20
- Worth considering: Takes some work to disperse evenly
Two Glamour editors—one with waves, one with sleek, fine hair—both reach for this lightweight spray. The mist-on formula delivers moisture without the flattening effect that creamier leave-ins can leave behind. It’s packed with strand-strengthening ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen, and skips sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, which can be irritating to the scalp and hair. It’s a solid pick if your hair craves moisture but gets bogged down easily. “Of the many leave-in conditioners I’ve tried, I do really love this product,” says Folino. “I lose curl definition when I use creamy leave-ins, but this mist works really well with my texture. Its smell is light and refreshing, and the price for the quality is great.”
Our tester says: “This silky smooth leave-in is one I always rely on post-wash to help tame flyways and frizz in my straight, fine hair,” says Kilkeary. “It’s quite liquid and takes a bit of rubbing in on various sections, but does a nice job at keeping my hair hydrated and soft throughout the day. I also love that it has vegan collagen and hyaluronic acid. Both definitely help to make my hair look more alive.”
11. Most Customizable Leave-In Conditioner: Prose Custom Leave-In Conditioner
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- What we love: Personalized to your hair care routine, type, and even environment; vegan and uses natural ingredients; heat-protecting
- Worth considering: Pricey, especially for longer hair
From shampoo to leave-in conditioner, all of Prose’s formulas are tailored to your hair after you answer a questionnaire. There, you can specify characteristics like your hair texture, styling routine (in case you need heat protection), geographic location (to determine how humid your environment is, how high-quality the water, etc.), and what your preferences are for scent, ingredients to avoid, and goals. Our tester, Nancy Laobak, has thick, straight hair and says she appreciated how smooth the ordering process was, and how soft and shiny her hair looked and felt after use. The formulas are rich in vegan, color-safe ingredients such as fiber-repairing collagen, hydrating natural oils and hyaluronic acid, and heat-protecting pea protein.
Our tester says: “I was impressed with how nice my hair looked after using this,” says Laobak. “I usually just shampoo and condition twice a week, then blow-dry. I don’t typically use styling products. This was easy to use (in conjunction with Prose’s full line of shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask). I’ve used the brand before but didn’t finish the products because the scent was too heavy. This time around, the jasmine scent I picked wasn’t as intense, which I appreciated as I’m very sensitive to fragrance and sometimes write off products because of that. I think my hair looked incredible afterwards.”
Your questions about leave-in conditioners, answered
To test the leave-in conditioners, we enlisted 16 reviewers with a range of hair types—including curly, coily, fine, straight, coarse, and thinning. We tried 25 different leave-ins, using every product at least twice on damp hair after their usual shampoo-and-conditioner routines (and following the recommended directions for each). Reviewers styled their hair as they normally would, whether that meant air-drying, blow-drying, or heat-styling.
We asked them to evaluate each product based on five key criteria:
- Ease of use: How simple it was to apply and distribute through the hair
- Scent and texture: How strong or pleasant the fragrance was, and how the formula felt—whether cream, mist, lotion, or spray
- Weight: Whether it left hair feeling light or heavy
- Effectiveness: Whether it delivered on its promises—hydration, shine, smoothing flyaways, defining curls or waves, etc.
- Value: Whether the quality and amount per bottle was worth the price
With their feedback (and expert input), we narrowed the pool down to the standout favorites below.
To choose the right leave-in for you, take your hair type into account. Someone with fine or wavy hair, for instance, needs a product that}s lighter and strengthening. Those with curly hair, on the other hand, benefit from a thicker, more nourishing product, as it’s tougher for natural oils to spread down a curl’s spiral. Look for emollients (like natural oils and dimethicone) that create a protective barrier over the hair’s shaft and humectants (like glycerin and aloe vera) that hydrate dry and curly hair. Here’s a quick look, broken down by hair type and concern.
| Hair type | What to look for | Key ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Fine, straight, wavy | A lightweight to medium-weight product that strengthens without weighing down or messing up natural texture of waves | Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, keratin, amino acids, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), glycerin |
| Curly, coily | Long-lasting moisture, curl definition, frizz control, and slip for detangling | Shea butter, argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids |
| Coarse, thick, dry, damaged | A thick, creamy product or oil that strengthens, smooths, and improves elasticity | Keratin, argan oil, shea butter, jojoba oil |
| Thinning | A product that supports scalp health and encourages growth | Biotin, caffeine |
You can use a leave-in every time you wash your hair—but it’s not meant to fully replace your rinse-out conditioner. Leave-ins offer lightweight moisture, detangling, and frizz control, while traditional conditioners deliver deeper hydration that’s typically rinsed out. For curly, coily, or dry hair, applying a leave-in after every wash (or even on days between washes) can help maintain softness and definition. If your hair is fine or straight, or gets oily quickly, you may want to use it just on the ends, every other wash, or only as needed to avoid buildup. Ultimately, the best frequency depends on your hair type, styling habits, and how much moisture your strands need.
- Sophie Rose Gutterman, celebrity hairstylist, colorist, and curl expert
- Mandy Buechner, hair-loss practitioner and certified trichologist
- Sarah Potempa, a celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of hair care brand The Beachwaver Co
- Keka Heron, professional hairstylist and trichologist based in Atlanta
- Jodi Logerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, doctor of nursing practice and family nurse practitioner certified in dermatology who’s affiliated with the Orentreich Medical Group
- Chantell Carrtherol, professional hairstylist and curl specialist
- Kerry E. Yates, trichologist and founder of beauty-brand consultancy Colour Collective
