How To Use Leave-In Conditioner for Best Results
Considering how often you wash your hair, you'd be forgiven for falling into a routine you rarely switch up. But if that routine doesn't include a leave-in conditioner, you could miss out on some wonderful benefits.
Every hair type can benefit from using a nourishing leave-in conditioner. VEGAMOUR spoke to experts to find out what to look for and avoid when searching for a leave-in conditioner. Plus, discover the all-natural, brand-new hydrating leave-in conditioner that reduces breakage, fights frizz and provides 72 hours of hydration.
What Is a Leave-In Conditioner?
"Leave-in conditioners are designed to give dry or damaged hair an extra coating of moisture and nutrients," Ghamina Abdullah, cosmetologist at therighthairstyles.com, told VEGAMOUR. "These conditioners are meant to stick to the hair instead of being washed out."
A leave-in conditioner is a post-wash product used on wet or towel-dried hair. A good leave-in conditioner will moisturize dry hair and often add a layer of heat protection. Every hair type will feel the benefit of a leave-in conditioner. Depending on the formula's ingredients, it can tame naturally oily hair, give colored hair a boost, help hydrate hair damaged from heat styling and help keep split ends under control.
Unlike a hair mask, which you'll usually use once a week, leave-ins can be used after every wash, and many experts consider them the first step of a healthy styling routine. But don't get it twisted -- you don't need to throw your regular conditioner away. A leave-in conditioner won't replace your usual conditioner but instead act as a booster that's made to soften and tame unruly hair strands.
The Benefits of a Leave-In Conditioner
Natural hair stylist Darrius Peace said, "The benefits of a good leave-in conditioner include longer moisture retention as well as softer, more pliable hair when dry." A good leave-in will hydrate hair from the hair follicles to the ends. In addition, it works to lock in shine and, if aqueous-based or made with alcohol solvent systems, it won't form rigid bonds but will enhance interfiber forces by providing a detangling effect, which can help keep the hair shaft safe.
The HYDR-8 Leave-In Conditioner is a multitasking hero made for all hair types. It will detangle hair, fight frizz and help tame frustrating flyaways. It's suitable for color-treated hair and will leave strands deeply hydrated and silky smooth. Plus, it's formulated without silicones, so it won't weigh hair down or feel sticky. Active ingredients include Karmatin™, the vegan keratin alternative that helps improve the appearance of dry or damaged tresses.
The mushroom extract in the lightweight, vegan VEGAMOUR formula offers strands protection from heat damage and encourages a glass-like, smooth finish. The amino acid blend hydrates and strengthens dry locks that look and feel ravaged. Spritz the formula onto freshly washed, damp hair and use a wide-tooth comb to distribute thoroughly. You can also use this revolutionary formula on dry hair to refresh your style and help keep it protected from hot styling tools.
Most hair types will feel the benefit of a good leave-in conditioner. Here's how:
Fine Hair
If you have fine hair, you might find regular conditioners feel heavy and weigh flyaway strands down. Leave-in conditioners can have a lighter consistency, so fine hair is able to draw in moisture and look shiny easily. Some people with fine, straight hair might benefit from replacing their regular conditioner with a leave-in formula. Alternatively, they may benefit from using a leave-in on their ends only.
Thicker Hair
If your thick hair is coarse or dry, it will get knotty and tangle easily. Leave-in conditioner is a great way to hydrate hair that's dry and hard to nourish. Concentrate on applying a dollop of your chosen formula to your ends to wet hair — especially before using heat styling tools.
Frizzy Hair
Frizzy hair tends to be very dry and in need of a whole lot of TLC. It responds to its environment and can become frizzier and even harder to manage in humid or damp weather conditions. Using a leave-in conditioner made with natural ingredients will combat frizz and add moisture, so strands look silkier. Leave-in conditioner can also help protect hair from the sun's harsh rays.
Curly or Wavy Hair
Curly hair can struggle to feel the benefit of the scalp's natural oils because the kinks and bends in each strand prevent the oil from sliding down and reaching the ends. As a result, wavy locks will really soak up the moisturizing benefits of a leave-in conditioner. Apply it to the entire hair length and scrunch strands with a curl cream to further enhance those waves.
Color-Treated Hair
Whether you love an ice-white look or adore being a full-bodied redhead, colored or bleached hair is often more damaged than most — especially if it also endures regular blow-drying and heat styling. Try to air dry every so often, and after you towel dry strands, apply a leave-in conditioner to enhance shine and add moisture.
Damaged Hair
Your locks will suffer heat damage if you constantly use heat tools. You may also struggle with damaged or dry hair if you bleach, chemically straighten or perm your strands. A leave-in conditioner will add a protective layer to your strands before you use any hot tools. And if your locks are thirsty, focus on using hydrating formulas and try playing with a no-heat style for a while.
Leave-In Conditioner vs. Rinse-Out Conditioner
As mentioned, you don't need to ditch your regular conditioner to enjoy the benefits of a leave-in formula. Those with finer hair may want to use only a leave-in formula on strands to prevent hair from looking greasy rather than silky, but most hair types will drink up the hydrating effects of a leave-in formula. If you have dry, curly or over-processed strands, look for a creamy, rich formula that's high in nutrients to leave hair hydrated and happy. Also, look for color-safe formulas, free from sulfates and packed with natural ingredients.
How To Use Leave-In Conditioner
Get out of the shower and, depending on the formula you use, either spray strands or run a dollop of product through the length of your hair using a wide-tooth comb to distribute evenly. Use the all-natural HYDR-8 Leave-In Conditioner to refresh your style on no-wash days to detangle and quench thirsty hair.
Don't Leave a Leave-In Conditioner Behind
Regardless of your hair type, a good leave-in conditioner will help bring flagging locks back to life. You might assume all conditioners are the same, but a good leave-in conditioner will revive locks and keep them hydrated.
The new HYDR-8 collection from VEGAMOUR has just introduced a new leave-in conditioner packed with nourishing nutrients and botanical extracts to protect strands and leave hair feeling silky and deeply nourished.
More From VEGAMOUR
- Can You Use Regular Conditioner As Leave-In Conditioner?
- How the "Squish to Condish" Technique Can Benefit Your Hair
- This Vegan Shampoo and Conditioner Changed My Hair
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