The best shampoos and conditioners for every hair type and texture, according to the GLAMOUR editors who use them
Shampoos and conditioners aren't exactly a secret when it comes to achieving soft, shiny and genuinely healthy hair. But at the same time, this doesn't mean that any hair product would be able to give your locks the boost they deserve. Only the best of the best will do the job.
But if you're not too sure which shampoo will suit your unique hair, our guide to all the best shampoos and conditioners is exactly what you need. From clarifying shampoo and thickening shampoo to conditioners for blonde hair and conditioners for coily hair, there are tonnes of options on the market these days. And that’s before we even start on organic shampoos and conditioners as well as shampoo bars. Phew. So, if you’re finding it tricky to track down the best hair product 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 shampoo and conditioner 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.
JLo, Yara and Lily Collins are on board.
Best shampoos and conditioners at a glance – our top picks:
- Best shampoo and conditioner for recovery: VIRTUE Recovery Shampoo, £38, LookFantastic and VIRTUE Recovery Conditioner, £40, LookFantastic
- Best shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair: Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle, £56, LookFantastic
- Best shampoo and conditioner for dry hair: Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner Duo, £41.25, LookFantastic
- Best affordable shampoo and conditioner: OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo, £3.49, Amazon and OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner, £3, Amazon
What do shampoos 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 do conditioners do?
Unlike shampoos, which work to primarily cleanse your hair, conditioners work to nourish and restore your hair to its former glory. Many of them help hydrate and moisturise each individual strand, making it stronger and less prone to breaking. For the best results, conditioners are often best applied straight after shampooing and left to work their magic for a few minutes before rinsing through.
What is the best shampoo and conditioner for my hair type?
- Dry hair
The best shampoo and conditioners 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 product during the winter will help protect against plunging temperatures, lashing wind, pollution and central heating.
2. Thin hair
If you've got thin or really fine hair and it needs a bit of oomph, look for shampoos and conditioners that boast thickening or volumising properties. Hair loss or thinning can be caused by a number of underlying factors which can be reversed. Clarifying shampoos and conditioners are a good choice since they contain minimal conditioning ingredients which could – despite first assumptions – build up and weigh fine hair down.
3. Coloured hair
The best shampoos for coloured hair – and conditioners too – 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.
4. Frizzy hair
"Anti-frizz" / "frizz-control" shampoos and conditioners 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.
5. Dry scalp and/or dandruff
You'll want to make a beeline for these soothing shampoos and conditioners 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.
6. Curly and coily 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.”
7. Oily hair
If your hair gets greasy quickly, there are plenty of specially-formulated conditioners and 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 and 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. And for more shoppable beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Scroll for our full edit of the best shampoos from the best shampoo brands to guarantee a good hair day…
Why we love it: Need to nourish damaged and depleted hair back to its former glory? This shampoo and conditioner rebuilds damaged hair by gently dissolving product build-up and filling in the cracks left by damage to leave hair much healthier and softer. Ideal for all hair types in need of repair and some TLC.
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Why we love it: You've already heard the fuss – after all, there's a reason why it's a favourite among hairstylists and Kim K's go-to. Together, Olaplex No 4 and No 5 make the at-home hair care routine of your dreams. Enriched with sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel, rosemary leaf extract and banana fruit, this bond maintenance shampoo and conditioner helps to repair broken bonds and restore hair to optimum strength and shine. It's formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates.
Save money when you shop for the best shampoo and conditioner with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: Philip Kingsley's award-winning scalp shampoo is the best shampoo to use if you need relief from a flaky and itchy scalp. Based on an expert clinic formulation, this shampoo leaves hair shiny and weightless while clearing dandruff and irritation with ease.
Save money when you shop for the best shampoo and conditioner with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: Made using antioxidant-rich ingredients such as matcha green tea, this shampoo and conditioner is designed specifically for clarifying the scalp and strands without stripping the hair of natural oils. Ideal for curly and coily hair.
Why we love it: Formulated with amino acids and ceramides, this duo from Kerastase smoothes and strengthens your hair, whilst the pro-keratin formula restores its integrity. So say goodbye to frizzy, unruly or overly sensitive hair – these hair products are perfect for repairing and conditioning your locks, leaving them smoother than before.
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Why we love it: Does your hair feel too flat and dull? Well, that’s where this volumising shampoo and conditioner steps in. Both products have a silky formula that promotes thick, frizz-free lengths. Plus, they feature a blend of hemp seed extract and chia seed oil, which hydrate your fine hair without weighing it down.
Why we love it: Enriched with natural extracts, ginger root, biotin and ginseng, this shampoo and conditioner combo works effectively to help stimulate hair growth and build volume. Ideal for those with thin or limp hair that's in need of a good boost.
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Why we love it: Made specifically to rehydrate hair that's been damaged by colouring or heat styling, this duo is filled to the brim with antioxidant-rich argan oil and reconstructive keratin. Colour-safe, sulfate-free and perfect for ridding your hair of unwanted dryness.
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Why we love it: This haircare set features one shampoo and one conditioner, both which are designed to work together to restore hydration to dry, coarse strands. Both products are enriched with a moisturising formula that supports strong, fluid locks with every rinse – perfect for colour-treated hair.
Save money when you shop for the best shampoo and conditioner with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: This protective bundle cleanses your hair while also washing away and blocking the copper deposits typically found in hard water. This prevents the deposits from dulling your hair colour and making it more brittle. *chef's kiss*
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Why we love it: Boasting the natural remedies of aloe vera, this soothing and restoring shampoo and conditioner is perfect for addressing anything you hair needs, from dryness to irritation. The best part? Both products are fairly affordable and won't set you back a pretty penny.
Why we love it: The argan oil-rich formula of OGX thoroughly smooths strands and lends hair a generous dose of shine. Hair is left feeling super soft and weightless – as you'd expect with any quality product.
Why we love it: A sulfate-free shampoo that lathers your strands and cuticles in a cocktail of nourishing ingredients? Yes please. Formulated with 100% natural virgin coconut oil and shea butter, this duo is great if you're looking to moisturise and detangle your hair.
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Why we love it: Colour WOW gently cleanses the hair and forms a luxurious lather, without stripping the hair of its natural oils or over-drying your locks. Both products use a Japanese fortified complex which helps to prevent damage, breakage and dullness. Plus, this duo is great for coloured hair: the complex protects against colour fading to leave your hair looking vibrant and healthy.
Save money when you shop for the best shampoo and conditioner with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: If you have an unhealthy obsession with cherry bakewells, your shower is about to get a whole lot sweeter. This organic shampoo and conditioner smells intoxicatingly like the pastry treat. Plus, both products will leave your hair feeling smooth, bouncy and alive.
Why we love it: You've heard of the trending Bum Bum Cream. Well, from the same creators come these shampoos and conditioners, designed to smooth and repair your split ends. And yes, they're suitable for all hair types, so not to worry.
Why we love it: Looking to protect your colour-treated hair? Or improve your hair texture by minimising the appearance of split ends and offering heat protection of up to 230 degrees? Say no more. This duo from Redken is a great all-rounder that can be used to treat various different problems, giving your natural hair a well-deserved boost.
Why we love it: Cruelty-free? Check. Vegan? Check. Made without silicones, parabens or other harmful components? Check. This shampoo and conditioner combo not only smells delicious, but they're exactly what you need if you have dry and breakage-prone hair.
Why we love it: This creamy, nourishing shampoo and conditioner are both designed to cleanse and care for dry, stressed or color-treated hair. Your mane will be more vibrant and shiny than ever, thanks to a blend of ingredients like chestnut milk and rice proteins, which illuminate your hair and protect it from environmental aggressors.
Why we love it: Specially formulated for those with dyed blonde hair, this great pair of products cleanses the hair and restores its nutrition. Plus, each product is wonderfully lightweight and comes with hyaluronic acid, making sure your hair stays and looks moisturised, luminous and shiny.
Why we love it: Peppermint and cilantro? Refreshing. These energising products deliver a good wake-up call in the morning, setting the tone for the day and helping you feel more energised. Plus, they feature gentle formulations made with cleansing amino acids, which remove dirt, excess oil and product build-up without stripping or drying the hair or scalp.
Why we love it: Trust us, your scalp and hair will thank you. This set from Paul Mitchell uses Australian tea tree oil to soften, nourish and detangle your locks. Plus, the smell is invigorating, energising and will leave behind a refreshing scent trail that's bound to turn heads.
Why we love it: If sustainability is top of your agenda, then look no more. This shampoo bar comes in plastic-free packaging and is made without harmful ingredients such as palm oil. Plus, it's long-lasting, travel-friendly and good for sensitive scalps too.
