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The power of healthy locks and a good hairstyle is pretty amazing. It can boost confidence and transform your entire look from drab to fab. To achieve a salon-style every day doesn’t need to be difficult, but it will require the right hair care, starting with the very basics: your choice of shampoo. Shampoo is not only about keeping your hair clean and healthy from the roots, but it is also formulated to care for your scalp. If you take great pride in your hair care but still have bedhead on the best of occasions, the solution might be as simple as rethinking your choice of shampoo. We’ll help you choose the perfect combo for your hair and scalp with our selection of the leading shampoos in 2024 because life really is too short for another bad hair day.
Reviewing the Top Shampoos of 2024 in Detail
Olaplex — Best Overall
Key Features
- Available in 8.5 Fl Oz quantity
- PH Balance of 6 to 6.5
- Free of parabens, sulfates, phosphates, and phthalates
- Bond building technology with the active ingredient bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Olaplex N°4 Shampoo is formulated to restore and protect hair on a molecular level. Olaplex’s bond-building technology, thanks to the active ingredient bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, helps to restore disulfide bonds damaged by color treatments, flat irons, blow-drying, and curling irons. Improved strand structure results in shiny, strong hair, reduced breakage, and easier to manage hair. This highly nourishing shampoo is suitable for all hair types to tame frizz and give you that sleek salon look.
Tea Tree — Runner Up
Key Features
- Special formula with natural tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender
- Free of parabens
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Does not strip hair of color
- Helps with dandruff and eczema
- Available in different sizes from 2.5 Fl Oz (75ml) to 33.8 Fl Oz (1liter)
Tea Tree Special Shampoo is a gentle cleansing agent that is extremely effective. Its natural ingredients cleanse, soothe, and nourish your scalp, allowing healthy hair growth from the root. Some reviews have testified to Tea Tree Special Shampoo’s formula assisting in healing eczema and resolving dandruff issues. The shampoo is suitable for all hair types with the natural tea tree oil reducing flaking, preventing excess oil production, and balancing the scalp's pH. The addition of peppermint soothes itchiness and lavender oils, leaving your hair smelling luxurious. The great thing about this shampoo is that you only need to use a small amount per application, allowing a long-lasting formula for many invigorating washes.
Moroccanoil — Honorable Mention
Key Features
- Special hydrating formula with antioxidant-rich argan oil and moisturizing red algae
- Free of parabens, phosphates, and sulfates
- Available in different sizes from 2.4 Fl Oz (70ml) to 33.8 Fl Oz (1liter)
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo boasts a nutrient-rich formula suitable for daily use. The shampoo special blend contains moisture-infusing red algae, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and antioxidant-rich argan oil, which is known for its essential fatty acid properties that are beneficial for hair and skin nourishment. The shampoo primarily hydrates hair, increasing smoothness, manageability, and beautiful shine. Other shampoo formulas in the Moroccanoil range include smoothing shampoo for reduced frizz, volumizing, and moisture repair.
BIOLAGE — Most Convenient
Key Features
- Low pH shampoo locks in vibrant color and nourishes treated hair
- Free of parabens
- Available in different sizes from 1.7 Fl Oz (50ml) to 33.8 Fl Oz (1liter)
- Vegan
Give your hair a gorgeous salon shine and vibrant color for nine weeks with Biolage ColorLast Shampoo. This product is specially formulated for color-treated hair to prevent fading, promote shine, and nourish strands that have experienced chemical damage due to color treatments. The gentle formula is designed to cleanse without stripping color from hair and the low pH assists in maintaining rich tones.
Pureology — Also Consider
Key Features
- Hydrating formula with jojoba oil, sage, green tea, lavender, bergamont, and patchouli
- Free of sulfates
- Vegan
- Available in different sizes from 1.7 Fl Oz (50ml) to 33.8 Fl Oz (1liter)
Pureology Hydrate is a luxurious smelling formula that deeply hydrates dry or color-treated hair. The creamy shampoo gently cleanses with natural ingredients, preventing any stripping of moisture. Its unique formula induces moisturizing, strengthening, and softening, thanks to the jojoba oil, while the sage and green tea support a healthy scalp and stimulate hair follicles. The shampoo is ideal for normal to thick hair that is prone to frizz or has been damaged due to heat-styling or color treatments. In addition, a spa-like infusion of lavender, bergamot, and patchouli leave you revitalized.
Buyer's Guide: Find the Perfect Shampoo for Your Hair
When browsing the hair care aisle, it can be overwhelming choosing between all the magical properties that are claimed to be present in each bottle of shampoo. From hydrating and color-enhancing to thickening, frizz-control, and smoothing, why can’t we just have it all? Besides, choosing a shampoo based on your hair type, you also need to consider your scalp type. Good quality shampoos are formulated with specific scalp-care properties to nourish your hair roots and scalp. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the right shampoo for strong and shiny tresses.
Shampoos are designed to cleanse your hair, especially at the roots, whereas conditioners are geared more towards nourishing and protecting the drier ends. When choosing a shampoo consider which of the following three scalp types you have:
Dry Scalp
A dry scalp may feel a little tight or itchy. Dry scalps are sometimes prone to be flaky, however, you can have a dry scalp without flakiness. When choosing a shampoo, you’ll want something that doesn’t contribute further to drying out your scalp or causing itchiness but offers deep moisturizing properties instead. Avoid shampoos that are labeled as volumizing, strengthening, and fortifying, as well as products containing sulfates that strip the hair and scalp of moisture.
Products that contain tea tree oil and menthol can be beneficial in moisturizing and soothing itchiness, so these are a good choice. Your best choices for a dry scalp are products labeled for moisture retention, hydrating, smoothing, and curls. This will nourish your hair from the root growth down. Shampoos that incorporate natural moisturizers, vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants are good choices.
Oily Scalp
If you have an oily scalp, you are likely prone to greasy hair within a day or less of washing. Even though dandruff is generally associated with dry scalps, people with oily scalps also experience dandruff. To control excess oil production, avoid shampoos that are labeled as moisturizing, smoothing, hydrating, or curly hair shampoos. Curly hair tends to be drier, so these shampoos are geared to add moisture, which is not what you need. Instead, opt for a shampoo that is labeled as balancing, strengthening, or volumizing.
Tips for managing oily hair
If you are having trouble controlling an oily scalp, try doing a double wash. Shampoo your hair the first time with a formula to address your oily scalp. Work the shampoo in well enough to break up the oil and give it a very good rinse. Follow this with a second wash for the mid and lower ends of the hair with a different shampoo. The two different shampoos will target the various needs of your scalp and hair. Avoid the scalp when applying conditioner and condition the bottom half of your hair strands only.
Combination scalp
If your hair is neither overly dry nor oily but instead turns oily two to three days after a wash (as opposed to the day after) you probably have a combination scalp. You may also have more dry or brittle ends with a healthy or slightly oily top.
Depending on your activities, your hair care regime does well with twice- or thrice-weekly washes with a mild herbal product. If you have a combination scalp, you’ll want to focus on shampooing the top more thoroughly and conditioning the bottom ends well. As with dry hair, shampoo formulas that have added amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins are a good choice.
How to Choose a Shampoo Based on Your Hair Type
In addition to your scalp type, your hair type will also determine the shampoo that will benefit your locks best.
Fine hair
If your hair is fine and wispy, you want to look for something that will give you extra body without heaviness. Products that are particularly moisturizing can weigh your light hair down, so opt for a gentle shampoo labeled as ‘volumizing’ that will boost hair strands without causing them to be limp.
Wavy hair
Shampoos suitable for wavy hair are often labeled as ‘normal hair’ shampoos as a middle-road option for moisture balance and bounce, all without weighing your hair down. If your hair is color-treated or you style your hair with heating tools often, opt for protective or color-protection products.
Curly hair
Curly hair tends to be drier than other types of hair. Whether you have big curls or an afro style, a good moisturizing product is the best option to keep your curls contained and to reduce frizz. Read more about our list of best curly hair shampoos.
Thick hair
Add moisture to thick hair with hydrating shampoos or those labeled as ‘moisturizing.’ They will help keep your strands shiny and smooth.
Straight hair
If your straight hair is prone to frizz, opt for a frizz-control shampoo to help you keep a sleek style. If you use straightening heat tools on your hair, a protective, moisturizing, or smoothing shampoo will help lock in moisture and prevent damage.
Damaged or brittle hair
If your hair has been damaged due to color or heat treatments, or you have brittle ends, take special care to choose a high-quality product that can help to restore your strands. Shampoos specifically formulated to strengthen and fortify weak strands contain extra protein. Using the right shampoo in these cases can make a big difference to restore shine and strength. Even better, opt for a shampoo and conditioner that compliment each other to achieve the best results.
Shampoo Ingredients Guide
When considering which shampoo may be best for your hair, check the list of ingredients. It may sound a little strange, but certain ingredients can further damage your hair and strip it of moisture. On the contrary, some shampoos include natural ingredients that offer great benefits.
Ingredients to avoid
- Avoid shampoos that contain parabens and sulfates. These two ingredients can strip your hair of color and scalp of moisture. Sulfate-free products allow a more gentle cleanse allowing vibrant, long-lasting color and shine.
- Sodium chloride is another ingredient that will draw moisture from your scalp, which causes dryness, deprives your scalp of natural nourishing oils, and disrupts the natural pH balance.
- Formaldehyde can worsen existing eczema and allergic dermatitis. It is a chemical compound used as a preservative in household and consumer products and can also be carcinogenic.
- A clean and fragrant head of hair can make you feel energetic and healthy, but try to opt for naturally fragranced products when possible. The alcohol used in synthetic fragrances can dry out your scalp, so ditch the bubblegum flavored shampoo and opt for eucalyptus, citrus extracts, or aloe instead.
Ingredients to look for
Natural, chemical-free, plant-based ingredients are usually mild and less likely to throw off your hair's natural oil and pH balance. Keep in mind that products used on your scalp and skin are absorbed through your pores, meaning carcinogenic and other harmful chemicals can easily be absorbed into the body.
Beneficial natural ingredients include plant oils, such as jojoba, coconut, and argan oil, organic green tea, chamomile, eucalyptus, aloe, hemp, and fruit extracts. Essential oils often used are peppermint, lavender, and lemon, among others. Natural ingredients can greatly help with keeping your hair hydrated.
