For Curly Hair, a Good Leave-In Is Nonnegotiable—14 We've Tested So You Don't Have To

Michelin-star meals for thirsty curls.

Who What Wear editors Shawna Hudson, Jamie Schneider, and Sabrina Talbert testing the best leave-in conditioners for curly hair.
(Image credit: @shawnasimonee; @jamieeschneider; @sabrinasamone_; Sephora)
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It definitely took me a while to embrace my curly hair. As someone who heat-styled religiously and is still dealing with the damage, I almost didn't know what to do with myself once I put down the flat iron and was reintroduced to my 3c pattern. My first thought was, What kind of products do I use now? Products I used on my hair when it was straight don't provide enough hydration for my curls anymore, so naturally, I did some research. The first thing I incorporated into my routine was a good leave-in conditioner.

Because my hair was so dry, a leave-in became absolutely necessary. It provided extra moisture after conditioning that helped me style my hair and brought life back to my brittle, frizzy curls. To this day, it's a nonnegotiable item in my routine. If your hair is also in need of some serious TLC, keep on reading.Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing editors are providing their best recs below. Plus, celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Korab and curl specialist Dusty Schlabach, founder of CurlMaps, are offering tips on how to choose the best leave-in conditioner for curly hair.

The Best Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair, at a Glance

The Best Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair of 2025

Best Overall: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Cream

Shawna Hudson's hair after testing Bread Beauty Supply's Hair-Cream.

(Image credit: @shawnasimonee)

Best Splurge: Kérastase Curl Manifesto Curl Enhancing Leave-In Cream

Best Strengthening: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème

Shawna Hudson's hair after testing Briogeo's Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème.

(Image credit: @shawnasimonee)

Best Budget: Aussie Miracle Curls Detangling Milk

Best for Tighter Curls: Mielle Pomegranate Honey Leave-In Conditioner

Best for Wavy-Curly Hair: Rōz Milk Hair Serum

Jamie Schneider's hair after testing Rōz's Milk Hair Serum.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best Leave-In Spray: Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner Spray

Best for Damage Repair: Isima All In Restorative Leave-In Conditioner

Sabrina Talbert testing Isima's All In Restorative Leave-In Conditioner.

(Image credit: @sabrinasamone_)

Best for Frizz: Ouai Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Cream

Jamie Schneider's hair after testing Ouai's Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Cream.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best Hydrating: Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner

Best Detangling: Design Essentials Almond Avocado Moisturizing Detangling Leave-In Conditioner

Best Curl-Defining: Oribe Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème

Best Lightweight: Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls

Best Fragrance-Free: Innersense Organic Beauty Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner

What is leave-in conditioner?

You may know a leave-in conditioner is crucial for curls, but what is a leave-in, exactly? "Think of it as a lighter version of a curl cream," says Schlabach. "You can use it solo for soft, loose control or layer it under a gel or foam as a primer."

Note: Leave-in conditioners are styling products specifically formulated to remain on the hair strand unlike regular conditioners, which you should always rinse out. "Unlike most other products, you can also use it on dry hair (sparingly) to smooth flyways along the part line, group up curl/wave/coily ends, or even break a cast without the heaviness of an oil," Schlabach adds. "For those quick touch-ups, spray it into your hands first, then rake it in where you need the control."

What to Consider in a Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair

  • Ingredients: "I recommend looking for a leave-in conditioner with the right amount of hydration for your curls to keep them moisturized and frizz-free," Korab says. In terms of ingredients, think shea butter, coconut oil, glycerin, jojoba oil, and other hair-healthy hydrators.
  • Curl Type: Thinner curl types will want something lightweight that won't be too heavy or greasy on the hair. Jojoba-infused formulas will likely be your best bet. Those with thicker and extra-dry hair can probably get away with heavier creams, such as shea butter based leave-ins.
  • Applicator: Some leave-ins are housed in handy spray bottles, while others come with a pump or simple cap. Sprays make it easier to distribute the leave-in evenly from root to tip, but if you like to use a thicker glob of product, a pump bottle may be better suited for you. It's all up to personal preference.

Is curl cream or leave-in conditioner better for curly hair?

Schlabach says curl creams tend to be heavier and more concentrated than leave-ins. "Neither is 'better' for curls—it's about what your hair needs," he notes. "If curl cream feels too heavy or product-y, swap it out for a leave-in, and you might notice a big difference."

Woman with curly hair in a denim outfit.

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

How to Apply Leave-In Conditioner on Curly Hair

It depends on the type of leave-in you have. If you're using a spray leave-in, you'll want to thoroughly saturate your curls from top to bottom. If your curls are like mine and tend to get extra dry, don't be afraid to spritz a bit of extra product in there.

That said, if you're using a cream leave-in, it might be best to avoid the root area. I do this because my hair is thick and can accumulate buildup easily. I also like to use a lighter hand with those types of formulas because they are thicker and can weigh down the hair if I use too much.

Pay attention to this next tip from Korab, especially if you have thick, curly hair. "I recommend applying in small sections from roots to ends, distributing the product evenly throughout the hair," she explains. "[Use] your fingers and a large-tooth comb to 'rake' through your hair, working in the product."

"If you want more control, layer a gel or foam right on top," Schlabach adds. "Finish with a gentle squeeze to release excess water, then microfiber towel or T-shirt scrunch and either diffuse or air-dry."

How often should you put leave-in conditioner in curly hair?

The great thing about using a leave-in conditioner is that most of them are designed to be used daily. I like to apply leave-in conditioner twice a day—once in the evening on wet or damp curls and once in the morning on dry hair. It helps the product to absorb better, and I notice that my hair dries much softer when I apply it this way.

"You can use leave-in as often as any other styler: on wash days or in between when you just need a rinse and reset," agrees Schlabach. "Just remember it's not a conditioner. Don't waste it trying to make it do what a conditioner does, and don't use your conditioner as a styler!"

Why Trust Us

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Shawna Hudson
Associate Beauty Editor

Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.

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