As someone who spent the last eight years growing my hair from bob-length to just under 22 inches, I take my haircare routine quite seriously – and leave-in conditioners are a non-negotiable part of my meticulous regimen. I rely on leave-in conditioners for an instant boost of nourishment. After all, it’s no secret that constant hydration is instrumental when it comes to hair growth.
“Think of a leave-in conditioner as a balm that kind of does it all,” says Dimitris Giannetos, a celebrity hairstylist who works with the likes of Camila Cabello and Jasmine Tookes. “They can tame fly-aways and add shine — even if the hair is a bit dry or damaged,” he adds.
While we love their in-shower counterparts, the best leave-in conditioners do what rinse-out formulas can’t. No matter how moisturising your shampoo and conditioner claim to be, leave-ins go one step further, which is key to protecting hair during the colder months.
These deeply-absorbing treatments sink into hair follicles, enhancing moisture levels, elasticity, shine, and even providing UV and heat protection. In other words, leave-in conditioners bridge the gap between moisture replenishment and potentially damaging heat styling tools (think: hair dryers, hair straighteners and the works) so that your hair maintains its integrity and looks as healthy as possible.
But as is the case with most beauty products out there, sifting through hundreds of formulas may feel like a drag, which is probably why you wound up on this page. Behold our list of the best leave-in conditioners, curated by the GLAMOUR beauty team. Whether you have wavy, coily, pin-straight, thick, or thin hair, there’s definitely a formula out there made with your exact hair concerns and priorities in mind. They might sound like extra effort, but trust us when we tell you that your routine will never feel the same without them.
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Meet the experts:
How we tested the best leave-in conditioners:
Over the years, the GLAMOUR beauty team has collectively put dozens of leave-in conditioners to the test — trialling each formula for at least a month across a wide range of hair types. From fine and thick hair to straight, wavy, curly and afro textures (including colour-treated hair), we made sure our edit includes formulas for every hair need.
Whether it came down to judging if the formula left our hair soft and shiny and how well it meets any other claims on the bottle, we’ve spared no effort in our commitment to bring you the ultimate edit of only the products that managed to impress us most.
When testing, we paid close attention to hydration, frizz control, detangling power, and how lightweight (or heavy) the formulas felt. We also considered whether the product played nicely with other hair formulas, how quickly it absorbed, and whether it left sticky residue or an overly greasy feel. Alongside performance, we also considered other factors like packaging, scent, value for money, and whether the formula included any standout ingredients (like proteins for strengthening, or oils for added shine). Find out more about how we test here.
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