The 12 Best Shampoo Brands to Prevent Bad Hair Days

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When it comes to your hair, the real hard hitters are your shampoo and conditioner. It all begins in the shower; without the right shampoo, it’s hard for your hair to be as healthy or look as good as you’d like it to. However, with so many choices in-store and online, finding your perfect match can lead to a serious case of decision paralysis, especially when not every formula treats everyone’s strands in the way they deserve.

“I don’t think one shampoo will work for everyone. For example, a volumizing shampoo will not benefit someone who has thick hair. The needs of each hair type are different,” explains Brendnetta Ashley, a stylist and Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador.

Let’s look on the bright side: lots of options mean there is definitely an existing option that works for you. To find some of the best shampoo brands, it's important to figure out your hair type first. “When selecting a shampoo, it’s essential to find a formula that addresses your specific hair needs while ensuring overall hair health. Look for shampoos that gently cleanse without stripping natural oils, balance scalp health, and target concerns like volume, hydration, or repair,” says Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair Care. And when you do find that exact product, you’ll never want to let it go.

Here at ELLE.com, we’ve tried a lot of shampoos. We perused our at-home collections, consulted experts, and read through countless reviews to bring you the 12 best shampoo brands for frizzy hair, wavy hair, damaged hair, and everything in between. Clean, healthy strands, here you come!

Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo Coconut and Hibiscus

SheaMoisture is a drugstore classic that's affordable and effective for textured hair. This signature formula is beloved for its ability to define curls, repair damage, and leave strands with an unmistakable shine.

Best for: Curly hair

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “When I first went natural, this is one of the shampoo-conditioner-curl smoothie combos I tried. My hair just loves it! It makes my hair easy to detangle and leaves my curls feeling strong and defined. It’s an oldie but a goodie, and favorite amongst Black girls everywhere.” —Danielle James, digital beauty director

Hair Alchemy Strengthening Shampoo

The products in Oribe’s lineup are a treat for your hair and your senses; the luxurious formulas are a pleasure to work with, and there’s an option for you no matter your hair needs. The brand’s award-winning Hair Alchemy Strengthening Shampoo reinforces strands and prevents breakage, thanks to an infusion of proteins, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts.

Best for: All hair types

Oribe rating: 4.4/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My hair has gone through a lot, whether that’s bleach or getting smothered by a flat iron. I need a shampoo that doesn’t completely strip my hair. This one is formulated for dry, frizzy strands that could benefit from extra strengthening. On days when I know I’m going to use heat on my hair, I consider shampooing with this as part of my prep.”—Tatjana Freund, Hearst fashion and luxury commerce editor

Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Ultra Rich Shampoo

If you don’t want to shorten your search and pick a shampoo from one brand’s arsenal, Bumble and Bumble is a safe bet. The brand was born in a New York salon in 1977, and its products are often used backstage at New York Fashion Week. The Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Ultra Rich Shampoo is like magic for those with dehydrated strands and scalps.

Best for: All hair types

Blue Mercury rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I have low porosity hair, meaning that product sits atop rather than soak into my strands. This shampoo and conditioner make a load of difference to my hair, particularly in the winter, when it tends to dry out easily. It really locks in moisture and leaves my hair healthy and soft. Give your hair a healthy dose of hydration with this shampoo.” —Danielle James

Clear-Wash: Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Memories of her mother’s African braiding salon in Australia inspired founder Maeva Heim to create Bread Beauty Supply, a brand filled with products designed to make wash day fun. Clarifying shampoos are essential for removing build-up left behind from our styling products, hair masks, pollutants, and excess sebum, and you can’t go wrong with this pick.

Best for: Textured hair

Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I’m always excited for wash day because of this shampoo right here. As someone who prefers protective styles (I’m lazy, sue me!), I enjoy a clarifying shampoo that removes dirt and build-up without leaving my hair desperate for moisture. Gorgeous pink hue aside, the formula awakens my scalp with ginger root, rosemary, and more for a stimulating and cooling effect while treating my strands.” —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

DAMAGE SHIELD pH Protective Shampoo

K18 is powered by K18Peptide, an ingredient that’s been clinically proven to strengthen strands. Damage from bleaching, heat styling, and other sources are no match for the brand's products, including this frizz-reducing and scalp microbiome-supporting shampoo.

Best for: All hair types, especially damaged hair

Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I got hooked on K18 when I bleached my hair, but now that my virgin strands are back, I still can’t let go of this shampoo. When my scalp needs a very thorough detox, this helps remove all traces of dirt and oil, and somehow doesn't make my hair feel dry. They don't claim this, but I will: I’m certain that using this shampoo gives me insane amounts of volume.” —Tatjana Freund

Metal Detox Sulfate-Free Shampoo

L'Oréal Professionnel brings pro-level products that stylists use directly to you. Its products are particularly great for hair that’s been color-treated or damaged in any way and sorely needs some TLC. “My favorite shampoos are both from L'Oréal Professionnel. If your hair is fragile and damaged, Absolut Repair Molecular will be your new (gentle, strengthening) best friend. Metal Detox is the do-it-all shampoo that works for all hair types while removing metals, protecting color, and reducing breakage. Both are sulfate-free, and I love how prescriptive they are, but also leaves hair feeling manageable and luxurious,” says Min Kim, a colorist and a L’Oréal Profesionnel global ambassador.

Best for: All hair types

Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I’ve never dyed my hair, but this shampoo still restored so much shine and bounce to my hair after just one use. One of my friends has double-processed hair, and she’s a convert, too; the formula made her strands look so much healthier, and the blue in her became so much more vibrant when she started using it.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

BlondMe All Blondes Rich Shampoo

Schwarzkopf has been around for over 120 years and is credited with creating the first liquid shampoo. The brand is beloved by stylists and colorists everywhere, including celebrity hair stylist and blonde transformation wizard Chris Appleton, who just became its global color ambassador. This shampoo nourishes and fortifies bleached blonde hair, which often deals with a great deal of damage and breakage.

Best for: All hair types, especially color-treated hair

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Felt luxurious in my hair. My hair felt soft and silky. A nickel size of conditioner covered my short hair.”

Good Behavior Ultra Smooth Shampoo

IGK is another brand that pretty much has something for everybody. While one of its hero products is a dry shampoo, its regular shampoos are praiseworthy, too. This one is chock-full of rich oils that add shine, moisturize all hair textures, and banish frizz.

Best for: All hair types

IGK rating: 4.1/5 stars

An IGK reviewer says: “I think all of the IGK products are top notch! I love the spray leave-in conditioner too. I will only use these products.”

Stabilizing Scalp Shampoo

With more than 30 years of research behind this Scandinavian brand’s offerings, its main focus has always been scalp health. After all, happy scalp, happy hair. The Stabilizing Scalp Shampoo’s area of expertise lies in sebum—or rather, the regulation of sebum production. It also eases scalp irritation and supports the scalp’s microbiome to help hair grow to its fullest potential.

Best for: All hair types

Hårklinikken rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Hårklinikken reviewer says: “I love this shampoo! My scalp has stopped any itching but doesn’t feel tight, and my hair never feels or looks greasy.”

Dallas

If I had to choose one word to describe R+Co, it’d be playful. From the products’ packaging to their names, it’s clear that this is a brand that likes to have fun. But it’s not all just fun and games; the formulas are effective and uniquely tailored to handle different hair concerns, and every single one is color-safe, cruelty-free, and protects against heat and UV damage. Biotin is the star of this thickening and strengthening shampoo.

Best for: All hair types

R+Co rating: 4.9/5 stars

A R+Co reviewer says: “I really like the thick luxurious feel of both the shampoo and conditioner. My hair holds a style longer. I definitely like all my R+Co products.”

Nutritive Hydrating Shampoo

Parisian brand Kérastase began in 1964 and is world-renowned for lush, professional-quality products. The Nutritive Hydrating Shampoo, a deeply hydrating and nourishing formula, comes in two variations: one for fine to medium hair and another for medium to thick hair.

Best for: All hair types

Kérastase rating: 4.3/5 stars

A Kérastase reviewer says: “Started using this shampoo after balayage/bleaching since I knew my hair would be drying out rapidly. This shampoo does an amazing job hydrating my fine hair without weighing it down. I apply to the ends of my hair and water it down a lot to apply to my dried out roots/bangs, which is a huge help for detangling and shine. Love the scent, too!”

Gentle Volumizing Shampoo

Luxury haircare brand Leonor Greyl draws from natural ingredients like coconut, mongongo nut, and plantain to target hair and scalp problems and treat them. Lavender and honey are the two nourishing ingredients behind this volumizing and glossy shampoo. Reviewers rave about the “lovely scent” and “visible difference” they see in their hair.

Best for: All hair types

Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Very expensive but very good. No junk in the ingredients. Takes more product to do the job, but one’s hair feels great after the shampoo. All Greyl products are expensive but all are usually excellent products.”

Meet the Experts

Brendnetta Ashley is a stylist and Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador.

Leo Izquierdo is the co-founder of IGK Hair Care.

Min Kim is a colorist and a L’Oréal Professionnel global ambassador.

Sabrina Bias is a stylist and the owner of Chicago River North Hair Salon and a L’Oréal Professionnel ambassador.

How often should you shampoo your hair?

According to Kim, it all depends on your own hair type and need, the state of your scalp, and your lifestyle. “It’s important to remember that dandruff is a yeast-like fungus that occurs naturally in our scalp and can grow rampantly when hair/scalp aren't cleansed frequently enough. That being said, everyone has different needs depending on the time of year and environment so it's important to pay attention to whatever works best to maintain hair health, appearance, and odor,” she says.

But if you’re the type of person who wants specific timelines, here’s some more guidance: “Oily hair types typically need to shampoo more frequently, whereas curly hair should extend time between shampoos. Washing your hair one to two times a week is best for oily hair types. For dryer hair or curly/coily hair I recommend every other week. This will allow the hair to maintain moisture,” Ashley explains.

Do you have any shampooing tips?

You need to have the right formula to begin with. “Opt for shampoos that specifically address your hair’s needs and avoid over-washing to maintain natural oil balance. A little product goes a long way!” says Izquierdo. You’d be surprised at how little you need to cleanse your strands.

Additionally, always treat your scalp with care. “Use a scalp shampoo brush or the pads of your fingers, never nails, to protect your scalp from cuts or scrapes. A healthy scalp is the beginning of healthy hair,” emphasizes Sabrina Bias, a stylist and owner of Chicago River North Hair Salon, and a L’Oréal Professionnel ambassador.

Why Trust Elle Beauty

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted hair experts about shampoos. Lee also searched the internet for top-rated shampoos, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.

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