This $13 Leave-In Conditioner Will Do AMAZING Things To Your Curls

Anyone who has been #blessed with curls will tell you how essential a leave-in conditioner is in their haircare routine – it’s the difference between defined, juicy curls or dry, lackluster tresses.

We recently tried the most bomb leave-in conditioner that left our curls feeling soft, defined, and smelling divine! The product in question comes from our go-to drugstore curly brand: Cantu. The Avocado Repair Hydrating Leave-In, $13, is a new addition to their collection of award-winning formulas and it’s just as praise-worthy as the cult classics. Here’s everything you need to know.

What it is: Formulated with Cantu’s award-winning shea butter formula and infused with avocado oil, this rich buttery leave-in conditioner will help lock in moisture for bouncy, soft curls.

What it does: This deeply restorative conditioner will seal in moisture and help prevent breakage, making your curls more manageable, shinier, and more defined. Packed with soothing aloe vera, avocado, and olive oil extract, it’s bursting with fatty acids and omegas that’ll work overtime to repair and strengthen your strands, thereby increasing its natural elasticity, which is essential for bouncy, beautiful curls.

What we liked: As soon as we applied this cream to our curls, it felt super hydrating without weighing down our hair or leaving a greasy residue. In fact, it added definition and provided an ideal amount of slip for styling, making it a great leave-in option for twist-outs and protective hairstyles.

To check out its curl-compatibility, we tested it out on S-shape curls, beautiful coils, and a stunning type 4 afro. Here’s how it worked on our different curl types:

Wavy: Take note, for wavy hair you’ll only need a pea-sized amount of product, as a little goes a long way. Rub the product in your hands and run your fingers through your hair, scrunching upwards. Don’t forget to apply the product to the under sections of your hair, sectioning and twisting the hair strands as you go. The result is beautifully defined S-curls.

Coily: Having been huge fans of the Cantu Coconut Curl Cream, $6, we have now officially converted to The Cantu Avocado Repair Hydrating Leave-In, $13. It’s the perfect weight for coils and leaves your strands feeling so hydrated and defined. To use, simply distribute the product through your locks with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.

Kinky: This is perfect to use post-wash and pre-twist-out as it coats your curls well and gives a nice slip for detangling. Overall, it’ll leave your curls feeling nourished and soft, but for an extra hit of hydration, we recommend using it alongside a hair oil.

Our final verdict: This is a great affordable leave-in conditioner that’ll hydrate your locks and add definition to your curls. However, if you have type 4 hair, you may need to use it in conjunction with a restorative oil for extra moisture. Finally, it smells so INCREDIBLE that it makes us look forward to our hair routine!

For more amazing products, check out the new curl products we’re loving right now.