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Plus, why you need to stop skipping the nourishing post-wash step.
If you apply heat, colour or chemical treatments to your hair – listen up. A leave-in conditioner is a moisturising step your hair care routine should never be without. Designed to detangle and nourish, while adding softness and suppleness to the hair, leave-in conditioners come in a myriad of formats, ranging from mists and sprays to creams and balms.
So, instead of washing and going, let’s add one more step into the equation: leave-in conditioning. Here’s why it’s so important and the nine we really rate.
Why you should use a leave-in conditioner
“Think of your leave-in conditioner as being a bit like a serum or light moisturiser for your skin. Generally, they have a much lower molecular weight than the standard ‘rinse out’ conditioners, meaning they can add softness and shine without weighing down your hair or making it feel or look lank,” says hairstylist Tom Smith.
“A suitable leave-in conditioner should provide instant detangling benefits, add softness and shine and make the hair feel smoother. Modern technology also means that really effective products can provide your hair with UV protection, humidity protection, as well as heat protection.”
How to choose the best leave-in conditioner for your hair type and texture
“The success of a leave-in conditioner is all in its compatibility with your hair type, so consider the thickness of each strand of your hair rather than the amount of hair you have,” says Smith.
If you have fine hair
“Finer strand hair types will benefit from lighter textured leave-in conditioner mists. When sprayed into the hand these should be water-like in texture. This will mean they won’t overburden fine hair types.”
If you have thick or coarse hair
“Thicker and coarser strand hair types need a thicker textured leave-in conditioner like a leave-in conditioning cream or balm. Although, if you prefer a lightweight or natural feel to the hair, you can still use a light leave-in conditioner.”
If you have curly hair
“For best results on curly hair, consider layering a couple of leave-in conditioners, starting with the lightest and layering up to the heaviest.
“This is because curly hair tends to be more porous and the layering of ingredients ‘fills in the cracks’ of the hair allowing the natural curl pattern to be supported, flexible, supple and resistant to humidity.”
How often to use a leave-in conditioner
“If you have very healthy hair and don’t use colouring products or heat on your hair, a leave-in conditioner may not be necessary or essential – but it certainly wouldn’t do any harm,” says Smith.
“However, the vast majority of hair types can benefit from some form of a leave-in product. For my very short-haired clients, I apply a small amount of light skincare oil to the scalp and hair to deliver lasting moisture and shine which helps with dry scalps and fluffy hair types.”
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Kevin Murphy Leave-In Repair
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate & Repair Multi-Action Leave-In Conditioner
Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream
Ouai Leave In Conditioner
The brainchild of celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, haircare brand Ouai is inspired by the chic, undone style of French women. Ouai’s leave-in conditioner reduces the appearance of frizz, dryness and helps to reinforce the hair structure.
Shop Ouai Leave-In Conditioner at Lookfantastic, £17.60
Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In Conditioner
Aveda Cherry Almond Leave-In Treatment
Augustinus Bader The Leave-In Hair Treatment
Main image: Stylist
Well, if you're curly or wavy and fine-haired, there's no better lightweight product than Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner—it'll keep your hair bouncy all day. If you want a little more weight to tamp down frizz, Rene Furterer Leave-In Nourishing Cream is a great, slightly richer option. For limp, straight hair, try Verb Leave-In Mist. It detangles and hydrates, but it's so light that even wispy curls won't get pulled down.
Got a favorite? Tell us below.
Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
The right ingredients can help fine hair appear thicker, more lustrous, and achieve greater volume.Many conditioners out there make big promises about their ability to strengthen, plump, and thicken hair. These claims might seem too good to be true—and some certainly are—but we found several rinses that actually live up to the hype. From strengtheners and fortifiers to volumizers and thickeners, we rounded up standout options for every budget.
To give your mane the va-va-voom it craves, check out the best conditioners for fine hair below.
Courtesy of Sephora
What We Like
Won't weigh hair down
Creamy, rich texture
Nice scent
What We Don't Like
Could be more hydrating
Who else recommends it? PureWow and Today both picked Christophe Robin Volumizing Conditioner.
"I would choose the Christophe Robin Volume Conditioner with Rose extracts," says hairstylist Sky Kim of Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City. This protective, detangling rinse is formulated specifically for fine strands.
Thanks to hero ingredients, it works to strengthen and volumize while restoring individual hair fibers and leaving a natural shine in its wake. Plus, as Kim notes, "It's super light and smells good."
Key Ingredients: Baobab leaf, omega-3s, rice protein | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.33 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What We Like
Strengthening formula
Adds body
-
Gentle
What We Don't Like
Can contribute to buildup if used daily
OGX Biotin & Collagen Conditioner is formulated with hydrolyzed wheat and B vitamins, a powerhouse blend. The result? Plumped-up strands and a noticeably fuller, better-looking mop.
Key Ingredients: Wheat protein, vitamin B complex | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 13.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What We Like
Hydrating, strengthening formula
Boosts volume
Rinses clean
What We Don't Like
Can leave hair a little dry
If you're going to splurge on hair care products, Oribe is always a safe bet. The brand's Conditioner for Magnificent Volume leans on natural ingredients like Japanese bamboo and shea butter, plus high-tech polymers meant to plump your locks without weighing them down.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, bamboo, hydrolyzed proteins | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Courtesy of Briogeo Hair
What We Like
Nice scent
Hair looks thicker and fuller
Available in multiple sizes
What We Don't Like
Can leave hair a little dry
If it's volume you're after, Briogeo's Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Conditioner has you covered. Whether you have coily, wavy, or straight hair, this fortifying formula is meant to immediately thicken and lift the follicles while delivering long-term nourishment.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, ginseng, maltodextrin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What We Like
Hydrating formula
Hair looks shinier after use
Adds softness and body
What We Don't Like
Not a dramatic thickening effect
The TGIN Miracle RepaiRx line is designed to strengthen and nourish brittle hair. By replenishing your scalp with coconut oil and black honey, this conditioner promises stronger, shinier, smoother hair without any added weight.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, honey | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 13.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Courtesy of Sephora
What We Like
Available in multiple sizes
Helps detangle hair
Hair feels soft
What We Don't Like
Strong scent
This thickening conditioner pulls out all the stops for fine hair. According to the brand, the nourishing formula contains emblica, a strand-swelling ingredient sourced from Indian gooseberries. What's more, feather-light silk fibers are meant to help detangle and moisturize without weighing you down.
Key Ingredients: Indian gooseberry, silk, panthenol | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Courtesy of Walmart
What We Like
Nice packaging
Helps thicken and add body
Smells great
What We Don't Like
Not Byrdie Clean
Caprice Hammon, a hairstylist at Session Studio LLC in Portland, Oregon, tells Byrdie, "Out of the lines I use, I like the Plumping Rinse by Kevin Murphy. It has ingredients to help stimulate hair growth."
Key Ingredients: Amino acids, shea butter, nettle extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Courtesy of Sephora
What We Like
Hair feels soft and full
Available in multiple sizes
Doesn't weigh hair down
What We Don't Like
Not Byrdie Clean
Featuring the brand's patented "Healthy Hair Molecule," Living Proof's Full Conditioner is formulated to give thin, limp hair new life. You can expect fuller, plumper locks that behave just like naturally thick tresses.
Key Ingredients: Healthy Hair Molecule (patented), wheat protein, soy protein | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
What We Like
Strengthening formula
Lightly conditions
Nice scent
What We Don't Like
Product texture is on the thin side
Keranique Volumizing Keratin Conditioner is designed to protect and strengthen fine or brittle hair. The unique cream-gel formula coats and enriches each strand with a fortifying keratin complex to create a smoother, more voluminous mane, according to the brand.
Key Ingredients: Ginseng root extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
What We Like
Hair looks shiny
Won't weigh hair down
Available in multiple sizes
What We Don't Like
Could be more hydrating
If you're dealing with thin, frizzy hair, you'll want something that smooths without weighing you down, like Verb Ghost Conditioner. Signature ingredients coat each strand with lightweight protection while addressing split ends and leaving a shiny, sleek finish in its wake.
Key Ingredients: Moringa seed oil, quinoa protein, sunflower seed extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 12.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
What We Like
Hair feels stronger and thicker
Boosts shine
Lightweight yet hydrating
What We Don't Like
Product is on the thick side
Containing kalahari, mongongo, and baobab oils, this conditioner by The Mane Choice is inspired by the formulas used by ancient Egyptians. It's lightweight and gentle enough for daily use and delivers nourished, restored, and strengthened locks.
Key Ingredients: Baobab oil, castor oil, silk amino acids, panthenol | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What We Like
Detangles hair
Hair looks shiny
Available in multiple sizes
What We Don't Like
Not Byrdie Clean
For fine, curly hair, we recommend CHI Magnified Volume Conditioner. It effortlessly detangles while working to strengthen, volumize, and smooth coily strands, leaving your hair shiny, bouncy, and more manageable.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed silk, panthenol | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 12.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
What We Like
Adds body and shine
Nice packaging
Available in multiple sizes
What We Don't Like
A little expensive
"Another option is Virtue's Full Conditioner, which smells good and is nourishing, too," says Kim. This thickening rinse delivers weightless moisture while creating lift and body that lasts all day.
Key Ingredients: Pink pomelo, artichoke leaf | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
What We Like
Hair feels soft and full
Nice scent
Won't weigh hair down
What We Don't Like
Not Byrdie Clean
R+Co Dallas Conditioner leans on hydrating ingredients to soften fine hair while coating each strand with the strength and protection it needs. And with saw palmetto berry extract, you can expect thicker-looking hair with the body you crave.
Key Ingredients: Provitamin B5, biotin, coconut oil, saw palmetto extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
When it comes to conditioners for fine hair, Christophe Robin Delicate Volumizing Conditioner With Rose Extracts shines above the rest. Featuring rice protein, omega-3s, and baobab extract, the lightweight formula promises to volumize, restore, and strengthen hair while leaving behind natural shine and a delicious scent. For something a little more affordable, you can't go wrong with OGX Extra Volume Biotin & Collagen Conditioner. And if you're all-in for a high-end product, you won't regret splurging on Oribe Conditioner for Magnificent Volume.
What to Look For When Buying Conditioner for Fine Hair
Intended Hair Type
One of the most important things to look for when buying conditioner for fine hair is the intended hair type. Many options indicate that they're made for thin strands on the label or product description. However, if it doesn't say so explicitly, look for keywords like "volumizing," "thickening," or "full." These terms typically imply a conditioner is formulated to either plump the strands or at least make them look thicker.
Biotin
Many shampoos and conditioners for fine hair contain biotin (vitamin B7). The nutrient is often claimed to help nourish and fortify thin strands while encouraging hair growth.
Other Ingredients
Aside from biotin, there are a few other ingredients to look out for when buying conditioners for fine hair. These include nourishing ingredients like collagen, coconut oil, shea butter, avocado, and other omegas.
If you want something that promises to plump your hair, look for conditioners with niacinamide, amino acids, emblica, hydrolyzed soy protein, saw palmetto, peptides, silk powder, or silica silylate. These thickening agents are meant to either swell the individual strands or wrap them in a starchy texture that makes them temporarily thicker.
FAQ
Is conditioner good for fine hair?
Yes, conditioner is good for fine hair. Even if you’re worried that it might weigh your hair down, it shouldn’t, provided you’re using the right one for your hair type. Conditioners for fine hair can also be volumizing, helping to create the illusion of your hair being thicker. For people with fine hair, Byrdie writer Ashley Rubell suggests that you “plump up those few strands two to three times a week, and just remember to keep conditioner on your ends—it doesn't belong on your scalp.”
Does fine hair need deep conditioner?
Fine hair can benefit from deep conditioning just like all hair types can. Deep conditioners are especially useful for your fine hair if it has been processed or is regularly styled with heat, whether blow-drying, curling, or flat ironing. Guy Tang, hair colorist and creator of #Mydentity, tells Byrdie that "deep conditioning treatments are essential to help repair damaged or compromised hair.” He says of deep conditioners, "I recommend one to all of my clients with color-treated hair. These treatments can help restore the damaged hair shaft and replace vital hair nutrients."
How often should you use conditioner if you have fine hair?
Unless your fine hair doesn’t tangle at all, which is uncommon, you’ll likely benefit from using conditioner each time you wash your hair. If your hair doesn’t tangle, and you feel like conditioner makes it greasy quickly, you can use conditioner every other time you wash. It can also be useful to avoid ever conditioning near your roots because that is where oils gather and only condition the ends of your fine hair.
Can you leave conditioner in your fine hair for too long?
Yes, you can certainly leave any conditioner in your hair too long, and your hair will not benefit from it. Leaving the conditioner in longer than you’re supposed to can lead to the hair shaft getting clogged, which is unhealthy for it. Additionally, you could cause breakage as well as scalp irritation if you leave your conditioner on too long. If you’re looking for a conditioner that can be left in after rinsing without issue, simply add a leave-in conditioner to your hair care routine. Opt for a leave-in made for fine hair.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland specializes in cosmetics and self-care products. As someone with inherently fine hair, she's tried many thickening conditioners over the years. From this list, she's partial to Kevin Murphy Plumping Rinse, R+Co Dallas Conditioner, and CHI Magnified Volume Conditioner.
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Glynis A. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(11):28-34.
The Best Volumizing Conditioners for Faking Lush, Full Hair. PureWow. //www.purewow.com/beauty/best-volumizing-conditioners
Dealing with flat hair? These expert-approved tips will boost volume and shine. Today. //www.today.com/shop/best-products-fine-hair-t253309