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?
Not using leave in conditioners, but do like sprays that smell great and make hair look glossy and lush
Glow Lab ticks all the hair issue boxes I'm dealing with ATM.
Never use leave in hair conditioners really love using my Purple Shampoo and Conditioner. Also use an Argan Oil based Spray for heat protection.
These are good recommendations
I haven't used any of these products. I usually use the L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Treatment for Dry Hair.
I've used the TIGI one before. I have a Delorenzo spray leave in conditioner which I often use.
I'm not a big fan of the leave in conditioner , I prefer to use few drops of oil for the ends.
I really like the sound of SheaMoisture Coconut Oil Leave-in Conditioner. I have not used a leave-in conditioner for awhile now. Will have to start doing it again.
I like the look of the Glow Lab one, my hair is fine so I can’t use anything that weighs it down.
The KMS one looks lovley
Ive never used a leave in conditioner. I love using the moroccan oil on my hair though. Leaves it with a wonderful shine and it smells awesome.
I use Eleven Australia Miracle Hair Treatment. I’ve been using it for years. It’s a really good do it all treatment. It smells gorgeous too.
Never used leave in conditioner and tend to lean towards coconut and aloe vera oil. Does the trick in keeping hair moisturized throughout Winter!
I dont use leave in conditioners as they tend to weigh my hair down
Love the Living Proof conditioner and need to pick up the IGK one because their products are amazing
I do enjoy using leave-in conditioners
Haven't tried any of those.
I always use a conditioning leave-in hair product after washing my hair because I have really dry and damaged hair
I have tried only a handful of leave-in conditioners and was about to write them off but now I swear by the Kristin Ess Leave-In Conditioning Spray. Holy grail. I cannot live without it. It does not even feel like I have applied anything to my hair. Next day my hair is detangled, healthy, soft and shiny. I go through bottles of it.
I haven't tried any of those products but I use a finishing spray that leaves my hair tamed and very shiny.
I don't have the time to spray in conditioner because I condition mine in the shower. I use Garnier which only needs 1 minute. I rarely blow-dry my hair.
I've tried a few of these, I never skip leave in conditioner. My hair really needs it.
I have never really cared for leave in conditioners, they usually make my hair feel too heavy.
When dry frizzy hair is basicall my name. I wonder if I can use all of these conditioners at once to fix my crazy iso hair.
Leave in conditioners have been saving my life since I was a kid (the curse of easily knotty hair & all); however, of late it has become an on-off affair. I'll probably start using my bottle of O&M's Know Knott Detangler (which is also a leave-in conditioning spray) more regularly now that winter is coming on as my hair tends to be knottier & drier then.
I don’t mind the MUK leave in conditioner, or leaves my hair soft.
I am using one now, and its really nice, in fact i used a lot and it was nicer
Glow Lab is the one for me of this lot – sounds very nourishing with those different oils
I love that hair.
The SheaMoisture sounds good. I use a Schwarzkopf oil at the moment which works well.
never used a stay in conditioner maybe time to start using one
I love the Living Proof No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner and use it almost every day. Great product 🙂
I really want to try IGK and that Coconut leave in looks amazing!!
Nor really every women and girls have the some choice as some like to have conditioner in ther bath by using it regularly but some don't like it at all ..
I have never used leave in conditioner before. Hope this is great for my dry hair.
Shiseido Fino is a product that has changed my life. It's not leave in but if you have curls or waves you should give it a go.
I've always used leave in oils, not sure if conditioners will do as good a job of smoothing and detangling fragile, knotty, bleached dry hair…
Haven't tried any of these products but would love to use as have very dry and frizzy hair.
I have tried the Living Proof leave in conditioner and was disappointed. It just didn't live up to the hype (or give me hair like Jennifer Aniston). Oh well ! I have MANY hair products (it's my thing), and would love to try the TIGI product. I do really love Mythic Oi by L'Oreal, and can't live without it. My hair is thick and coloured and this is beautiful on my hair. I also love Keratin Infused Daily Smoothing Cream by Keratherapy. My hair usually really objects to anything with keratin in the name, but this product is luxurious and beautiful on my hair. It leaves it soft, smooth and feeling absolutely gorgeous. I really don't need to keep searching for another product as I have these two, but I love discovering something new.
I’ve not tried a leave in conditioner before. I have a highly sensitive scalp so it’s not a product that I’m game to use. I use almond oil when I can be bothered shampooing my hair 4 times to remove it, and it leaves my hair feeling amazing. Clay masks mixed with a bit of oil on the hair and scalp are also effective at cleansing and conditioning.
Haven’t tried any of these, looking for a good leave in conditioner, especially for my ends but interested in trying the IGK one! Have heard good reviews
Leave in conditioners are saviours for curly girls like yours truly.
My HG's are:
Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
Keen to try the living proof one, loved their mask
The Living Proof leave in conditioner is not that great as marketed!
Have never really used leave-in conditioners, for some reason I've always just been worried that my hair will look greasy
Glow lab has some great products- the body washes are great and all if their stuff smells amazing!
I am not a fan of leave in conditioners as my hair is very fine and just loses any shine when I did try one. Had to wash out after one day.
I've reported the spam by Oliviahannah and Wendychapman on the "SERIAL SPAM MEMBER ON BH" thread.
I tried the Glow Lab Leave-in Conditioner but it did not do much for my type of hair, despite it containing some nice ingredients. I'm now using a hair oil and so far, it suits my hair more.
I've been working through my hair masks & leaving them in for a couple of days at a time.