The Best Shampoos For All Hair Types, Whether It's Curly, Dry, or Color-Treated
Shampoo is the hair category's equivalent to makeup primer: it's not exactly sexy, but it lays all the necessary groundwork for the rest of your routine to shine (sometimes, quite literally). No matter how simple or complex your everyday hair-care routine is, the type of shampoo you use — no matter how often you wash — isn't something to be lax about. Plus, whether you're a sucker for a drugstore formula or you're more inclined to purchase something of the luxury variety, your shampoo should be dependent on your hair's individual types and needs.
Even still, the best shampoos aren't one size fits all. To find the right product, you have to consider everything from your budget, your hair type, and even the time of year before making the decision. However, with the never-ending wheel of recommendations that is social media, it can feel overwhelming trying to find the best shampoo brands that will fit into your hair-care regimen. Thankfully, that's where we come in.
Whether you are looking for color protection, a volumizer, or a shampoo that has more conditioning properties for your natural texture, our trusted team of editors have tried almost everything on the market and the good news is: there's an option out there for everyone, no matter your hair type or concern. Cut through the noise and read ahead for the hands-down best shampoos for all hair types (and budgets), ahead.
— Additional reporting by Ariel Baker
Best Shampoo For Dry, Frizzy Hair
Redken Frizz Dismiss Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($25)
Even the slightest amount of frizz is inevitable, but if you're looking for a tried and true product that smooths the hair better than the rest, this option from Redken is for you. Its gentle formula cleanses the hair without stripping away much-needed moisture and combats errant hairs with help from its star ingredient, babassu oil.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Natural Hair
Briogeo Scalp Revival Dandruff Relief Charcoal Shampoo ($42)
If you have thick, natural hair, you don't even have to have dandruff to love the Briogeo Scalp Revival Shampoo. Everything from the way it lathers to salicylic and lactic acids used in the formulation make it the perfect pick-me-up for your scalp and hair. It's so good, it even won itself a coveted POPSUGAR Beauty Award.
Best Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo ($30)
While some shampoos and conditioners offer ingredients to boost color-treated hair, another important thing to consider is whether or not the products are color-safe and build back the bonds broken during the chemical coloring process. This Olaplex shampoo does exactly that. It works well for people who want to keep hair as strong, protected, and frizz-free as possible, while also safeguarding its color.
Best Shampoo For Natural Hair
Pattern Beauty Hydration Shampoo ($38)
Our editors can confirm: this Pattern Beauty Shampoo lives up to the hype. The formula features a blend of moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil and honey to gently cleanse the hair and remove buildup without being too stripping.
Best Shampoo For Dandruff
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo ($7)
There may be more scalp products on the market these days than you can count on two hands and feet, but there's something to be said about this tried-and-true Head & Shoulders Shampoo, which has been around for so long for a reason. It's formulated with flake-fighting zinc pyrithione, and there's arguably no better (or research-backed) means of dealing with dandruff.
Best Shampoo For Curly Hair
Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo ($24)
Curls need one thing: hydration, hydration, hydration. This formula is made with a blend of wheat amino acids, chamomile, and vitamins E and A that removes buildup from the hair while delivering intense moisture and body to even the driest of curls.
Best Shampoo For Fine Hair
Davines Volu Shampoo ($34)
Give thin, limp hair a bit of a boost with the Volu Shampoo from Davines, which is made with a light formula featuring turnip extract to add volume and shine to the hair.
Best Shampoo For Thick Hair
Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Shampoo ($30)
Think of this Briogeo shampoo as like a nourishing smoothie for your hair: it features a luscious cocktail of fruits and vitamins to balance oil production and promote healthy hair growth.
Best Shampoo For Dry, Damaged Hair
Virtue Recovery Shampoo ($40)
The word "recovery" is in the name of this shampoo for a reason. It's a protein-rich formula made for rebuilding damaged hair, while also helping the hair retain moisture and remain healthy.
Best Shampoo For Sensitive Scalps
Pantene Pure Clean & Clarify Silicone-Free Shampoo ($8)
For the fragrance averse — or anyone with sensitive skin — this is the best shampoo from the drugstore. The formula will rinse away all the dirt and grime sitting on your scalp without any irritation. It's also completely scent-free and, thus, easier on both your skin and hair.
Best Shampoo For Wavy Hair
Bumble and Bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo ($34)
We know, we know — the product name has "curl" written all over it, but if you're looking for the best shampoo for wavy hair this is the one that actually works best. It's blend of avocado oil, coconut oil, and shea butter hydrates and reduces frizz, but won't feel heavy or thick.
Best Shampoo For Cowashing
As I Am Coconut Cleansing Conditioner ($9)
OK, so this isn't technically a shampoo — hence the term "cleansing conditioner" — but its creamy formula gets the job done on days when you're in need of a light cleanse and a heavy dose of moisture. As a bonus, it also works amazingly as a detangler.
Best Shampoo For Blondes
Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo ($26)
You and your blond color can wave goodbye to brassiness, thanks to the magic in this bottle. The tone-correcting formula puts life back into blond, lightened brunette, and grey hair after just one wash.
Best Shampoo For Thinning Hair
Kerasilk Volumizing Shampoo ($26)
Using biomimetic (read: vegan) silk, this sudser works to the soften hair and protect it from damage, all while simultaneously bulking up volume for fuller-looking results. It is formulated without silicones, sulfates, mineral oil, or microplastics.
Best Shampoo For Brunettes
John Frieda Blue Crush Shampoo ($11)
Blondes shouldn't get to have all the fun. In the same way that color-correcting purple shampoo exists to eliminate brassy tones from blond hair, blue shampoos like this one are meant to knock out stubborn orange tones in brown hair that's been lightened or highlighted in the past.
Best Shampoo For Redheads
Joico Color Infused Red Wash Shampoo ($23)
Even if you're a natural redhead, the Joico Color Infused Red Shampoo comes in handy on wash day. It helps red hair maintain its vibrancy while also making the it stronger with each wash.
Best Shampoo For Product Buildup
Ouai Detox Shampoo ($32)
If your scalp is one big pile of beauty products, we get it — we've been there. Give hair a reset with this deeply cleansing shampoo created by Ouai. Apple cider vinegar clarifies while hydrolyzed keratin will add softness and shine.
Best Shampoo For Dry, Damaged Hair
Aveda Nutriplenish Deep Moisture Shampoo ($36)
If it's been a while since you've given your hair some TLC, consider going in with this shampoo from Aveda. Pomegranate oil and mango butter are some of the star ingredients used in this formula, and you will definitely be able to tell the difference.
Best Exfoliating Shampoo
Crown Affair The Cleansing Scalp Scrub Shampoo ($54)
Just like your body, your scalp needs to be exfoliated too. If you're not using chemical exfoliants in your liquid shampoo, consider using a different formula altogether, like this cleansing shampoo scrub. You get all the benefits of a traditional shampoo plus the added bonus of sloughing away dead skin on your head. Sounds like the shower of our dreams to us.
Best Purple Shampoo
Dae Violet Hour Purple Shampoo ($30)
Dae is beloved for their formulas which work on all air types and textures, which is why when they released the Violet Hour Shampoo, they won a POPSUGAR Beauty Award. Editors with blond or lightened brunette hair raved about its ability to counteract brassiness while leaving behind healthy, hydrated hair.
Best Hydrating Shampoo For Curly Hair
Curl Wow Hooked 100% Clean Shampoo with Root-Locking Technology ($27)
This Colorwow curl shampoo is where beauty and technology meet. The formula contains proprietary technology that breaks down large oil particles that penetrate the cuticle where your hair actually needs them, so your hair wont feel weighed down or flat after a wash session.