While it may seem like we owe our best hair days to amazing conditioners and expert blowouts, most hair care professionals agree that it all begins in the shower, with a good shampoo. But all hair is not made equal, and different types can have some very different needs. From limp locks to frizzy strands, what you use to clean your mane can really make all the difference between looking hot, and well, looking not. To help you work with what you’ve got, we’ve rounded up the best shampoos for each hair type:
Fine
If you were born with thinner locks, your goal is to fake a thicker, bouncier head of hair. To help channel your inner bombshell, try products made specifically for fine to normal hair to add lift and body to your baby-fine strands. Look for gentle, clarifying shampoos that lightly coat locks with ingredients like oat protein for maximum plumping results. Our pick: Joico Body Luxe Thickening Shampoo
Frizzy
If your hair is more on the thick, coarse and/or curly side, your main concern is preventing a horrible case of the frizzies. Tame any Bride of Frankenstein-like fuzz with a shampoo designed to reduce frizz while adding weightless moisture and shine. Try not to over-saturate your hair in an attempt to calm it down, because you really don’t want to swap a little frizz for sticky, oily-looking strands. Try: Dove Frizz Control Therapy Shampoo
Relaxed/African American
Your hair type requires extra gentle care when it comes to brushing and styling, so shampooing should be no different. If you suds up more often, pamper your fragile strands with a baby shampoo, or, if you wash your hair less frequently (think once or twice a week), invest in a strengthening product packed with nourishing ingredients like jojoba and macadamia oils. Our pick: Pantene Pro-V Truly Relaxed Intense Moisturizing Shampoo
Colour-treated
Let’s face it, if you dye your hair”whether you’re a faux redhead, blonde or brunette”you really don’t want to watch your pricey shade literally wash down the drain. To help keep your colour vibrant, you need a gentle, dye-friendly, moisturizing shampoo (the less stripping ingredients”i.e. surfacants”the better). Our pick: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Oily
If you’re a gym regular, avid runner or just have naturally oily roots that demand everyday washing, your hair type requires a deep cleansing shampoo that’s also gentle enough for daily use (you don’t want to end up with dry, split ends to boot). Our pick: LUSH’s Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar.
Dry/Damaged
If your mane is naturally very dry, or severely damaged from overdoing it with the chemicals, your thirsty strands crave a moisture-rich, strengthening shampoo. Check the bottle for added lipids and proteins to help gently soften and repair your weak, brittle strands and prevent any further damage. Our pick: Redken Extreme Shampoo
Flaky Scalp
Whether it’s due to cold, dry weather, allergies, a sunburn, or even from using the wrong shampoo(!), we all can agree that a bad case of the flakes can be pretty embarrassing. To clear things up ASAP, pick up a product with dandruff-fighting power to rid your strands of the pesky problem. Don’t forget to switch back to your regular shampoo once you’re completely flake-free. Our pick: Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo
