To keep your curls healthy, bouncy, and defined you need to use hair care products. And the best way to choose a hair care product is to look for the one that helps to moisturize your hair strands and make them soft and smooth. Here, enter the Leave-in Conditioner. A savior for your curls.
I came to know about this magical hair product a lot late in my life, but I swear the day I used it, I never skipped it. My curls started to grow in a proper and defined shape. And I started to embrace my curls in their natural state, well, that’s the beauty of leave-in conditioner. It will make you fall in love with your curls all over again.
Leave-in conditioner for curly hair does not make your greasy. It gives your curls long-term hair protection along with smoothness in the curls. This hair product softens the hair cuticles and also hydrates them, making hair styling easy.
So, let’s find out how to use leave-in conditioner for curly hair-
What Is A Leave-In Conditioner?
If I were to explain what is a leave-in conditioner in very simple terms, then a leave-in Conditioner is a conditioner that helps to make hair strands soft and smooth. It is formulated in a way that it stays in the hair strands and helps to nourish it. Leave-In Conditioner makes hair styling easy and keeps hair fresh all day long.
Now, if you are thinking that this same thing conditioner also does. Well no, you have to wash the conditioner but in the leave-in conditioner case, you do not rinse it off and that is the reason it is very beneficial for curls.
What Does a Leave-In Conditioner Do?
This was my question when my salon stylist suggested I use a leave-in conditioner for better curls.
Leave-In Conditioner is a magical hair product that gets absorbed in the hair strands and adds moisture to it. It helps to soften the hair cuticles and hydrate them. Leave-In Conditioner is not rinsed and that is the reason it provides long-lasting nourishment to the curls.
After using a leave-in conditioner, I quickly realized its effects:
- Helps to hydrate the curls.
- Define curls and add bounce.
- Forms a protective layer in the curls.
- Makes hair styling easy.
- Repair the damaged hair cuticles over time.
Difference Between Leave-In Conditioner And Conditioner?
Well, before when I was not using any leave-in conditioner, I thought that conditioner was enough, but no you need leave-in conditioner for your curls and neither of the products can replace the other.
Both hair products help to provide nourishment to the curls and make them healthy. But still,l there’s a difference between leave-in conditioner and conditioner. Let’s see-
| Properties | Leave-in Conditioner | Conditioner |
| Application | Applied after washing curls | Applied in shower. |
| Formulations | Lighter and Non-greasy | Thicker Consistency |
| Purpose | Provides all-day hydration | Focus on smoothing and hydration. |
| Intensity | Helps in styling and enhancing curl definition | Helps to detangle curls |
How to Use Leave in Conditioner?
After understanding the difference, the next thing was to understand how to use it. Because leaving something in your hair and not washing it was making me think of the greasy hair. I confirmed with my salon and asked them about the leave-in conditioner.
So, here’s how to use leave-in conditioner-
- Start by cleaning hair- After you have washed your curls properly with cleansing shampoo.
- Shower Conditioner– Apply hydrating conditioner and detangle your curls in the shower itself.
- Remove Excess Water- Now, squeeze out the excess water from the curls.
- Apply Leave-In Conditioner- Take a generous amount of leave-in conditioner. And apply it on your divided hair with praying hands.
- Detangle Curls- Detangle curls with your fingers, this way the product also gets distributed.
- Let the Conditioner stay- Let the leave-in conditioner stay in the hair strands.
- Style your hair as you desire.
Pro tip: After using the leave-in conditioner, my curls were actually soft and smooth.
Benefits of Leave-In Conditioner
After using a leave-in conditioner, I felt that how did I ever live without using this product? Leave-in Conditioner is like a magical product for the hair care brand but especially for the curls. It gives your curls life and makes sure they look fresh and vibrant.
1. Abundant Hydration-
You all will agree to it, that curls are dry and dehydrated and the only reason for this is the spiral structure of the hair strands that restricts the movement of oil. Leave-in conditioner helps to provide immense hydration to the curls by staying in the hair strands.
2. Bye Bye Frizz-
One of the best benefits of a leave-in conditioner. Frizz is the inborn quality of curly hair, leave-in conditioner helps to get rid of frizz and hydrates the hair strands. It understands its job very well, which is to keep the frizz away and take care of hair strands. So, that hair styling becomes easy and manageable.
3. Protection from Environment-
Leave-in conditioner is your best buddy to protect your curls from any kind of environmental damage. It creates an invisible layer that protects the curls from getting damaged. Keep the hair strands healthy and do not let the environment damage the hair strands and also dry them out.
4. Healthy Curls-
When you apply leave-in conditioner on your damp curls, you are helping them to be healthy by providing them required nutrition and reducing the frizz from the curls. Leave-in conditioner is like a moisturizer for curls that helps to repair the damage in the hair cuticles and make the curls healthy.
5. Strong Curls-
Leave-in conditioner to prevent curls from breaking up, hereby, making them strong. It helps to keep the curls healthy and by providing it with immense hydration and moisturization, it helps to strengthen the hair strands, thereby, making it strong curls. The conditioner also helps to add bounce in the hair strands.
6. Smooth Curls-
You will notice it when your curls dry up. Leave-in conditioner in your curls makes them soft and smooth. It locks the moisture in the curls and helps to define and enhance the natural curl pattern. I have noticed, that when my curls dry up after applying leave-in conditioner, they are properly defined and curls feel soft.
Tips for Maximizing Benefits of Leave-In Conditioner
To get the maximum benefits of leave-in conditioner, the following are the tips-
- Choose a leave-in conditioner with hydrating ingredients like- Shea butter, Aloe vera and Glycerin.
- Do not apply too much leave-in conditioner, it will weigh down your curls.
- Use a wide-tooth comb to prevent hair breakage.
- While applying a leave-in conditioner, scrunch it for better curls defined.
Leave-in Conditioner is a game changer hair product. It helps to soften and smoothen out the curls. To provide hydration and moisturization to the curls applying leave-in conditioner is a must. It locks the moisture in the curly strands, reduces frizz, and protects hair from getting damaged.
Have you started using leave-in conditioner yet?
FAQs about How to use a leave-in conditioner for curly hair?
1. Is leave-in conditioner good for all hair types?
Well, yes, Leave-in conditioner is good for all curly hair types. As it helps to provide them with hydration and moisturization. But, if you have fine curls then you can try and avoid leave-in conditioner as your hair does not need it.
Leave-in Conditioner works best for curly and coily hair that lacks natural hydration.
2. Does leave-in conditioner cause hair loss?
No, leave-in conditioner helps to reduce hair loss by making the hair strands healthy. It moisturizes the curls and gives it a good protection from environmental damage. But, you should also remember to use the leave-in conditioner according to your hair type, as excess use of anything can cause damage and also product buildup.
3. Can I put a leave-in conditioner on dry hair?
Well, you can apply leave-in conditioner on dry hair, but it is more effective on damp hair. When you apply any hair product on damp curly hair, it gets absorbed easily and helps to make curls healthy and strong.
Applying on dry hair takes time to get absorbed and mostly stays on the surface, causing greasy hair.
