The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation processWavy hair locks need intense hydration and nourishment to shine naturally and these best conditioners for wavy hair deliver both efficiently. According to our haircare experts, using leave-in conditioners on wavy hair can be an excellent way to ensure that the moisture is locked in your tresses without weighing them down. These leave-in conditioners feature a nutritive-dense formula that helps keep the flyaways and unruly hair at bay.
Another feature that makes these products for wavy hair stand out is that they don’t contain a lot of harsh chemicals and hence, your scalp is protected from allergic reactions and irritations. So, you can integrate them into your haircare regimen without worrying about affecting the moisture balance of your scalp and tresses. Read through this article to explore everything you need to find about these must-haves.
Our top picks
10 Best Conditioners for Wavy Hair
SheaMoisture’s Curl & Shine Conditioner is designed to revive dry and lifeless hair without weighing it down. This lightweight conditioner is infused with key ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and hibiscus flowers to keep your hair moisturized and soft. These hair-loving ingredients tame frizz and flyaways to give your locks the perfect care and luster. So, detangle rough and messy knots with this sulfate-free product working like magic to nourish and hydrate your scalp and hair thoroughly. For best results, pair it with SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Shampoo.
Pros
- Nourishing formula
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Doesn’t contain mineral oil
- Silicone-free
- Adds volume to hair
Cons
- Flimsy pump
Quick Tip:
Shampoo your hair like you normally would — for best results, use the SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Shampoo. Then apply this conditioner and comb through the hair. Wait for about 3 minutes before rinsing it out.
2
Best Gluten-free Formula
RENPURE Coconut Whipped Creme Leave-In Conditioner
This creamy conditioner by RENPURE is whipped with the richness of coconut oil to condition and smoothen your locks deeply. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, coconut oil helps reduce protein loss to strengthen your hair from root to tip. Owing to its creamy consistency, this conditioner restores the natural texture of your hair strands to keep them soft and bouncy. The gentle formula of this product works efficiently on dull and damaged hair, leaving it silky smooth, and lustrous. Our testers loved the moisturization properties and pleasant scent of this conditioner, which made them use it over and over again. Based on the user reports, not a lot of amount is needed to hydrate the tresses and it makes frizzy and dry hair more manageable.
One user shared on Amazon, “Works good. Smells great. A little goes a long way if you concentrate on your ends. My daughter liked it too. Makes our hair feel healthier.”
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Dye-free
- Moisturizing texture
- Gentle formula
- Doesn’t contain parabens & sulfates
Cons
- Inadequate packaging
3
Best Vegan Formula
Pacifica Pineapple Curls Curl Defining Natural Conditioner
Meant to make your curls soft and bouncy, this creamy leave-in conditioner by Pacifica Beauty is an excellent pick to smoothen dry and frizzy hair. Featuring a rich addition of pineapple, super oils, and hyaluronic acid, this moisturizing curl conditioner protects the hair from free radical damage to give it a youthful appearance. After testing out this product, we found that the restorative properties of this product can help combat brittle and thin hair locks effectively. This lightweight conditioner seals in the natural moisture of your hair so can rely on it for flaunting healthy, youthful-looking hair.
Pros
- Vegan formula
- Makes dry hair smooth and soft
- Doesn’t weigh hair down
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Indulgent fragrance
Cons
- Watery consistency
4
Best for Sensitive Scalp
Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Moisturizing Conditioner - Pack of 3
Garnier’s sulfate-free conditioner is curated to make your hair naturally healthy and strong. This nourishing conditioner is a rich blend of plant protein and coconut oil — all of which team up together to enhance the texture and thickness of your tresses effectively, leaving them silky and frizz-free. This conditioner also features a powerful infusion of jojoba oil and macadamia oils — both of which are highly nourishing oils that help combat dryness, helping your scalp stay moist and fresh (studies published in the MDPI and NCBI). Our experts loved how this conditioner nourished the hair gently without stripping off the natural oils and kept it hydrated throughout the day.
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Suitable for sensitive scalp
- Vegan & cruelty-free
- Affordable
- Delicate smell
Cons
- Bit watery
5
Best Gentle Formula
OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Conditioner
You can give your hair a volumizing appearance with OGX’s conditioner. This collagen-boosting conditioner is packed with a lot of essential nutrients and agents like citrus oil, coconut oil, and honey. This powerful formulation helps enhance blood circulation, unclog scalp pores, and help get rid of dandruff effortlessly. These luscious ingredients are the perfect combination to give you healthy curls and make them look lustrous and youthful. Featuring delicious coconut water, white orange, and tonka bean this shampoo is meant for a luxurious haircare experience. To reap all the benefits of this product, pair it with OGX Coconut Curls Shampoo.
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gentle on hair
- Smoothens your locks
- Refreshing composition
Cons
- Might feel a bit greasy
6
Best Hydrating Formula
Kinky-Curly Knot Today Natural Leave-in Detangler
Creamy and rich, Kinky Curly’s leave-in detangler is crafted to smoothen tangled knots and control frizz. This herbal conditioner enriches wavy, curly, and thick hair types without making your locks feel heavy or greasy. You can use this leave-in conditioner to strengthen your knots and prevent breakages and hair fallouts. Based on our observations, using a wide-toothed comb after applying this product to your hair shaft can produce great results.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Non-greasy
- Delicious fragrance
- Helps detangle hair
Cons
- Not suitable for thin hair
Quick Tip:
When using this leave-in product, use it in the shower and rinse it with some water so that the product can be evenly distributed.
7
Best for Fine Hair
Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner
Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner is crafted to ease the manageability of dry and brittle hair. It is fused with a blend of vegetable protein, argan oil, and Abyssinian oils. This conditioner protects the scalp from infections and allergies, leaving it fresh and clean. Being infused with hair-nourishing agents, it also helps increase the moisture-absorbing capacity of your scalp and tresses to give your hair a fuller appearance. Get shiny and bouncy curls as this product works wonders to retain the shine and texture of your hair.
Pros
- Makes hair appear voluminous
- Adds definition to hair
- Suitable for fine hair
- Pleasing fragrance
Cons
- Heavy scent
- Slightly expensive
8
Best for Thick Hair
Aveda Be Curly™Conditioner
With a refreshing composition, this conditioner by Aveda is all you need to upgrade your haircare regimen. This luscious conditioner consists of wheat protein that features deep penetration powers to help prevent breakage of hair strands, leaving them strong and healthy-looking – as per a study published in the NCBI. You can also use this product to ease the manageability of your hair post-styling. The strengthening properties of this product also help protect your hair from environmental stressors.
Pros
- Makes hair soft
- Fresh scent
- Non-sticky formula
- Enhances hair thickness
Cons
- A bit pricey
9
Best Alcohol-free Formula
Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner
Drench your tresses in intense and deep hydration with this moisturizing conditioner by Jessicurl. Equipped with the star ingredient, shea butter, it’s a must-have to maintain the softness of your curls. The luscious texture of this conditioner is a treat for lifeless locks and coily hair as it delivers flawless results to make them look lustrous and gorgeous naturally. Don’t be surprised if this product becomes your instant favorite for giving your hair an excellent dose of hydration and a subtle lavender scent.
Pros
- Doesn’t feel heavy on hair
- Soothes the scalp
- Moisturizing formula
- Makes hair silky and soft
Cons
- Unpleasant scent
- Thin consistency
10
Best Non-Greasy Formula
AG Care Curl Thrive Curl Hydrating Conditioner
You can enhance the strength of your hair with this hydrating conditioner by AG Care. It is made with the goodness of rice amino acids, pea peptides, and keratin to fortify your curls and combat hair thinning and hair fall. These powerful additives help enhance the volume of your locks, tame frizz and help eliminate dandruff effectively. This product is suitable for wavy, thick, color-treated, and coarse hair. So, replenish your hair and flaunt beautiful-looking hair with this amazing conditioner.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Vegan & cruelty-free
- Suitable for thin hair
- Non-greasy formula
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Doesn’t really add bounce to curls
How to Choose the Best Conditioner for Wavy Hair?
1. Read the Label
One of the most important factors to consider before buying the best conditioner for wavy hair is ensuring it doesn’t expose your scalp to a lot of harsh additives. Using products that contain harmful ingredients can trigger an allergic reaction in your scalp and make it dry and lifeless. SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Conditioner is a great pick to keep your hair and scalp healthy without causing any scalp irritation.
2. Check the Ingredients
Another important factor to consider before buying the best conditioner for wavy hair is checking the ingredient list to make sure it features nourishing properties. You can go for leave-in conditioners that are formulated with shea butter, coconut oil, keratin, hibiscus flower, etc as all these work like magic on wavy hair to keep it smooth and shiny. RENPURE Coconut Whipped Creme Leave-In Conditioner is a great nourishing pick to restore dull and damaged hair.
3. Assess the Scent
What makes a leave-in conditioner a go-to is its scent. Using conditioners that are infused with delicate scents enhances your haircare experience and makes your hair smell wonderful. These are also a great way to combat unpleasant odors and scalp greasiness. Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Moisturizing Conditioner and Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner are nice picks to make your hair smell pleasant.
Conclusion
Upgrading your haircare regimen is easy when you’re using gentle haircare products that don’t weigh down your hair. These best conditioners for wavy hair are designed to nourish and hydrate wavy, thick, and curly hair types efficiently. Featuring rich infusions, these can be your go-to for pampering your hair and taming flyaways and unruly hair. The gentle and lightweight formulas of these hair products ensure your locks remain soft and bouncy to the touch. So, give your hair a luxurious experience with these products, and don’t forget to go through our buying guide to pick the best haircare product for yourself.
FAQ's
How often should I apply a conditioner on wavy hair?
You should use a conditioner on wavy hair 2-3 times.
Is it recommended to use a wavy hair conditioner on other hair types?
Yes, you can use a wavy hair conditioner on other hair types but it also depends on the ingredients and formulation.
Is it okay to use a conditioner formulated for wavy hair on color-treated hair?
If a product is suitable for color-treated hair, then you can.
Do wavy hair conditioners help reduce frizz?
Yes, wavy conditioners can help reduce frizz and smoothen your locks.
Are there any wavy hair conditioners that are suitable for sensitive scalp?
SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Conditioner, and Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Sulfate Free Moisturizing Conditioner, to name a few.
Why Trust Pinkvilla
Alvira, our in-house haircare specialist, loves testing out new haircare products to make her hair locks shiny and healthy. However, this time around, she explored the best leave-in conditioners for her friends with wavy hair that can ease their hair care concerns. After going through various formulas and ingredients, she recommended some to her friends. Pacifica Beauty Pineapple Curls Curl Defining Natural Conditioner stood out for its lightweight and vegan formula. It’s formulated without parabens and other toxic chemicals that makes it a go-to for all the right reasons.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Author BIO
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More
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