Shampoo - help!

[Squidgemoon]

I’m nearly 40 and I’ve been using Herbal Essences since I was a teenager I have rubbish hair, it’s very straight, fine and thin and I keep it around shoulder length as past that it just looks straggly and limp. Please wise ladies of mumsnet tell me what shampoos and conditioners I could try to improve its condition - something volumising maybe? I live in a very hard water area so I need good conditioner. I have highlights every 3-4 months and the colour lasts fairly well.

Volumising shampoo just fluffs up the surface of the hair, and can make it frizzy. Would cutting it shorter make it look thicker?

Buy what your hairdresser uses?

I think hask conditioner is amazing.? I have also tried a John frieda hairspray that you put on before drying.

My hairdresser uses Kevin Murphy products but I don’t really like the smell for some reason.

Thanks for the suggestion @Sandyoldshoes.

I didn’t know that about voluminising @PersephoneParlormaid so thanks, will steer clear as I definitely don’t want frizzy!

We have very hard water and I use a clarifying shampoo to help the hair eg Tresemme deep cleansing or Bumble & Bumble Sunday shampoo, rather than piling on conditioner.

@Squidgemoon I’d look at getting a chelating shampoo. This will remove mineral and metal buildup from hair, such as from hard water, chlorine, or styling products. Otherwise, make sure you are double-shampooing and use a conditioner that has silicones on the mid lengths and ends.

I've yet to find a shampoo that makes a difference to my straight fine hair.

I'm currently using the 'wrong' but expensive shampoo for my hair type (left by a guest) just to use it up and it cleans my hair, and nothing else, just as well as the ones I have bought for fine hair.

I think the cut, highlights and styling products are the only things to make a difference to thin hair.

I also have very straight, fine hair. I use Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo and Moisture Balancing Conditioner, and once a week I use the Elastizer hair mask for some more omph!

One tip for fine hair that I saw on Reddit is to wash your hair upside down so that no residue (esp conditioner) stays near the roots and makes it look limp. It really seems to make a difference!

I have your exact hair type and I think the best shampoo and conditioner for it is the purple OGX volumising stuff. It’s the first one I’ve ever found that stops my hair looking shit. But as with any shampoo/conditioner you do have to have a break from it every now and then so I normally swap out for the OGX coconut one before going back to the purple one. This routine has really worked for me.

If it's the hard water that's a problem why not try one of those filtering shower heads?

I like Ouai and Living Proof shampoo and conditioner, but live in a soft water area so that doesn't really help you.

I also have thin, fine, straight hair.

I recently tried the new shampoo from method (rose & peony?) and it has been miraculous! It’s the first time in my life that I haven’t had to wash my hair every day! I think it is exclusive to Waitrose but you can order from method online.

Redken acidic gloss shampoo and conditioner for your colour. I used a Percy and reed wonder balm too which adds volume.

I use 'sunday' as I hate the smell of shampoo and herbal essences is horrible.

I have poker straight hair, and if I double shampoo and condition, I can get three days out of a wash. This gives me lots of softness.

I regularly spray my scalp with ACV before washing and it always leaves my hair as soft as soft afterwards.

https://www.hairclub.com/blog/5-tips-washing-hair-hard-water/#:~:text=Try%20mixing%20a%20tablespoon%20of,for%20five%20minutes%20before%20rinsing.

I use Kerastase Densifique shampoo and conditioner and alternate with their Genesis version. Sometime I use Redken volume injection. These are expensive, but I find regularly changing shampoos helps. My hair is so thin, I have to wash it everyday 😔

I’ve just started using Amika shampoo and love it. Think they do a volumisimg one.

I have fine hair. My hair is long, straight, lots of it but doesn’t really hold a curl or anything unless I use a LOT of product. I live quite centrally in London and the water is TERRIBLE.

Have tried out a few shampoos and can say that (for me) so far the best has been the Ouai Fine Hair shampoo, and I use the detox version twice a month (but only really because my mum bought me it to try). It’s a little pricey (£28-£30 a bottle) but they’re quite big bottles and I only have to wash my hair twice a week unless I have an event etc. double shampoo and then one lot of conditioner.

Does last a while and can usually get it when Space NK or ASOS have discount - just recently ordered from ASOS for £20 a bottle. My hair is shiny again, doesn’t go greasy and it smells good!

I also use the thickening spray before I blast dry it which does give it a bit of oomf for a day or two.

I'm also hard water with fine tangly hair. I find bed head rock star good. Its quite expensive but the bargain shops and the MAXX often do a good deal. I also find it good to change brands frequently

They have it on TK MAX currently!

I have been using Routine as I read that it was recommended for thinning hair. It’s really good, it makes your hair sit as if you have styled it.

Came to make the same recommendation - purple OGX.

I've been rinsing out my hair upside down for years and it gives miraculous root lift which lasts much longer than blowdrying upside down. (This is because water sets your hair really effectivelyby allowing its bonds to re-set, I understand.)

My recommendation for shampoo and conditioner is the L'Oreal Growth Booster - but only when it's on half price offer (quite often).
Shampoo

Fine hair is different from thinning hair.

Thank you, I know. I apologise for not being clear, I also have fine hair. Thinning was the reason I started using it but I have found it makes my hair sit nicely.

Thank you so much for all the recommendations. I am going to order some of the OGX and some of the Ouai to try 🤞🏻