Leave-ins

[lapushka]

After the Hegron leave-in (Action discount store brand), I currently am starting an old bottle of Dove leave-in. It's in a pump bottle. I still have two of them and I can't find them on Google anymore - they're *that* old. I got them because they were hard to find then and you just had to grab what you could.

But what's your favorite leave-in cream? Or spray even? Share!

[Arctic]

I use my normal conditioner as a leave-in. When I started that practice, I used to dlute it with water, but at some point stopped the dilution. I might dilute a bit if I use it on dry hair, but not neccearily.

I started to use a normal, rinse-out conditioner, because I couldn't find an actual leave-in that would have been something I'd liked. They tend to be very runny (often in spray bottles), often very protein heavy, and often with silicones. I stopped looking for a nice leave-in years ago, since I've been happy with my current arrangements.

[Johannah]

I *just* bought my first leave-in cream, five minutes ago :p. I'm going to wash my hair tomorrow and try it out. I hope it won't be to heavy. Until now my favorite spray is from Andrélon called Keratin Repair. It's an anti-detangle spray.

[lapushka]

Arctic, that's a great idea. Sometimes though, you get a product that is not suitable towards leaving in, I've read (no personal experience), and then... well, you're "stuck" with it, I guess. :lol: Sorry, had to laugh...

Andrélon, isn't that hard to find in Belgium. At least, I have never seen that brand in stores near me. Or do you order online, Johannah? :)

[Johannah]

Arctic, that's a great idea. Sometimes though, you get a product that is not suitable towards leaving in, I've read (no personal experience), and then... well, you're "stuck" with it, I guess. :lol: Sorry, had to laugh...

Andrélon, isn't that hard to find in Belgium. At least, I have never seen that brand in stores near me. Or do you order online, Johannah? :)

I live very close to Holland (5-10 minutes driving) so I just bought it there. It's definitely worth 'travelling' because Holland is way cheaper than Belgium because of regular sales. Today I bought 2 shampoo's, 3 conditioners, 2 serums and a leave-in cream for €16 (all from the Keratin line) :p

[diddiedaisy]

The only leave in conditioner I've tried was label m, it really dried my hair out so I'm scared to get another one now.

[meteor]

I have different favorites depending on the form:

Creams (I like to use them a bit like setting lotions for soft roller-setting):
- Nightblooming's Panacea Hair Salves (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/NightBlooming);
- Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in Conditioner
(http://www.garnierusa.com/products/haircare/sleek-and-shine/treatment/sleek-and-shine-intensely-smooth-leave-in-conditioning-cream-10-2oz.aspx)

Oils / Serums (for shine, occlusion and anti-static effect):
- Johnson's Baby Oil (https://www.johnsonsbaby.com/oil/johnsons-baby-oil) (mineral oil);
- Grapeseed oil;
- Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum (http://www.garnierusa.com/products/haircare/sleek-and-shine/treatment/sleek-shine-anti-frizz-serum-5-1oz.aspx);
- MoroccanOil Treatment Original (http://www.moroccanoil.com/usa/h_us_en/moroccanoil-treatment) (though the price is a bit ridiculous).

[wilderwein]

I almost never buy the same leave in conditioner or oil twice. And 95% of the time whatever I choose it works the first time, but If I buy it a second time in a row it doesn't work as it used too..?
The product I always go with tho, If I'm not sure what to choose is L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil. But I have to give it a break from time to time in order for it to work again.

[meteor]

I almost never buy the same leave in conditioner or oil twice.

I'm like that, too! :hifive: And it takes me ages (sometimes, over a year!) to finish a bottle of leave-in, he-he! :lol:

[Nadine <3]

I have a mishmash of leave-ins that I like and I rotate them based on what I'm doing with my hair that day and how my hair is feeling. I have a spray detangler made from my suave conditioner diluted in a spray bottle. Sometimes I use it from the bottle, but most of the time I just leave a little bit in my hair when I shower. I really like olive oil and grapeseed oil so I have 2 little glass dropper bottles of those. I use those oils most frequently. Then I have a serum by Garnier that I LOVE for detangling...those cones are great, but I can't use it to frequently or my hair goes limp. I love it though, just sparingly.

That's pretty much it for me as far as leave ins go. I have a leave in conditioner from tresseme from the split remedy line, but I HAATTTE it. It makes my hair feel sticky and tacky. Works okay if I apply it in the shower on soaking wet hair, but on towel dried hair is a no no.

[wilderwein]

I'm like that, too! :hifive: And it takes me ages (sometimes, over a year!) to finish a bottle of leave-in, he-he! :lol:

Oh If I was the only who were using them it would be the same. But one of my sisters also uses them and if it smells nice she gets quite leave- in oil/conditioner happy :lol:

[DaniJoy]

I use "enjoy conditioning spray" and "it's a 10miracle leave in" both used with a tiny bit of coconut oil on ends

[missrandie]

Heheh.. Until my hairdresser told me it was bad (I now think it was BS), I always used Infusium 23 as my leave in, post shower and for styling. I liked it for dampening my hair for buns, because dry buns always flew apart on me. My hair has a lot of, shall we say, resistance. I literally have to work everything from damp, otherwise my style won't set. But once FULLY dry and set, whatever I did will stay put for a few days.

[Decemberrose]

I love the leave in from Biosilk. It smells so good :) and makes my dry ends much softer. Hairdressers here calls it silkdrops. Have used it for years :) I think it contains protein. I use it in the LOC method along with Almondoil and a Rainforest hairbutter cream from the bodyshop.

[meteor]

Heheh.. Until my hairdresser told me it was bad (I now think it was BS), I always used Infusium 23 as my leave in, post shower and for styling. I liked it for dampening my hair for buns, because dry buns always flew apart on me. My hair has a lot of, shall we say, resistance. I literally have to work everything from damp, otherwise my style won't set. But once FULLY dry and set, whatever I did will stay put for a few days.

Why did the hairdresser think Infusium 23 was bad? :) Did she give any reasons?

[TrapperCreekD]

I LOC so there's several things that get "left in", but conditioner-wise I just use a dollop of my current rinse out condish. It works quite well for me so I see no need buy what I suspect is just diluted conditioner. For in between washes I have a spray bottle of diluted Suave or V05 that works nicely without being too heavy. I've pondered coney serums/oils but haven't bought any yet since natural oils seem to be working pretty well.

[PalomaSincera]

This is the one I use and I'm happy with it. It does does everything it says it does.
http://andalou.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/m/o/moisturerich-leaveinconditioner-rf.jpg

Before this one, I used a fruits frizz control and that was cool too. And I also like the shine control from aveda.

[-Fern]

Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Leave-In Conditioner (http://www.suave.com/Images/2072/2072-669759-H_T_KertinHetDefenseLeveInConditionerKertinInfusio n_300x300.png).

It. Smells. Incredible. To the point it's not even worth discussing the beneficial effects. :rolling: But I feel ambivalent about using it now because my ex also used to love the smell.

Honestly, ROO Method gives me quite similar positive results, but if my ends are looking particularly dry, this perks them up. :)

[Klaudia]

I use the Pantene Pro-V Strength & Shine Instant Strengthening Serum, now that is my favorite. Before that I used my rinse-out conditioner as a leave-in.

[missrandie]

Why did the hairdresser think Infusium 23 was bad? :) Did she give any reasons?

Because apparently "the waxes build up."

I now know that anything can build up, and periodic clarification would help. Funny thing is that I never had build up in the first place.

[meteor]

^ Ha-ha, I agree! :agree:
Not to mention that it doesn't even seem to have any waxes in it, looking at the ingredients (http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlproducts/view/1562/infusium-infusium-23-leave-in-conditioner)list? :hmm:
Anyway, I've been curious about this product, I keep hearing lots of great reviews on it. :)

[missrandie]

^ Ha-ha, I agree! :agree:
Not to mention that it doesn't even seem to have any waxes in it, looking at the ingredients (http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlproducts/view/1562/infusium-infusium-23-leave-in-conditioner)list? :hmm:
Anyway, I've been curious about this product, I keep hearing lots of great reviews on it. :)

I always loved the original formula. It smells really good and clean to me. It works a LOT better if you put it in a spray bottle as opposed to the squeeze tip though.. Its a very liquid formulation.

[lapushka]

I live very close to Holland (5-10 minutes driving) so I just bought it there. It's definitely worth 'travelling' because Holland is way cheaper than Belgium because of regular sales. Today I bought 2 shampoo's, 3 conditioners, 2 serums and a leave-in cream for €16 (all from the Keratin line) :p

That's like 8 products for €16, so €2 per product. Bargain, especially for those serums! They can often be €10 on their own depending on which brand (Garnier Ultra Doux, L'oréal). Amazing deal!

[Johannah]

That's like 8 products for €16, so €2 per product. Bargain, especially for those serums! They can often be €10 on their own depending on which brand (Garnier Ultra Doux, L'oréal). Amazing deal!

Yeah you're right about that!

I just tried the leave-in cream (I could wait) and I think my hair likes it. :)

[Nuala]

I love the Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur hair repair spray. It smells lovely and makes my hair less frizzy without making it greasy.

[lapushka]

I love the Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur hair repair spray. It smells lovely and makes my hair less frizzy without making it greasy.

I have a few of those spray bottles. You need to shake them up before using, kind of strange, reminds me of those make-up removers. I always end up with a greasy sink/floor, when using those, so they're still in my cupboard for now.

[Nuala]

I have a few of those spray bottles. You need to shake them up before using, kind of strange, reminds me of those make-up removers. I always end up with a greasy sink/floor, when using those, so they're still in my cupboard for now.

I spray a bit in my hand and then knead it through my hair. Otherwise it is going to be all over the place!

[Lauraes]

I have different favorites depending on the form:

Creams (I like to use them a bit like setting lotions for soft roller-setting):
- Nightblooming's Panacea Hair Salves (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/NightBlooming);
- Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in Conditioner
(http://www.garnierusa.com/products/haircare/sleek-and-shine/treatment/sleek-and-shine-intensely-smooth-leave-in-conditioning-cream-10-2oz.aspx)

Oils / Serums (for shine, occlusion and anti-static effect):
- Johnson's Baby Oil (https://www.johnsonsbaby.com/oil/johnsons-baby-oil) (mineral oil);
- Grapeseed oil;
- Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum (http://www.garnierusa.com/products/haircare/sleek-and-shine/treatment/sleek-shine-anti-frizz-serum-5-1oz.aspx);
- MoroccanOil Treatment Original (http://www.moroccanoil.com/usa/h_us_en/moroccanoil-treatment) (though the price is a bit ridiculous).
I use the Garnier Fructis S&S Leave in Conditioner too. :) I've used it for years after every hair wash. It's the only product I've stuck with for a significantly long time.

[lapushka]

I spray a bit in my hand and then knead it through my hair. Otherwise it is going to be all over the place!

Good idea! :)

[Groovy Granny]

I love my 'Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter' conditioner as a leave in.
The conditioner I use after each shampoo; it is very rich...'a little dab 'll do ya' ;)

[LongCurlyTress]

I use the Garnier Fructis S&S Leave in Conditioner too. :) I've used it for years after every hair wash. It's the only product I've stuck with for a significantly long time.
For those who love the Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine, does the isopropol alcohol not leave your hair dry? It dried my hair out horribly! ;( I loved the smell and how it felt after the first useage, but then my hair frizzed worse than ever after I washed it out. ;( I was so disappointed! Glad it works for you. ;)
88 Reviews
Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream 10.2 oz
Ingredients:

Aqua/Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Behentrimonium Chloride, Pyrus Malus Extract/Apple Fruit Extract, Parfum/Fragrance, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trideceth-6, Argania Spinosa Oil/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCl, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil/Apricot Kernel Oil, Citric Acid, Saccharum Officinarum Extract/Sugar Cane Extract, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, CI 19140/Yellow 5, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract/Lemon Peel Extract, CI 15985/Yellow 6, Camellia Sinensis Extract/Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract. F.I.L. D46895/1.

[meteor]

^ LongCurlyTress, if a product dries hair out, I wouldn't recommend using it, of course. :flower: Or, maybe I'd look for an alternative way of using it (mixing it with some other product, for example), and if it didn't work I'd pass it on to somebody who might like it.


About the presence of isopropyl alcohol, I think this article is pretty interesting: http://thebeautybrains.com/2014/04/why-is-there-isopropyl-alcohol-in-my-conditioner/

And about drying alcohols... I'm no specialist, but after looking into this issue a bit, I am under the impression that they are a problem only in badly formulated products IMHO. Fatty alcohols work as non-irritating emollients and thickeners, but "drying" alcohols work as solvents and allow for more moisturizing, emollient ingredients like oils to have better spreadability and better penetrating ability, if well-formulated. Basically, I agree with the position of the Beauty Brains and Future Derm (https://www.futurederm.com/why-alcohol-in-skin-care-is-safe-despite-what-paula-begoun-says/, https://www.futurederm.com/is-ethanol-in-skin-care-products-safe/, https://www.futurederm.com/is-sd-alcohol-harmful-for-the-skin/) that drying alcohols are OK and can actually increase moisturizing quality in well-formulated products (more solvent ability allows to formulate with higher % of more emollient ingredients, which can penetrate better in the presence of SD alcohol). Some of the most moisturizing products in skin-care and hair-care I've tried contained alcohol.

However, like I said, I'm not a specialist and I would love to see more information on drying alcohols. :)
Of course, drying alcohols are very drying when used alone or in water or in any product that doesn't have enough emollients to balance it out. They are often used in leave-in products because they help spreadability of thicker ingredients and they evaporate quickly, leaving a nice finish behind.

[AdaClare]

I used to use Dove's leave in conditioner, but eventually stopped (mostly because it was getting harder and harder to find for some reason). I've been using a small bottle of Lush's Happy Happy Joy Joy occasionally, but am looking for another cruelty-free brand to try. Suggestions appreciated! :)

[yogagirl]

I love Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Oil (even though I have virgin hair.) I use it to seal in moisture after damp bunning. Makes my hair soooo soft and much less coarse/wiry feeling!

[lapushka]

Found my Dove leave-in on Google:
http://static.beaute-test.com/prod/img3552.jpg

It's the Dove "lait protecteur" for colored hair.

Here's the ingredients:
Aqua, cetearyl alcohol, glycerin, isopropyl myristare, cetrimonium chloride, dimethiconol, polyquaternium-16, dimethiconol/silsesquioxane copolymer,, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, trideceth-12, phenoxyethanol, parfum, cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, ethylhexyl, methoxycinnamate, citric acid, lysine, silk amino acids, borago officinalis.

And here's more info:
http://www.beaute-test.com/lait_protecteur_soin_eclat_dove.php

It's no longer sold - it's that old. And I have a backup. ;) :lol:

[parkmikii]

Joico kpak leave in oil, it makes my hair feel smooth and the cones in it keep my hair tangle free.

[Anje]

I never used to do the leave-in thing, but lately I'm rather liking a dab of Kinky Curly Knot Today, which I mix with a few drops of oil in my hands before smearing it in. Otherwise it's just a bit of oil or nothing, but the oil makes post wash detangling easier.

[DollyDagger]

Found my Dove leave-in on Google:
http://static.beaute-test.com/prod/img3552.jpg

It's the Dove "lait protecteur" for colored hair.

Here's the ingredients:
Aqua, cetearyl alcohol, glycerin, isopropyl myristare, cetrimonium chloride, dimethiconol, polyquaternium-16, dimethiconol/silsesquioxane copolymer,, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, trideceth-12, phenoxyethanol, parfum, cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, ethylhexyl, methoxycinnamate, citric acid, lysine, silk amino acids, borago officinalis.

And here's more info:
http://www.beaute-test.com/lait_protecteur_soin_eclat_dove.php

It's no longer sold - it's that old. And I have a backup. ;) :lol:
when the zombie apocalypse comes we know whos house to go to for our hair products.. lapushkas house! .. :)

[LongCurlyTress]

^ LongCurlyTress, if a product dries hair out, I wouldn't recommend using it, of course. :flower: Or, maybe I'd look for an alternative way of using it (mixing it with some other product, for example), and if it didn't work I'd pass it on to somebody who might like it.


About the presence of isopropyl alcohol, I think this article is pretty interesting: http://thebeautybrains.com/2014/04/why-is-there-isopropyl-alcohol-in-my-conditioner/

And about drying alcohols... I'm no specialist, but after looking into this issue a bit, I am under the impression that they are a problem only in badly formulated products IMHO. Fatty alcohols work as non-irritating emollients and thickeners, but "drying" alcohols work as solvents and allow for more moisturizing, emollient ingredients like oils to have better spreadability and better penetrating ability, if well-formulated. Basically, I agree with the position of the Beauty Brains and Future Derm (https://www.futurederm.com/why-alcohol-in-skin-care-is-safe-despite-what-paula-begoun-says/, https://www.futurederm.com/is-ethanol-in-skin-care-products-safe/, https://www.futurederm.com/is-sd-alcohol-harmful-for-the-skin/) that drying alcohols are OK and can actually increase moisturizing quality in well-formulated products (more solvent ability allows to formulate with higher % of more emollient ingredients, which can penetrate better in the presence of SD alcohol). Some of the most moisturizing products in skin-care and hair-care I've tried contained alcohol.

However, like I said, I'm not a specialist and I would love to see more information on drying alcohols. :)
Of course, drying alcohols are very drying when used alone or in water or in any product that doesn't have enough emollients to balance it out. They are often used in leave-in products because they help spreadability of thicker ingredients and they evaporate quickly, leaving a nice finish behind.

Thank you meteor!! This is great info!! Fortunately, CVS has a fantastic return policy in that you can return any beauty product for store credit or a full refund so they graciously took back my GF Sleek and Shine that dried out my hair. After reading the article about isopropol alcohol that you posted, it does make sense, but unfortunately, my dry/bird's nest results speak loudly that this is still not a good product for me. I really wish it was!! I have also read to beware of any leave in products that are not natural oils since those chemicals will sit on your hair until you wash them out. But, having said that, there are so many who LOVE this GF leave in product that it makes me very sad and frustrated that it affected my hair the way it did. :shrug: I have not had this tangling nesting problem since I stopped using it. There could also be protein in this GF S and S leave in as it had the exact same drying/bird's nest results as using JoiCo products. Who knows what the heck is going on... ;(

[meteor]

^ :agree: Very smart to trust specifically how your hair behaves! :thumbsup:

(To me, leave-ins are almost like styling products in that they affect curls dramatically, as well as shine, volume, frizz, definition... - not really changing hair but affecting the style/look, so I think leave-ins are extremely YMMV, they depend a lot of how one likes to wear hair.)

[lapushka]

when the zombie apocalypse comes we know whos house to go to for our hair products.. lapushkas house! .. :)

OMG you've not been here that long and you already noticed. :o :lol:

[Carolyn]

I like Aveda Damage Remedy leave in. There was another one I kind of like that was called Silk Drops or something like that.

IIRC Infusium had a lot of protein in it. It didn't work for me and I threw it away after a while.

[lapushka]

I'm noticing that some are talking about serums. I'm talking strictly leave-ins (lotion type creams) for the hair, leave-in conditioners if you will. But well, I'm open to all of them. ;)

[DollyDagger]

OMG you've not been here that long and you already noticed. :o :lol:
lol yes..:) :wink::!:

[lapushka]

lol yes..:) :wink::!:

:lol: :thumbsup: It's that noticeable, huh? :whistle: :eyebrows:

[LauraAlaina]

has anyone ever used it's a 10 miracle leave in? it has like over 2,000 good reviews on amazon...

[lapushka]

has anyone ever used it's a 10 miracle leave in? it has like over 2,000 good reviews on amazon...

Yep I see that on YT a lot as well. People seem to like it. Can't hurt to try? ;)

[HairPlease]

I use EVERYTHING as a leave in. My hair is so big and fluffy that I need leave in anything or else I'm a frizz bush. Look at my sigpic - that's with a heavy non-leave in conditioner, about a golf ball size, wadded in there. Ion healthy scalp conditioner to be exact. Yep, a golf ball size. Or else like I said, boom-poof-puff-fluffy-fluff.
I also spray in this argon oil stuff that came free with my purchase. About a quarter worth of that.
Sometimes I even use my toning protein filler in there, golf ball worth.

[lapushka]

Or else like I said, boom-poof-puff-fluffy-fluff.

:lol: The way you said that! :D