Best Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair: Reviews & Guide (2018)

Updated 6 years ago

Do you desire curls that are manageable, soft, well hydrated, and frizz free? If so, it's important to choose a leave in conditioner that's of great quality, as well as suitable for your particular hair type. Beautiful curls come with a price, and individuals with this hair type often suffer from strands that are frizzy, dry, and breaking. The right leave-in conditioner will put all of your hair woes to rest.

The best leave in conditioners for curly hair are light in weight, and contain a more watery texture than those of rinse-out conditioners. To attract moisture to your strands, making them stronger and flexible, leave-in conditioners contain humectants. Humectants such as the most common one, glycerin, naturally draws in moisture from the environment into the hair,  preventing the loss of moisture. Thus, resulting in curls that are moisturized, strong, and free of frizz.

The Top Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair

We have researched and reviewed the top leave in conditioners for those blessed with beautiful curls. All of the products below contain humectants, which is essential for managing curly hair.

First, let's look at a few differences between leave-in conditioners vs rinse-out conditioners.

Leave-In Conditioner Rinse-Out Conditioner
Normally light in consistency for easy absorption. Normally heavy in consistency, which can leave hair looking greasy.
Coats hair to restore and locks in moisture at a faster rate, for a longer period of time. Ingredients only penetrates the surface at a moderate pace.
Eliminates product build up, due to rinsing out completely when washing hair. Normally leaves residue in hair even after washing it out.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner/Detangler

Number one on the list is the Kinky Curly Knot Today Conditioner. This product doubles as a leave in conditioner and detangler, allowing the user to tackle two birds with one stone. It works by smoothing the cuticles and painlessly eliminating knots and tangles. The product contains marshmallow root, which is a polycrest herb that has been around for centuries. With its gel-like consistency, some of its beneficial properties include being antibacterial, soothing and relieving your hair and scalp. This herb is rich in vitamins and proteins that are essential for taming those curls.

Current users review Kinky Curly Knot Conditioner as the best leave in conditioner that they have ever tried. The product’s consistency is light, which allows for easy application, as well as fast absorption in each hair strand. Another benefit for customers who are sensitive to strong smells is it's no artificial fragrance.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream

This paraben-free, Active Fruit Protein product contains a combination of citrus protein, essential vitamins such as B3 & B6, strengthening conditioners, and plant & fruit derived extracts, all of which are designed to give your hair the strength and health that you desire. Infused with Morocco Argan oil from Morocco, Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream is great for combating hair that is frizzy, dry, unmanageable. Turning your lovely curls into strands that are smooth and shine. Another great benefit is this system’s ability to keep your frizz under control in environments with 97% humidity.

Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner

Make your hair look brilliant and tame those curls! Alcohol free, non-sticky, lightweight, and a product that will leave your hair smooth to touch, and fully moisturized. Made for all ethnicities, those of some of the benefits of using this amazing product by Mixed Chicks. Customers report this product as giving them the confidence to embrace their natural curls. Giving their hair the bounce, shine, and moisture that they desire. Lastly, the makers of this product do not engage in animal testing, and its made in the USA.

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Next on the list is Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie from SheaMoisture. Originating in 1912, the recipes for their great products have been passed down from generation to generation. This product is designed for thick and curly hair. Its benefits include, smoothing hair for a soft, silky feel, and taming frizz. The makers of Shea Moisture are dedicated to using ingredients gathered from around the world, enabling them to provide their customers with the highest quality of products. Customers credited this product for bringing life back into their curls, and returning their dry, dull locs into a more healthier state.

Curlfriends Curly Hair Replenish Leave-In Conditioner Frizz Remover

This beauty of this product comes from the fact that it's created with all natural high salon quality ingredients. Ingredients that are free from silicone, alcohol, and artificial colors. All of which is great for tackling dryness. This conditioner works to block humidity, resulting in hair that is moisturized, free of frizz, and results that will last all day and night. Also, stimulates hair growth leaving hair that is sexy, soft, and shiny.

Customers report this product as being lightweight, and volumizing their locs. Leaving their curls stiff and lifeless. Hair looks salon finished without the negative effects of adding heat.

Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition Curl Moisture Leave-in Conditioner

This paraben-free, Active Fruit Protein product contains a combination of citrus protein, essential vitamins such as B3 & B6, strengthening conditioners, and plant & fruit derived extracts, all of which are designed to give your hair the strength and health that you desire. Infused with Coconut, Jojoba, and Macadamia Oils, this product replenishes curls for moisture that is long lasting. Customers report curls that are well defined, softer, shiner, and stronger.

Silk18 Conditioner

Silk18 was formulated after years of research. The makers of the product dedicated their time to formulating a product that consisted of a blend of conditioning agents that would smooth hair, while also preventing the usage of additives that can be harmful to one's hair. Formulated to contain no artificial fragrances, coloring, sulfates, or harmful ingredients. Silk18 also contains eighteen various types of amino acids to deliver moisture retention and silky softness. Infused with jojoba and argan oils, which aid in the strengthening of the hair. Also, the benefit of  replenishing botanical keratin levels, which is essential for combating frizzy hair.

Silk18 promises to help its users with curly and dry hair, frizziness,and reduction in static, resulting in hair that is manageable, soft, and shiny. The makers of Silk18 have formulated a product that promises to provide therapeutic action to help restore and protect hair strands in the most natural ann gentle way. Lastly, the product is cruelty free and made in the USA.

Miss Jessie's Leave In Condish

This lightweight leave-in conditioner and detangler comes from maker’s of Miss Jessie. This product was formulated to act as the ultimate frizz combater, and provide moisture for those with every type of curl pattern, from loosely curled to tightly curled. Infused with Soybean and Aloe, gives Condish the benefit of providing high levels of moisture. This leave in conditioner makes promises of leaving you with hair that is super soft, shiny, and without product build up. For a product that will help your styles last all day and night, consider Leave-In Condish by Miss Jessie.

Renpure Coconut Whipped Creme Leave-In Conditioner

With over 30 years of experience in the hair care industry, the makers of Renpure Coconut Whipped Creme Leave-In Conditioner make it their goal to create products with carefully chosen ingredients. The natural oils within this product will be absorbed instantly by your hair strands, resulting in hair that is quickly moisturized via conditioning oils and vitamins being penetrated into the inner cuticle of the hair strand, while also smoothing the outer cuticle. The product is infused with coconut oil, which has a unique microstructure that penetrates the cuticle layer, delivering moisture and nutrients, creating hair that is shiny, silky, and smooth.