It might be strange to say, but shampoos are one of my passion projects. As the first step of my shower routine (one of my favorite parts of the day), I want my shampoo to feel good, smell good, and deliver good results. Regardless of your hair type, having a hydrating shampoo is important; so many of the formulas on the market can strip your hair of its shine, irritate your scalp, and can cause damage, breakage, or split ends. I also highlight my hair, so I need a shampoo that is color-safe. I’ve tried tons of shampoos over the years, and have rounded up my favorite that I repurchase over and over again, recommend to friends, and won’t travel without.

Before we dive in, I will admit that I don’t have a drugstore option on this list. It’s not that there aren’t good formulations out there; I just have found that I prefer to spend more on my shampoo, especially since there are so many incredible conditioners and masks that you can get for as low as $10 - like this one, which is my absolute favorite hair mask. A lot of hydrating drugstore shampoos provide superficial hydration, meaning your hair will feel softer, but it’s just because of ingredients that add a film to your hair, which aren’t great in the long run. So while drugstore shampoos aren’t my favorite, the ones I’ve included are absolutely worth the money. Keep reading for my favorite hydrating shampoos for fine, straight hair.

the best hydrating shampoos for fine, straight hair

amika the kure bond repair shampoo

I’ve only been using Amika for the last year or so, but I've fallen in love with their products. The results are salon-worthy, and it’s also a clean beauty brand, which is like the cherry on top. This shampoo is intensely hydrating without weighing your hair down; it also smells incredible and is easy to wash out. This is the shampoo I use 90% of the time, unless I need to clarify or tone.

davines nounou shampoo

This is the shampoo I recommend to everyone because it’s gentle, doesn’t dry out your hair or scalp, and will keep your hair color looking fresh. You can find it online (no need to go into a salon), but the person who does my hair allows me to buy it in a jumbo size which makes it worth it. I also like the Melu formula, which is a little lighter (but still hydrating).

Comparing NouNou to Amika’s The Kure shampoo, I’d say that The Kure is a little creamier and thicker; NouNou is a much more lightweight option that still delivers a good lather but is slightly easier to wash out. NouNou has a light, fresh fragrance, whereas The Kure is a little sweeter and much stronger - I get compliments whenever I use it, but it doesn’t overpower my perfume.

kerastase première repairing shampoo for damaged hair

This shampoo is pricey at $42 per bottle, but if you only wash your hair 1-2x a week or are trying to rehydrate your hair after a lot of bleaching, it’s worth it. This doesn’t just make your hair soft; it actually adds hydration back into your hair, reduces damage, and feels like it really “heals” your hair. I use this shampoo after I get my hair highlighted, and recommend it to friends who live in colder or drier climates. This shampoo is a part of a system; I personally prefer using a hair mask instead of conditioner so I haven’t bought it, but I do notice results from using just the shampoo.

fable & mane holiroots hydrating shampoo

Fable & Mane’s shampoo is one of my newer Sephora discoveries. Truth be told, I was really intrigued by the great reviews since the branding/ packaging didn’t really appeal to me. I’m glad I chose to not judge the book by its cover, because this shampoo is incredible. Ideal if you have an extra sensitive scalp, this feels so soothing and hydrates without weighing your hair down. I will say that because it’s a truly clean formula and also cruelty free, your scalp may not be “used” to this type of formulation and will take some time to acclimate - you may notice a greasy feeling the first few washes, but once your hair acclimates, it’s worth it.