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7 Leave-In Conditioners for Shiny, Bouncy Curls

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Curly-haired beauties, your bounciest, shiniest, softest curls are within reach. First things first, hydration should always be a priority for curly hair types. Without ample moisture, curly hair can be prone to frizz, breakage, and split ends (we’ve def been there). And while hydrating shampoos and conditioners can certainly help to boost bounce, there's another product that can make all the difference. Enter, leave-in conditioner (aka our new holy grail product for gorgeous curls).

Leave-in conditioners is often applied to towel-dried hair to further hydrate strands as they dry. When used on curly or coily hair, it can also help make curls bouncier and help control frizz. Use it before diffuser drying or air-drying as it can double as a heat protectant, and in-between washes when your curls need defining.

If you're looking for the perfect leave-in conditioner for smooth, protected, healthy hair, we've got options for you. Below are 7 of the best leave-in conditioners available on IPSY. Bonus: The first five have already been given a thumbs up by Ipsters who have received them in their past Glam Bags.

FOXYBAE Flaminglow Leave In Conditioner
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FOXYBAE HAIR Flaminglow Leave In Conditioner

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This honey and blackcurrant-scented leave-in conditioner feels like luxury from start to finish. Spritz it onto towel-dried hair to detangle, moisturize, tame frizz, and heal damaged strands. The formula even includes biotin which can promote hair growth.

"This is the most amazing leave-in conditioner I've used in a long time," one Ipster writes. "My hair is smooth but still light and bouncy. A little bit goes a LONG way!"

MARC ANTHONY TRUE PROFESSIONAL 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner
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MARC ANTHONY 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner

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This nourishing formula pairs coconut oil with shea butter to hydrate and boost shine for all hair types—curly included. It helps to restore shine and make strands healthier and more manageable with just a quick coat—and it’s a pro at detangling curly locks. Plus, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, SLS, or phthalates.

For one Ipster, this product is a summer must-have. She writes, "I love this great leave-in conditioner. I brought it to the beach and used it on my wet hair after swimming. It smelled amazing and kept my hair very soft."

CURL KEEPER® Leave-In Conditioner
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CURL KEEPER® Leave-In Conditioner

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This hair care product works by smoothing and sealing the hair cuticle to protect it from humidity, which can make hair appear frizzy. It also doubles as a heat protectant to keep hair strong and moisturized after styling with a hair dryer or hot tool. Bonus: This all-in-one solution is also free of silicone, which is great news for curly hair types as silicone can weigh down the hair, making curls appear limp and lifeless.

"This is another surprising hair product that actually came just in time for my newly bleached hair," one Ipster writes. "I have been using this product for the last couple of months and I absolutely love it, helps keep my short little curls popping."

OUAI Leave In Conditioner
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OUAI Leave-In Conditioner

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This cult-fave product comes straight from celebrity hairstylist Jenn Atkin to your beauty cabinet. It’s a multi-tasking, ultra-moisturizing conditioner that hydrates, detangles, reduces frizz, and protects against heat damage all at once. Hair is left feeling soft, manageable, and smelling amazing.

"This is an awesome leave in conditioner," says Ipster ail17. "It smells fantastic and I use this exclusively instead of conditioner now. I have big, coarse hair and this keeps it from feeling like a haystack!"

PURE BRAZILIAN Leave-In Conditioner
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PURE BRAZILIAN Leave-In Conditioner

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This versatile option works both immediately and over time to make hair shinier and healthier thanks to keratin proteins and a fortifying ingredient complex. Reparative keratin helps restore life and strength to dry, damaged hair while a combo of Bulgarian rose water, silk, quartz, and crushed pink sea pearls give hair a noticeable boost of luster and shine. Plus, it doubles as a heat protectant to keep your curls healthy and damage-free.

"The scent is like being on an island," writes one Ipster. "It adds moisture without being heavy!"

Bouncy, carefree curls coming right up. This vegan leave-in conditioner uses sunflower seed extract—an ingredient high in hydrating fatty acids and nourishing vitamin E—to provide weightless moisture while also detangling and preventing breakage. Just a small dollop leaves hair feeling soft, moisturized, and frizz-free. This curly hair-approved product also provides natural UV protection to guard against sun damage and color fading.

If your curls are dry, damaged, and in need of repair, give this 3-in-1 product a go. This conditioner primes, detangles, and protects using Tahitian monoi oil and coconut milk which penetrate deep into the hair shaft to tame frizz, heal damage, and richly condition damaged locks.

What are your curly-hair tips? Let us know @IPSY!

Want in on all the Glam Bag fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

About the author
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Cortney Clift
Cortney is a New York-based freelance writer who has written about beauty and wellness for more than six years. She was previously the senior writer and special projects editor at Brit + Co where she covered a wide range of news and lifestyle topics.
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Article Last Updated August 7, 2020 12:00 AM