Key Takeaways
- Leave-in conditioners are hair products designed to stay in your hair for extended periods of time to moisturize, repair, and protect.
- They are not the same as regular conditioners, which are meant to be washed out.
- While masks and leave-ins have similar goals of achieving hydrated hair, masks are richer, used briefly, and rinsed out, while leave-ins stay in to nourish and protect.
- If you deal with dryness, breakage, and dullness from drying and damaging hair habits, incorporate a leave-in into your routine.
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Leave-In Conditioners: All You Need to Know
Leave-ins are a type of hair product left in the hair for extended periods (surprise) to smooth, hydrate, and detangle. But how do they differ from regular conditioners, masks, and more? Get all the details on how leave-in conditioners compare to other products and how you can incorporate one into your hair routine.
Can OLAPLEX Be Used as a Leave-In?
We get asked this all the time: is there an OLAPLEX product that can be used as a leave-in? Yes, there is, and it’s OLAPLEX Nº.5 Leave-In™ Moisturize and Mend Leave-In Conditioner.
What’s the Difference Between a Leave-In and Regular Conditioner?
How does a leave-in conditioner like No.5 Leave-In Moisturize and Mend Leave-In Conditioner differ from a standard one like OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner? Like conditioners, leave-ins are meant to moisturize hair, but they are intended to be used after shampoo and conditioner. Using a regular conditioner as a leave-in is not recommended as it can cause product build-up and weigh down the hair, so it’s best to go with a leave-in designed for longer use.
How is a Hair Mask Different from a Leave-In?
It’s easy to blur the lines between hair masks and leave-ins. After all, both have similar outcomes; they restore moisture to the hair and detangle. They are also supposed to remain in the hair for a period of time, but despite their similarities, masks and leave-ins are not the same.
Think of a hair mask as a one-time treatment that you use every week and rinse out. A hair mask is richer and more viscous than a leave-in conditioner. It’s not left on for hours as you would with a leave-in. For example, with OLAPLEX No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, you apply it and leave it on for 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse and style as usual. The main goal for a mask like this is to deeply condition hair for silkiness and intense shine. As for No.5 Leave-In Moisturize and Mend Leave-In Conditioner, it isn’t as viscous like a mask, and you typically apply it after washing and conditioning. It goes beyond just hydrating: it protects hair from future damage and offers heat protection of up to 450oF.
You can incorporate both of these in your routine if dryness and breakage are your concern and you want smooth, hydrated, and protected hair.
Should You Use a Leave-In Conditioner?
Do you use a lot of heat? Is your hair chemically treated? Do you tend to wear tight hairstyles? All of these and more can increase damage and dryness, which means your hair may call for extra moisture and TLC.
How to Use OLAPLEX Leave-In Moisturize and Mend Leave-In Conditioner
No.5 Leave-In Moisturize and Mend Leave-In Conditioner is clinically proven to repair cuticle surface damage and provide immediate moisture and conditioning. Here’s how to use it in a routine that not only hydrates but repairs breakage and damage for healthy-looking hair:
- Start by dampening hair and applying OLAPLEX No.3 Hair PerfectorTM. Completely saturate the hair and leave on for 10 minutes.
- Using a coin-sized amount, cleanse with OLAPLEX No.4 Bond Maintenance® Shampoo.
- Follow up with OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, leaving on for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Rinse out the conditioner and towel dry hair.
- For fine hair:: begin with 1 pump of No.5 Leave-In Moisturize and Mend Leave-In Conditioner. For medium to coarse hair, use 2 pumps and add more if needed.
- Follow up with the stylers of your choice, like OLAPLEX No.6 Bond Smoother®.
By adding a leave-in to your routine, you’re one step closer to healthier, vibrant hair. Take our Hair Quiz to find a regimen that works for you.