Shampoo, Just For You: Experts Weigh In On the Perfect Shampoo for Your Hair Type (2024)

Table of Contents
Our Top Picks For Everyday: R+Co Bleu’s Essential Shampoo For Hyper-Specific Hair Solutions: Prose Custom Shampoo For Hair Growth: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo For Frizzy Hair: Bumble and Bumble Bond-Building Repair Shampoo For Clarifying Without Stripping: Sheamoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo For Fine Hair: Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo For Thinning Hair: Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair For Damaged Hair: Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo For Curly Hair: Oribe Cleansing Cream for Moisture & Control For a Plant-Based Solution: Sangre de Fruta Garden of Earthly Delights Shampoo For All Hair Types: Crown Affair The Ritual Shampoo For Dandruff: Jupiter Balancing Shampoo For Volume: Sisley Revitalizing Volumizing Shampoo with Camellia Oil For Dullness: Alo Glow System Shine Shampoo For Irritated Scalps: Ranavat Mighty Majesty Regenerative Veda⁴ Bond Repair Shampoo For Gray Hair: Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo for Grey & White Hair For Natural Textures: Pattern Hydration Shampoo For a Co-Wash: Bread Beauty Supply Hair Wash For Dry Hair: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Wash Shampoo For a Shampoo Bar: Viori Hair Shampoo Bar For Limp Hair: Philip Kingsley Density Shampoo For Product Build-Up: Ceremonia Papaya Scalp Scrub Shampoo For Blondes: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo For Sensitive Scalps: Roz Foundation Shampoo For a Plant-Based Option: 14th Night The Nourishing Shampoo For Color Retention: Rahua Classic Shampoo Lush Pump For Protective Styles: Curls Hair Under There Detox Tea Cleansing Shampoo For Brunettes: Matrix Dark Envy How to choose the right shampoo for your hair type What to look for in a shampoo References

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The best new shampoo options recreate the salon experience without the user having to step foot outside. “Salon stylists are known to cocktail shampoos to benefit that particular head of hair,” explainsDhairius Thomas,celebrity hairstylist who’s worked with stars like Rihanna, Jazmine Sullivan, and Normani. “Now, you can achieve that same result with just one product.” Ahead, a look at the best shampoos to consider, according to professional hairstylists and Vogue editors.

Our Top Picks

For Everyday: R+Co Bleu’s Essential Shampoo

R+Co

Bleu Essential Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “I’m not supposed to pick favorites, but literally the only shampoo I care about right now and that I wholeheartedly recommend for tout le monde is R+Co Bleu’s Essential Shampoo,” says Sarah Brown, Vogue alum and executive director of Violet Grey’s Violet Lab. “I use it daily (yes, I wash my hair daily) with the attendant Essential Conditioner. If my hair does not look great after that, it’s for some other reason.”
  • More to Know: “This shampoo is exactly what its name implies: that essential, easy, do-it-all staple that is geared across the board toward all hair types (I have fine, wavy, short hair) and delivers glossy, bouncy, hydrated hair that smells subtly great,” Brown muses. “What else do we want?”
  • Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, red marine algae extract
  • Best For: Quenching dry hair, adding volume and shine.

For Hyper-Specific Hair Solutions: Prose Custom Shampoo

Prose

Custom Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Prose’s bespoke blends are made to order—what’s fresher? Sustainably harvested ingredients and a carbon-neutral environmental impact are added perks to the line that’s gaining reviews from customers seeing a change in their hair that’s “obvious right away.”
  • More to Know: At a price point that rivals off-the-rack shampoos, they develop formulas in a Paris lab, which are ultimately customized for each user to specific concerns (“like prebiotics for dry scalp, or charcoal to detox”) based on data gained from a fairly quick online survey.
  • Key Ingredients: Shikaki extract, green tea water, honey
  • Best For: Any of your personal hair or scalp concerns.

For Hair Growth: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo

Vegamour

Gro Revitalizing Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “This shampoo is great for everyday use,” says Thomas, who recommends its color-safe, sulfate-free recipe for anyone looking for increased density and fullness.
  • More to Know: It offers a 100% vegan, cruelty-free formula that won’t dull color.
  • Key Ingredients: Red clover, mung bean
  • Best For: Replenishing hair that’s looking a little more sparse than usual.

For Frizzy Hair: Bumble and Bumble Bond-Building Repair Shampoo

Bumble and bumble

Bond-Building Repair Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “A kit staple that always goes fast is my Bumble and bumble Repair Shampoo—this is my number recommendation for combating frizz,” says Thomas, who loves its scent and pearlescent tint.
  • More to Know: “This caters to all hair types—I specialize in wigs, and this is the only shampoo that can wash all of them,” the hairstylist adds. “It has a honey bond-building complex that promotes elasticity, heals split ends, and prevents breakage. I actually need more of this!”
  • Key Ingredients: Honey bond-building complex, wildflower honey, honey ferment
  • Best For: Preventing damage in the first place.

For Clarifying Without Stripping: Sheamoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo

Shea Moisture

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Clarifying shampoos are generally known to leave the hair feeling stripped and dry—yet this formula adds moisture to each strand while effectively cleansing.
  • More to Know: It’s the perfect clarifying shampoo for textured hair, whether it be natural, chemically treated, or prone to heat damage.
  • Key Ingredients: Jamaican black castor oil, shea butter, peppermint, apple cider vinegar
  • Best For: Gently and effectively removing build-up and residue from damaged textured hair—without drying out strands.

For Fine Hair: Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo

Ouai

Fine Hair Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “I figured I’d put it to the test,” says Thomas of Ouai’s Fine Hair shampoo, which now comes in a refill package that works just as well as a standalone vessel.
  • More to Know: “This shampoo is formulated to instantly increase volume at the roots, which gives you that lift after a great blow dry,” he says. “If you’re struggling with flat hair, this isn’t a permanent solution, but it’ll give your hair a fuller appearance for at least three days.”
  • Key Ingredients: Biotin, chia seed oil, hydrolyzed keratin
  • Best For: Reviving dry, flat, damaged hair.

For Thinning Hair: Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair

Virtue

Flourish Volumizing Keratin Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “Another shampoo that’s great for thin hair is the Virtue Flourish Shampoo,” says Thomas. “This alpha keratin-infused formula binds instantly to damaged strands to repair them, leaving the hair thicker and more luscious—it also stimulates growth.”
  • More to Know: Dr. Kinley confirms that a protein-rich shampoo like this can “help fortify and bond to our hair strands and bind to damage so we see less breakage, better growth, and all-around vibrancy.”
  • Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, red algae extract
  • Best For: Removing scalp build-up while adding volume and repairing existing strands.

For Damaged Hair: Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Olaplex

No. 4 Bond Maintenance shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “This shampoo is my go-to for a standard wash,” says Thomas of this industry-favorite that he carries in his kit. “It works for all hair types, and ingredients like avocado and grapeseed oil will leave the hair soft and shiny.”
  • More to Know: Whether you have fine, sleek hair, or voluminous coils, anyone can benefit from this shampoo.
  • Key Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, sunflower seed oil
  • Best For: Damage and bond repair, preventing frizz.

For Curly Hair: Oribe Cleansing Cream for Moisture & Control

Oribe

Cleansing Cream for Moisture & Control

  • Why We Love It: “Oribe’s Cleansing Cream for Moisture and Control Shampoo is by far my favorite,” says Thomas of the foam-free wash. “It smells luxurious and is great for all hair types, but the curly community will really appreciate this one because it caters to a full head of hair by boosting manageability and protection from natural elements.”
  • More to Know: It cleanses without drying out the hair, and even helps to detangle as you wash.
  • Key Ingredients: Water mint essence, fruit extracts
  • Best For: Curl definition, reducing frizz, and preventing color from fading.

For a Plant-Based Solution: Sangre de Fruta Garden of Earthly Delights Shampoo

Sangre de Fruta

Garden of Earthly Delights Shampoo Refill

  • Why We Love It: The formula’s star ingredient, camellia seed oil (also known as tsubaki seed), is believed to be a dull hair remedy. “In searching for the right hair products, it’s important to dispel the myths that surround oils in the hair,” pro hairstylist Naeemah LaFond explains. “For one, not all oils are created equal. Some oils do indeed make your hair look and feel greasy by just coating the hair shaft, but others like tsubaki seed oil, actually penetrate the cuticle and melt into the hair. Lightweight oils like this leave you with tresses that are moisturized and glossy, and not weighed down and greasy.”
  • More to Know: It can be topped up with a refill pouch carrying twice as much product.
  • Key Ingredients: Camellia seed oil, olive oil, cocoa seed butter
  • Best For: Dry, dull hair.

For All Hair Types: Crown Affair The Ritual Shampoo

Crown Affair

Ritual Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Thomas and Perry both agree on Crown Affair’s Ritual Shampoo, for different reasons. Thomas points out that it works for all hair types, and “the coconut-based surfactant lifts grease and removes dirt pollution” without stripping hair’s natural moisture.
  • More to Know: It’s a complete sensorial experience. “I love the look of the Crown Affair packaging in my shower,” says Perry. “It’s so chic, and the scent is so light and amazing.
  • Key Ingredients: Tsubaki seed oil, coconut surfactant system
  • Best For: Balancing oily scalp, adding shine and volume.

For Dandruff: Jupiter Balancing Shampoo

Jupiter

Balancing Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “The key to having healthy hair strands is nourishing the scalp,” Thomas says, recommending balancing shampoos for clients with reactive, sensitive scalps. “This is also infused with zinc, which helps keep the oil glands around the hair follicles functioning properly.”
  • More to Know: Provides instant relief from dryness and flakes while soothing the scalp.
  • Key Ingredients: Squalane, coconut oil, sugar kelp extract
  • Best For: Providing relief for dry, irritated scalp.

For Volume: Sisley Revitalizing Volumizing Shampoo with Camellia Oil

Sisley Paris

Hair Rituel Revitalizing Volumizing Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Sisley’s shampoo not only provides you with incredible volume, but also offers an ultra-luxe formula paired with essential oils for a beautiful, energizing scent experience.
  • More to Know: This sulfate-free shampoo isn’t anything like a traditional formula. It has a light, liquid texture that comes to life as a rich foam once it makes contact with water. Plus, it includes nourishing ingredients to cleanse the hair and scalp without stripping.
  • Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, cotton proteins, ceramides, shea oil
  • Best For: Those who want more body and shine.

For Dullness: Alo Glow System Shine Shampoo

Alo

Shine Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Alo Yoga’s 2022 launch was a totally new category for the industry-favorite activewear brand, and designed to help all hair types shine with vitamin C-packed amla berry and multitasking avocado oil.
  • More to Know: “The fatty acid-filled avocado oil is super penetrative and won’t just sit on your stands and weigh them down,” says LaFond. “Avocado oil smooths and seals the strand, locking in the moisture that is needed for preventing breakage. When your hair is healthy, shiny, and moisturized, your styles will look better and last longer.”
  • Key Ingredients: Amla berry, aloe vera, avocado oil.
  • Best For: Quenching thirsty strands, preventing breakage.

For Irritated Scalps: Ranavat Mighty Majesty Regenerative Veda⁴ Bond Repair Shampoo

Ranavat

Mighty Majesty Regenerative Veda⁴ Bond Repair Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: After a single use, Ranavat’s ashwagandha-infused cream wash has been clinically tested and proven to improve scalp barrier function and reduce scalp redness, flakiness, and itchy irritation.
  • More to Know: On top of its other benefits, it has the potential to stimulate hair growth—and shine.
  • Key Ingredients: Pink lotus, hibiscus, amla
  • Best For: Soothing irritated scalp, softening coarse hair.

For Gray Hair: Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo for Grey & White Hair

Better Not Younger

Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “I love Better Not Younger Silver Lining shampoo,” says Thomas. Rather than cutting brassiness with recipes for bleach blondes, “now we have a shampoo that caters just to silver and white hair tones without turning them lavender,” he says of the bamboo-infused formula.
  • More to Know: On top of nourishing gray strands, the formula “promotes moisture retention while helping to strengthen the hair,” Thomas adds.
  • Key Ingredients: Biotin, bamboo, burdock
  • Best For: Nourishing gray strands that need a little extra TLC.

For Natural Textures: Pattern Hydration Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Tracee Ellis Ross’s fan-favorite wash uses the power of aloe, biotin, and jojoba oil to gently cleanse hair without stripping.
  • More to Know: On top of enhancing curls and coils, even wavy hair types have reported great results.
  • Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, biotin, jojoba oil
  • Best For: Adding moisture to dry, frizzy curls and coils.

For a Co-Wash: Bread Beauty Supply Hair Wash

Bread Beauty Supply

Hair-Wash

  • Why We Love It: “For anyone who wants a gentle cleanse or a product with nourishing key ingredients, I highly recommend Bread Beauty Supply Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser,” says Thomas, who points out that it caters to curl patterns ranging from 3A to 4C.
  • More to Know: “This is where co-wash meets cleanser,” the stylist adds. “Filled with hair-loving ingredients like aloe vera, argan oil, and vitamin E.”
  • Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, argan oil, vitamin E
  • Best For: Cleansing curls without stripping away moisture.

For Dry Hair: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Wash Shampoo

Gisou

Honey Infused Hair Wash Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: With Sephora’s clean seal of approval, Gisou’s Mirsalehi honey offers dry strands a natural humectant that magnetizes and retains moisture for shinier hair.
  • More to Know: The brand maintains its own bee garden in the Netherlands for an ethically-sourced star ingredient. That said, the shampoo is safe for all hair types and is made of 92% natural ingredients.
  • Key Ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, hydrolyzed pea protein, argan oil
  • Best For: Washing away scalp buildup while moisturizing and softening strands.

For a Shampoo Bar: Viori Hair Shampoo Bar

Viori

Hair Shampoo Bar

  • Why We Love It: It seems like everyone is talking about this shampoo bar right now. “Using rice water on your hair may be one of the latest TikTok trends, but this practice has been used to bring vitality to dull strands for ages,” says LaFond. “In an era where we are seeking the latest in innovation, I think it’s important that we look back and explore more ancient beauty practices.”
  • More to Know: Five percent of proceeds are donated to initiatives that support the Red Yao tribe’s community in the Huanglo mountains of China. An eco-forward option thanks to lighter packaging and shipping footprint, waterless shampoo ingredients work just as well when activated in the shower.
  • Key Ingredients: Longsheng rice water, cocoa butter, hydrolyzed rice protein.
  • Best For: Oily scalp, rejuvenating lifeless hair.

For Limp Hair: Philip Kingsley Density Shampoo

Philip Kingsley

Density Thickening Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “If you have hair issues or just wish your limp or sometimes-limp hair had a little more life, try this,” says Brown. “I swear it works. My husband, who notices very little in the shower and only likes the three things he likes, got so obsessed that he very rudely plowed through our entire bottle, so now I (we) need another.”
  • More to Know: It helps to make fine and fragile hair appear more dense and resilient.
  • Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, pea peptide, glycerin
  • Best For: Adding volume to flat, fine hair.

For Product Build-Up: Ceremonia Papaya Scalp Scrub Shampoo

Papaya Scalp Scrub Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “Because the texture can last longer in between washes, I suggest washing with a clarifying shampoo after any protective style to remove all product build-up,” says Thomas.
  • More to Know: Ceremonia’s purifying whipped shampoo uses Bolivian mountain salt to exfoliate and prickly pear extracts to hydrate for a gentle clarifying option that works for multiple hair types.
  • Key Ingredients: Bolivian mountain salt, papaya enzymes, prickly pear extract
  • Best For: Getting rid of scalp build-up, sans residue.

For Blondes: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo

Amika

Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: “Using Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo feels like the ultimate hair hack when you learn that you can literally hold off a bit longer before you head to the salon for a color refresh,” says LaFond.
  • More to Know: “It feels like having a custom toning formula right there in your shower,” LaFond adds.
  • Key Ingredients: Vegan proteins, ultra-violet pigments
  • Best For: Toning brassiness and gently cleansing to preserve color.

For Sensitive Scalps: Roz Foundation Shampoo

Rōz

Foundation Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: This salon-grade shampoo is gentle enough to work across all hair types and textures.
  • More to Know: The formula uses coconut surfactants to effectively cleanse even the most sensitive scalps sans irritation—while still creating a satisfying lather.
  • Key Ingredients: Ginger root, frankincense, grape, walnut
  • Best For: Anyone who has an easily irritated scalp, but doesn’t want to miss out on the suds.

For a Plant-Based Option: 14th Night The Nourishing Shampoo

14th Night

The Nourishing Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Clean beauty goes beyond skin care. This shampoo was created with Persian beauty rituals in mind— using the power of plants to nourish hair and deliver ample moisture.
  • More to Know: This shampoo gently cleanses the hair and scalp without stripping away natural oils. Plus, a blend of bergamot, amber, and vanilla creates a divine fragrance.
  • Key Ingredients: Pea peptides, quinoa, natural plant proteins
  • Best For: The ingredient-conscious beauty lover who craves a clean and effective formula.

For Color Retention: Rahua Classic Shampoo Lush Pump

Rahua

Classic Shampoo Lush Pump

  • Why We Love It: For all-natural and bottled brunettes alike, Rahua’s classic formula offers a non-toxic safe zone. “I love the Rahua shampoo and conditioners for color-treated hair,” says celebrity colorist Jenna Perry. She suggests the line for anyone in need of moisturizing color retention with ultra-natural ingredients.
  • More to Know: “I find that my clients’ hair doesn’t fade when they are using it, and it is as pure as it gets,” Perry shares.
  • Key Ingredients: Omega-9 rich Rahua oil, palo santo, aloe vera extract
  • Best For: Preventing color fading, balancing scalp.

For Protective Styles: Curls Hair Under There Detox Tea Cleansing Shampoo

Curls

Hair Under There Detox Tea Cleansing Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: Celeb hairstylist Tokyo Stylez has reported that Cardi B loves the Hair Under There Collection for scalp maintenance and recovery before and after in-depth styling.
  • More to Know: “What is wonderful about this shampoo is that it is specifically formulated for protective styling,” says Stylez of the clarifying, sulfate-free wash. “When I wear my braids or wigs, this is perfect for cleansing the palate after takedowns and before installs.”
  • Key Ingredients: Organic aloe leaf juice, biotin
  • Best For: Refreshing the scalp

For Brunettes: Matrix Dark Envy

Matrix

Total Results Dark Envy Color-Depositing Green Shampoo

  • Why We Love It: For those test-driving the “expensive brunette” look, green shampoos can neutralize brassiness and red tones for brown hair.
  • More to Know: “This is a favorite of mine for brunettes,” says Perry of Matrix Dark Envy Color-Depositing Shampoo. “It’s kind of like bringing your colorist into the shower with you.”
  • Key Ingredients: Coco-betaine, salicylic acid
  • Best For: Neutralizing red undertones that can leave hair looking brassy.

How to choose the right shampoo for your hair type

Los Angeles nativeIggy Rosales, hairstylist to celebs like Kali Uchis and Paris Hilton, suggests that identifying what your hair needs, today, is step one. “Do you have colored hair? Do you have breakage? Do you use heat on your hair?” he asks. “This will allow you to pick the perfect cleanser for your hair type and give you the best results.” Then, there’s the importance of cleansing without stripping. “Curly hair is in a class of its own!” says hairstylist and braid specialistJanelle Sands, an educator for CURLS (the brand that celebs like Cardi B and Doja Cat relied on for Grammy Award prep). She looks for hydrating plant-based ingredients and steers clear of sulfates because “wavy, curly, and coily hair all have one specific need:moisture.

  • Oily Hair and Scalp: Deep cleansing shampoos are what double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Wallace Nozile recommends for this hair and scalp type. “Avoid shampoos that are overly moisturizing or hydrating,” he shares with Vogue. However, he does note that while clarifying shampoos can help to remove excess oil, too much of a good thing can promote dryness—even if you have an oily scalp. So be careful to not overdo it.
  • Dry Hair and Scalp: If dryness is a concern for you, opt for hydrating shampoos that offer thorough cleansing, without stripping the hair or scalp of its natural oils. Nozile also says to look for sulfate-free formulas, as they tend to be less drying.
  • Fine Hair: “Volumizing shampoos are excellent for fine hair,” says Robin Groover, chief hair officer at MYAVANA—an AI technology company for natural hair—and owner of Too Groovy salon in Atlanta. “[They add] body and allow for great style and movement.”
  • Thick Hair: It can be harder to remove product build-up from thicker strands, but this hair type is also more prone to dryness, so you’ll need to find a happy medium. “Look for hydrating or moisturizing shampoos,” says Nozile.
  • Frizzy Hair: Groover recommends smoothing formulas to help curb frizz. “These shampoos will help lay down the cuticle and add shine,” she shares.
  • Dandruff: Dandruff needs to be treated with medicated formula to rebalance the scalp. “Look for shampoos with salicylic acid, pyrithione zinc, coal tar, ketoconazole—OTC and prescription strength—and selenium sulfide,” says Nozile.
  • Damaged Hair: Nozile recommends anything that helps to strengthen or fortify the hair, like a bond-building shampoo, that works from the inside out to repair the hair shaft.

What to look for in a shampoo

Jenna Perry, who Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid turn to for custom color, is particularly familiar with bringing the salon experience home during client house calls. “It’s always a funny moment when I have to ask them to lay on the kitchen counter in order to wash their hair!” When choosing a cleanser, she has a motto: “Treat your hair like you would your skin. When the seasons change, our hair has different wants and needs.” French hairstylist Julien Farel, whose namesake salon can be found in Manhattan’s Regency Hotel, agrees. “The scalp is more than just the place where your hair grows,” he says. “The same way that you cleanse, moisturize, and exfoliate the rest of your skin should apply to your scalp.”

According tohairstylist and educator Naeemah LaFond, “reading labels and looking for shampoos with not only healing and reparative claims, but also the powerful ingredients to back those claims, is how we should always shop.”

Shampoo, Just For You: Experts Weigh In On the Perfect Shampoo for Your Hair Type (2024)

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