Leave-in conditioner is an essential part of every hair-care routine. This hydrating product is applied after you wash, condition and towel-dry your hair but before styling. While leave-in conditioner is a favorite for people with curly and coily hair, it actually works on ALL hair types-- and if you pick the right product, it can make your tresses smoother, shinier and more vibrant. If you’re wishing for silky-smooth, soft and manageable hair that’s healthy from within, read on to discover everything you need to know about leave-in conditioner.
What is Leave-In Conditioner?
AIIR Amethyst Hair + Energy Refresher is Leave-in conditioner is a moisturizing conditioner that doesn’t need to be rinsed out of your hair. It nourishes and heals each strand from the inside out, strengthens weak hair, repairs damage, reduces friction, improves elasticity, infuses moisture, boosts shine, and makes your hair easier to comb and style. Applying leave-in conditioner is an added step between cleansing and styling your hair. While it might seem redundant to apply leave-in conditioner to damp hair after using a regular conditioner in the shower, your hair will LOVE the extra hydration! If you use leave-in conditioner consistently after washing your hair, you may notice that your hair feels healthier, smoother and less damaged overall.
What Does Leave-In Conditioner Do For Your Hair?
Leave-in conditioner hydrates, nourishes, heals, strengthens and smooths your hair. It repairs existing damage while also protecting your delicate strands from future damage. The result is sleeker, shinier and more manageable hair. Every hair type can benefit from leave-in conditioner, but this product is especially helpful for dry, curly, frizzy or damaged hair. It’s also a non-negotiable if you color treat your hair.
But even if your hair is already healthy, using a leave-in conditioner regularly helps you protect your hair’s future health and beauty. Our hair goes through a lot on a daily basis— weather and temperature extremes, hot styling tools, abrasive towels and pillows, combing, brushing, and being pulled back with hair elastics. This damage adds up over time, often leading to dryness, breakage and frizz. That’s why SO many hair wellness tips center on minimizing damage to your hair!
However, we can’t eliminate every source of potential damage to hair. That’s where leave-in conditioner comes in. It infuses your hair with extra moisture and nourishing ingredients to support healthy, shiny tresses. Leave-in conditioner also shields your hair from some of the damage experienced on a daily basis by reducing friction, improving elasticity and strengthening weak hair.
Think of it this way— most of us apply lotion after showering and use a moisturizing product after washing our faces. Leave-in conditioner fulfills the same purpose, but for hair!
What is the Difference Between Leave-In Conditioner and Other Moisturizing Hair Products?
When it comes to moisturizing your mane, there are a LOT of products to choose from. If your hair needs major hydration (like, yesterday), it’s tempting to load up on every conditioner, cream, oil and serum out there. But it’s important to keep in mind that each product is designed for a specific purpose and hair type. Here’s the low-down on the different types of moisturizing products for your hair:
Leave-In Conditioner vs. Regular Conditioner
Conditioner is an essential step in maintaining healthy, glossy hair— but what is the difference between leave-in conditioner and regular conditioner? In general, classic conditioner is applied to wet hair after shampooing, then rinsed out of the hair after 2-5 minutes. Leave-in conditioner is applied to damp hair after washing, using regular conditioner and towel-drying. It can also be used to smooth and refresh second- or third-day hair. As the name suggests, leave-in conditioner does not need to be washed out. It’s usually lighter than standard conditioner, so it won’t weigh down your hair or make it greasy. While regular conditioner is rich and creamy, leave-in conditioners come in a variety of forms, including sprays, lotions and creams. Leave-in conditioner sprays are generally lightweight and work well for all hair types and textures.
Leave-In Conditioner vs. Curl Cream
Providing adequate moisture is essential to keeping curls healthy, defined and beautiful. Both leave-in conditioner and curl cream are great products to use for curly hair, as curls tend to be dry. Leave-in conditioner hydrates and nourishes curls, while curl creams and gels give your hair a bit more shape and hold. For optimal results, spray a lightweight leave-in conditioner all over your hair, then follow it up with a defining cream that’s made for your curl type.
Leave-In Conditioner vs. Serum
If your hair tends to be frizzy, you may be wondering which is better— leave-in conditioner or serum? Leave-in conditioner is a water-based moisturizer that softens the hair, infuses hydration and makes detangling easier. Serums are heavier oil-based products used to enhance ultra-sleek straight styles or add moisture to curls.
If you choose to apply a serum to your hair, make sure to put it on after your leave-in conditioner and avoid the root area.
Leave-In Conditioner vs. Hair Oil
While both leave-in conditioner and hair oil boost the moisture in your hair, hair oil is a much heavier product that’s usually recommended for dry and/or curly hair. Leave-in conditioner penetrates the hair’s cuticle to boost moisture and heal damage, while hair oil flattens the hair’s cuticle for a super-shiny finish. It’s best to apply hair oil after your other styling products, including leave-in conditioner, because hair oil forms a barrier that can prevent other products from being absorbed into your hair.
Leave-In Conditioner vs. Hair Mask
Leave-in conditioners and hair masks both deserve a place in your hair-care (and self-care) routine. Leave-in conditioners are designed to be used after every wash to restore moisture, heal damage and improve manageability. Hair masks are designed for deep hydration and should be used about once a week. While leave-in conditioner does not need to be rinsed out of your hair, hair masks do need to be rinsed out (and you may need to shampoo your hair after doing a hair mask). For best results, use leave-in conditioner every time you wash your hair (plus in-between washes, if desired) and treat yourself to a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment regularly.
How Do I Use Leave-In Conditioner?
Leave-in conditioner can be applied to both freshly washed and dry hair. To apply leave-in conditioner after washing your hair, simply spray the product all over your towel-dried tresses from ends to roots, avoiding your scalp. Blow dry or air dry your hair and style as usual. To apply leave-in conditioner to dry hair, mist leave-in conditioner all over while avoiding the scalp area. Allow the product to air dry for gradual results, or blow dry the product into your hair with a large round brush for an instant refresh. (This is perfect if your hair tends to get dry and frizzy in-between blowouts!)
Where to Apply Leave-In Conditioner?
Leave-in conditioner is lighter than regular conditioner, so it can be applied all over your hair. For best results, start at the tips of your hair and work your way up to the roots. Avoid spraying leave-in conditioner directly on your scalp, as this can lead to product build-up. If you have naturally oily hair, you might be wondering whether leave-in conditioner is right for you. The answer is YES! Oily hair can benefit from healthy hydration and nutrients, as well as the protection that leave-in conditioner gives to fragile hair. Just make sure to choose a lightweight leave-in conditioner and apply the product on your mid-shafts to ends, avoiding the root area.
Leave-in conditioner hydrates, nourishes, heals, strengthens and smooths your hair. It repairs existing damage while also protecting your delicate strands from future damage. The result is sleeker, shinier and more manageable hair. Every hair type can benefit from leave-in conditioner, but this product is especially helpful for dry, curly, frizzy or damaged hair. It’s also a non-negotiable if you color treat your hair. But even if your hair is already healthy, using a leave-in conditioner regularly helps you protect your hair’s future health and beauty. Our hair goes through a lot on a daily basis— weather and temperature extremes, hot styling tools, abrasive towels and pillows, combing, brushing, and being pulled back with hair elastics. This damage adds up over time, often leading to dryness, breakage and frizz. That’s why SO many hair wellness tips center on minimizing damage to your hair! However, we can’t eliminate every source of potential damage to hair. That’s where leave-in conditioner comes in. It infuses your hair with extra moisture and nourishing ingredients to support healthy, shiny tresses. Leave-in conditioner also shields your hair from some of the damage experienced on a daily basis by reducing friction, improving elasticity and strengthening weak hair. Think of it this way— most of us apply lotion after showering and use a moisturizing product after washing our faces. Leave-in conditioner fulfills the same purpose, but for hair!
Is Leave-In Conditioner Good For All Hair Types?
While leave-in conditioner is a non-negotiable for curly and coily hair, it has amazing benefits for ALL hair types! This multi-purpose product belongs in every hair-care and styling routine. The key is to select the best leave-in conditioner for YOUR hair and apply it mindfully for optimum results. Read on to find out how to use leave-in conditioner for your hair type:
Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Moisture is essential for healthy, happy curls. Be sure to always use a nourishing conditioner in the shower and follow it up with a leave-in conditioner. Curly hair can handle heavier products, but you may want to opt for a lighter leave-in conditioner if you plan to layer it with oils, serums or curl creams. Use a generous amount of leave-in conditioner and spray it all over your hair, from tips to roots.
Leave-In Conditioner for Wavy Hair
Wavy hair needs hydration and definition, but heavy curl products can actually weigh down your waves. Go for a lightweight, non-greasy leave-in conditioner. Spray it all over your waves, working from the bottom up, after every time you wash your hair. If your waves are extra-dry, you may want to use a hydrating hair oil or styling cream after applying leave-in conditioner. Just remember to start with a small amount of product and add more as needed.
Leave-In Conditioner for Frizzy, Dry or Damaged Hair
If your hair is frizzy, dry or damaged, leave-in conditioner is essential for healing your strands while guarding against future damage. Try applying leave-in conditioner every day before styling your hair. If you use other moisturizing products (such as hair oil, serum or cream), make sure to apply these products after your leave-in conditioner for best results. And don’t skip your weekly hair mask!
Leave-In Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair
Leave-in conditioner is a MUST for color-treated hair— whether your hair is super-healthy or already showing signs of damage. Bleaching, coloring or highlighting hair strips away natural oils and can weaken the hair, so it’s important to counteract this damage by adding back moisture regularly. Using leave-in conditioner after EVERY shampoo prevents dryness, frizz and broken ends while extending the vibrancy of your color. Make sure to spray the product from tips to roots. PRO TIP: Does your color-treated hair look dull or dry in-between blowouts? Refresh your style and boost shine by applying leave-in conditioner all over and blow drying it into your hair.
Leave-In Conditioner for Fine Hair
Many fine-haired folks shy away from moisturizing products, but leave-in conditioner is actually really good for fine hair! It gives your hair strength and shine without weighing it down. Make sure to choose a lightweight product that works on fine hair (heavy leave-ins designed for curls could make fine hair greasy). You want a leave-in conditioner that boosts your hair’s health and enhances shine without squashing your natural volume. If your hair is on the oily side, apply leave-in conditioner from your ear level down and skip the roots.
