It definitely took me a while to embrace my curly hair. As someone who heat-styled religiously and is still dealing with the damage, I almost didn't know what to do with myself once I put down the flat iron and was reintroduced to my 3c pattern. My first thought was, What kind of products do I use now? Products I used on my hair when it was straight didn't provide enough hydration for my curls anymore, so naturally, I did some research. The first thing I incorporated into my routine was a good leave-in conditioner.
Because my hair was so dry, a leave-in became absolutely necessary. It provided extra moisture after conditioning that helped me style my hair and brought life back to my brittle, frizzy curls. To this day, it's a nonnegotiable item in my routine. If your hair is also in need of some serious TLC, keep on reading. I asked celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Korab for tips on how to choose the best leave-in conditioner for curly hair and provide some recs.
The Best Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Cream
- Best Strengthening: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème
- Best for Tighter Curls: Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
- Best for Looser Curls: Ouai Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Cream
- Best Curl-Defining: Oribe Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème
The Best Leave-In Conditioners for Curly Hair of 2025
Best Overall: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Cream
My curls after I applied Bread Beauty Supply's Hair-Cream
Pros: Extremely hydrating but lightweight, silicone-free, adds definition and hold, detangles thick curls
Cons: May be too heavy for thinner curls
Key ingredients: Quinoa protein, coconut extract, mango butter
Size: 8.4 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight cream
This is the best leave-in conditioning cream for thick, curly hair. I use it daily both in the morning and evening, and it hydrates and defines my curls like no other. I use the entire Bread Beauty Supply line and never run out of good things to say.
Customer Review: "First off, this leave-in smells so good, like cherry lipgloss! I've been in the market for a decent leave-in conditioner. … Bread has exceeded my expectations cause wow! My hair has it all in one product. Shine, definition, AND hold! Doesn't weigh down my hair, and it feels soft and manageable. If you're thinking about it, just get it."
Best Splurge: Kérastase Curl Manifesto Curl Enhancing Leave-In Cream
Pros: Restores, strengthens, and hydrates dry curls; enhances definition
Cons: Expensive
Key ingredients: Manuka honey, ceramides
Size: 5.1 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight cream
"I love [the] Kérastase Curl Manifesto Leave-In," says Korab. "It's super lightweight but has maximum hydration for frizz-free curls." With its moisturizing, balm-like texture, it creates a protective barrier around strands without weighing them down.
Customer Review: "This is my third time purchasing this stuff!! I even got my mom to buy it a few times. This stuff is amazing. I have thick curly/wavy hair and this cream really leaves my hair moisturized and less frizzy."
Best Strengthening: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème
My curls after I applied Briogeo's Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème
Pros: Provides soft and flexible control for curls, immediately boosts hydration
Cons: Moisture doesn't last as long
Key ingredients: Rice amino acids, avocado oil, tomato fruit ferment
Size: 6 ounces
Consistency: Rich cream
Briogeo's Curl Charisma line gives so much slip to the hair. I love that the Leave-In Defining Crème immediately hydrates my hair and leaves it extra soft. My only complaint is that the added moisture doesn't seem to last as long as other options on this list.
Customer Review: "It was exactly what I needed to moisturize and give my hair the healthy look I wanted."
Best Budget: Aussie Miracle Curls Detangling Milk
Pros: Affordable, highly rated, detangles and hydrates curls quickly
Cons: Not silicone-free
Key ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, coconut oil
Size: 6.7 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight milk
Highly rated by curlies everywhere, this detangling treatment from Aussie contains coconut and jojoba oils to hydrate hair without weighing it down.
Customer Review: "Works well. I have very long hair and was having trouble finding something that would effectively detangle my hair and not weigh my hair down. This does the job. Pleased with the product and will purchase again."
Best for Tighter Curls: Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
Pros: Affordable, formulated for 4a to 4c curl types, helps repair damaged strands
Cons: Has a strong fruity scent if you're sensitive to smell
Key ingredients: Pomegranate extract, honey, babassu oil, citrus extracts
Size: 12 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight cream
Mielle's leave-in is formulated specifically for 4a to 4c curl types. It helps add shine and deep hydration to dull, damaged hair. It works especially well for thicker curls.
Customer Review: "I didn't know that leave-in conditioner and conditioner were different, ha ha ha. I used to just leave normal conditioner in my hair which you should not do. This makes my hair so smooth and silky. I have wavy hair that can get a little frizzy, but this makes the frizz go away. It also smells so good. I would have this smell as a perfume if I could, I love it! I always use this after washing my hair, when it's still very wet I lather it on my ends and then squish my hair with a cotton shirt. 100% recommend!!"
Best Leave-In Spray: Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner Spray
Pros: Affordable, acts as a heat protectant, formulated with a rice curl complex to give extra slip
Cons: Spray bottle can be faulty
Key ingredients: Avocado oil, keratin amino acids, rice curl complex, marula seed oil
Size: 6 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight cream
Formulated with a rice curl complex, this conditioning spray smooths and hydrates hair, giving it extra slip for styling. It also contains a superfood oil blend, which is rich in minerals and fatty acids that nourish damaged strands.
Customer Review: "I have curly hair that is very fine and thin. Most conditioners for curly hair [are] too heavy for my hair and end up just looking greasy. This stuff on the other hand, works great! Helps with frizz without looking greasy and slimy by the end of the day."
Best for Looser Curls: Ouai Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Cream
Jamie's curls after applying Ouai's Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Cream
Pros: Eliminates frizz and smells amazing, a little goes a long way
Cons: Those with tighter curl patterns might want something richer
Key ingredients: Olive-derived squalane, upcycled jackfruit and beetroot extracts, plant-based polymers
Size: 6 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight cream
"If you have type 2c curls like me, you'll adore this smoothing cream from Ouai," notes WWW senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider. "I was devoted to the brand's leave-in spray (which is also incredible, if you haven't tried it), but this richer formula is seriously *chef's kiss.* It's become my number one ticket to great hair days; whenever I don't use it (which is rare), I notice way more flyaways and an overall straw-like appearance. One to two pumps of this curl-softening formula, and my strands are good as new!"
Customer Review: "This is soooo good. smells floral like roses. I have waist-length thick, frizzy hair and I use two pumps for my head. I use with my Revlon blow-dryer, and it makes my hair so soft and smooth. I used to use the spray leave in from Ouai, and I prefer this one."
Best Hydrating: Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
Pros: Acts as a great styling primer, weightless formula, encourages curl formation
Cons: Can leave buildup on the hair
Key ingredients: Prickly pear cactus extract, green tea, vitamin B5, arnica extract
Size: 8.5 ounces
Consistency: Rich cream
I love this leave-in because it can act as a great primer for other curl-enhancing products. It's totally weightless but encourages your natural curl pattern to do its thing while providing dry hair with some much-needed extra moisture.
Customer Review: "This product has helped my dry, frizzy, curly hair soooo much. Takes some time to figure out the amount you need but OMG wow, it works sooo well. Will not be without it. Advice: go to Ouidad's website and join. You get better deals plus points to use towards products."
Best Detangling: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Leave-In Conditioner
Pros: Affordable, detangles curls quickly, keeps hair soft
Cons: Strong smell
Key ingredients: Avocado oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, hydrolyzed keratin
Size: 12 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight cream
This moisturizing and detangling leave-in conditioner is perfect for all curl types. It's lightweight but powerful when it comes to fighting frizz and leaving hair soft and supple. It also really speeds up the detangling process.
Customer Review: "Love love love. My curls feel so soft and defined. Paired with the custard is my new fave duo."
Best Curl-Defining: Oribe Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème
Pros: Great finishing product for styling, softens and defines curls
Cons: Expensive
Key ingredients: Murumuru, mango, and cocoa seed butters, olive oil, avocado oil
Size: 6.7 ounces
Consistency: Rich cream
This styling butter from Oribe has the perfect amount of weight and slip to finish freshly styled curls, and it smells amazing. It also works really well for resurrecting second- or third-day curls.
Customer Review: "I live in the South, battling humidity, and this curl creme works to defeat the frizz poofoo hairdo! Great scent, my hair stays curly, soft, and smells great. Worth it!"
Best Lightweight: Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls
Pros: Smooths and defines curls without creating crunch, lightweight texture won't weigh hair down
Cons: Might not be rich enough for thick, curly hair
Key ingredients: Safflower oil, avocado oil, wheat germ oil, silk amino acids, hydrolyzed wheat protein
Size: 8.5 ounces
Consistency: Lightweight cream
This cult-loved curl cream softens and defines curls without causing any crunchiness. As a bonus, it smells like fresh laundry, and if you order on Amazon, you can snag it in a bundle with the brand's other standout hydration cream, the Baby Buttermilk.
Customer Review: "I love this product. It makes your curls and hair so soft. It makes curly hair look natural. I'm almost finished, will order more."
What to Look for in a Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Korab says, "I recommend looking for a leave-in conditioner with the right amount of hydration for your curls to keep them moisturized and frizz-free. I also recommend looking at the ingredients. I tend to like the ones with more natural ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil. Lastly, make sure to use a leave-in that is lightweight so it won't weigh down your curls."
Thinner curl types will want something lightweight that won't be too heavy or greasy on the hair. Those with thicker and extra-dry hair can probably get away with heavier creams and oils.
How to Apply Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
The great thing about using a leave-in conditioner is that most of them are designed to be used daily. I like to apply leave-in conditioner twice a day—once in the evening on wet or damp curls and once in the morning on dry hair. It helps the product to absorb better, and I notice that my hair dries much softer when I apply it this way. If you're using a spray leave-in, you'll want to thoroughly saturate your curls from top to bottom. If your curls are like mine and tend to get extra dry, don't be afraid to spritz a bit of extra product in there.
If you're using a cream leave-in, it might be best to avoid the root area. I do this because my hair is thick and can accumulate buildup easily. I also like to use a lighter hand with those types of formulas because they are a bit thicker and can weigh down the hair if I use too much.
Pay attention to this next tip from Korab, especially if you have thick, curly hair. "I recommend applying in small sections from roots to ends, distributing the product evenly throughout the hair," she explains. "[Use] your fingers and a large-tooth comb to 'rake' through your hair, working in the product."
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
