Shampoo is the secret to soft, shiny and genuinely healthy hair. But not just any shampoo. Only the best shampoos will do the job. The journey to luscious locks begins long before you get in the shower, so if you’re guilty of grabbing whichever shampoo is on offer during your weekly spring around the supermarket, our guide to the best hair shampoos is for you.
From clarifying shampoo and thickening shampoo to shampoo for coloured hair, shampoo for oily hair, shampoo for dry hair and sulphate-free shampoo, there are tonnes of shampoos on the market these days. That’s before we even start on organic shampoo and shampoo bars. Phew. So, if you’re finding it tricky to track down the best shampoo for you, you’re not alone.
Luckily, GLAMOUR’s editors – all of different hair types, colours and textures – have been busy testing the hair products from the best luxury shampoo brands in the business; deep cleansing their locks in the name of research. Yep: we’re taking our haircare just as seriously as our skincare these days, and you’re about to reap the benefits of our hard work.
What does shampoo do?
The best shampoos will cleanse your hair to remove dirt and debris from the scalp, hair follicles and the hair itself (hence why the shampoo you choose can impact your scalp health as well as that of your tresses). A good shampoo will leave your locks soft, shiny and weightless to make hairstyling a breeze.
Many shampoos contain compounds called sulphates which produce the rich lather we tend to enjoy (there are a few negatives to shampoos contain sulphates – head to our sulphate-free shampoo guide if you want to decide which camp to sit in), and the best shampoos often smell delightful without causing any irritation. There’s a lot to consider.
What is the best shampoo for my hair type?
The best shampoos for dry hair are those which boast hydrating, softening, moisturising or rejuvenating properties. Look out for ingredients like keratin (the protein behind healthy hair), Argan oil, almond oil, avocado oil or coconut milk. These wonder-workers will help restore your locks to their optimum strength, banishing split ends and leaving your hair feeling weightless. Even if you don’t have particularly dry hair, investing in a moisturising shampoo during the winter will help protect against plunging temperatures, lashing wind, pollution and central heating.
If you’ve got thin or really fine hair and it needs a bit of oomph, look for shampoos that boast thickening or volumizing properties. Hair loss or thinning can be caused by a number of underlying factors which can be reversed by the ingredients in shampoo for fine hair. Clarifying shampoos are a good choice since they contain minimal conditioning ingredients which could – despite first assumptions – build up and weigh fine hair down.
The best shampoos for coloured hair will contain lower levels of cleansers but higher levels of conditioning agents which help your colour stay more vibrant for longer. You’ll want to consider those which boast “colour protection“, “anti-colour fade” or “colour care” labels. Head this way for the best purple shampoo for blonde hair and over here for the best shampoo for red hair.
“Anti-frizz” / “frizz-control” shampoos are the ones to look towards if you’ve got frizzy hair which you’d like to smooth, even if you love it naturally. They hydrate the hair as they cleanse.
You’ll want to make a beeline for these soothing shampoos if your scalp is struggling to stay calm. Ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender will help to soothe your scalp at the same time as revitalising your hair.
If you’re lucky enough to have naturally curly hair, cherish it. Celebrity Hairdresser and Founder of Hi’Demand Hair, Heather Dapaah, told us: that “hydrating and natural ingredients are great for curly-haired tresses.
“Ingredients to look out for are hydrators such as aloe vera or aloe vera juice (it’s made of 99.5% water so it’s extremely hydrating for hair and is one of the best natural moisturisers). Also look out for natural carrier oils such as almond oil, jojoba oil, and castor oil. The chemical composition of carrier oils is similar to the fatty acids naturally found in the hair so using them boosts hair health almost immediately.”
If your hair gets greasy quickly, there are plenty of specially-formulated shampoos for greasy hair on the market that won’t leave you washing your hair every day or reaching for your dry shampoo. Avoid heavy ingredients like coconut and Argan oils as well as coconut milk, instead make a beeline for formulas containing balancing ingredients like tea tree oil, mint and charcoal. These all naturally reduce oil production and detox the scalp of sebum build-up.
Whatever your hair type, it’s worth buying the matching hair conditioner for your shampoo when you can. Why? Most shampoos and conditioners are formulated, developed and tested in pairs; shampoo brands will optimise the ingredients in each of the products so they each compliment each other. Your results may be less effective if you mix brands. You’ve been warned.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.