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 [1] 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, the shampoo you use should be dependent on your hair's individual type and needs [2].
Whether you are looking for colour protection, a volumizer, or a shampoo that has more conditioning properties than anything else, there's an option out there for everyone no matter your hair type [3]. Read ahead for the hands-down best shampoos for all hair types.
Best Shampoo For Colour-Treated Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
While some shampoos and conditioners offer ingredients to boost colour-treated hair, another important thing to consider is whether or not the products are colour-safe while also building back the bonds broken during the chemical process. The popular Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo [4] ($28) 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 colour.
Best Shampoo For Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo
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 the tried-and-true Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo [5] ($6), 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 Moisturising Shampoo
Curls need one thing: hydration, hydration, hydration. The Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturising Shampoo [6] ($18) 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
Give thin, limp hair a bit of a boost with Davines Volu Shampoo [7] ($29), 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
Think of the Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Shampoo [8] ($28) 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
The Virtue Recovery Shampoo [9] ($38) doesn't have the word "recovery" in the name for nothing. 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
For the fragrance averse — or anyone with sensitive skin — the Pantene Pure Clean & Clarify Silicone-Free Shampoo [10] ($7) 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 Moisturising Shampoo
We know, we know — the product name has "curl" written all over it, but we think the Bumble and bumble. Curl Moisturising Shampoo [11] ($31) actually works best for wavier textures, since its blend of avocado oil, coconut oil, and shea butter hydrates and reduces frizz, but won't feel heavy or thick.
Best Shampoo For Frizz: Redken Frizz Dismiss Sulphate-Free Shampoo
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, Redken Frizz Dismiss Sulphate-Free Shampoo [12] ($23) 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 Shampoo For Co-Washing: As I Am Coconut Cleansing Conditioner
OK, so the As I Am Coconut Cleansing Conditioner [13] ($7) 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
You and your blond colour can wave goodbye to brassiness thanks to Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo [14] ($24). The tone-correcting formula puts life back into blond, lightened brunette, and grey hair after just one wash.
Best Shampoo For Brunettes: John Frieda Blue Crush Shampoo
Blondes shouldn't get to have all the fun. In the same way that colour-correcting purple shampoo exists to eliminate brassy tones from blond hair, blue shampoos like the new John Frieda Blue Crush Shampoo [15] ($10) 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 Colour Infused Red Wash Shampoo
The Joico Colour Infused Red Wash Shampoo [16] ($19) comes in handy even if you're a natural redhead, as it helps red hair maintain its vibrancy while making the hair stronger with each wash.
Best Shampoo For Short Hair: R+Co Cactus Texturizing Shampoo
Styling in the shower? It's actually possible with the R+Co Cactus Texturizing Shampoo [17] ($27). It suds up and rinses away dirt and grime like a regular shampoo, but also adds a subtle grit and texture to the hair that makes it easier to style once you step out.
Best Shampoo For Product Buildup: Ouai Detox Shampoo
If your scalp is one big pile of beauty products, we've been there. Give hair a reset with the new Ouai Detox Shampoo [18] ($30). It deeply cleanses and clarifies — thanks to apple cider vinegar — while hydrolyzed keratin adds softness and shine.