Hit us with the ‘which hair product would you take to a desert island if you could only have one?’ question and we’ll have two primary thoughts. Firstly, how rude of you, we’re beauty product junkies for a reason, okay?! And secondly, TBH it would totally be leave-in conditioner.
Why, you ask? Its versatility, of course. Few others achieve such impressive care/styling slashie status, and so lush leave-ins have become our all-star strand saviours for sleek, shiny hair.
These hydration heroes work overtime to bring your strands back to life, offering that extra dose of moisture your hair is thirsting for. Whether you’re dealing with frizz, split ends, or just lacklustre locks, a good leave-in conditioner can be a game-changer.
No hair type is left behind with these versatile picks. They’re designed to nourish, detangle, and protect – without the heavy residue. Plus, they’re a cinch to use: just apply, style, and go.
Read on for the crème de la crème of leave-in conditioners to help you kick dry, unhappy hair to the curb.
2024’s top 3 leave-in conditioners
- Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In, $35.25, Catwalk
- Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother, $45.95, Amazon Australia
- Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave In Conditioner, $16.99, Chemist Warehouse
The best leave-in conditioners 2024
O&M Project Sukuroi Gold Smoothing Balm
from $55.95 at Oz Hair & Beauty
O&M’s Project Sukuroi Gold Smoothing Balm draws inspiration from the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with gold, making the piece more beautiful than before. This concept is applied to hair, aiming to repair and beautify your strands. The luxurious balm not only conditions but also adds a golden shine and smoothness to the hair, thanks to its key ingredient, gold of pleasure oil.
Key features:
- Gold of pleasure oil for shine and softness
- Keratin and macadamia oil to strengthen
- Cruelty-free
Available at:
- $55.95 from Adore Beauty
- $53.95 from Oz Hair & Beauty
Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In
from $36.95 at Beautopia
Redken’s Acidic Perfecting Concentrate is a powerhouse leave-in treatment designed to fortify hair from the inside out. Ideal for weakened or damaged hair, it works to reduce breakage and visibly fortify hair, ensuring it can withstand styling heat up to 232°C. The formula’s acidic pH helps seal the cuticle, enhancing hair strength and shine.
Key features:
- Balances hair pH
- Heat protection up to 232°C
- Reduces breakage and adds shine
- Strengthens, repairs and protects hair
Available at:
- $36.95 from Beautopia
- $42.30 (usually $47) from Oz Hair & Beauty
- $53 from Adore Beauty
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner
from $47 at Sephora
Designed for those in need of a serious hydration boost, Amika’s Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner delivers deep moisture without weighing hair down. This formula, enriched with sea buckthorn and squalane, penetrates deeply to hydrate and revive parched strands, leaving hair soft, vibrant, and full of life.
Key features:
- Formulated with hyaluronic acid, sea buckthorn and squalane
- Lightweight mist formula
- Vanilla, sweet clover and fresh citrus scent
- 72-hour hydration
- Detangles, hydrates and reduces frizz
Available at:
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
from $45.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother is a leave-in reparative styling creme that eliminates frizz, hydrates, and protects all hair types. It utilises Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology to strengthen hair at the molecular level, significantly improving hair health and appearance with each use.
Key features:
- Patented bond-building technology
- Reduces frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours
- Speeds up blow-dry time
- Suitable for all hair types, including curly, coloured and chemically-treated hair
Available at:
- $45.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $53.99 from Oz Hair & Beauty
- $54 from Sephora
- $54 from Adore Beauty
Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Leave-In
from $56 at Sephora
Wella’s Ultimate Repair Leave-In treatment is designed to go beyond surface conditioning. The 5-in-1 formula penetrates deep into the hair fibre to repair damage and protect strands from breakage and stress. It also helps to reduce the effects of daily aggressors including UV, heat-damage and humidity, so it truly is a miracle worker.
Key features:
- AHAs and Omega 9 to smooth and fortify
- Protects hair from UV, humidity and heat up to 230°C
- No oily residue
- Detangles, tames frizz and enhances shine
- 99% less breakage
Available at:
- $56 from Sephora
- $56 from Oz Hair & Beauty
- $56 from Adore Beauty
Biolage Hydrasource Daily Leave-In Tonic
from $24.95 at Beautopia
Biolage Hydrasource Daily Leave-In Tonic is inspired by the moisture-retaining properties of the aloe plant, known for its ability to thrive in harsh conditions. This tonic balances moisture levels, detangles, and controls frizz.
Key features:
- Aloe-based formula
- Renews shine for instantly healthy-looking hair
- Optimizes moisture balance
- Helps protect against environmental aggressors
- Spray application
Available at:
- $24.95 from Beautopia
- $27.49 from Amazon Australia
- $32.36 from Oz Hair & Beauty
Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave In Conditioner
from $16.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Kristin Ess’s Weightless Shine Leave In Conditioner is a versatile spray that detangles, softens, and adds shine while also providing heat protection. Its lightweight formula ensures hair remains bouncy and vibrant, making it the perfect solution for all hair types seeking a touch of gloss and improved texture.
Key features:
- Detangles, softens and strengthens
- Offers heat protection for styling
- Enhances shine
- Seals moisture
Available at:
- $16.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $23 from ASOS
A’kin Damage Repair Leave-In Conditioner
from $10 at Woolworths
For those leaning towards something more simple, A’kin’s Damage Repair Leave-In Conditioner offers a gentle yet effective solution. Made with organic coconut water, green tea, and aloe vera, it hydrates, nourishes, and repairs hair without a hefty price tag.
Key features:
- Formulated with hydrating coconut water, green tea, and aloe vera
- Adds moisture and shine to dry, brittle hair
- Reduces breakage and split ends
- Lightweight formula
Available at:
- $10 (usually $20) at Woolworths
- $16.99 at Chemist Warehouse
- $19.95 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Plantur 39 Moisturising Spray
From $21.95 at Priceline
Okay, okay, we know it’s not actually a traditional ‘leave-in-conditioner’, but honestly, we’d take a spray in moisturising option any day. Not only is it easy to spritz through your strands, it also works overtime ensuring your once damaged strands are left feeling strengthened and looking incredibly shiny.
Key features:
- Restores shine
- Panthenol helps strengthen
- Improves damaged strands
Available at:
- $21.95 from Priceline
- $16.99 (usually $19.29) from Chemist Warehouse
- $14.27 from Plantur39
How to use a leave-in conditioner
To use a leave-in conditioner, simply wash and towel dry your hair as usual. Then, take a small amount of your leave-in treatment and work it through the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, avoiding the roots to prevent any greasiness.
In case the name didn;t give it away, you don’t need to rinse out a leave-in confitioner; just comb through to distribute the product evenly and style as you normally would.
Related articles:
- The Best Conditioners You Can Add To Cart At The Supermarket
- The Best Budget-Friendly Hair Styling Tools Under $100
- The Best Hair Serums For Dry, Damaged And Frizzy Hair
Main image credit: @danielmartin
What’s your favourite leave-in conditioner?
I've marked Lizzy Desler5 below as SPAM!
I haven’t been a fan of leave in conditioners but might give this a go
Yes I am the same
Need to try KMS
I love leave-in treatments. My preference is oil for the silky, non-tacky feel.
I must admit that I have never used a leave in conditioner. Maybe give it a try?
I defs need a new one!
I’ve heard of leave in shampoo but not conditioner I will have to try this. I am loving garnier hair food as well.
A’kin sounds great too.
I do need a good Leave in Conditioner. Some great reccomendations here.
I have been using the Pantene Leave-in Conditioner for years and have loved it, time to try something new!
I found pantene pretty good too Beauta!
Living Proof would be the one for me.
Just up to needing some new leave in conditioner so it's nice to have a list to work through 🙂
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I love Hot Tresses leave in conditioner – and it smells divine
Omg! I love these!
Sometimes I use leave in conditioners but lately I havent .Interesting article.
So I use Muk leave in Conditoner but I can say if I had to switch glow lab is a great alternative.
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I"ve been using Pure fushion complex in my hair, it's feeling super soft
A leave in conditional is absolutely essential for me – currently using Moogoo protein shot.
I’m using Sukin leave in conditioner at the moment, it’s pretty good
I have very oily hair, so not something I would use.
Love the Olaplex products.
I love the spray on ones rather than the creams for my fine hair. Surprisingly I really love the patent one.
Great article thanks! I usually just use some of my usual conditioner as I have lots of thick curly hair, either glow lab, tresemme or essano. 🙂
In the past I have found leave in conditioners leave my hair too heavy.
I’ve tried a few from this latest list.
Amika packaging is nice!!
Oh, I do love the bottle of the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner. It is so gorgeous.
I’m using Everblue leave in conditioner. It’s pretty good.
I would try any/all of these as they sound really nice
Using a Delorenzo one at the moment.
I’m surprised I haven’t tried any of these
My hair needs a leave in conditioner after washing. The Amika Hydro Rush is the product that caught my eye from the list above.
I like the look of the Akin one as all natural
You need to apply less rather tan more or your hair can get very heavy
Sorry I meant less rather than more
I have been looking for a leave in conditioner and will try Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave In Conditioner.
Lots of great options here at different price points
Kristin Ess has been on my radar for a while.
Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave In Conditioner is my favourite!!!! I have gone through bottles and bottles of this stuff.
Some make my hair oily, so still on the hunt
I use a couple of spray-on leave-in conditioners and treatments because they are light and don’t weigh down my hair.
Since I found Eleven’s miracle hair, I haven’t really used any leave in conditioners.
I’d give the A’kin one a go
I love my John Freida frizz contraol leave in conditioner.
Ive used many leave in conditioners in my lifetime but looks like i have a few more to try. My Curly hair needs leave in conditioner always
I am a big fan of leave in conditioner. Love to try these brands.
The Redken is nice
I might try the A’kin conditioner – I like other products from that brand.
Love this bottle but not the price.
I would love to try these brands.
Anything by Olaplex is awesome!
kin is my pick here though I haven’t tried it