Fact: Finding the right leave-in conditioner can make all the difference for women with natural hair. Dousing your strands with a rich, concentrated dose of moisture on the regular not only helps to nourish and hydrate your hair, but also strengthen, protect, and reverse any damage done from heat tools or the elements—especially if your summer involved time spent in salt water.
But while it’s true that just about every hair type and texture can benefit from a postshower hydrating product, there are a few factors that those with natural hair will want to be sure to keep an eye out for. Since natural hair tends to be coarser and more frizz-prone, it’s important to use a hydrating treatment formulated with ingredients that'll penetrate curls without weighing them down, like shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut oil. In the end, the ideal treatment will allow your hair to be the best version of itself, all while keeping it healthier for longer—and who doesn’t want that?
To get the scoop on the very best leave-in conditioners out there, we turned to a dozen natural-hair bloggers to learn more about their personal favorites, from drugstore classics to luxe creams. Read on below, and take notes.
TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave-in Conditioner, $15, sallybeauty.com
“My favorite leave-in conditioner is from TGIN. It has the perfect amount of slip, it smells amazing, and it leaves my hair feeling moisturized for a few days before I have to rehydrate. I apply it on soaking-wet hair and then layer my styler on top, which leaves me with juicy, super-defined curls every time.” —Ashley Hall, 27, Bronx, New York
What Do You Use?
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