I’m Breaking Up With Leave-In Conditioner

After saying bye-bye to my braids this summer, I booked an appointment with my go-to curly hair expert and stylist Tori McCutcheon for a much-needed curls service to usher in autumn. Her sun-drenched studio is located in Philly’s Northern Liberties neighborhood. Wash Day is an oasis that feels more like you’ve been transported to Tulum. It’s decorated with lush plants, Black-ity Black coffee table books and open shelves stocked with curly hair essentials.

Tori did a quick consult and showered me with compliments on how beautifully my curls reverted from a birthday silk press. Then, started my curls detox at the shampoo bowl. When it was time to start the styling process on my drenched hair, Tori let me know that she had skipped applying leave-in conditioner. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. But when I looked at how defined and lengthened my coils and kinks were, I had to admit that I wasn’t missing the product at all. She let me know that “the hot debate” among the natural hair community is the use of leave-ins.

This step had become so ingrained in my routine, that the thought of leaving it out had never crossed my mind until that day. Sure leave-ins, especially the spray or mist formulas, are great for instantly reviving dry, parched strands. Without it, my son’s coarse curls would stick to his head. But over the week as my curly wash-and-go grew more voluminous, I was convinced that I would be breaking up with leave-in conditioners for now.

I even tested out the effectiveness of leaving out leave-ins when I styled my own hair at home a week later and it resulted in my best wash day yet! No crazy buildup. No limp curls. When I met my date that Sunday night, even he couldn’t resist running his fingers through my curl ‘fro. You’re probably wondering, “Dana, what was in the leave-in conditioner that made it bad for your hair?” You know that silicone- and sulfate-free product movement that has been going pretty strong? Well, it’s not for nothing. Oftentimes, those ingredients can be extremely drying and harsh on your locks. My beauty stash may not be completely void of this stuff or formulas that contain alcohol. However, I immediately see and feel a difference when I opt for gentler hair care instead.

While I’ve packed away my favorite leave-in conditioners for now mostly to reach for them when wearing braided hairstyles or silk presses, I’ve made sure to stick to a curly hair routine that’s full of hydrating products, tools that cut down my styling time and acceptance of the way my hair does its own thing.