One of the very first beauty products I remember my mother buying me was Johnson & Johnson’s No More Tangles ($6). I routinely sprayed it on my sopping wet, freshly washed hair every single night right before I would brush it out. The gateway “drug” to what would later fuel my hair product obsession, the yellow spray bottle housed, what seemed to my 9-year-old self, liquid gold. In seconds, my tangled mess of matted curls would transform into smooth, silky hair with the pass of a brush. While I didn’t realize exactly what was in that bottle—or what it was doing—I knew that I was hooked on leave-in products and have been ever since.
Over the years, the types of leave-ins I’ve used have ranged from everything from sprays and oils to serums and lotions. I’ve loved ‘em and left ‘em and have come back to them time and time again. Some I’ve tried have made my hair gummy; others have made it feel greasy. But one thing remains constant: If your hair needs a little help in the hydration department or is dry, frizzy or on the verge of breakage, this is the one product you need on your side.
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And now, more and more brands are launching (or relaunching) leave-in conditioners for the sheer fact that they work. While they didn’t ever fall off the shelves or stop being produced, celebrity stylist and creative director at Warren-Tricomi, Marc Mena, says the rise of leave-in conditioners comes as no coincidence, as experimenting with hair color trends has become so prominent. “Everything from classic hues like buttery blond, to rainbow unicorn hues can cause damage to the hair. Leave-in conditioner helps to provide some much-needed protection and relief to the hair,” he adds.
Another reason why leave-in conditioner is becoming a mainstay product is because of its ability to keep hair well-hydrated, making it easier to style. Perfect for those with thick or damaged hair, L’Oréal Professionnel Artist, Anh Co Tran, says everyone wants shiny, healthy hair. “Leave-ins keep hair nourished and conditioned. Not only are they good for shine and the feel of the hair, but they also address major hair concerns, too. For those wanting to strengthen their hair, I’ve been loving L’Oréal Professionnel’s Inforcer Leave-In ($27) because it contains biotin and vitamin B6 to instantly detangle and help smooth strands for stronger hair to prevent breakage.”
Some leave-ins have even morphed into a whole new category of products known as BB creams, which deliver multiple results for even more conditioning than what a typical leave-in can deliver. “I really like the Keratin Complex Kerabalm ($28) because it’s a 3-in-1 formula that protects from heat and sun damage, hydrates dry ends, leaves hair smooth, and increases shine and the overall health of your hair,” says Mena.
And who doesn’t want a perfect hair day every single day?
