Leave-In Treatments

What is a leave-in treatment?

A leave-in treatment is applied after washing, or on dry hair, and stays on the hair until the next shampoo. It therefore keeps working all day, or all night. It comes as a cream, a spray, a serum or a milk. You can recognise it by the words “leave-in” or “no rinse” on the packaging.

These products make detangling easier and nourish dry ends. Some also serve as a heat protectant before the hairdryer or straighteners. Finally, they tame frizz when the air is humid. On wet hair, they make the comb glide more easily.

We have chosen well-known references. Kérastase’s 8H Magic Night serum is applied in the evening and left on overnight. Olaplex No. 6 and No. 7, a cream and an oil, are designed for hair that feels worn, according to the brand. The Phyto 7 cream moisturises dry hair with seven plants, and the Uniq One spray detangles and adds a finishing touch.

Many of these products contain light silicones, which coat the hair and make it shine. Others rely on plant oils or proteins to care for the fibre. Silicone-free formulas suit curly hair that follows the curly method.

How do you choose a leave-in treatment for your hair?

Fine hair does not cope well with rich textures: a light spray such as Uniq One cares for it without flattening it. Thick hair or dry hair absorbs a cream better, such as Phyto 7 or Olaplex No. 6. Medium hair finds its balance with a milk, which is more fluid than a cream.

If you straighten or dry your hair every day, take a product that protects against heat. Kérastase’s Ciment Thermique is applied before blow-drying on hair that feels damaged. Olaplex No. 7, an oil, serves both as a shiny finish and as heat protection.

For coloured hair, choose a product with a UV filter, as the sun dulls colour. For curly hair, a leave-in cream serves as a base before the gel and keeps curls supple. For hair that is oily at the roots and dry at the ends, a light spray applied away from the scalp is a good compromise.

For very dry ends, a night serum works without changing anything in your hairstyle: you apply it at bedtime and style normally in the morning. If your ends feel brittle, a mask once a week completes the care: see our conditioners and masks.

How do you apply a leave-in treatment without weighing your hair down?

The right amount is small: a nut-sized amount of cream or two pumps of spray are enough for medium-length hair. Start with the ends, which are the driest, then work up towards the middle of the lengths. Avoid the roots, which get oily faster when they receive product. It is better to add a little more than to apply too much at once.

On damp hair, the product spreads better; then detangle with a wide-tooth comb. On dry hair, warm the cream or oil between your palms, then smooth it over the surface of the strands to tame frizz. On curly hair, apply it by scrunching the strands upwards to keep the curl pattern.

The night serum is applied to dry hair, before bed, on the lengths only. Then tie your hair in a loose plait or a soft bun so as not to crumple it. A satin pillowcase limits friction during sleep, and your ends feel softer on waking.

To go further, a hair oil nourishes the driest ends between washes. A scalp that itches or gets oily is a matter for our scalp care products. The whole routine can be found in our hair care range.