Our Recommended Leave-In Conditioners for Each Hair Type
There are days when our hair strands just won’t cooperate and we’re not at home to do some emergency heat styling. Well, excellent news: a product like leave-in conditioner exists and unlike other heat styling products, they won’t do damage to your hair (and your wallet!)
When the concept of leave-in conditioners was introduced in the market several years ago, every beauty lover started talking about them and they became hair staples. We mean–what’s not to love? They’re easy to use and they do the trick in giving extra moisture to each strand, making your hair shinier, smoother, and more manageable in an instant.
With a plethora of available hair products in the supermarket aisles, how can you find one that’s perfect for you? We asked our hair experts on how to use and choose the best leave-in conditioners for each hair type: from colored to curly.
What is a Leave-in Conditioner?
If you can only choose one hair product from your arsenal to do almost everything, then this is all you need. Compared to regular conditioners, these are more lightweight and you don’t need to rinse them out. You don’t replace your regular conditioner with this, though! A leave-in conditioner is a no-rinse hair product that multitasks: it locks in moisture, detangles, gives your hair shine, and protects your hair from heat. Minimum effort, maximum results.
How to Use a Leave-in Conditioner
For best results, not all leave-in conditioners are to be used the same way with every hair type. We give you tips on how to make the most out of them.
For dry hair
Those with dry hair can benefit the most from leave-in conditioners, as they’re more prone to damage and frizziness. For those with dry, damaged hair, it is best to apply conditioners at the roots while still damp. Doing so can help your hair absorb them. Reapply when needed–dry hair can never have enough moisture!
Editor’s tip: One of the first leave-in conditioners in the Philippines, the Cream Silk Standout Straight Leave-On Cream already achieved cult-favorite status. It’s recommended for most hair types! Not only will it smooth your strands, but it will also get rid of pesky flyaways. This is perfect for those on a tight budget and also very easy to find, as you can buy a bottle of this from your favorite supermarket.
For damaged hair
To those with damaged hair, heat styling tools and chemical treatments are a no-no. If you must really use that hair straightener, use a leave-in conditioner that protects the hair from chemicals and heat, so apply liberally from the roots to tips while hair is still damp.
If you have extremely damaged hair, apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner to your hair before sleeping then wrap your hair with a towel or a shower cap. Let your hair absorb the nutrients and wake up with a major boost of smoothness & extra hydrated tresses. Do this every week for extra gorgeous hair.
Editor’s tip: Leave-in conditioners can also come in a spray form! A few spritzes of the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray can shield the hair from damages of heat styling. Thanks to its Keratin Smooth technology, it also controls frizz for up to 48 hours without weighing hair down.
For curly hair
Curly-haired ladies should also make sure they have a bottle of this in their bag for midday touch-ups, especially during humid days. Apply a coin-sized leave-in conditioner to towel-dried hair and then comb it through. This product’s hydrating properties will seal moisture and make sure strands stay hydrated.
Editor’s tip: When humidity is at its peak, curly hair tend to be unmanageable. Apply a moisturizing product prior to styling, like the VO5 Frizz Free Cream. Just a small amount is enough to nourish each strand. It also acts as a heat protectant, so you can blow dry your hair without the damage! For best results, use this before and after styling.
For thin or fine hair
A common misconception is that a leave-in conditioner is only for those with dry and damaged hair. We’ll let you in a secret. *wink* As regular conditioners tend to weigh hair down, we suggest skipping them and replacing them with a leave-in conditioner instead!
Editor’s tip: A perfect choice for ladies on the go is the VO5 Express Primer Spray. Best applied when hair is damp, this spray gives the blowout volumizing effect. Just 5-7 spritzes on towel-dried hair are enough to coat hair’s strands and give them shape. It’s also a heat protectant, so you can blow dry your hair for more volume!
When to Use Leave-in Conditioners
A leave-in conditioner is a must when you’re looking for a multitasking hair product that solves your hair woes. Make sure to keep one in your bathroom and one in your bag. You don’t know when you’ll need midday touchups!
