The Hair-Care Line With the Best Deep Conditioner for My 4C Hair Finally Launched a Leave-In Cream—And I’m in Love

Because I wear my hair in protective styles, I usually stretch my wash days to about every three weeks. So with each wash, I make sure to use products that nourish, moisturize, and strengthen my strands. That’s why I’m head-over-heels in love with Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! line. It’s got everything from a moisturizing shampoo to a strengthening protein treatment to a deep conditioning mask that is hands down the best deep conditioner I’ve ever used. The only thing missing was a leave-in treatment—until now. The brand just expanded the line—for the first time in two and a half years—with the Moisture + Damage Defense Leave-in Treatment.

“A leave-in treatment is the perfect product to round out our Don’t Despair, Repair! collection,” says Nancy Twine, founder and CEO of Briogeo. “Dry, damaged hair generally needs a lot of moisture, so having a product that provides that without needing to be washed out is a great way to incorporate those benefits into any routine, from wash day to self-care Sunday.”

Briogeo, Don’t Despair, Repair! Moisture + Damage Defense Leave-in Treatment — $29.00

The Don’t Despair, Repair! Moisture + Damage Defense Leave-in Treatment ($29) is a weightless milk made with ceramides to strengthen and reinforce hair cuticles, algae extract to nourish hair and provide antioxidant protection, and a blend of argan, coconut, and rosehip oil to provide balancing essential fatty acids.

“This leave-in is great for any hair type struggling with dryness and split ends,” says Twine. “The formula won’t weigh down fine hair but is still deeply moisturizing for thicker textures.”

Use it on wet hair after conditioning or on dry hair while styling,

“Adding a leave-in treatment after your shower is a great way to extend your conditioner’s benefits, especially if you’re using our beloved Deep Conditioning Mask,” says Twine. “It can also help prep the hair for styling, ensuring the hair cuticle is smooth and moisturized, and that split ends are sealed”

What it’s like using the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Leave-in Treatment

After shampooing, I deep condition with the Don’t Despair, Repair! Rosehip + Algae Deep Conditioning Mask ($39). I put on a plastic cap and let that sit for about an hour while I take a nice hot bath, allowing the steam and my body heat to help the conditioner better penetrate. Once I rinse that out, I towel dry my hair and apply the new Leave-In Treatment. I love that it has a lightweight milky texture instead of being a heavy cream because I feel like the product is actually seeping into my hair instead of sitting on top of it.

Because I wear my hair in braids, I finish off with my go-to heat protectant,Briogeo’s Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème ($26) before blowing my hair dry with my Dyson Supersonic ($430) and the comb attachment. Even after applying heat, my hair feels soft and strong—and because my hair is naturally so dry, this typically isn’t the case after I blow it out. The Don’t Despair, Repair Leave-in was exactly what my routine was missing.