No matter how much you condition your hair in the shower, the winter season can leave your hair feeling dull, dry, and not so cute.
And that’s where leave-in conditioners come in. Their purpose is to detangle, add a layer of protection to your hair, prevent breakage, reduce frizz, add moisture, shine, and improve elasticity. So how do you use them? For best results, apply a leave-in conditioner to damp or dry hair, and don’t rinse it out.
After careful research, we’ve compiled 5 of the best leave-in conditioners on the market! Check them out.
- For All Hair Types: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask – $110
Although this is a hair mask, do not rinse it out! It’s a leave-in treatment, designed to reverse hair damage in 4 minutes! This leave-in hair mask uses K18 – a biotech-developed peptide that mimics hair structure – to reconnect polypeptide chains and disulfide bonds which repair damage caused from bleach, colour, and heat. By working at a molecular level, this hair mask can minimize hair cuticle swelling and optimize hair proteins. Plus, it works well on all hair types. For best results, don’t condition your hair in the shower, just shampoo, and then apply 1-3 pumps of the hair mask at your ends working up towards your roots. Wait four minutes before styling, brushing, and applying any additional products.
We read the reviews, so you don’t have to:
So what’s the general consensus? People find their hair has grown since using the product, and that their hair is softer, and less brittle. Others reported that their hair looks healthier, despite regularly using bleach/colour on it. Few people complained that the product was too expensive and dried out their hair.
- For Frizzy Hair: Briogeo Rosarco Milk Conditioning Spray – $43
Is the humidity to blame for your frizz? Perhaps you want to protect your hair from the heat of your curling iron or straightener. Whichever the reason, Briogeo’s Rosarco Milk Conditioning Spray is the way to go! It’s packed with natural ingredients such as rosehip oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and Vitamin E. Plus, Briogeo conducted a third-party study using human hair tresses, and found that this treatment successfully reduces frizz for up to 48 hours.
We read the reviews, so you don’t have to:
What are customers saying? Well, some people say their hair was more soft and supple immediately after the first use. Unlike other conditioners, this one does not weigh down hair that is already oily. It does not leave grease or residue. Others say it prevents tangles, gives them a shine, and smells amazing. The only complaints we could find were that the scent isn’t strong enough, and that the consistency is similar to skim milk. But hey, what can you expect, after all, you are paying for a Milk Conditioning spray!
- For Curly Hair: Oribe Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler – $55
The Oribe Priming Lotion detangles, prevents breakage, and smooths hair cuticles. It uses ingredients like watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower to repair keratin deterioration, and avocado oil to lock in moisture. Plus, the infusion of olive oil helps protect against free radicals and oxidation. Formulated with mango seed butters, and cupuaça, a plant native to the Amazon Rainforest–and known for its hydrating effect on hair–Oribe makes the perfect product for curl types 2-4.
We read the reviews, so you don’t have to:
Customers generally find that Oribe’s product works great, provides them with smooth and shiny hair, and gets rid of knots or tangles. Some people love the smell of this product and found that it works well, even in extremely humid climates like Florida during their summers, while others complain that the smell is not great.
- For Colour-Treated or Damaged Hair: Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother – $44
Olaplex uses bond-building technology, particularly through the active ingredient bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate – boy, that’s a mouthful – to repair broken hair bonds. This leave-in treatment prevents frizz for up to 72 hours. It also contains Vitamin C and coconut oil to help strengthen, smooth, and protect hair. For best results, use one pump or ½ pump for short hair. It is best for damaged hair.
We read the reviews, so you don’t have to:
Ironically, a few of the reviews from the K18 Biomimetic site mentioned that they preferred Olaplex. Some say it can dry out hair, while others say that it’s the only product that fixes their dullness and hair breakage. People find that flyaways are reduced and that the products smell amazing. The general consensus is that customers find the product helps their ends look smooth and bouncy.
- For the Best Price: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in Conditioner – $8
This product is the most effective product within its price range. Infused with argan oil to smooth hair strands, it leaves hair lightweight and not greasy. It works great on dry or frizzy hair.
We read the reviews, so you don’t have to:
People get compliments from the scent of this product, and love how sleek this product makes their hair look. Customers have said they have tried many products, and that they continue coming back to this one, because it’s the only one that keeps their hair smooth and healthy looking. The only complaints are the difficulty in finding this product. Garnier retails at Walmart and Amazon, so while you may not be able to purchase directly from their site, fear not, the product is not discontinued (yet).
Jackie Marson | Contributing Writer
