Keeping my long, highlighted hair healthy can be a challenge, but using the right leave-ins has made all the difference for me. Over the years, I have found a few that really help keep my hair happy and healthy that are well worth the price. Today, I’ll be sharing three leave-in hair products that work perfectly together to detangle my hair and leave it looking shiny and smooth.
But first, here’s a bit of context- because we’re not all looking for the same things in the products we buy.
What I’m Looking For In a Leave-In
Hydration– I have been highlighting my hair 2 to 3 times a year for a few years now, so a good portion of my hair has been bleached blonde. Since bleaching can dry out your hair, I really try to provide it with some extra hydration. The leave-in products I use need to be moisturizing but not greasy, a fine line to walk.
Detangling– This one is a HUGE priority for me. My hair turns into the gnarliest, knottiest mess after being washed. Add in the fact that it’s almost down to my butt and it’s safe to say that trying to brush it out while wet is a test of both my arm strength and patience. Also, not to brag, but my hairstylist did tell me that out of all the hair she does mine is the most difficult to detangle after washing in the bowl. Bet you’re jealous!
Heat Protection– I do use heat on my hair, not every time I wash it but enough to appreciate the built-in heat protection in the products I’ll be talking about.
Shine and Softness- Who wants dull, rough hair? Not me. My hair is naturally pretty straight, which is how I wear it about 98% of the time, and I want it to look and feel healthy with or without heat styling.
All that being said, here are the leave-in products that help keep my highlighted hair happy and healthy:
1. It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
This leave-in by It’s a 10 is popular for a reason. I’ve been using it for about a year, and I completely understand the hype now. Including ingredients like Vitamin C, Linseed Extract, and Sunflower Seed Extract, this leave-in is ultra-hydrating, reduces frizz, smells good, and adds some shine to my hair. It also really helps with detangling as I can use a lot of it without my hair getting clumpy or greasy.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In product, 10 fl. oz. |
$40.00
$29.98 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-11-19 at 19:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer
The Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil is a blend of 6 oils (grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, safflower seed oil, macadamia nut oil, and argan oil) that you spray onto your hair, adding hydration and protecting it from heat up to 450 degrees. I have found that it helps significantly with detangling my hair, along with adding softness and shine. It also smells really good, as an added bonus.
Now you may be asking, why do you need this if you’re already using the It’s a 10 leave-in? Just trust me, I have used each one alone but there’s something about the combination of the two that makes your hair extra soft and hydrated. Their ingredient lists are very different, and I think the two products complement each other very well.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protection Leave-In Conditioner Hair Primer |... |
$34.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-11-19 at 19:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
With an average 4.7 star rating and over 50,000 reviews on Amazon, you can say that this Olaplex oil is very well-loved. I was introduced to it by my hairstylist, who uses it on me every time I get my hair done. It’s lightweight but very hydrating, smells fantastic, and also protects hair from heat up to 450 degrees.
You also don’t have to use this product exclusively on wet hair. I like to add a little extra to my hair when dry to add some shine and hydration. Just don’t go near your roots!
| Preview | Product | Price | |
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Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil, Concentrated High Shine Oil, Heat Protectant, Visibly Smooths & Softens... |
$30.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-11-19 at 22:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How I Use These Leave-Ins
After showering and washing my hair, when it’s still 80-90% wet, I spray in a generous amount of the Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil from the middle of my hair through the ends (probably 10 sprays?). Then I add a good 8-10 sprays of the It’s a 10 Leave-In Product from my mids to ends. Lastly, I drop about 4-6 drops of the Olaplex oil into my hands, rub my hands together to warm it up, and then apply it to the ends of my hair only.
I know this sounds like a lot of product, but my hair is very long and quite thick. I actually pulled out my sewing tape measure for this to give you an actual measurement, and my hair is about 28″ from my roots to ends. I need a lot of product to detangle all that.
Then I use this brush (my very favorite for detangling, which you can shop on Amazon) to gently detangle my hair, beginning at the ends and working my way up. I typically let my hair air dry about 60-70% of the way before finishing it off with a blow dryer or this blow dryer brush. I also let it air dry completely on its own a lot of times. With or without heat styling, these products leave my hair shiny and soft.
5 out 5 stars for these leave-in hair products!
So those are my 3 favorite leave-ins, the ones that I have gone through multiple bottles of and will definitely repurchase again and again. There are a ton of options on the market, but this combo gives me hydrated, soft, and shiny hair every single time. I highly recommend them, especially for the girls who struggle with tangly hair after washing and those who need a bit of extra hydration.
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Last update on 2024-11-19 at 19:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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