When it comes to skincare and makeup, I like to think that after two decades as a beauty editor, I know what I'm talking about. When it comes to my fine hair, however, I'm less sure. It’s fine, frizzy and flyaway-prone. Conventional conditioners and hair masks can really weigh things down and leave my hair greasy.
For this reason, I am very particular about my hair products, and find shopping for them difficult. But just as I was about ready to give up, a little while ago, I discovered something—hair rinses. In particular, L'Oréal Elvive Dream Lengths 8 Second Wonder Water. What is this wizardry?! A conditioning treatment that looks and feels like water, takes just 8 seconds to work its magic and leaves my hair almost impossibly shiny—all without adding any weight to my fine, flat hair.
Fast forward to now, and there are countless flash rinse hair waters on the shelves from an array of brands—and I've tried almost all of them. But how do they work? How does a product with the consistency of a skincare essence give such transformative results in just seconds? And why are hair rinses so good at delivering volumising hydration for fine hair types?
I've had a chat with some incredible hair experts to try to understand the hair rinse technology a bit better, and to answer those important questions about how you can incorporate one into your haircare routine. Keep reading for their tips, and the best 9 hair rinses on the market, tried and tested by me.
What Are Hair Rinses?
Artistic director at Blush & Blow, Gianmarco Rinna explains that, essentially, hair rinses "are weightless, liquid formulas that are designed to deliver specific, quick and targeted benefits to the hair". How do they do this? "They use targeted actives, such as amino acids, plant extracts and proteins to detangle, give shine to the hair and improve hair health. Their low-viscosity formulas allow for fast absorption."
And the reason they're so great for finer hair is all to do with the consistency of the formula. Kris Barnes, celebrity hair stylist and colourist explains, "They work by instantly smoothing the hair cuticle, reducing frizz, and adding shine without weighing hair down. Most formulas also use lamellar technology, where ultra-thin conditioning layers (lamellae) are deposited on the hair for targeted repair."
How To Use a Hair Rinse
General expert consensus is that hair rinses should be applied after shampooing, when you would otherwise apply a conditioner. Rinna says it's worth noting that the lamellar technology in hair rinses can "temporarily replace conditioner for those with finer hair", but is likely not going to deliver enough moisture for those with dry, damaged or curly hair.
Before you go adding every hair rinse out there to basket, it's important to know there can be downsides to using hair rinses for some people. For those with coloured hair, Rinna explains that you should choose ones that are sulphate and alcohol free to avoid them dulling your colour. "Some are designed to enhance hair colour, so go for these to give your hair an extra lift," he says.
Barnes explains that they can generally be used 1-3 times per week. "Overuse, especially on fine or low-porosity hair, might lead to product buildup or over-conditioning, which can make hair feel too soft and lack volume," he says.
I find that twice per week is enough for my hair. I wash my hair three times per week usually, and on two of those occasions, I'll use a hair rinse, and on the third, I'll use a hair mask or conditioner that my hair loves. I find that hair rinses work best if you brush them through in the shower, to ensure they coat every strand from root to tip. My favourite brush for this is the La Bonne Brosse N.04 The Miracle Detangling Scalp Brush.
9 Best Hair Rinses
- Best Hair Rinse for Softness: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Wonder Water 8 Second Hair Treatment
- Best Hydrating Hair Rinse: Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment
- Best Volumising Hair Rinse: Matrix Total Results Volumising High Amplify Shine Rinse Nourishing Hair Treatment
- Best Hair Rinse for a Sleek Finish: John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Water
- Best Strengthening Hair Rinse: Bumble and bumble Bond Building TripleBond Flash Rinse
- Best Hair Rinse for Long Hair: Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Pineapple Hair Drink Liquid Conditioner
- Best Hair Rinse for Damaged Hair: Revolution Haircare Plex 10 Bond Restore Lamellar Water
- Best Shine-Boosting Hair Rinse: Drybar Liquid Glass Instant Glossing Rinse
- Best Hair Rinse for Dry Hair: Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Buidling Flash Treatment
1. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Wonder Water
This is my original ride-or-die hair rinse, and it's still the best for softness in my opinion. It leaves my hair feeling like silk and makes me want to swoosh it around all day (much to the annoyance of my friends and family). Using lamellar technology, it visibly smooths and boosts shine, all while leaving hair feeling weightless.
Pros
- The soft, just-washed feeling lasts days
- Doesn't strip colour
- Very affordable
Cons
- None—this one still does it for me
2. Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment
This aesthetic dream from Oribe is designed to really amplify the shine of your hair, but I've found that it's definitely best for hydration. If you've been out in the sun, this really parches quenched locks and helps prevent further moisture loss. It does a great job adding a glass-like sheen to your hair, too.
Pros
- Designed to be safe on coloured hair
Cons
- Eye-wateringly expensive
- Takes up to a minute to work
3. Matrix Total Results Volumising High Amplify Shine Rinse
This hair rinse for fine, limp hair is best for volume. It still feels weightless in the hair, but gives it a bit of fullness and body, as well as boosting shine and the overall healthy appearance of your hair.
Pros
- A great detangler
- Used in salon by pros
- Silicone-free, so good for coloured hair
Cons
- Won't be hardworking enough for thicker hair types
4. John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Water
The lamellar technology in this one makes it the best for combating frizz, no matter the hair texture. It really refines hair to make it look sleek and silky smooth. If you are a serial user of hair straighteners, this may just allow you to give your hair a bit of a break.
Pros
- The sleek smoothness lasts until your next wash.
- Also works to reduce hair breakage and split ends.
- Very affordable.
- Vegan.
Cons
- Doesn't make your hair as shiny as some other the others.
5. Bumble and bumble Bond Building Triplebond Flash Rinse
This flash rinse builds three types of hair bonds (hydrogen, ionic and covalent bonds), making it the best for strengthening. Fortify healthy hair or repair damaged hair in seconds without lengthy hair masks. It also combats the visible dryness of damaged hair by boosting hydration and giving lengths a healthier appearance.
Pros
- Also works as a detangler
- Gets to work fast
Cons
- It's not the cheapest
- Not the most shine-boosting on the list
6. Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Pineapple Hair Drink
This is the best hair rinse for long hair as it combats some of the key issues often faced—tangles, dryness and body. It acts as a great detangler, and uses lamellar technology to coat the hair in a veil of moisture to boost hydration and shine.
Pros
- Smells incredible
- Very affordable
- Vegan
- Silicone-free
Cons
- As it's designed for long hair, you will go through it quickly
7. Revolution Plex 10 Bond Restore Lamellar Water
This rinse uses triple-weight molecular protein technology to penetrate the hair fibre at different depths to target its different layers. This makes it the best for nourishing and restoring damaged hair. Conditioning agents also add softness and boost shine.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free
Cons
- Most effective when used alongside the other products in the Bond Plex range
8. Drybar Liquid Glass Instant Glossing Rinse
While all of the products in this list boost the shine of your hair to varying degrees, I've found this one to be the best for shine—it's next-level good. It uses reverse micellar technology, which basically means that it acts like a magnet to pull in amino acids to replenish the hair's lipid layer and fill in its gaps, which smooths and gives a shiny finish. It's also rich in shine-boosting and nourishing neroli oil.
Pros
- When I say shine, I mean SHINE
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- It's pricey, so save it to boost shine for special occasions
9. Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Buidling Flash Treatment
This hair rinse has a lot of benefits, but it's best for nourishment. It's packed with essential oils and plant extracts—sacha inchi, green tea seed and avocado oils nourish and smooth. It also contains a bond-building molecule to strengthen hair, and replenishes the healthy lipid layer of hair that's lost when it is dry and damaged.
Pros
- Smells like a spa
- Plant-powered
Cons
- This one is also pricey, but there's a lot of science behind it
