8 leave-in conditioners to extend the life of your hair wash days

A comprehensive hair wash routine feels nothing short of an arm workout. Start with oiling your hair, then use a scalp scrub, shampoo, and conditioner, or apply a hair mask, followed by a whole set of steps for post-wash care. Now, imagine if there was one product to make this routine a tad simpler? Enter: leave-in conditioners. Available in various formats like creams, gels, and sprays, leave-in conditioners come packed with deeply-nourishing ingredients, and often provide heat-protection benefits, which means you could give your conditioner or hair mask a miss on a busy day. That they smell incredibly good is an added bonus. We list some of the best leave-in conditioners across textures and formulations that you can add to your haircare routine. 

Leave-in Conditioner, OUAI

Formulated by American celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkins, this ultra-conditioning leave-in spray is a mainstay in most hair care enthusiasts’ beauty vanity. The do-it-all product tames frizz, promotes softness and shine, offers heat protection up to 450°F (that you can leverage even if you’re not heat-styling, but simply stepping out in the sun), and aids with detangling the hair. The formula is rich but not heavy, making it suitable for every hair type. 

Leave-in Cream, Fix My Curls

A leave-in cream that smoothes and nourishes your hair—even the most spiral curls—without leaving it crusty and crunchy is what every frizzy mane needs. Free of wax, silicone, parabens, and sulphate, this floral-scented lightweight cream conditions the hair, preventing dryness and enhancing its natural texture. Jojoba oil, panthenol, and a hydrolysed protein complex make it good for your hair. Make sure to apply it on damp—and not partially dry—hair.

Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-in Treatment, Aveda

If your hair goals include not only smoother but also stronger locks, turn to this creamy, fragrant leave-in treatment from Aveda. Loaded with botanical ingredients and natural oils, it softens the hair, seals hair cuticles, and prevents breakage and dryness, leaving you with a glossy, manageable mane. 

Incredible Milk Leave-in Treatment, Milkshake Hair

This incredibly sweet-scented leave-in conditioner is for anyone who struggles with unruly hair. Milky and creamy in texture, this leave-in treatment is packed with fruit extracts such as mango, raspberry, and papaya, along with hydrolysed milk protein, lactic acid, and vitamin E, to fortify your hair with a slew of high-performing hydrators. The formula works particularly well on hair that is chemically-treated or prone to split ends.

No. 6 Bond Smoother, Olaplex

From slicked-back buns to messy, textured waves, no matter what hairstyle you choose, this leave-in styling cream will make it easier and efficient. Coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil, panthenol, aloe vera, vitamin E, and camellia extract make this formulation a powerhouse of nourishment. The best part? The pH-balanced product also strengthens your bonds.  

Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-in Treatment, Redken

Championing citric acid and conditioning ingredients like glycerin and linalool, this ultra-lightweight leave-in conditioner alleviates breakage by fortifying the bonds. The effective formulation also reduces the appearance of split ends and frizz over time, leaving your hair soft and tamed. 

Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, K18

Used by the likes of Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber, this leave-in mask from K18 is a viral hit for all the right reasons—not only does it perform in four minutes, but it also eliminates the need for separate conditioners and hair masks during showers. The creamy texture is accompanied by a mild fragrance, and the brand’s patented biotech-developed peptide promises to revive the most damaged hair over regular use—bleached, coloured, and heat-damaged hair included.