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 2025
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
Bloom Squad Lil Smoothie™ Detangler + Leave-In Conditioner
from $24.95 at Bloom Squad Hair
PSA: your kids’ hair may also require a bit of detangling, smoothing, conditioning action, and this is the formula to help there. Knots (plus the dramas that come with them) can be dealt with easily with this nourishing botanical blend of argan oil, shea butter and wheat proteins in your kid-friendly kit.
Key features:
- Plant-based formula
- Australian-made
- Makes detangling effortless
- Refreshes hair between washes
- Leaves hair silky and tangle-free
Available at:
- $24.95 from Bloom Squad Hair
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?
Just a little bit is great
I haven’t tried one before but I do use a bit of gel to tame unruly locks
Add O&M to my cart…
I’m buying Kristen Ess when I finish my current one.
I usually have 3 or 4 favourite leave-in conditioners on the go. I’m not loyal to one brand.
I don’t use leave in conditioner – maybe I should at least try one!
Haven’t tried any of those products.
I love to add leave in conditioner on my hair. It gives healthy look.
some lovely choices to look at
I am pretty sure I keep reading this article periodically and thinking I really need a leave in conditioner – and then forgetting to do anything about it.
I have not used any of these ones.
Definitely want to try the Olaplex one.
Redken is great quality
I’m open to trying the A’kin one