8 best leave-in conditioners, tested for different hair types

Whether you’re dealing with frizz, dryness, or just want that post-salon shine, knowing what a leave-in conditioner does is key: it hydrates, detangles and protects your strands without the need to rinse.

After testing dozens of formulas over the past few years, I’ve narrowed it down to the absolute best leave-in conditioners for every hair type — from leave-in conditioner for curly hair to the most lightweight leave-in conditioner for fine hair, plus standout picks for dry hair and wavy hair.

If you’ve ever wondered how to use leave-in conditioner effectively, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with expert advice, including hairstylist-approved application tips and key ingredients to look for (think hyaluronic acid, argan oil and rosehip). I also highlight the best leave-in conditioner sprays for those who love quick, no-fuss haircare with major impact.

“A leave-in conditioner hydrates and nourishes hair by offering frizz and heat protection to reduce damage and breakage,” Amy Abramite, hairstylist, salon educator and creative director at Maxine Ltd. in Chicago, told Post Wanted. “Hair is left soft, shiny and healthy. Leave-in conditioner is also used to define and boost waves for optimal curl formation.”

Ahead, find the best sprays and mists to help combat frizz and style your hair like a pro (after using one of the best shampoos I reviewed, of course). They’re a staple in my haircare routine and certainly deserve a place in yours. Click to shop below; it’s that easy.

The Andrew Fitzsimons AF1 Restructuring 10-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner has been one of my absolute favorites for *years,* and I always say it’s magic in a bottle. It stands as a testament to innovation and efficacy, and it’s less than $20, which is truly unbelievable.

Crafted by celebrity stylist Andrew Fitzsimons, this product is designed to address multiple hair concerns simultaneously. First off, it’s enriched with passion fruit oil and castor oil that detangles and smoothes my hair well. It also gives my hair a natural shine and strength.

The inclusion of Bonding Technology, a protein-based complex, works from within the keratin structure to enhance elasticity and health, making it an indispensable tool for every wash day. I wouldn’t say I have damaged hair, but I do feel like my split ends are at bay and there isn’t as much breakage. It’s also lightweight, which I love, and it never weighs down my hair to compromise volume or texture.

Application is straightforward. After shaking the bottle well, I spray the conditioner generously onto my clean, towel-dried hair, ensuring even distribution from roots to ends. Then, I comb through to detangle and style as desired. Its versatility extends to heat styling, offering thermal protection up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, and it serves as an excellent base for blow drying or curling my hair.

Whether I’m preparing for a busy day or a special event, incorporating this leave-in conditioner into my routine simplifies my hair care regimen tenfold, and elevates the health and appearance of my hair like a stylist would.

Size: 5.1 ounces | Key ingredients: Ceramides, Passion Fruit Oil, Castor Oil

Finally, a drugstore gem that overdelivers. The Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner is the ultimate overachiever — and my hair BFF for years.

I think of it as a daily dose of chill for my stressed-out strands. With a tropical cocktail of Australian jojoba oil and sea kelp, this featherlight mist detangles, softens and smooths my hair, while also providing shine without the drama (or the grease). It’s the kind of effortless beauty staple that does the most without making a big deal about it; just spritz, comb and cue the hair flip.

Using it is as easy as your favorite throw-on-and-go outfit. Right after I towel-dry your hair, I give the bottle a good shake and spray it generously from mid-lengths to ends. It doesn’t require rinsing and is a great, lightweight consistency that doesn’t weigh down my hair. It melts right in, so I’m not left with any sticky or crunchy residue — only bouncy, fresh-smelling hair that feels like it just got a little vacation.

I use it every day or whenever my hair needs a little pick-me-up (hello, humidity!), and I love watching how it keeps my frizz at bay and keeps my ends from acting up.

Bonus: it smells like summer in a bottle. It’s bright, beachy and clean with a touch of nostalgic Aussie flair. And because it’s PETA-certified cruelty-free, you can feel just as good as your hair looks at a budget-friendly price point. Yeah, it’s a stress-free insurance policy for good hair days.

The Amazon price is for a three-pack, making this grab even more of a value.

Size: 8 ounces | Key ingredients: Jojoba, Sea Kelp

If your curls are craving moisture, bounce, and a whole lot of TLC, Raw Sugar’s The Mighty Cream Leave-In Conditioner is about to become your new go-to. This luscious cream is basically a smoothie for your hair; it’s blended with coconut oil, papaya, shea butter and a shot of Pro-Vitamin B5 for that juicy definition and frizz-free finish curly hair dreams are made of.

I *love* how it’s rich without being heavy, nourishing without flattening and it smells like a tropical vacation in a bottle. The best part? It’s clean, vegan and totally guilt-free. It’s a dream to use, and it’s less than $10!

Application is as low-maintenance as it gets. After shampooing and conditioning, I gently towel-dry your hair and work a generous dollop through damp curls, focusing on the ends and mid-lengths. I use it every wash day and sometimes refresh my dry strands midweek with a little water and a bit more cream to revive the curls that need a pep talk.

Whether you’re air-drying or diffusing, it gives my curls the hydration and definition they need to live their best life every time.

Here’s the bonus. It’s sulfate-free, paraben-free and packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, so your hair care routine is doing the planet a solid. Plus, every purchase helps support the Raw Sugar Initiative, which provides clean water and personal care essentials to people in need. So, not only will your curls look amazing — they’ll be part of something even bigger. That’s what I call mighty.

Size: 5 ounces | Key ingredients: Coconut Oil, Pro Vitamin B5, Shea Butter, Papaya

Let’s talk about the OUAI Leave-In Conditioner—the ultimate backstage pass to effortlessly chic, frizz-free waves. This isn’t your average leave-in; it’s a multitasking marvel that detangles, hydrates and smooths like a backstage stylist in a bottle. I have naturally wavy hair with some curlier pieces at the front, and this leave-in conditioner is the best for the job.

It’s formulated with a blend of tamarind seed extract, vitamin E and an amino acid complex to deliver weightless moisture and protection without the greasy aftermath. On some days, I like to embrace my natural texture, and this leave-in ensures my waves stay soft, shiny and frizz-free all day long. It works equally as well when I opt to use my blow dryer brush as well. Plus, it doubles as a heat protectant, which helps to reduce the amount of products you have in your bathroom.

Applying it is as breezy as your beachy waves. After shampooing, towel-dry your hair and mist the conditioner from mid-length to ends; make sure to keep the nozzle about 6 to 8 inches away. Avoid the roots to prevent any unwanted greasiness, too. I like to use a wide-tooth comb to evenly distribute the product. For added protection and shine, you can also apply it to dry hair before styling. It’s like a spa day for your strands, all without the appointment.

And let’s not forget the scent. Inspired by Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, the North Bondi fragrance is a sophisticated blend of bergamot, Italian lemon, rose de mai, violet and white musk. It’s not too overpowering, either. Instead, it’s like a vacation for my senses every time I mist it on.

Size: 4.7 ounces | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, Amino Acids

The amika Brooklyn Bombshell Blowout Spray is a product I’ve been using for years and used on my damp hair almost every time after I shampoo and condition. It’s incredibly lightweight and specially designed to not weigh down your hair. This is a bonus for me, as my low porosity hair can sometimes leave too-thick products sitting on my strands, resulting in an unwanted greasy appearance.

In addition to its featherlight spritz, it’s the most glamorous product for a salon-quality blowout (trust me on this!) Not only does it behold amika’s alluring scent but it’s also healthy for your hair, void of parabens and sulfates. Topped with a cruelty free design, its exclusion of some of those no-no ingredients allows it to be safe for color-treated hair. While my virgin hair can’t speak to how effective it would be, its ingredients receive my stamp of approval. It’s also one of the most lighweight, so fine hair — or areas with a finer texture — will benefit from using this product.

More granularly, the spray is infused with nourishing ingredients like sea buckthorn oil, which helps to add hydration, but not too much as to weigh down my hair. Each time I grab my blow dryer brush to style, the result is always an voluminous, airy texture, no spray required.

Despite your hair type and texture (side note: mine is medium-thick and naturally wavy), I’d go out on a limb and say this is a universal product that only adds smoothness and shine to your end result. Oh, and how can I forget — the spray doubles as a heat protectant, making it that grab-and-go product that’s multi-functional and the only one you’ll need after your shower.

Because of its bona fide ability to smooth and soften, the Brooklyn Bombshell Blowout Spray reduces frizz and flyaways all the while. It works by smoothing the hair cuticle, leaving my locks with a sleek and polished look that still maintains natural body movement. So, if your hair is unruly, you’ll benefit from this wonderfully smelling, frizz-fighting, gloss-giving and moisture-making product.

Size: 6.7 ounces | Key ingredients: Provitamin B5, Sea Buckthorn

Dry, tangled hair? Say no more. The Oribe Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler is your golden ticket to effortlessly smooth, silky strands without the salon trip. Think of it as a rich smoothie for your hair, whipped up with a dreamy blend of murumuru, mango and cocoa seed butters, plus olive, avocado and jojoba oils.

It melts into my naturally dry and frizzy hair like butter on warm toast, drenching each strand of my hair with moisture while sealing it all in for lasting softness and shine. Add in Oribe’s antioxidant-packed signature complex (yes, it’s as fancy as it sounds), and my hair is both hydrated and protected from heat, UV rays and city grime, too.

What makes it such a standout? For starters, it’s got serious slip. Knots and tangles don’t stand a chance; just a few pumps and my brush glides through like magic. But, unlike other leave-ins that can feel heavy or greasy, this lotion is weightless and totally clean: no silicones, no build-up — just silky softness that lasts all day.

It also doubles as a heat protectant and styling primer, so my blowouts and curl sessions come out smoother, shinier and way more manageable. Basically, it’s the overachiever of my haircare lineup, making it worth the more expensive price tag.

Size: 8.5 ounces | Key ingredients: Nourishing Butter Complex, Olive Oil

Let’s talk about the It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product, the haircare multitasker that’s basically the Swiss Army knife of sprays. Seriously, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

With ingredients like sunflower seed and green tea extracts, silk amino acids, aloe, panthenol and even vitamin C, it delivers ten powerhouse benefits in one go: from smoothing frizz and detangling knots, to defending against heat and UV, restoring shine, sealing color, preventing split ends, boosting body —you name it, this spray does it.

I’ve been using this product since middle school and adore it for its versatility and salon-grade performance. Here’s the magic routine: shampoo, condition then towel-dry your hair so it’s damp but not dripping. Shake the bottle, hold about 6 to 8 inches away and mist generously from mid-lengths to ends

Pro tip: for extra shine, I spritz a little on dry hair too — perfect for mid-day refreshes. And, the cherry on top? It smells fresh and fabulous, so you score compliments every time.

Size: 10 ounces | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, Sunflower Seed Extract

If you’ve ever dreamed of hair so soft it practically whispers when it moves, BioSilk Hydrating Therapy Pure Moisture Leave-in Spray might just be your new obsession. This featherlight formula is packed with nourishing ingredients like quinoa, silk proteins and maracuja oil — all working together to hydrate every strand without that dreaded heavy or greasy feeling.

I was wholly impressed the first time I used this leave-in conditioner. This one seeps right in and is lightweight, taming tangles and smoothing frizz while leaving my locks touchably soft. It’s like a tall glass of water for thirsty hair, and trust — your strands will drink it up.

But the benefits don’t stop at softness. This multitasking spray also delivers a boost of shine and protection that feels straight-up luxurious. Maracuja oil lends a glossy finish while UV absorbers shield your hair from sun damage and color fade, which is especially perfect for summer days or heat styling. Even better? It smells amazing. It has this light, clean and totally addictive aura to it, making it feel more like a salon moment than just another step in my routine.

Size: 7 ounces | Key ingredient: Maracuja Oil

How I tested

Before diving into the review criteria New York Post Shopping set in place when testing and trying all the top leave-in conditioners on the market for three months, l’ll begin by detailing my hair type. Naturally, I have wavy to curly hair that’s sometimes prone to frizz (though, it has its oily moments at times if I go longer than two days without a wash). My hair blow dries straight when styling, too.

Simply put, my mane is a mutt of different types and textures — making my hair one of the best to review a wide set of leave-in conditioners for volume, lift and salon-worthy results.

Ahead, here’s what I looked for when trying out each leave-in conditioner:

• Anti-frizz: This has to be one of the most important factors when selecting a quality leave-in conditioners. Is my hair tame? Does it look polished? Ideally, you’ll want a leave-in conditioner where you can instantaneously see benefits post-styling.
• Scent and freshness: The last thing you’ll want to find in a leave-in conditioner is a foul odor or ‘dirty’ feel when applying. I took this into account while testing.
• End result: Naturally, this is what discerns an excellent leave-in conditioner from the rest. I took note of how vivacious and fresh each one made my hair — depending on the brand — and how long my blowout lasted.

An FAQ on Leave-In Conditioners

Ahead, Abramite shares the 411 on leave-in conditioners, including what to look for in a quality formula and how to properly use one.

What is a leave-in conditioner?

First things first: What separates this type of haircare products from the rest? As the name suggests, it’s not left in the hair and not rinsed out like other hair conditioners or masks. 

“Leave-in conditioner is a hydrating styling product that continues the moisturizing benefits of hair conditioning beyond the shower,” Abramite explained to The Post “It protects the hair from heat styling and other stressors while keeping it strong, healthy and soft while enhancing style.”

How to properly use leave-in conditioner for every hair type, according to an expert

“Leave-in conditioner is beneficial on all hair types,” Abramite noted. “The key for the best results is the amount used and placement of the product.” It’s important to note that all hair types typically have dry damaged ends and special attention should be given to those areas with more product concentration, she adds.

Below, Abramite details how to apply leave-in conditioner for the best results, depending on your hair type.

• Fine & thin hair: This hair type will likely need less product than coarse thicker hair for ample coverage.
• Curly hair: This hair texture tends to be drier by nature and an application from roots to ends may be necessary to moisturize the entire hair strand as well as prevent frizz and define curls.
• Straight hair: This hair type can be weighed down easily so product application from mid strands to the ends will nourish without build up at the scalp.
• Color-treated hair: Chemical-treated services can be dry and damaging to the cuticle, especially highlights or straighteners, and will need a generous amount to soften and protect further. 

How often should I use a leave-in conditioner?

For beneficial effects, a leave-in conditioner is used when hair is clean and damp after being shampooed and conditioned.

“Massage it into the hair concentrating on the dehydrated ends where moisture is needed most,” she added. “This will detangle and add slip to the hair during the comb out by removing knots and preparing for styling.”

According to Abramite, a leave-in conditioner can also be used daily on dry hair to reactivate a style or tame frizz as long as it does not hinder the desired styling results and weigh hair down. 

How do leave-in conditioners differ from regular ones?

If you take away anything from this guide (aside from a product or two), let it be this: please do not misuse a leave-in conditioner like a regular conditioner in the shower.

“[Leave-in conditioner] is applied post shampoo and conditioner as a styling agent,” Abramite instructed. “It’s gentle enough to be left in the hair to moisturize and condition throughout the duration of your style, but not emollient enough to be as effective as a rinse-out conditioner.”

What ingredients should I look for in a leave-in conditioner?

Common ingredients are proteins like keratin to strengthen and repair the hair cuticle, oils to moisturize and reduce frizz such as argan oil, and vitamins like vitamin E to nourish and add shine, per Abramite.

Is leave-in conditioner better than hair oil?

Leave-in conditioners have similar benefits for health as hair oils, but the formula is more lightweight, usually in a cream form.

“Oils are heavier and can be too much for daily usage especially on finer textures,” Abramite noted. “Oils won’t generate the curl definition as well as a leave-in conditioner either.”

This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.