The Best Leave-In Conditioners To Hydrate Your Hair On The Go

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best leave-in conditioner

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

  1. Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In, $35.25, Catwalk
  2. Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother, $45.95, Amazon Australia
  3. 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:

best leave-in conditioner redken

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:

amika leave-in conditioner

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 leave-in

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:

best leave-in conditioner wella

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:

best leave-in conditioner spray

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:

chemist warehouse leave-in conditioner

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:

best leave-in conditioner a'kin

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:

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.

Main image credit: @danielmartin

What’s your favourite leave-in conditioner?

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