From nourishing foams to leave-in conditioners: the best instant hair hydrators

From nourishing foams to leave-in conditioners: The best instant hair hydrators

Credit: Courtesy of brands

Hair


From nourishing foams to leave-in conditioners: the best instant hair hydrators

By Charlotte Bitmead

Updated 5 months ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

3 min read

If you don’t have time to sit and wait for a rich hair mask to soak in, these dry hair saviours will get to work in a flash to deliver hydration.  


If it’s not quite hair wash day yet but your ends are looking a little worse for wear, perhaps it’s time to reach for an instant hair hydrator.

Unlike rich buttery masks, these don’t require 20 minutes out of your day to sink in, but nor do they skimp when it comes to eliminating dehydration and smoothing frazzled ends. And they don’t weigh your hair down in the process. It’s the ultimate hair category for all the lazy hair girls out there.

Depending on which formula you opt for, they also help detangle knots, slick-back hair and deliver added shine with minimal effort. Whether your hair prefers a quick lightweight spritz, a luscious foam, or a nourishing oil, these products will relieve dry hair and give your strands the moisture boost they crave. 

8 best instantly hydrating hair products

L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Serum

L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Our favourite skin-hydrating ingredient infused in our haircare? We’re on board. This spritz contains 2% hyaluronic acid and can be used like a moisturiser – twice a day on wet or dry hair. 

Not only does it leave hair smelling fresh but it provides a moisture boost and high shine without weighing the hair down. 

Shop L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Serum at Look Fantastic, £12.99

buy now

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Joia Milky Leave-in Conditioner

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Joia Milky Leave-in Conditioner

Beauty milks are all the rage in the skincare world, so it’s no surprise hair brands are getting on board with the trend. This leave-in conditioner does it all. Detangling? Tick. Nourishing? Tick. Protects against heat damage? Tick. Talk about a multi-tasker. 

Shop Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Joia Milky Leave-in Conditioner at Sephora UK, £28

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Aveda Nutriplenish Hydrating Liquid Styling Foam

Aveda Nutriplenish Hydrating Liquid Styling Foam

If foam is more your style, this hydrates hair while providing sky-high volume. It comes in the brand’s signature botanical scent and features a hydrating blend of castor and coconut oil, as well as mango seed butter, so you’ll never have to compromise between having enviable volume and hydration again. 

Shop Aveda Nutriplenish Hydrating Liquid Styling Foam at Look Fantastic, £29

buy now

Gisou Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner

Gisou Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner

Honey has emollient and humectant properties, meaning it’s a top-notch ingredient for reviving dehydrated ends. This is filled to the brim with sustainably sourced honey, plus argan oil and amino acids to soften and repair damage. Spray through wet strands and style as normal. 

Shop Gisou Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner at Cult Beauty, £26

buy now

Fable & Mane HoliRoots™ Pre-Wash Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil

Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-Wash Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil

When my hair is on its last legs before wash day, I reach for this to smooth flyaways, add shine and deliver a dose of hydration. 

It can be used as a pre-wash treatment to help strengthen or used on wet or dry hair to help seal in moisture. It features restorative castor oil and strengthening ashwagandha, plus it smells so good – it basically doubles up as a hair perfume. 

Shop Fable & Mane HoliRoots Pre-Wash Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil at Sephora UK, £34

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Kerasilk Restorative Balm

Kerasilk Restorative Balm

Whether you’ve damaged your hair with too much heat or bleach, this is a comfort blanket for stressed-out hair. The balmy texture is a two-in-one mask and styling cream and works to strengthen and hydrate from the inside, while boosting shine on the outside. 

Shop Kerasilk Restorative Balm at Beauty Bay, £25

buy now

Boucleme Intensive Moisture Treatment

Boucleme Intensive Moisture Treatment

If your hair needs the heavier stuff, this rich cream is as luxe and thirst-quenching as it gets. The blend of marula and prickly pear seed oil as well as mafura butter not only provides slip to detangle knots but also replenishes lost moisture. 

Shop Boucleme Intensive Moisture Treatment at Boots, £29

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Hershesons Almost Everything Cream

Hershesons Almost Everything Cream

Acting as a hairspray, styling cream and hair mask in one, this moisturiser lives up to its name. Apply to wet or dry ends to smooth flyaways, define strands and leave frazzled ends looking freshly trimmed. 

Shop Hershesons Almost Everything Cream at Hershesons, £14

buy now

Images: courtesy of brands

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