I've Never Seen My Hair As Glossy As It Is Now Thanks to This One Speedy Product

Best hair rinses
(Image credit: @alifewithfrills; @leatngu)

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.

glossy shiny healthy hair

(Image credit: @alifewithfrills)

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

girl brushing hair

(Image credit: @leatngu)

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

hair rinses

(Image credit: @alifewithfrills)
  1. Best Hair Rinse for Softness: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Wonder Water 8 Second Hair Treatment
  2. Best Hydrating Hair Rinse: Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment
  3. Best Volumising Hair Rinse: Matrix Total Results Volumising High Amplify Shine Rinse Nourishing Hair Treatment
  4. Best Hair Rinse for a Sleek Finish: John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Water
  5. Best Strengthening Hair Rinse: Bumble and bumble Bond Building TripleBond Flash Rinse
  6. Best Hair Rinse for Long Hair: Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Pineapple Hair Drink Liquid Conditioner
  7. Best Hair Rinse for Damaged Hair: Revolution Haircare Plex 10 Bond Restore Lamellar Water
  8. Best Shine-Boosting Hair Rinse: Drybar Liquid Glass Instant Glossing Rinse
  9. Best Hair Rinse for Dry Hair: Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Buidling Flash Treatment

1. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Wonder Water

2. Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment

3. Matrix Total Results Volumising High Amplify Shine Rinse

4. John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Water

5. Bumble and bumble Bond Building Triplebond Flash Rinse

6. Garnier Ultimate Blends Glowing Lengths Pineapple Hair Drink

7. Revolution Plex 10 Bond Restore Lamellar Water

8. Drybar Liquid Glass Instant Glossing Rinse

9. Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Buidling Flash Treatment

Laura Pearson is a freelance beauty editor and broadcaster that has been writing about beauty since her first published article in 2003. For over 20 years she has been putting beauty products and treatments to the test, to help readers understand what to spend their money on. In that time, she has had a column in The Scotsman, been a beauty journalist for Metro UK and Yahoo! Style, and even written the luxury beauty and style pages for the now-extinct Caledonian Sleeper train on-board magazine. With hundreds of beauty articles to her name across print and digital, she has amassed a huge bank of product and ingredient knowledge. She has appeared many times on television and radio sharing her beauty tips, such as for the BBC, and she has a strong Instagram following who love her makeup and skincare content there too.

She has a particular love for luxury beauty and can never say no to a new lip balm or lip oil. She lives in Glasgow. Scotland with her husband and tiny Chihuahua.