Caring for curly and natural hair requires more than just shampoo and conditioner. You'll probably want to use hair oils (like castor oil, argan oil, and coconut oil), deep conditioners, protein treatments, and, of course, one of the best leave-in conditioners.
"A leave-in conditioner is the product you use after you wash your hair," explains celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos. "This is very similar to a normal conditioner, except you don’t have to rinse it out, and it provides extra hydration."
This extra hydration and protection is particularly important for people with curly hair, which is more prone to dryness than straight hair. Plus, leave-in conditioners that have hold or curl-defining properties can go a long way in helping style curly and natural hair daily.
Here, you'll find the very best expert- and editor-approved leave-in conditioners for curly hair on the market, along with tips on how to use them.
What to Look For in a Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
- Hair Type
What you should look for in a leave-in conditioner depends on your hair's porosity, curl type, personal preferences, and haircare goals. "If you have fine hair, use a spray leave-in conditioner, but if you have more wavy or curly hair, use more of a creme leave-in conditioner," advises celebrity extensionist and hairstylist Priscilla Valles. Fine hair may be weighed down by formulas that are particularly thick, such as those incorporating rich ingredients like castor oil. On the other hand, she says, "If you have curly or natural hair, you want something heavier, and it can act as a serum, like an oil or a conditioner base, because that will control the frizz."
- Ingredients
"I recommend people avoid any leave-in conditioners that contain alcohol or dyes, because this works to create the opposite results we’re looking for," says Giannetos. "Rather than hydrating the hair, these ingredients can dry out the hair."
As for ingredients you want to look for? Hydrating oils and glycerin top the list. "Some great ingredients are aloe vera, melon seed oil, rosemary extract, and fruits with AHAs," says hairstylist Jamila Powell.
The Best Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair
- Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair Overall: SheaMoisture Leave In Conditioner for Over-Processed Damaged Hair
- Best Leave-In Conditioner for Waves: dae Cactus Flower Leave In Conditioner
- Best Leave-In Conditioner for Coils: Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream
- Best Leave-In Conditioner for Natural Hair: Juices & Botanics The Quench Cream Fortifying Leave-In Conditioner
- Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curl Definition: Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls Enhancing Texturizing Hair Styling Cream
"Sheamoisture is definitely at the top of my list for leave-ins for curly hair," says Giannetos. "It makes the hair so soft and protects the hair from heat and humidity." I, too, have used this leave-in for my curls, and love its thick-but-not-too-thick consistency. Just be aware: A little goes a long way.
Pros: expert-approved; editor-approved; affordable; cruelty-free; contains natural ingredients; frizz-fighting; clean; free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
Cons: strong fragrance
"I love this leave-in conditioner because it also has heat protection up to 450 degrees," says Valles. "The botanical blend also prevents breakage, repairs damage, enhances shine, and increases softness. Not to mention it smells delicious!"
Pros: expert-commentary; heat protectant; clean
Cons: contains silicones
I love this option because it hydrates and defines my curls without weighing them down. Plus, this formula enhances my hair's shine like nothing else, and has that fresh powdery scent that Moroccanoil has become so widely beloved for. It's especially effective at revitalizing the weighed-down curls at the top of my head, and it has a medium hold that never feels slick or crunchy.
Pros: curl-defining; editor-approved; fights frizz; gentle scent
Cons: contains silicones
This cream was a bit thick for me personally, but when applied sparingly, it was deeply hydrating and added shine to my curls. It worked even better on my friend's natural hair. It smells great but isn't overbearing. Just be sure to start small with this leave-in conditioner and work your way up, as a little certainly goes a long way.
Pros: hydrating; Black-owned brand; made with natural hair in mind; gentle scent; protein-infused; affordable; editor-approved
Cons: small bottle
This is my all-time favorite two-in-one leave-in conditioner and styler. It hydrates my hair, enhances shine, and effortlessly defines my curls without weighing them down. It transforms my curl routine into something quick and effortless, making it perfect for travel or those mornings when I'm on the run. It's created with women of color in mind, particularly those whose hair sits between two or more curl patterns.
Pros: free of parabens; cruelty-free; editor-approved; Black-owned brand; curl-defining; vegan; suitable for all curl patterns
Cons: contains silicones
Also Recommended
"I love the ingredients in this one!" raves Valles. "Kim Kimble's Leave-in Conditioner is formulated with the finest natural ingredients to keep hair resilient and to bring dry, damaged hair back to a healthy state. It helps stop breakage while nourishing and strengthening dry, damaged, and overworked hair. It's also safe for everyday use for wavy, curly, or kinky hair."
Pros: expert-approved; color-safe; contains natural ingredients, free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates; affordable; effective for all curl patterns
Cons: none found
This curly girl leave-in is one of Giannetos's favorites, mainly because it repairs while styling. "It’s a great cream for curly and natural texture. It's like an IV for damaged and dry hair. I usually use this cream and leave the hair to air dry. It’s a mix between a leave-in conditioner and a styling cream."
Pros: expert-approved; heat protectant; free of parabens, SLS, SLES, and sulfates; effective for all curl patterns
Cons: small tube for a high price
"This silky, leave-in conditioning lotion instantly detangles to ease combing and prevent breakage," Valles says. "The ultra-hydrating formula, with cupuacu and mango seed butters, moisturizes and smooths strands for healthy, beautiful curls prepped for styling. It's best for those who need instant detangling and rich moisture, and works for curl types two through four."
Pros: expert-approved; detangling; immediate results; works on all curl patterns; heat protectant; silicone-free
Cons: contains sulfates; strong fragrance
You can't beat this price point—or efficacy. "It makes the curls so shiny without any frizz and is a great affordable option," raves Giannetos. It's especially great for those who want their leave-in conditioner to define their curl pattern and add extra hold—without that nasty crunchy feeling.
Pros: expert-approved; affordable; free of sulfates and parabens; contains natural ingredients like castor oil; made with natural hair in mind
Cons: may be too thick for loose curls and waves
I swear by this raw shea butter for my curls: it defines them, is easy to comb through, and leaves me with an incomparable shine without making my strands feel greasy or weighed down. I like to spoon a moderate amount (a little goes a long way!) into a bowl and then set that bowl on top of another slightly larger bowl filled with hot water. The raw shea butter will melt into an oil and be ready for use in under a minute.
Pros: editor-approved; organic; affordable; suitable for all curl patterns; generous size; cruelty-free
Cons: laborious to use
I absolutely love this oil from Powell's haircare line, Naturally Drenched. It's lightweight yet still able to define my curls and keep my strands shiny and hydrated. Plus, the oil doubles as a scalp oil for irritated, flaky skin. It even works as a moisturizer for your skin and cuticles.
Pros: natural ingredients; editor-approved; gentle scent; versatile
Cons: small bottle
This lightweight leave-in spray works great for my curls both when they're freshly washed and when they need some revitalization. I spray it straight into my hair, onto my brush before detangling, or in my hand for application with my fingers. It even works as a heat protectant, making it ideal for protecting and setting wet curls in place before drying them with a diffuser.
Pros: clean; editor-approved; detangling
Cons: contains phosphates; strong fragrance
When to Use a Leave-In Conditioner
When it comes to application technique, Giannetos recommends applying a leave-in conditioner "only after you wash the hair and towel dry it enough where it's damp but not too wet." This will provide maximum absorption of the products without weighing down your curls.
How Much Leave-In Conditioner Should I Use?
"I recommend applying between a dime or quarter amount of product, depending on how long your hair is," says Giannetos. You'll also want to consider how thin or thick your hair is, as well as how greasy or dry it is naturally—the thicker and drier, the more product your hair can handle.
It's better to start small and progressively apply more than to apply too much and have to re-wash. "You can tell when you have applied too much leave-in when you try to apply heat to the hair, and see that the texture feels stiff and slightly greasy," he adds.
How To Use a Leave-In Conditioner on Curls
You'll want to follow the application instructions on your particular bottle, but so long as you use the right amount of product, you'll be in good shape.
"I always suggest sectioning with clips and applying any product for even distribution," explains Powell. "Disperse the leave-in into the palm of your hands and emulsify the leave-in by rubbing your hands together. Then, evenly distribute the product on each section."
After you apply the product, use a brush, comb, or your fingers to distribute the leave-in throughout the hair. You can then use a microfiber towel to scrunch your curls. Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser to lock in your style.
How Often Should I Apply Leave-In Conditioner on Curls?
Giannetos says it's best to apply leave-in conditioners just a few times a week, depending on how thick or thirsty your hair is. Start off using a leave-in conditioner twice a week, and work your way up from there.
Meet the Experts
Priscilla Valles is a celebrity hairstylist and extension expert. She has worked with a number of high-profile celebrity clients, including Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, and Chrissy Teigen. She is currently based in Los Angeles.
Originally hailing from Greece and enjoying a successful career there, Dimitris Giannetos has been a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles since 2013. He has worked with a number of haircare brands as a brand ambassador, has collaborated with photographers and magazines, and his client list has included Joey King, Megan Fox, Alessandra Ambrosio, and others.
Jamila Powell is the founder of Maggie Rose Salon, a top-rated salon for textured hair, and the founder of Naturally Drenched, a haircare brand focused on caring for curly and natural hair. In addition to being an entrepreneur and hair expert, she is also a successful attorney. Currently, she is based in Miami.
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