How To Use Leave-In Conditioner: The Right Way for Every Hair Type

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What Is Leave-In Conditioner?

Leave-in conditioner is a spray typically used after a shower when hair is still damp, prior to any styling. It can be used before hair washing too but hair is most absorbent while it’s wet, so it’s the perfect time to give it an extra hit of the  good stuff to soak up as it dries.

Leave-in conditioner is a product that adds and locks-in moisture to help hair stay hydrated for longer than it would if you were just using a rinse-out conditioner. It also works with your hair to help detangle and smooth flyaways, which makes any further styling more manageable.

The cherry on top? It’s full of all the best ingredients to promote soft, polished, and 100% loveable hair. So yes, it’s the one-in-a-million product that adds moisture and shine, detangles, and is ready to serve all hair types.

Who Should Use a Leave-In Conditioner?

No two heads of hair are alike, and that’s why we created our Prose Leave-In Conditioner to be custom-formulated for every individual hair type. No two bottles are the same, allowing us to create a unique blend of active and natural ingredients that will treat all hair types in all the right ways.

With so many types of hair out there — and with many people having a mix of multiple hair types — it’s hard to know what products to use. But, whether your hair is curly, straight, frizzy, dry, or anything in between, leave-in conditioner is one easy step that can (and should) be added to every hair care routine.

How Often to Use Leave-In Conditioner

How often you should use leave-in conditioner and how much leave-in conditioner to use will depend on your hair type. Some hair types require more moisture than others. So, for example the answer on how often to use leave-in conditioner on 4C hair will be different to the answer on how often to use leave-in conditioner on type 1A hair. 

Generally speaking, those with type 3 and 4 hair will benefit from using leave-in conditioner more frequently – but this can vary depending on other factors like hair porosity and lifestyle. So, before you start using this awesome product, it’s helpful to learn more about your specific hair type.

How to Use Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair

Curly hair in particular can benefit from a leave-in conditioner because it’s more vulnerable to dryness.

With curly and wavy hair, the strands’ outer layer is constantly moving, which can create tiny splits that let moisture leak out. Leave-in conditioner combats this by adding extra deep hydration and locking in moisture under a protective barrier. It also adds shine and strength to your hair to keep your curls looking (and feeling) their absolute best.

Hydration is a key element to having healthy hair on the inside, but hydration also helps curls on the outside. Curls need moisture to help them keep their strength, bounce, and to stay frizz-free.

Help your curls stay bouncy and playful by giving them the deep conditioning they need, both in the shower and afterward. Some people with curly hair also find co-washing to be highly beneficial. And, for the ultimate deep conditioning experience, you can also experiment with adding some leave-in conditioner before you go to bed. 

How to Use Prose Leave-In Conditioner for Straight Hair

Straight hair looks better with a little shine. The tricky part is achieving that perfect sheen without tipping over to grease-ville. It can be a balancing act, we know. But, don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered.

What’s the biggest buzzkill for straight hair? The dreaded frizz! The good news is that frizz, flyaways, and split ends are no match for leave-in conditioners. It all comes back to the extra hydration in a formula that’s made for you.

We put in hard work to create a custom  leave-in conditioner that provides the polished look without a too-polished feeling. With a curated formula designed especially for your hair type and lifestyle, Prose leave-in conditioner helps you to achieve that glossy and glamorous look you want without risking a greasy vibe.

Leave-in conditioner really is one of the most versatile products out there. Whether you want to give gray hair a little moisture boost or make your curly locks more manageable, you just can’t beat a leave-in conditioner.

How To Properly Use  Leave-In Conditioner

Most people opt to use leave-in conditioner straight after a shower. However, it can also be spritzed onto dry hair to help with detangling or to refresh a day-old style.

Giving it a try? Here’s how to use leave-in conditioner after a shower:

Step 1: Start With Clean, Wet Hair.
Hop in the shower and give your hair a good wash. Grab your favorite shampoo and conditioner and wash the way you normally would.

Step 2: (Half) Dry Your Hair.
Towel-dried hair is what you’re aiming for. Hair is more porous when it’s wet, so we want it to be damp but not dripping. Remember that wet hair is also more fragile and prone to breakage, so be gentle with it as you dry.

Step 3: Apply Leave-In Conditioner
Now that hair is freshly cleaned, add in your leave-in conditioner. From about an arm’s length away, focus the spray on the middle and ends of your hair. You can also opt to spray your palms and then comb it into your hair with your fingers. Just avoid spraying your roots; this hair is new and isn’t in need of as much hydration as the way older hair near the ends.

If you have long or thick hair (or both) you may want to be a little more generous and give it an extra few sprays to layer into your hair.

Remember it’s a leave-in conditioner, no need to wash it out or pat dry. 

Step 4: Comb It Out
The key word here is comb, not brush. A wide-tooth comb will work best. Always start with the ends and work your way up. This will deter tangles from gathering at the bottom and turning into a behemoth of a knot. Giving your hair a good (and gentle!) comb-through will help distribute the product making sure no strand goes untreated. Make sure it’s distributed all the way through before drying.

When finished, hair should appear shiny, non-greasy, and moisturized. Leave-in conditioner hydrates while the hair follicles are still open, which allows the moisture to run deep and really stick to the core of our hair. It then locks in the hydration with a protective layer to keep hair smooth and shiny until the next wash.

That’s it, no rinse! Our formula is meant to nourish your hair until your next wash day. The only thing left to do is style as you normally would.

Leave-in conditioner is as simple as that. Talk about a small but mighty product!

Will It Leave Behind Any Residue?

Of course not! It’s specifically crafted with the intent of being left in – no need to worry about it leaving behind residue or any signs of product. Also, don’t think that hydration equals heavy. Our non-greasy formula keeps strands hydrated and soft without feeling weighed down. 

Adding a leave-in conditioner can easily be the last step in your routine. That’s right, you can shower, towel-dry, apply leave-in conditioner, and be done! Leave-in conditioner prevents frizziness which means you can skip the heat and let it air dry. It leaves behind no dusty or oily feeling and is completely invisible. Your hair will be perfectly done no matter what you do next. Manageable? Check. Now on with the rest of your day.

Is It Safe to Use on Colored Hair?

Just like all our other products, Prose Leave-In Conditioner is color-safe. Indicate any color treatments you’ve had during your consultation and our team will create your leave-in conditioner with additional ingredients to protect your color.

This is probably a good time to mention the heat-protection properties of a leave-in conditioner. No matter what type of hair you have, we’re all guilty of heat styling from time to time. Straightening, curling, and even blow-drying is a serious stressor on our hair. It not only removes the surface level of moisture but it also deeply dehydrates the core of our hair. The result is dry and brittle strands – and nobody wants that! If you regularly use heat-based styling tools, make sure you let us know in your consultation and we’ll make sure to add plenty of heat-protecting ingredients.

What Goes Into a Prose Leave-In Conditioner?

We’re so glad you asked. We believe that beauty is personal but great hair is for everyone. That’s why our leave-in conditioner contains ingredients like fermented rice water and grape seed extract that work to hydrate and protect. We’ll also add ingredients specific to your individual hair needs and goals. 

During your consultation, we’ll ask you some questions to better understand your unique hair needs, lifestyle, and environment. This allows us to formulate your custom product and helps us suggest a recommended routine that will serve you the way you need it to.

We use ingredients that are backed by science. Everything that goes into our products is meticulously sourced and tested by our in-house chemists to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency. Our leave-in conditioners (as well as all of our other products) are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oils, and GMOs. Our products are also 100% cruelty-free and based on your preferences, can be made vegan, silicone-free, dye-free or fragrance-free too.

What does that leave you with? Nothing but the good stuff!

Take Your Hair Care Consultation Today

From learning how to use leave-in conditioners to curating the right ingredients for your hair type, our hair care consultations can help you to build a custom-made routine that works for you. Take your consultation now and take the first step on the road to luxuriously luscious locks.