While I’ve always preferred hair masks over conditioners, I’ve started reincorporating them into my haircare routine over the last few months. I wash my hair daily and use hot tools regularly, so I need to add hydration back into my hair to minimize the damage, but my hair is also really fine and straight, so I don’t want a conditioner that will weigh it down, feel heavy, or leave residue behind. I’ve tried so many different brands at different price points looking for the best options available, and below I’ve rounded up my absolute favorite conditioners for fine, straight hair that give real results and are worth the money (plus a few budget-friendly options, too).

the best hydrating conditioners for fine, straight hair

ouai medium conditioner

Ouai’s Medium Conditioner is great. I’m absolutely obsessed with their hair mask and have used it for so long that I thought their conditioner just wouldn’t deliver comparable results, but I was really impressed. The scent is light, it adds lot of hydration and makes your hair soft, but doesn’t weigh it down or leave a film behind. I wouldn’t say this adds tons of shine, but my hair always feels healthier after using it.

davines nounou nourishing conditioner

I love this conditioner, and it’s what I used exclusively before switching to the Ouai hair mask. This conditioner is thick but blends into your hair easily, makes your hair super soft without weighing it down, and is totally worth the price. It smells really light and fresh, and a little goes a long way. I like that you can also get it at Nordstrom or on Amazon, because purchasing through your salon isn’t always convenient.

davines heart of glass rich conditioner

If you have color treated hair, I highly recommend switching to a toning conditioner instead of a toning shampoo. You get the same great results but conditioners are gentler and more hydrating than the shampoos typically are. The Davines Heart of Glass Rich Conditioner is my absolute favorite toning conditioner. I alternate between wanting to tone my hair with both purple and blue based toners, and this one is like the perfect mix of both. It doesn’t leave any purple tint behind, and brightens your hair without damaging it. The scent is a little too powdery for my liking, but it fades quickly and isn’t overpowering.

the best clean-beauty hydrating conditoners for fine, straight hair

amika mirrorball high shine + protect antioxidant conditioner

I’m a huge fan of Amika’s shampoos, but their hair masks have been hit or miss for me, so I was a little hesitant about trying their conditioners. I’m happy to say I was pleasantly surprised, and while I love the brand’s kure bond repair shampoo, the mirrorball high shine + protect antioxidant conditioner is the best Amika conditioner in my opinion. It adds tons of shine, makes your hair soft, and feels like it “calms down” the damaged parts of my hair without adding a film or weighing it down. The only downside is it can make my highlighter hair a little warm, so I need to be more diligent about toning it, which I do by using a purple conditioner instead of the Amika conditioner every 4 washes or so.

k18 damage shield protective conditioner

K18’s Damage Shield Protective Conditioner is pH balanced to reduce frizz, bring hydration back into your hair, and smells great. A little goes a long way, so this would be a worthwhile investment if you only wash your hair a few times a week. Because it is a little more expensive I recommend subscribing to it on Amazon to save 5-10%.

the best budget hydrating conditioners for fine, straight hair

herbal essences hydrating conditioner with coconut water & jasmine

As far as true drugstore conditioners go, this one is the best one I’ve tried. It genuinely hydrates your hair, whereas some drugstore conditioners superficially hydrate and leave a film behind. The scent is fresh without being overpowering, and it’s not too heavy for fine hair.

hair chemist macademia oil deep repair masque

It’s technically a hair mask instead of a conditioner, but it will give you the best results if you’re on a budget, especially since it’s less than $12. I’ve used this for years and purchased it 20+ times over the years. If your hair is especially fine, this might be too heavy to use regularly, but it’s great to have on hand for a monthly treatment.