Naturals who use leave-in ...

Why do you use it?

I tried something different last night and found out that less is really more for my hair. After cleansing and conditioning, all I did was put in my daughter's moisturizer (I'm getting it in bulk for both of us, lol - LUV that stuff!!!) which is very light and Miss Jessie's Buttercreme. That's it. I dreaded the morning. However, my hair is light and fluffy and moisturized and the curls are nice and defined (there's a little frizz, but not major). Even my very coarse, dry crown roots feel soft to the touch! I normally put in j-pak reconstructer leave-in AND curly meringue in addition to all the above and my hair would feel crunchy for the first day or two, which I hated. I was planning on buying a leave-in, but started to wonder, do I need one? I did a protein DC (which was rinsed out). I used moisturizer. So, what role does the leave-in play? Am I overlooking something? If I do need one, what kind do you recommend?

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FYI: I have 3b/3c medium-coarse hair

I think if you use a moisturizer underneath the product you are styling with then you don't need a leave-in. The leave-in is just there for moisture anyway. It's great that just those two products worked so well for you. I think for most people less= more. Plus you won't get a lot of buildup if you use fewer products at one time.

If you decide you want to buy a leave-in, I really like Kinky Curly Knot Today.

Ha...I just noticed you're from Silver Spring, that's where I was born and raised...woot woot [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

We have the same hair type [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] I love my leave in conditioner. After I wash or cowash or whatever I do to my hair I use my leave in and my oils to seal my ends and sometimes that's all but I love the way it helps with the moisture of my hair. You know your hair better than anybody so just keep experimenting and learning something that works for someone else may not be for you

I've always used a leave in. I use it for everything, leave in, styler, moisturizer...I spritz it on and go. I also think it depends on what you use as a leave in though...mine is homemade so it's more like a one stop shop for me.

I'm sure it depends on the curly....not one head is the same....I'm a 3c and so is my babys and miss jessies products do NO good to our hair. And I've always used leave ins because my hair is fine but dry....so it DRINKS moisture but can also get weighed down easily...I've just recently found a great leave in/setting lotion that has kept my hair soft & moisturized 4 days after washing...and that's pretty awesome for me....

I used to just co-wash daily because my hair usually dried with this ashy look. My daughter's hair would dry and be dry. The first time I used a leave in my hair dried very shiny and soft, as well as my daughters. So, now, I do nothing without a leave in. After applying it I seal with an oil or shea or both then proceed to styling. We both have a mixture of 3 something at the top and kitchen and 4a/b everywhere else.

I love Giovanni Direct Leave in.

My hair sucks up water like a sponge so I use a leave-in for moisture. I wash, deep condish and regular condish, then add a leave-in condish everytime I wash my hair. I've recently started co-washing and I like the results of that as well. Bottom line, my hair NEEDS moisture so using a leave-in is a must for me.

@ NhappyJackie - LOL, I never heard anyone describe hair as ashy but the word was very accurate b/c I immediately got a mental picture. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] I've had the ashy hair look before. LOL!

-CurlySwan