Fino Premium Touch Review — Hair Mask, Hair Oil & the Smooth Oil
Does your hair feel dry and rough no matter what you try? I used to feel the same — until I found a $15 Japanese hair mask that genuinely changed everything. Here's my honest review, plus the full routine.
I've been using this since Japan — and I wasn't leaving it behind
I first started using Fino when I was living in Japan. It was just part of my weekly routine — pick it up at the drugstore for a few hundred yen, use it on wash day, done. I didn't think much about it. It was just the thing that made my hair feel good.
Then I moved to Melbourne. And I realised pretty quickly that my hair did not love the change. Different water, drier air, more heat styling — my hair felt rough and dull in a way it never had in Japan. I tried a few Australian alternatives. Nothing came close.
So I went looking for Fino here. Found it online, ordered it, and honestly felt a little relieved when it arrived. Within two weeks, my hair was back to how I remembered it. Soft, smooth, and shiny — without a salon visit.
I've been using the full Fino routine ever since. Below I'll walk you through all three products and the exact way I use them together — because the combination makes a real difference.
"I carried this habit from Japan to Melbourne. Some things you just don't give up."
Quick note: Fino used to be made by Shiseido. In 2021, Shiseido spun off its personal care range into a new company called FineToday Co., Ltd. Same formula — just a new name on the box. Taiwan and Philippines versions may have slightly different formulas; the ingredient info here is based on the Japan version.
Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask
Here's something most people don't realise: conditioner softens your hair temporarily. A mask actually repairs it. The difference is in how long it stays on and what it puts back into your hair.
Think of each strand like a rope that's been fraying. Fino's mask fills in those damaged spots with protein and moisture-binding ingredients, then coats the whole surface with silicone to seal it smooth. You rinse it off — but the repair stays. Your hair doesn't just feel softer after using this. It is softer. And that difference builds week after week.
Leave it on for 3–5 minutes after shampooing. For very dry or damaged hair, go up to 10 minutes. Rinse well. That's it. Once or twice a week is all you need.
Key ingredients & what they do
- Royal Jelly Extract — protein, vitamins, minerals — repairs damage and prevents split ends
- Dimethicone / Aminopropyl Dimethicone — coats the cuticle for smoothness and shine
- Squalane — lightweight moisture without heaviness
- PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid) — natural moisture factor, pulls water into the hair shaft
- Glutamic Acid — humectant, similar water-retention to hyaluronic acid
- Trehalose — protects hair from heat and dryness
- Tocopherol (Vit E) — antioxidant, shields from UV and environmental damage
Fino Premium Touch Hair Oil
Did you know that heat styling can damage your hair even if you use a heat protectant spray? Most sprays only shield the surface. What your hair actually needs after heat is something that seals the cuticle back down and locks moisture in at the same time.
That's exactly what the Fino Hair Oil does. You apply it to damp hair after towel-drying — before you blow-dry or style. It wraps each strand in a protective layer that holds moisture in, reduces frizz, and leaves a high-gloss finish that lasts all day. The texture is rich, which makes it ideal for thick, dry, or coarse hair.
One or two pumps in your palm, work it through mid-lengths to ends, and you're done. Keep it away from the roots.
Key ingredients & what they do
- Dimethiconol — seals the cuticle, creates high-gloss finish
- Squalane — locks in moisture without greasiness
- Tocopherol (Vit E) — antioxidant protection from heat and UV
- Polysilicone-13 — forms a flexible protective film over each strand
Fino Premium Touch Hair Oil — Smooth Type
A lot of people try the regular Fino Oil and love the results — but find it a little heavy for everyday use, especially on fine hair. The Smooth Oil solves that. It's the same Fino philosophy — seal, protect, shine — but in a formula so light it almost disappears into your hair.
The finish is silky rather than glossy. No stickiness, no weight. You can use it daily on damp hair after washing, or on dry hair in the morning to calm flyaways before you head out. A tiny amount goes a long way.
Key ingredients & what they do
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene — ultra-lightweight emollient base, no residue
- Dimethicone — smooths cuticle surface for silky finish
- Squalane — moisture and flexibility without weight
- Tocopherol (Vit E) — heat and UV protection
Before & After
I'll be honest — I almost didn't take before photos because I didn't think a $15 product would actually do anything visible. I'm glad I did. After a few weeks of the mask once a week and the oil after every wash, the difference was clear enough that people at work started asking what I was doing differently.
The Fino Routine — How to Use All Three
Here's something I noticed: when I used just the mask alone, my hair felt good for a day or two. When I added the oil after every wash, the softness started to last all week. Using all three together — that's when people started noticing. This is the exact routine I follow.
Shampoo your hair as normal
Use your regular shampoo. On Fino mask days, try a clarifying shampoo once a month to clear any silicone build-up.
Apply the Hair Mask
Squeeze out excess water, then apply the mask from mid-lengths to ends. Leave on for 3–5 minutes. For very dry or damaged hair, go up to 10 minutes. Rinse well.
Towel-dry gently, then apply the Hair Oil
On days you use the mask: 1–2 pumps of Hair Oil on damp hair, focusing on the ends. On other wash days: same thing — it's your everyday leave-in step.
Smooth Oil for morning frizz control
The Smooth Oil is light enough to use on dry hair in the morning. A tiny amount on your palms, run through the lengths, and you're done. Great for taming flyaways before you head out.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- Contains fragrance — floral scent in all three products. Not suitable if you have fragrance sensitivity or contact dermatitis.
- Not vegan — the Hair Mask contains Royal Jelly (bee-derived). If you have a bee or pollen allergy, patch-test first.
- Cruelty-free status unconfirmed — FineToday products are sold in mainland China. No Leaping Bunny or PETA certification confirmed. Check directly with the brand before purchasing if this matters to you.
- Silicone build-up — the mask and oils contain silicones. Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to keep your hair from feeling heavy over time. Especially important for fine hair.
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein — in the Hair Mask. Low risk as a rinse-out product, but if you have wheat/gluten sensitivity on the scalp, take note.
- Formula varies by country — Taiwan and Philippines versions may differ. Verify the ingredient list on your actual packaging.