10 Best Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair, From Waves to 4C Coils

• Best for: All curl types
• Key ingredients: Pear cactus, panthenol, green tea, arnica, glycerin
• Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
• Scent: Light, airy
• Texture: Lotion

“I have loose, dry curls and struggle to control frizziness without weighing down my hair with product,” says Glamour reviewer Heather 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. Ouidad’s leave-in softened my hair and smoothed my curls, leaving them feeling light and healthy,” says Mack, who adds that the lotion has a barely-there scent.

• Best for: Coily, natural, 4C hair
• Key ingredients: Rice amino acids, avocado oil, glycerin, aloe, keratin
• Size: 6 fl. oz.
• Scent: Citrus
• Texture: Thick cream

“As soon as I put it in my hair, I knew it would become a part of my daily routine,” says Glamour global executive assistant, Monique Wilson of this leave-in conditioner for natural, curly hair. “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.”

• Best for: Medium to thick curls coils
• Key ingredients: Aloe vera, honey, jojoba oil
• Size: 25 fl. oz.
• Scent: Woody, minty
• Texture: Lightweight cream

“I liked this conditioner because it was lightweight and kept my 3C hair in pretty good condition for several days post wash day, reducing frizz and tangles over time,” says Glamour reviewer Cathy Sweetser. “I have a toddler and don’t want to be spending time on hair care, so I’m looking for products that aren’t too heavy and keep my hair feeling fresh, and this really delivered.”

• Best for: All curl types, especially fine, wavy hair
• Key ingredients: Guava leaf extract, seed oils, aloe vera powder, glycerin
• Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
• Scent: Fruity, tropical
• Texture: Midweight cream

“It’s definitely a personal fave of mine,” says Folino. “The scent is nice—subtle, not overbearing, and it helps with the overall health of my hair, leaving my strands shiny and soft.”

• Best for: All curl types, especially thick, wavy, dry hair
• Key ingredients: Plant-based proteins, niacinamide
• Size: 5.1 fl. oz.
• Scent: Amber, woody
• Texture: Cream

“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-size amount into my damp waves post-shower from the ends up to the midlengths, 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, ambery perfume-like scent was lovely. I’m a big fan!”

• Best for: Fine, wavy curls
• Key ingredients: Coconut oil, olive oil
• Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
• Scent: Tropical, coconut
• Texture: Spray lotion

“I have pretty fine, wavy hair and am not best served by thick creams, which is why I tested this gentle spray,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. “It has an appealing, tropical scent and a milky consistency, and was pretty easy to spray and comb through my hair. It left my curls feeling soft and shiny, even after blow-drying. I’ll keep using it as a heat protectant and detangler, though I’ll pair it with a leave-in cream or mousse for added moisture and hold.”

• Best for: Dry and color-treated curls
• Key ingredients: Almond milk, rose extract
• Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
• Scent: Floral
• Texture: Spray

“What really makes this leave-in stand out, to me, is the value,” says Glamour contributor Eden Stuart. “It is the ultimate multitasker–providing hydration, detangling, heat protection–with a gorgeous scent and loads of product, all for less than the cost of a specialty coffee in Manhattan. I definitely saw and felt the difference in my thick, coily hair, but since the formula is very lightweight, I think this one will work especially well for those with thinner hair and looser waves and curls.”

• Best for: Curly and coily hair types
• Key ingredients: Almond, coconut, and oat milks, olive oil, lemon juice
• Size: 3.3 fl. oz.
• Scent: Fruity (coconut, lemon)
• Texture: Spray lotion

“This one has been going strong as my go-to leave-in conditioner for almost a year,” says Stuart. “I have coarse strands and plenty of them coily and densely packed. For those reasons, I typically seek out super-rich, heavy creams and avoid sprays. But this one—which is more like a hair milk, as the name suggests—really surprised me (in the best way). I apply it in the shower to soaking-wet hair—after my wash-out conditioner and before any styling products—and it makes detangling such a breeze. It leaves my coils so shiny, soft, and ready to be perfectly cast by curl creams and gels. Since I have a ton of hair, I usually pour it into my hand directly, but I think those with medium or thinner hair could easily spray and go.”

Look for leave-in conditioners with rich, hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil to lock in moisture and control frizz. Humectants like glycerin and aloe vera draw in moisture, while proteins and amino acids help strengthen and repair.

Curly and coily hair tends to be drier than straight hair because natural oils have a harder time traveling down the twists and turns of each strand. That’s why many stylists recommend using a leave-in conditioner every time you wash and condition your hair. Still, how often—and how much—you use ultimately depends on your hair’s texture, porosity, and what feels best for you. For example, “If you have fine or high porosity hair, you may want to use a lightweight leave-in,” says Sango. “If your hair is dense, thick, and low porosity, a richer leave-in can help open the cuticle layer a little more, allowing better moisture absorption and combability.”

No. Experts don’t recommend skipping traditional conditioner or using it in place of a leave-in. Rinse-out conditioners are essential for nourishing and moisturizing your curls, but they’re formulated with rich ingredients that are meant to be washed out. Leaving them in can make your hair feel heavy, greasy, or weighed down. Leave-in conditioners, on the other hand, are designed to deliver lightweight, long-lasting hydration and protection against heat and environmental damage—without buildup.

Leave-in conditioners aren’t gender-specific—it all comes down to hair type, texture, and concerns. Men with fine or thinning hair may prefer lightweight formulas with ingredients like caffeine or biotin. In contrast, those with thicker or curlier hair might benefit from richer creams or butters for added moisture and frizz control. For a low-maintenance routine, a two-in-one leave-in and styling cream is a great all-in-one option.

“Leave-in conditioner should be applied to freshly cleansed hair, right after the hair has been towel-blotted dry and just before applying styling products,” says Sango.

You should apply leave-in conditioner to hair that’s wet, but not too wet. “For the best results, apply leave-in conditioner on damp hair. When your hair is freshly washed and still slightly wet, the cuticle is open, allowing the product to really penetrate and hydrate,” explains Nolan.

That said, depending on the product, you can use a leave-in to “revive curls, coils, and twist-outs in between wash days,” says Sango. (Nolan cosigns, adding that “you can use a small amount to refresh or tame frizz,” though “your main application should always happen post wash.”)

Overhydrated hair looks limp and has a gummy or gooey effect, says celebrity hairstylist Nai’vasha Grace. Tell-tale signs include dullness, a lack of luster, and looser, flatter curls. Sango adds that overhydrated hair is prone to breakage and shedding.

If that all sounds a little too familiar, “The best way to correct overhydration is to do a deep clarifying cleanse,” Grace says, followed by a protein treatment. And perhaps unsurprisingly, you’ll want to “ease up on heavy moisturizers or deep conditioners for a bit,” says Nolan.

• Use a wide-tooth comb: This will help distribute the product evenly, says Nolan: “It helps avoid buildup and ensures every strand gets that moisture boost.”
• Steam your strands: “Steam opens up the hair cuticle, allowing conditioners, oils, and treatments to penetrate more effectively,” says Sango. “This helps restore hydration, softness, and elasticity—especially useful for dry or heat- or chemically-compromised hair.” Intrigued? Check out some of our favorite steamers.
• Try the “LOC” method: “Curly hair naturally craves moisture, so layering hydration is key,” says Nolan. The “LOC” method (also known as the “LCO” method) consists of using a leave-in conditioner, cream, and oil, and can “make a huge difference in curl definition and softness,” she says. Just layer on the products after using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.

• Sophie Rose Gutterman, celebrity hairstylist, colorist, and curl expert
• Temur Hamilton, premier hair colorist, stylist, and owner of Temur hair salon in Manhattan
• Mandy Buechner, certified trichologist and hair-loss practitioner
• Chantell Carrtherol, professional hairstylist and curl specialist
• Keka Heron, trichologist and professional hairstylist based in Atlanta
• Kerry E. Yates, trichologist and founder of beauty brand consultancy Colour Collective
• Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of hair care brand Beachwaver Co.
• Sarah Sango, celebrity and editorial hairstylist and owner of Peach Hair and Beauty Salon
• Nai’vasha Grace, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Curl Queen
• Stanley Nolan, Ogle School master cosmetologist and beauty education specialist