There are two main types of leave-in conditioner — creams and sprays. Whichever one you choose comes down to personal preference, but in general, “cream formulas tend to be heavier and therefore tend to be more hydrating and moisturizing,” explains Mislankar.
Leave-in conditioner adds moisture to dry hair and hydrates the hair shaft. It contains ingredients like humectants, which draw moisture into the hair, and emollients to smooth and soften it. These ingredients work together to deeply moisturize the hair, making it less brittle and more pliable.
Can You Use Leave-In Conditioner Everyday? Your leave-in conditioner regimen will depend on how often you wash your hair. If you wash your hair every day then you can use a leave-in conditioner every day, but if you wash your hair once or twice a week then you shouldn't reach for a leave-in conditioner daily.
Air dry creams are a mixture of the two: They're similar to leave-in conditioners but have extra ingredients to build texture. A curl cream can be used in conjunction with a leave-in conditioner but is focused on shaping and holding curls.
Coarse, curly hair types often require more moisture and tend to be more susceptible to frizz and heat damage due to their density and texture. A cream formula heat protectant can be particularly beneficial for thick, curly hair, offering comprehensive protection while providing additional hydration and frizz control.
There are two main types of leave-in conditioner — creams and sprays. Whichever one you choose comes down to personal preference, but in general, “cream formulas tend to be heavier and therefore tend to be more hydrating and moisturizing,” explains Mislankar.
Using less harsh chemicals and hot styling tools, getting regular haircuts, and using moisturising hair products like a leave-in conditioner, glycerin-infused shampoo, and hair masks and oils, among other things, can also help reduce frizziness.
A moisturizer is also a water-based cream but it is usually thicker, creamier and more concentrated compared to a leave-in conditioner. They might come in forms of butters or creams and are meant to help you maintain the moisture in your hair when it gets dry.
If your hair is still frizzy after using a leave-in conditioner, you might be using too much or too little product or not distributing it evenly. Factors like humidity, damage from heat styling, and not using a deep conditioner regularly can also contribute to ongoing frizz.
Over-conditioning hair can cause hair breakage and, therefore, hair loss. This is because using leave-in deep conditioning and overuse of regular conditioner products can cause the hair shaft to become dry and susceptible to hair breakage and loss.
For short or fine hair, use 2 to 3 sprays. For thick or long hair, use 4 to 6 sprays. Detangle your hair, spreading leave-in conditioner from your hair's roots to its ends.
The frequency of leaving conditioner in your hair depends on your hair type and its specific needs. For most people, a weekly leave-in treatment can be beneficial. However, those with very dry or damaged hair may benefit from more frequent applications, while those with oily hair should use it more sparingly.
Spritz on a glossing spray
Once you're satisfied with your style, spritz a glossing spray throughout your mid-lengths and ends. This will help give your strands a wet-looking finish without making them feel stiff the way hair gel might. Again, don't be afraid to use a lot of product—for the wet look, more is more.
Hair breakage and hair loss –
This is one of the biggest concerns with using hair spray. Prolonged use of hair spray can weaken your hair strands and damage the cuticle layer, leading to easy breakage of your hair strands. In addition, it can weaken your hair follicles and allow the strands to fall out.
Creamy Leave-in Conditioners
"Heavier, more cream-based formulas offer more intense benefits," he notes. "This can include infusing moisture, repairing split ends, controlling fizz, and even some anti-aging properties. The thicker consistency allows for additional 'heavy-weight' ingredients."
Unlike rinse-out conditioner, leave-in conditioner is a post-shower product, typically used on damp hair. This means after you shampoo and condition, gently dry your hair, ideally with a microfiber towel, until it's damp and then reach for your leave-in conditioner.
So, can leave-in conditioner cause buildup? The answer is yes, it can. Leave-in conditioner contains ingredients such as silicones, quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), and oils, which can build up on the hair over time. Additionally, using too much leave-in conditioner can also cause buildup.
Tailoring Application to Hair Type: Different hair types require varying moisture levels and care. Fine, straight hair may become weighed down by daily leave-in conditioner application, while thick, curly hair may benefit from more frequent use to combat dryness and frizz.
I have found, that Olaplex No. 3 has done what it has promised to do and more for my hair. It's transformed my hair from brittle and damaged to smooth and resilient. I highly recommend this product if you're looking to invest in your hair's health.
If you have extremely coarse, frizzy hair that's tough to work with, chemical treatments can help get rid of frizzy hair. You know the ones we're talking about – Keratin treatments, Japanese hair straightening, Brazilian blowouts – all permanent hair straightening solutions.
Chemical Perms
They work by breaking the bonds of the hair shaft in order to reform it, leaving your hair vulnerable and susceptible to damage. Still craving curls? We vote “go professional” and have an expert apply a perm for you—that way you can avoid over damaging your hair.
However, certain hair types are more susceptible to it. “Frizz is caused by moisture entering the cuticle of the hair and making it swell,” explains IGK Co-Founder Leo Izquierdo. “It's most common in dry hair types, especially people with color- or chemically-treated hair, curly hair and, surprisingly, even fine hair.