While leave-in conditioners may sound self-explanatory, there’s certainly a method to reap all of their wonderful benefits. To follow, hair experts explain exactly what to do—and what to avoid—when it comes to leave-in conditioner. Let’s get into it. These products are used to restore hydration, increase shine, aid the detangling process, and even provide other benefits such as heat and UV protection, Stollmeyer says. Think of it like a hair mask that’s formulated to be left in. (Hence the term, leave-in conditioner.) But just like hair masks and traditional in-shower conditioners, these products aren’t just preventive—they can help to treat existing damaged ends, nourish brittle hair, and deeply hydrate dried-out strands. Unlike hair masks that you’ll use once a week or so, these leave-ins should be used after every wash. “[Think of it as] the first step in your styling routine,” certified trichologist, celebrity stylist, and founder of scalp-first hair care brand Act + Acre Helen Reavey notes. Apply from the mid-shaft of your strands all the way to the ends. If you have any leftover product, apply that to the top of your strands near the root to reduce frizz and flyaways. Many leave-in conditioners contain humectants, which are hydrators that pull water into your hair—think hyaluronic acid, glycerin, etc.—which is why applying to damp hair is highly encouraged. However, you can apply them to dry hair as well—more on that in a bit. If you’ve applied a bit too much for your hair type, your strands may feel weighed down or have trouble holding a style—so let that be your telltale sign to dial it back. On the flip side, if you feel like your product isn’t providing enough hydration, try using a larger amount and see if that helps. After you’ve applied your leave-in conditioner, slowly and gently sort through each section of your hair with a comb, brush, or your fingers if that’s more your speed. Try your best to avoid ripping through tangles or brushing the hair too quickly, as both can lead to manual damage. No matter what you choose, your style will look even better with the extra dose of nourishment from a leave-in—after all, the more care you put into your hair, the kinder it will be to you in return. Those with dry, coarse, or curly hair may benefit more from a thick, creamy formula, as it will contain rich plant butters and emollients that soften the hair. On the flip side, those with straight or superfine hair may want to look for something with a gel-like texture, as a product that is too rich may weigh down the strands. This is why some leave-in conditioners are specifically designed for curly or straighter hair types. But the average leave-in will be somewhere right in the middle. “The formulations are deeply hydrating and often contain lightweight ingredients that have been specially formulated to leave all hair types feeling silky and soft without any added weight,” Reavey says. What’s more, “For some, it is needed more seasonally; for others, it can be a daily addition to the routine (especially more dry, damaged, or tangly hair types),” Stollmeyer notes. So if you don’t love the feeling of a leave-in product but find that your strands crave extra hydration in the fall or winter, you can keep it on a seasonal rotation. If you’re not sure how porous your hair is (it can be confusing!), here’s a quick test: For those with low porosity hair, it’s even more essential to apply leave-in conditioner thoroughly and consistently, as your hair might have a harder time absorbing and holding on to water and products. This is just the top-line info—for a deeper dive into hair porosity tips and tricks, check out this guide. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with frizzy strands, oftentimes frizz can mean your hair is dehydrated—especially if it happens on occasion or seasonally. If your goal is to tame frizz, whether it be on your natural hair or a heat-styled look, leave-ins will work wonders. Think of it like your skin right after you apply a hydrating serum or rich moisturizer—it looks plumper and helps your subsequent products glide even better. Plus, there are plenty of factors that dry out the hair, from weather to heat damage and more—so giving your hair a little extra TLC is never a bad idea. Depending on your hair type, the latter option may feel a bit heavy (read: might not be the best for straight, fine hair). You can play around with the measurements, adding a bit less conditioner and a tad more water if you find the blend weighing down your strands.
