Curly Hair Society
K

Leave-in · Kinky-Curly

Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner

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4.8

Excellent

38 opinions from 38 people

Positive
34
Mixed
4
Negative
0
How is the Curl Score calculated?

We read 5 public Reddit discussions and logged each person's opinion of each product as positive, mixed or negative, and members add theirs when they review a product here. The Curl Score puts those on a scale of 1 to 5: every opinion positive would be 5, every one negative 1, and an even split 3, with a mixed opinion counting as half positive. Passing mentions aren't opinions, so they don't count, and each person counts once per product. Every brand is scored the same way, but these are comments, not verified purchases or a survey. Sources and method

The verdict

A near-universal favourite: a light leave-in with elite slip that detangles without weighing hair down.

The full verdict

Reviewers call it holy grail, their GOAT and the leave-in they can't live without, and several have used it for over a decade. It has unmatched slip for detangling, softens hair with marshmallow root, and is oil-free and weightless, so reviewers with fine and low-porosity hair say it doesn't build up. Some use it as a rinse-out conditioner or refresher, and one says it acts like a gel for them. The few doubts are minor: its scent (lemony or like Play-Doh), small bottles, being too slippery as a rinse-out for one reviewer, and not hydrating enough in cold weather for another.

Best for
Detangling fine or tangle-prone curls without weight
Skip it if
You need a rich, heavy moisturiser

Reviewer experiences

A representative mix, good and bad, from the commenters.

See all 42 reviews

  1. PositiveReddit comment

    The best; great slip, and I can use it as a rinse-out and a leave-in conditioner.

    u/holohooperr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

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    briogeo shampoos, kinky curly knot today conditioner, i create definition foam from innersense [and] it's the best, the slip so so good. and i love that i can use it as a rinse out and leave in conditioner

  2. MixedReddit comment

    An amazing detangler, but I can't stand the smell and stopped using it. I wish it were fragrance-free (it's on the lighter side, and smells like lemons to me).

    u/THRAWAYFORREASONSr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  3. NegativeReddit comment

    As a wash-out conditioner it leaves my hair too slippery and too conditioned.

    u/lobsterbanditor/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  4. PositiveReddit comment

    I swear by it.

    u/iamnotbetterthanyour/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

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    I swear by Knot Today!!

  5. PositiveReddit comment

    I loved the conditioner, which was great for my hair; it was one of the few brands for kinky/curly hair when I stopped relaxers.

    u/The_homeBakerr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

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    Oh wow I remember when I first stopped relaxers and this was one of the few brands that was out (my grandma used KeraCare) for kinky/curly hair. I loved the conditioner, it was so great for my hair. [Note: brand inferred from post]

  6. PositiveReddit comment

    I can't live without it. The price has crept up, but a bottle lasts months. Soft, shiny, detangled and frizz-free; it's oil-free and weightless, so there's no buildup, and the ingredient list is short.

    u/justalilgatitaCoarse; thick; wiry; low porosity; 3Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  7. PositiveReddit comment

    My holy grail: other leave-ins caused breakouts on my sensitive skin, but this one doesn't.

    u/AccioSonicSensitive skinr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  8. PositiveReddit comment

    I use it every day; it works wonders with a wet brush, and it smells good.

    u/babygirlmochiFine; 2C/3Ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  9. PositiveReddit comment

    My palm and aloe allergies rule out almost all curly products, so this is a game changer.

    u/NotASlaveToHelveticaAllergic to palm products and aloer/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  10. PositiveReddit comment

    Knot Today is a holy grail product.

    u/needmorevegr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  11. PositiveReddit comment

    My holy grail; my hair feels amazing. I use it as a leave-in, but for my texture it could be my only conditioning product.

    u/Positive-Honeydew715r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  12. PositiveReddit comment

    The ultimate detangler, with unmatched slip, and my go-to leave-in for years, though lately I want something more hydrating.

    u/pacificspinylumpFine; 3A/Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  13. PositiveReddit comment

    I haven't found anything as good. Shipping from the US is very expensive and it's hard to get in Greece, so I'm looking for dupes. (A reply noted it's sold in stores in Belgium and on Amazon.)

    u/VideoMediocreLives in Europe (Greece)r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  14. PositiveReddit comment

    Great, but the bottles are small. I'd love jumbo sizes or refill pouches.

    u/Home_Girlr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  15. PositiveReddit comment

    I've used it for years as a lightweight leave-in; it lasts forever, as I only need a tiny bit.

    u/lobsterbanditor/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  16. PositiveReddit comment

    My holy grail: I use it every wash, and with extra water to refresh when I stretch washes. My longest-lasting holy grail.

    u/prudentvanilla_r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  17. PositiveReddit comment

    Hands down the best leave-in for fine, low-porosity hair; the marshmallow root holds moisture without weighing my hair down, and it gives lots of slip.

    u/Loose-Chemical-49823A/B; low porosity; fine; dense; silver and black hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  18. PositiveReddit comment

    A lifesaver: the range avoids ingredients that feed malassezia yeast, and Knot Today is 'Sezia safe'.

    u/middleagedbabyFine strands; low density; some greys; naturally high porosity; malassezia-prone scalpr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  19. PositiveReddit comment

    The leave-in is great.

    u/LadyB5091r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  20. PositiveReddit comment

    My holy grail leave-in. I moved back from the US and couldn't bring it, and my hair is much worse without it.

    u/Interesting-Page-832r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  21. PositiveReddit comment

    One of my first holy grails, 15+ years ago. I'd have no issue picking it up again, though I use other things now.

    u/brylikestreesr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  22. PositiveReddit comment

    Elite slip.

    u/longshoredaughterr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  23. PositiveReddit comment

    I now only use the leave-in; it acts like a gel for me, and the marshmallow root softens my hair like nothing else.

    u/lavenderhazeynobeerFine; low porosity; medium density; 3A/Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  24. PositiveReddit comment

    My holy grail leave-in, and the only one I've found that doesn't weigh my hair down.

    u/catmom_422Fine hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  25. PositiveReddit comment

    I use it as a leave-in; lately I find Knot Today works better on its own.

    u/okthen84Thinning hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  26. PositiveReddit comment

    I use it as a regular conditioner in spring and summer: lightweight and water-based. I switch to something richer once it gets cold and dry.

    u/FunkyChicken0112r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  27. PositiveReddit comment

    The only conditioner that has ever detangled my fine curly hair. It saves time and breakage, and I'd be stuck if it were discontinued.

    u/mulberrycedarFine curly hairr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  28. PositiveReddit comment

    I've tried almost everything in the line over nearly 20 years; Knot Today is my GOAT and it's in my shower now.

    u/FormalMarzipan252r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  29. MixedReddit comment

    The smell reminds me of Play-Doh; I wish it were fragrance-free.

    u/hellomidnightautumnr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  30. MixedReddit comment

    Great slip for detangling, but I need to dilute it.

    u/AmberIndiaRoseHigh-humidity climater/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  31. MixedReddit comment

    It doesn't have the same scent and feels very thin, almost like a conditioning rinse. It may suit leave-in lovers, but my hair doesn't love leave-ins.

    u/sevilyra2B/2C; medium-long; fine/thin; low porosity; low densityr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  32. MentionReddit comment

    Only OK; it just wasn't working on my hair, and somehow gave me more knots.

    u/akdakd1102Dense; 2C/3Ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  33. MentionReddit comment

    I didn't notice the amazingness and never repurchased.

    u/Reasonable-Garlic-67r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment

  34. PositiveReddit comment

    I love it; lightweight and works really well. I skip curl cream as it's too moisturising and weighs my hair down.

    u/charcat-xr/curlyhair, 2025Original comment

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    I love the kinky curly knot today leave in, it's so lightweight and works rly well. I honestly don't use curl cream, bc I feel like that's too much moisture for my hair and could weigh it down a ton.

  35. MentionReddit comment

    Part of my mix-and-match routine.

    u/charcat-xr/curlyhair, 2024Original comment

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    Sorry I didn't see this till now but I use Maui moisture (lightweight hydration) shampoo and conditioner, I use kinky curly leaves in, the doux styling foam, and cake products mousse. Sometimes I'll scrunch the not your mother's gel after everything too

  36. PositiveReddit comment

    Has stayed in my routine while other gels and creams came and went.

    u/dianiecheller/curlyhair, 2023Original comment

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    Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in. I’ve experimented with different gels and creams, but this leave in product has stayed consistent in my routine list

  37. PositiveReddit comment

    A godsend as a detangler on my dense, fine hair.

    u/EmtibbieHigh density but finer/curlyhair, 2023Original comment

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    This, but not as a leave in -- as a detangler!! I have tons of high density but fine hair and this has been a god send. Only wish my mom had this product for detangling my hair when I was little!

  38. PositiveReddit comment

    Unlike anything else; great detangling and curl clumping.

    u/ErrantWhimsyWavyr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment

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    Cake Curl Whip mousse! Nothing else makes my hair wavy with serious volume like it. Also Kinky Curly Knot Today as a conditioner is unlike anything else. Great at detangling and creating curl clumps.

  39. PositiveReddit comment

    I love it.

    u/tatortotsnfiresauce3C with some 3B; lots of hair, fairly thin strandsr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment

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    I love uncle funkys daughter, curlsmith, ouidad, Camille rose, bounce curl, miss Jessie’s, alikay naturals, rizos curls, kinky curly knot today, and my favorite is MOP TOP! I have 3c & some 3b hair a lot of hair but the strands are fairly thin.

  40. PositiveReddit comment

    My favourite; it delivers most of my results with a Denman brush.

    A deleted accountr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment

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    My favorites are Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in and my beloved Denman brush. I believe I could get away with most of my results with those two things.

  41. PositiveReddit comment

    Lighter than Cantu; I usually rinse it out, though it's sold as a leave-in on Amazon.

    u/VariationNo5419r/curlyhair, 2023Original comment

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    Conditioners: * Cantu Avocado Hydrating Conditioner * Kinky Curly Knot Today Kinky Curly is more light-weight than the Cantu. On Amazon Kinky Curly is advertised as a leave-in. I usually rinse it out, but I can see how you could use it as a leave-in.

  42. PositiveReddit comment

    My detangler and leave-in.

    u/acl2244r/curlyhair, 2023Original comment

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    Kinky Curly Knot Today is my detangler and leave in conditioner. A lot of people are saying Kinky Curly Curling Custard, but I felt it was too heavy. I use LA Looks gel.

What reviewers say

  • Elite slip for detangling
  • Doesn't weigh down fine hair
  • A scent some can't stand
  • Small bottles

More from Kinky-Curly

The brand review
  1. Curling CustardBest likedGel22 positive·8 mixed·4 negative

Best liked: rated by at least 4 people, more than half of them positive.

How we collated these reviews

Drawn from 41 comments in 5 Reddit discussions below. We read every comment in each, logged each product a commenter had an opinion on, and classified each opinion as positive, mixed or negative. This is public commentary, not verified purchases or customer ratings. Our full method

Sources