Leave-in conditioners for curly hair is a topic of its own due to several reasons. To begin with, taking care of any kind of hair is a strenous task in a world full of hectic schedules and polluted hair. Curly hair in general are prone to stubborn knots and frizziness so you need something special by your side for flawless curly hair. Shampoos clean your scalp, conditioners give that added hydration but it get rinsed off. So, your curly hair needs something with deeper and long-lasting moisturisation and this is where leave-in conditioners come into play.
And on days when you just don’t want to wash your hair, leave-in conditioners will have your back. In order to make ful use of this phenomenan, you need to make sure you’re using the right leave-conditioners for curly hair.
This is why we’ve listed the top leave-in conditioners for curly hair. Here’s to eternal, bouncy curls.
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer
This is a rich, lightweight oil formula that will leave your hydrated and moisturized. While, it’s crafted using argan and macadamia oils, it’s not oily at all! One Sephora user wrote, “Hairdresser suggested this product for use when straightening my curly hair. Apart from that, it has a nice light scent. Also, it doesn’t leave hair oily, strangely enough. Goes a long way.”
In addition to a non-greasy, hydrated mane transformation, this will also keep your hair protected against UV damage.
Also, this wins versatility by working on every hair types that are thick, fine, wavy, colour-treated, oily, dry and curly. Plus, this product when its damp, detangles and gives it a healthy shine. And let’s say you’re someone who doesn’t want to use a tone of hair products, this would suit your minimalistic hair routine seamlessly.
Pros: Provides heat protection, Easy non-greasy use
Cons: Some hair types require more product
- Size: 8.5 oz.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, argan oil and macadamia oils
- Hair type: Straight, wavy and curly; medium and thick
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner
High quality doesn’t always mean expensive purchases. This drugstore product amazes anyone with bouncy soft curls and it’s less than $10! Made with pure Jamaican black castor oil and ethically-sourced shea butter, this nourishes, moisturizes and protects your hair from breakage. And one Amazon user confirms that this is one of the best leave-in conditioners for curly hair by writing, “. I use it 3 times a week and have had it for about a month. The texture of my hair prior to using it was dry and a lot of breakage the curls were just frizz after about a month the texture is getting healthier and my curls are coming back to the natural shape.”
Furthermore, users with curly hair have confirmed that this leave-in conditioner amazingly well in so many ways. Another customer’s testimony says, “with wavy-to-curly hair. This leave-in softens my hair and leaves it shiny, while cutting down on frizz. It smells great too, vanilla-y.”
Pros: Works efficiently on curly hair, amazing scent, protects damaged hair, very affordable
Cons: Thicker hair texture means more product is needed
- Size: 11 oz.
- Key ingredients: Jamaican black castor oil and shea butter
- Hair type: Curly and wavy
Garnier Whole Blends Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter Leave in Conditioner Treatment
This is one of the budget-friendly leave-in conditioners for curly hair that also serves as styling cream. And if you’re struggling with frizzy hair, get this as it’s proved to work on many curly-haired women. One user wrote, “After trying many many expensive shampoos, I decided to give this one a try. I was so pleasantly surprised. My hair is static free and soft. This is the one I’ve been looking for. Will buy again.”
Pros: Controls frizzy hair, works on both dry and wet hair
Cons: Thick and heavy texture
- Size: 5.1 oz.
- Key ingredients: Argan and coconut oils, aloe and cocoa butter
- Hair types: Wavy and curly; dry and damaged
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
This hydrating leave-in conditioner leaves no residue and is very lightweight. Besides that, it works well by locking in the moisture, protecting from harmful substances and keeping the flyaways and frizziness at bay. What’s more? It’s made using organic ingredients such as pomegrenate extract, honey, babssu oil to keep your mane healthy.
In overall, users have agreed on the following review, “This leave-in conditioner works very well for me. I’ve tried so many. It’s not greasy/heavy. It moisturizes perfectly for my curls and it smells nice.”
Pros: No residue, made for curly hair
Cons: Scent might not be appealing to everyone
- Size: 8 oz.
- Key ingredients: White peony oil, green tea leaf extract and grapefruit seed extract
- Hair type: Curly
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème
Want bouncy and well-defined curls without the involvement of lot of chemicals? This curl-friendly leave-in conditioner is packed with powerful natural ingredients. And rice amino acids locks the hair cuticle to keep out any frizz-causing external factors. In addition to that, avocado provides lightweight moisture and effortless shine. And tomato fruit ferment ensures the curls are consistent and last long.
This is what a user with thick, dry curly hair had to say, “I have thick dry curly hair that frizzes. The products did it wonders like it says it would. My hair is not as frizzy and not as dry. Plus when it dries it does not feel sticky. Will buy again.”
Pros: Defined curls, made with high-impact natural ingredients
Cons: May get clumpy, not strong enough
- Size: 6 oz.
- Key ingredients: Avocado oil and rice amino acids
- Hair type: Wavy, curly and textured
OUAI Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave in Conditioner
The cool girl favourite, OUAI’s Leave In Conditioner is a multi-tasker. If you’re always on the go and want silky smooth hair, try out a quick style with this. And it gives you heat protection while keeping your hair frizz-free. A lot of curly-haired users love how this detangles their curls. One impressed user wrote on Sephora site, “smells so so so good. detangling leaving in conditioners have never worked for me so i was sooo surprised when this helped remove a large knot in 2 minutes. my hair has been less frizzy since i started using this product and it makes my hair feel so nice.”
However, those with thick hair don’t really find it life changing as it’s not strong enough to control thick curls. Which means, it’s a good lightweight fit for those with fine curls.
Pros: Lightweight, hydrating, may provide thermal protection
Cons: Doesn’t work on thick curly hair
- Size: 4.7 oz.
- Key ingredients: Panthenol and vitamin E
- Hair type: Straight, wavy, curly and coily; fine, medium and thick
Camille Rose Honey Hydrate “The Leave-In Collection”
Another one of the great natural leave-in conditioners for curly hair. And this is a golden honey syrup-based product that will give you maximum hydration. Also, users love its effortless finish on their hair. One positive review read as, “Hair very manageable , no more frizz, naturally curly and hair stays more relaxed and softer curls.”
Pros: Natural finish, glossy results, detangles easily
Cons: Strong scent, sticky product
- Size: 9 oz.
- Key ingredients: Honey, castor seed oil, aloe leaf juice and olive fruit oil
- Hair type: Any
Kinky Curly Knot Today Natural Leave-In Detangler
This can be either rinsed off or left in for deep conditioning. No matter what the texture of your curly hair is, this works just fine. Also, its formula works easily with any level of detangling faster than the other leave-in conditioners for curly hair.
Pros: Detangles like a pro, hydrates well with a lightweight texture
Cons: Might not work well with thick hair
- Size: 8.0 oz.
- Key ingredients: Marshmallow root
- Hair type: Curly and textured
PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner
Looking for leave-in conditioners formulated just for curly hair? This product will give you lots of moisture while not weighing down your hair. Also, it detangles so smoothly that you wouldn’t even feel it. A Sephora customer wrote, “I’m on my fourth bottle of this it is so amazing!! insane slip it really prevents my hair from getting tangled the next day, super moisturizing without weighing my curls down! Bottle is super big so you get your money’s worth.”
Plus, in terms of hydration, it focuses on both hair and scalp. Some like the scent but others aren’t a fan of the mildly floral scent.
Pros: Perfect texture, detangles easy, hydrates both scalp and hair
Cons: Smell is subjective
- Size: 25 oz.
- Key ingredients: Panthenol, jojoba oil, castor oil, avocado oil and coconut oil
- Hair type: Curly, wavy and coily
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
If you’re struggling with dull, damaged hair and curls that needs extra detangling, put your money on this. This is a miracle product that eliminates frizz, gives healthy shine and restores your hair’s health.
And for those living under humid weather conditions, this product will always keep your hair “soft, shiny and bouncy.” One of the happy users says she sprays, “about half way down the shaft to the ends and combs from the ends up.” Besides that, it is proven to be detangling smooth as ever. However, there are certain reviews that claim that this is less effective with frizz. Aside from that, users also rave about how it reduces hair breakage.
Pros: Detangles, protects hair under humid conditions, good for colour protected hair, gives healthy shine
Cons: May not reduce frizz for everyone
- Size: 10 oz.
- Key ingredients: Panthenol, silk amino acids and aloe vera
- Hair type: All
Johnson’s Baby Curl Defining Tear-Free Kids’ Leave-in Conditioner
Give your kids the ultimate comfort with curls by using a gentle product as this. Moreove, it is tested by experts and assured to be at international regulatory standards. And it’s very easy to use and lightweight so the kiddos can enjoy the benefits if curls with no fuss.
An Amazon user called this a miracle and wrote, “My son has very tight curls and we uses this after we used the shampoo and we were able to get through his tight curls.” This proves it to be a total pampering aspect for your beloved kids.
Pros: Softens hair, very gentle
Cons: May not give long-lasting defining curls
- Size: 6.8 oz.
- Key ingredients: Shea butter
- Hair type: Curly
Davines OI All-In-One Milk Leave-In Spray Hair Treatment
On the search for leave-in conditioner for curly hair that give you an extra boost of shine? This versatile product does it all by making your hair feel soft and look flawless. In addition to that, it detangles easily and gives sufficient heat protection. Also, if you’re a busy bee, you have the option of using it on both dry and wet hair.
Some purchasers call it the holy grail by adding, “The minute this goes into my hair, my strands suddenly turn to the silkiest smoothest strands ever. I love the scent. It smells like a luxurious treat for my hair.”
Pros: Works on both dry and wet hair, Protects hair from external irritations
Cons: Can leave a residue if the bottle isn’t shaken well
- Size: 4.56 oz.
- Key ingredients: Roucou oil and panthenol
- Hair type: Curly, wavy and textured; fine
Color Wow Dream Cocktail Kale-Infused Strengthening Leave In Treatment
Not going to lie, people are freaking out about how life-changing this product. And one Sephora customer exclaimed, “LET ME TELL YOU! OMG this is such a game changer i was so nervous i would have to return this item if it didn’t go well BUT I CANT LIVE WITHOUT THIS NOW FROM NOW ON ! worth every penny.”
Also, it’s perfect for any hair including damaged dry hair and for those with pretty curls. A happy Sephora customer wrote, “I use this dream cocktail kale infused cream every other day and it is magic for my curls!! Smells amazing.”
Pros: Smells amazings, works like a breeze for frizz, protection and restoration
Cons: Need heat styling to work
- Size: 1.6 oz.
- Key ingredients: Blue sea kale, kelp extract and propriety blend
- Hair type: Straight, wavy, curly and coily; fine, medium and thick
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother
Of course, the hottest haircare brand has leave-in conditioners for curly hair. So, you will feel like you’ve just received professional haircare treatment and each use of this product lasts up to 72 hours! And this is big on frizz control and smooth hair styling. Plus, customers find it to be, “moisturising, strengthening and smoothing”. In addition to that, it’s good for coloured hair and magically reduces the appearance of split ends.
Pros: Professional loyal fan base, smoothens hair flawlessly, restores treated hair
Cons: On the thicker side in terms of texture
- Size: 3.3 oz.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil
- Hair type: Any
Picking the right leave-in conditioners for curly hair
This can be an overwhelming choice but the right pick depends on a few factors defining your needs and profile.
Ask yourself if you’re comfortable with the ingredients or if you have any sensistivity issues to any of it. It doesn’t have to be all-natural product instead something that suits your hair and skin health. Also, if you have soy alergies, double check what’s in a product.
Learn your type of curls and check if people with similar hair texture have anything positive to say about a specific brand. So, click on user reviews on different sites or check what reviews on TikTok and YouTube have to say.
Again, check if you’re comfortable using one product for many uses. Or having a combination of leave-in conditioners and other hair treatments.This depends on your lifestyle, skin sensitivity and hair goals.
- Budget-friendly leave-in conditioner for curly hair: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner
- Frizz and flyaway resistant leave-in conditioner for curly hair: Garnier Whole Blends Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter Leave in Conditioner Treatment
- Residue-free leave-in conditioner for curly hair: Mielle Organics White Peony Sulfate-Free Leave-In Conditioner
- Natural ingredients-based leave-in conditioner for curly hair: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème
- Best leave-in conditioner for wavy hair: OUAI Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave in Conditioner
- Best moisturizing leave-in conditioner for curly hair: Camille Rose Honey Hydrate “The Leave-In Collection”
- Best lightweight leave-in conditioner for curly hair: Kinky Curly Knot Today Natural Leave-In Detangler
- Best leave-in conditioner for thick, curly hair: PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner
- Best spray leave-in conditioner for curly hair: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
- Best leave-in conditioner for kids with curly hair: Johnson’s Baby Curl Defining Tear-Free Kids’ Leave-in Conditioner
- Best spray leave-in conditioner for fine, curly hair: Davines OI All-In-One Milk Leave-In Spray Hair Treatment
- Best leave-in conditioner for treated curly hair: Color Wow Dream Cocktail Kale-Infused Strengthening Leave In Treatment
- Best leave-in conditioner for damaged curly hair: Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother
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