Soft Curls

Glossary

Leave-in conditioner

Definition

  1. A leave-in conditioner is a conditioning product that stays in the hair after application, used to add softness and manageability before you style. It is most useful on dry or textured hair, and a small amount is enough: too much weighs curls down, leaves residue and makes them crunchy or sticky, while too little may leave frizz. Apply it evenly, start with less than you think you need and add more only if the hair asks for it. See also: Setting lotion, Mousse, Frizz, Hair porosity.

Related entries

  • Setting lotion

    A setting lotion is a styling liquid applied to damp hair to give a bit of hold, so a curl or wave lasts longer. It helps hair that struggles to keep a bend,…

  • Mousse

    Mousse is a light foam styling product that adds body and gentle hold, often used on fine or straight hair. Because it is light, it gives grip without the…

  • Shrinkage

    Shrinkage is the way tightly coiled hair appears shorter than its true length when it dries and springs up. It is a normal property of coily texture, not a sign…

  • Hair density

    Hair density is how many individual hairs grow on the scalp. Dense hair has a lot of strands, tends to take longer to dry and often needs more sections than you…

  • Strand thickness

    Strand thickness is the width of an individual hair, commonly described as fine, medium or coarse. It affects how a curl holds: fine strands are light and dry…