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The 24 best shampoos for every hair type

 

With hundreds of shampoos on the market, finding the best one for your hair type can feel overwhelming. 

To start your search, New York-based hairstylist and salon owner Paul Labrecque recommends selecting a shampoo that is sulfate- and paraben-free. Robert Siebert, Vice President of Educations at Aloxxi, echoes these sentiments. "It's not only what's in the shampoo, but what's not in the shampoo," he explains. 

It's also essential to consider your specific hair needs. From there, you will be able to narrow down our options even further. However, keep in mind that all of the top-rated shampoos offer nourishing, gentle, and effective formulas. Put simply, "A great shampoo is one that gently cleanses the hair and scalp, lifting debris and oily residue from the hair, lightly hydrating, and detangling the hair without weighing it down," explains New York-based hairstylist and salon owner Nunzio Saviano. 

Additionally, you'll be happy to know that you won't need to break the bank to find your new favorite shampoo. From splurge-worthy finds to drugstore favorites, we've rounded up the best shampoos for every hair type.

These are the best shampoos for every hair type

Best for straight hair

R+CO Bleu Ingenious Thickening Shampoo

For an added boost, Devin Toth, a stylist at Salon SCK in New York City, recommends Bleu Ingenious Thickening Shampoo. Per Toth, the shampoo is great for removing excess scalp buildup while simultaneously plumping your strands.

Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo

Combat flyaways and frizz with Living Proof's No Frizz shampoo. Though lightweight, the formula is powerful enough to cleanse, smooth, and prevent dirt and oil from building up. Meanwhile, the fruity fragrance adds a nice touch.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Beyond Smooth Frizz Immunity Shampoo

If you're looking for a frizz-fighting shampoo that won't break the bank, consider stocking up on the Frizz Ease Beyond Smooth Frizz Immunity Shampoo from John Frieda. The paraben-free shampoo is infused with moisturizing coconut oil. Plus, It clocks in at under $11 a bottle. 

Best for wavy hair

Eva NYC Satin Dream Smoothing Shampoo

Saviano loves Eva NYC's Satin Dream Smoothing Shampoo for its nutrient- and antioxidant-packed formula, which "add[s] moisture, protect[s] the hair, and fight[s] frizz." The end result? Smooth, shiny waves.

Amika Sexture Beach Look Shampoo

Amika's Sexture Beach Look Shampoo is ideal for achieving beachy waves. The fan-favorite shampoo is also enriched with kaolin clay, which is known for its oil-absorbing properties. The best part? No conditioner or styling product is required — just step out of the shower and air dry to reveal subtly tousled tresses.

OUAI Medium Hair Shampoo

The ultra-versatile Medium Hair Shampoo from Ouai is spiked with conditioning, vitamin-packed ingredients (think: kumquat fruit extract, and coconut oil), making it a favorite of Toth's. Its lightweight gel formula feels (essentially) weightless on the scalp, too.

Best for curly hair

Drybar Gin Twist Curl-Quenching Shampoo

This shampoo is from Drybar's new curl line, Gin Twist. It's designed to gently cleanse while leaving your curls feeling soft and hydrated. Hero ingredients include strengthening keratin and moisturizing coconut oil.

Aveda Be Curly Shampoo

Aveda's Be Curly shampoo is spiked with wheat protein and aloe, which work together to cleanse, smooth, and soften strands. The citrusy aroma is a fun bonus feature. 

SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo

The SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo is a fan-favorite for good reason. The rich, coconut oil-infused formula hydrates hair, restores shine, and eliminates frizz. Plus, its under-$10 price tag makes it a total steal.

Best for coily hair

Verb Curl Shampoo

Lather on some Verb's Curl Shampoo to keep your coils looking and feeling healthy. Its unique formula features moisturizing glycerin and fatty acid-rich sunflower seed extract to cleanse — sans any stripping.

Ouidad Coil Infusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo

Ouidad Coil Infusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo boasts a slew of nourishing ingredients like shea butter, sunflower extract, aloe, rosemary leaf extract, and castor seed oil. These ingredients work together to cleanse and moisturize.

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo

The Briogeo Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo is formulated with moisture-locking ingredients like amino acids and tomato fruit ferment — as well as hydrating shea butter — to cleanse and eliminate frizz.

Best for dry hair

Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control

This Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control is especially great for dry hair. Shelly Aguirre, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, tells INSIDER that the weightless — which she describes as "top-notch"— helps lock in moisture without feeling too heavy on the scalp.

Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo

Shu Uemura's Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo was specially formulated with dry strands in mind. It's spiked with moisturizing ingredients such as moringa and red algae extracts.

Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo

Dry hair is no match for the Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo from Maui Moisture. The creamy formula features whipped shea butter blended with coconut and macadamia oils to quench thirsty strands once and for all.

Best for oily hair

L'Oreal Paris Hair Care Expert Extraordinary Clay Shampoo

Ringing up for under $4 (no, that's not a typo), L'Oreal Paris' Hair Care Expert Extraordinary Clay Shampoo has become a drugstore staple — and a must-have for folks with oily hair. It's infused with three types of clays to absorb oil and hydrate hair for up to 48 hours.

St Clements Solid Shampoo

This St. Clements Solid Shampoo from Ethique removes oil without stripping or irritating the hair or scalp. Plus, it's made with good-for-you ingredients like cocoa butter,  lime oil, orange oil, glycerin, and castor oil, all of which help lock in moisture without needing a separate conditioner.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo

Paul Mitchell's rejuvenating Tea Tree Special Shampoo offers a cooling sensation. Its hero ingredient, tea tree, is combined with the peppermint and lavender oils for an extra-tingly effect. You'll love the refreshing fragrance, too.

Best for dandruff

Pura d'or Scalp Therapy Shampoo

According to Saviano, the Pura d'or Scalp Therapy Shampoo uses a combination of hydrating and clarifying ingredients to eliminate flakes, soothe the scalp, and reduce itchiness. Staple ingredients aloe vera, tea tree oil, lavender oil, and peppermint oil.

First Aid Beauty Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Pyrithione Zinc (ZPT)

First Aid Beauty's Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is spiked with Pyrithione Zinc, which is known to flight fakes. It's also formulated with calming calendula to soothe irritation and discomfort.

Biolage Scalpsync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Ditch dandruff for goo with the Biolage Scalpsync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. Its main ingredient, mint leaf, is known for its antibacterial properties and soothing scent. The shampoo is also spiked with Pyrithione Zinc, which effectively reduces irritation and the appearance of flakes.

Best for sensitive scalp

Daily Concepts Shampoo Bar

Daily Concepts' Shampoo Bar is made with all-natural sensitive scalp-safe ingredients (think: avocado oil, aloe, and cactus). These protective, plant-based ingredients help promote strong and shiny hair and a healthy, non-irritated scalp.

Kérastase Specifique Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp

Stop scalp itchiness in its tracks with this Kérastase Specifique Shampoo. Its formula features a blend of staples like itch-eliminating piroctone and refreshing menthol. Glycerin adds moisture, while calophyllum oil calms.

Aveeno Rose Water and Chamomile Blend Shampoo

Aveeno's Rose Water and Chamomile Blend Shampoo is made with colloidal oat extract, which is known for its scalp-soothing properties. It's also infused with rose water (which can help reduce oil buildup) and chamomile (which can help with itchiness and irritation).