Amika Leave In Conditioner, From Brooklyn With Sea Buckthorn

amika says it was founded in 2007 in Brooklyn, and its name means "friend" in Esperanto. The brand describes the name as a symbol of its belief in community and in the beauty of diversity. That is a small detail, but I like that a hair brand picked a language built to be shared.

The other thing that runs through the range is sea buckthorn. The brand says this signature superfruit is one of the most potent lipid and omega-rich plant sources, and that it goes into every single formula. For hair, that means a nourishing base that you will find in the sprays, the creams and the primers alike.

The amika leave in conditioner story starts with Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner. The brand says it drenches hair in three times more hydration, a claim it marks as clinically proven, while detangling and reducing frizz. Around it sit the primers, the anti-humidity sprays and the creams, so you can build a leave-in routine out of one brand.

The first grid is eight amika picks, from the leave-in to a blowout spray. The second grid is eight other leave-in conditioners to compare. My tip: start with a small amount on damp ends, comb it through and add more only if your hair still feels rough.

amika's Hydro Rush is the leave-in conditioner for dry hair, with hyaluronic acid and squalane in a spray. The Wizard Detangling Hair Primer is the lighter one, a silicone-free primer that detangles, cuts frizz and protects from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. I would reach for The Wizard on fine hair and Hydro Rush on thick or dry hair.

Frizz-Me-Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment is a heat-activated formula that the brand says locks in three days of frizz protection, and it is for medium and thick hair. The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray is a lighter heat-protecting spray that the brand says is clinically shown to protect against frizz and humidity for up to 24 hours. Between the two, Frizz-Me-Not is for blow-dry days and The Shield is for humid ones.

Supernova Moisture & Shine Cream is a weightless leave-in cream for soft, shiny hair. The Closer Instant Split-End Seal Cream is a two-in-one leave-in and styling cream, and the brand says it is clinically shown to seal up to 96 percent of split ends. Both have fewer reviews than the sprays, so I treat them as the specialists.

Top Gloss Hair Shine Spray is a non-greasy finishing spray, and Brooklyn Bombshell Blowout Spray is a blowout primer for volume and shine without the crunch.

What I would skip: Brooklyn Bombshell if you want conditioning. It is for volume and heat protection, not for moisture, so use Hydro Rush underneath.

These are the leave-ins I would put beside it. Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil is a spray that says it gives 86 percent more hydration and cuts frizz by 50 percent versus untreated hair, and it was an Allure 2023 Best of Beauty winner. Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner Cream is a weightless but hydrating cream for dry, damaged or fine hair that also defines texture.

For lightweight sprays, Fable & Mane MahaMane has aloe and is silicone-free, which suits fine and medium hair. Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk reduces frizz for up to 48 hours, according to its description, and OUAI St. Barts is a multitasking spray that detangles and protects from heat. Ceremonia Guava Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner is a creamy, lightweight option with superfruit guava, so it is the closest cousin to a fruit-led formula.

For curls and coils, Mizani 25 Miracle Milk is made for all curl and coil patterns and protects from heat up to 450 degrees. Davines OI All In One Hair Milk is a bestselling leave-in milk that controls frizz and softens.

What I would skip: Mizani 25 Miracle Milk if your hair is pin-straight and fine. It is made for curls and coils, and the formula is more than a straight strand needs.

I think the right leave-in is the one you can forget about by noon. Hydro Rush is where I would start with amika, and the second grid is full of lighter sprays and creams if that feels like too much. Use less than you want to, and add on the dry ends. Then see how your hair feels the next day, since a good leave-in should feel like nothing at all. If your hair feels coated, cut the amount in half. If it still feels dry by evening, add a second pass on the ends only, and keep the roots clear. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together The Best Leave-In Conditioner Has Quietly Replaced the Blowout Cream and Why Curls Get Thirsty.