Top Tips for Using Leave-in Conditioner

Leave-in conditioners are handy products designed to keep your hair hydrated and manageable between wash days. The problem is that not everyone knows the best ways to choose and use them. The following tips will ensure that you’re getting the most out of your leave-in conditioners.

Choose the Right Leave-in

There are several different leave-in conditioner options on the market, including sprays, creams, balms, and oils. These leave-ins can also include a variety of ingredients that can help with almost any hair issue you’re dealing with. Choosing the right one is essential for the best results.

Here are some tips for choosing the right leave-in conditioner: 

• Those with fine hair should opt for a lightweight formula with volumizing capabilities.

• Curly-haired girls and guys may need a creamy leave-in with natural oils to stave off dryness. 

• Those with color-treated hair should choose a leave-in with ingredients to reduce color fade and boost moisture. 

• Consider a leave-in with thermal protection if you frequently use heat styling tools.

Choosing the right leave-in for your hair type and unique issues is a must.

Use it at the Right Time

Applying leave-in conditioner on dirty hair will reduce its ability to soak into your strands. This can make it totally ineffective. That’s why it’s best to use a leave-in on freshly washed hair. Once it’s clean, gently towel-dry your hair so that it is damp rather than dripping wet. If it’s dripping, the leave-in will run off of your hair with the water.

Apply your leave-in primarily on the ends since this is the driest area. You can also work it into the rest of your hair if needed but don’t overuse it or you’ll end up with a greasy mess. Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles and distribute the leave-in more thoroughly.

Don’t Use it Every Day

Leave-in conditioners are designed to reduce dryness and prevent damage but it’s not necessary to use them every day. Despite the benefits these products have to offer, overuse can lead to more hair issues than you may realize. Like your other hair products, too much of a good thing can lead to product buildup. The result is dull, unmanageable hair.

Using your leave-in conditioner once or twice a week is best to keep it looking and feeling fabulous. 

Don’t Forget the Regular Conditioner

You may think that adding a leave-in conditioner to your regimen means you can skip the regular rinse-out conditioner in the shower. This isn’t the case. Regular conditioners add moisture and offer protection each time you wash your hair.

Leave-ins can’t compete with these benefits. Instead, they are meant to enhance what the regular conditioners already have to offer. They add extra hydration and offer protection from heat styling between washings when needed. Combining these two products gives you the best results. 

Choosing the right leave-in and using it properly is essential to reap all the benefits these products are known for. We hope that this article helps you formulate a winning hair care regimen! 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.