We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Style Hair Our Favorite Shampoos For Every Budget These shampoos can turn a bad hair day into a fab hair day. By Sharon Brandwein Sharon Brandwein Sharon Brandwein is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and a freelance writer. She specializes in parenting, health, and of course, all things sleep. Sharon’s work has also appeared on ABC News, USAToday, Parents, and Forbes. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on August 8, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Tips for Choosing Questions and Answers Why Trust Southern Living Southern Living / Brian Kopinski Whether a fabulous hair day means a sleek bob or a bouncy blowout, it all starts with the right shampoo. But as we all know, the shampoo aisle is an embarrassment to riches for some and utterly overwhelming for others. The fact is, everyone is different, and finding the right product means discovering your hair type, deciphering labels, and considering your daily and weekly hair maintenance habits. Digging a little deeper, Darrius Peace says, “When buying shampoo, people should consider the density of their hair, the texture of their hair, the condition of their hair, and how much product is used on their hair in between shampoo treatments.” Meet The Expert Darrius Peace is a master barber, hair stylist, and founder of Hayah Beauty in Birmingham. You probably never thought picking the right shampoo could look remarkably like a science project, but here we are. Ahead, we’ve curated a list of the best shampoos for every hair type to help you make heads or tails of it all. Our Top Picks Best Shampoo Overall: Redken All Soft Shampoo at Amazon ($52) Jump to Review Best Budget Shampoo: Pantene Pro-V Moisture Renewal Shampoo at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Volumizing Shampoo: Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo at Amazon ($37) Jump to Review Best Moisturizing Shampoo: Aveda Shampoo at Nordstrom ($14) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Curly & Coily Hair: Bumble & bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo at Amazon ($37) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Fine Hair: Kérastase Densifique Shampoo at Amazon ($42) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Oily Hair: Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo at Amazon ($44) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Kérastase Shampoo at Walmart ($32) Jump to Review Best for Frizz : Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo at Amazon ($26) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Blonde Hair: Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Shampoo at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review Best Shampoo Overall Redken All Soft Shampoo View On Amazon $52 View On Ulta $26 View On Redken.com What’s Great About It Leaves hair soft and shiny Doesn’t weigh hair down What Could Be Better Not sulfate-free For those looking for a shampoo that leaves hair healthy and manageable without pulling too hard on the purse strings, Redken’s All Soft Shampoo is our pick for the best shampoo. Redkens Moisture Complex features a blend of soy protein, arginine, and argan oil that treats your hair from the root to the core and core to the tip. The result is an about-face from dry, brittle hair to soft, shiny tresses. While Redken’s All Soft Shampoo is made with argan oil and promises 15X more conditioning, it’s a lightweight formula that cleans your hair without weighing it down. This shampoo is gentle enough for daily use, but before you add it to your virtual shopping cart, just note that it is not sulfate or silicone-free. Hair Types: Dry, damaged | Key Ingredients: Soy protein, arginine, argan oil | Size: 1.7–33.8 ounces Best Budget Shampoo Pantene Pro-V Moisture Renewal Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $8 View On Target $5 What’s Great About It Nourishing and moisturizing Provides a great lathering experience What Could Be Better No ideal for thin hair With all the products that line our counter, beauty routines can get pretty expensive. But no one says your shampoo should be a budget buster, too. For a third of the price of our Best Overall pick, Pantene’s Moisture Renewal cleans and nourishes your hair while infusing it with a healthy dose of moisture courtesy of moisturizing lipids and protective antioxidants. Because it is so moisturizing, this formula may not be effective for fine or thin hair. Hair Types: Dry, damaged | Key Ingredients: Moisturizing lipids, antioxidants | Size: 12–27.7 ounces Best Volumizing Shampoo Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $37 View On Sephora $37 View On Ulta $37 What’s Great About It Removes product buildup Contains no sulfates What Could Be Better Not for those who prefer unscented products Looking to breathe some life into limp locks? Try Pureology’s Pure Volume shampoo. With good-for-your-hair ingredients like wheat protein and eucalyptus leaf, this zero-sulfate formula cleans your hair and clarifies buildup. But the pièce de résistance is that it’s formulated for flat or fine hair, so it lifts your hair at the root, adding plenty of volume and movement. And for a little added bonus, the blend of wild rose, grapefruit, and warm cedarwood scents makes for a unique aromatherapy experience. According to Peace, “This shampoo is excellent for those with finer hair textures who seek a less oily base for added lift.” He adds, “This product is more clarifying than other products within the brand. It is ideal for those who experience oilier tresses and heavy product buildup.” Hair Types: Flat and fine | Key Ingredients: Wheat protein, eucalyptus leaf | Size: 1.7–33.8 ounces Best Moisturizing Shampoo Aveda Shampoo Target View On Nordstrom $14 View On Target $36 View On Aveda.com $14 What’s Great About It Replenishes hair with natural oils and butters Contains no harmful chemicals What Could Be Better Ingredients may be too rich for some hair types Dry hair can put up a good fight to your styling efforts, but with a healthy dose of moisture, things can turn around in no time. To help with that, Aveda’s Nutriplenish Moisture Shampoo features a blend of omega-5-rich organic pomegranate oil, organic coconut oil, and mango butter to help get your locks in line. This shampoo cleans your hair without stripping precious oils, and while the assortment of oils and butters may sound like overkill, for those with dry hair, you’ll actually find that it replenishes your hair with light moisture. Hair Types: Dry | Key Ingredients: Pomegranate oil, organic coconut oil, mango butter | Size: 1.7–33.8 ounces Best Shampoo for Curly & Coily Hair Bumble & bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo Sephora View On Amazon $37 View On Nordstrom $34 View On Walmart $25 What’s Great About It Cleans without stripping natural oils Minimizes frizz Safe for color-treated hair What Could Be Better May be too heavy for those with thin or fine curls Curly hair requires some understanding to look its best. These hair types tend to trap oil at the root, leaving the lengths and ends feeling dry and more brittle. That means Bumble + Bumble’s Curl Moisturizing formula should top your shortlist. This hydrating shampoo is a blend of oils (avocado, coconut, jojoba) and butters (shea, cocoa) that work together to moisturize curls and minimize frizz. It won’t strip your hair, and it’s color-safe. It’s formulated for all curl types: wavy (2A-2C), curly (3A-3C), and coily (4A-4C), though it might be too rich and heavy for those with thin or fine curls. Hair Types: All curl types | Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter | Size: 2–33.8 ounces Best Shampoo for Fine Hair Kérastase Densifique Shampoo Sephora View On Amazon $42 View On Sephora $42 View On Kerastase-usa.com What’s Great About It Hyaluronic acid adds volume Helps hair retain moisture What Could Be Better Some may find the floral scent overpowering For fine-haired gals, thickening shampoos like Kérastase’s Densifique Bodifying formula, which adds volume, are a must. With a blend of hyaluronic acid to plump hair strands, gluco peptides to strengthen hair cuticles, and ceramides to boost elasticity and moisture retention, this shampoo cleans and refreshes your hair, leaving it thicker and fuller. While this rich product feels great, the floral scent may be overpowering for some. Hair Types: Thin, thinning, flat | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, gluco peptides, ceramides | Size: 8.5–16.9 ounces Best Shampoo for Oily Hair Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo Aveda View On Amazon $44 View On Target $21 View On Aveda.com $11 What’s Great About It Gives hair a nice shine Gentle enough to use daily What Could Be Better May cause tingling of the scalp Oily hair typically requires more frequent washing, but daily washing with the wrong shampoo can strip your hair, essentially causing you to trade one problem for another. For a squeaky clean that leaves your hair fresh and shiny to boot, try Aveda’s Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo. Infused with micelles and white vinegar, this shampoo keeps oil strands in check and is gentle enough for daily use. Did we mention that the fresh rosemary and mint scent is a fan favorite? Just note that the ingredients may cause a bit of a tingling sensation on the scalp during use. Hair Types: Oily | Key Ingredients: Micelles, white vinegar | Size: 1.7–33.8 ounces Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair Kérastase Shampoo Target View On Walmart $32 View On Target $60 View On Kerastase-usa.com What’s Great About It Nourishes and strengthens hair Gentle cleansing ingredients What Could Be Better Doesn’t contain a ton of moisturizing ingredients Color-treated hair typically needs a little more TLC in terms of shampoo. That usually means a sulfate-free formula that protects your color and prevents fading or premature brassiness. For a one-and-done that checks all of those boxes, try Kerastase’s Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect Shampoo. With its blend of amino, tartaric, and lactic acids, this gentle, sulfate-free formula cleans, hydrates, strengthens, and keeps the lid on oxidative stress that might damage your hair or highlights. It doesn’t contain many moisturizing ingredients though, so be sure to follow up with a good conditioner. Hair Types: Fine to medium color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Amino acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid | Size: 8.5 ounces Best for Frizz Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo Ulta View On Amazon $26 View On Ulta $26 View On Jcpenney.com $52 What’s Great About It Provides a humidity barrier for hair Safe for color-treated hair What Could Be Better You may still experience some frizz around the face Southern summers are known for steamy temperatures and crazy afternoon thunderstorms, after which you can immediately cue the frizzy hair. And like every hair concern, treatment and protection starts with your shampoo. In this case, Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo's Smoothing Complex with babassu oil keeps unruly locks in line—it smoothes your hair and puts up a barrier against humidity. It’s also safe for color-treated hair. It even proved itself against the Alabama humidity, although we did still experience some frizz around the face. Hair Types: Frizzy, dry | Key Ingredients: Water, babassu oil | Size: 1.7–33.8 ounces Best Shampoo for Blonde Hair Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $14 View On Nordstrom $14 View On Sephora $14 What’s Great About It Corrects hair tone Doesn’t strip hair What Could Be Better May be drying for some hair types Whether your hair is naturally blonde, highlighted, bleached, or balayage-d, be sure to use a sulfate-free, tone-correcting shampoo like Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo. This one is an oldie but goodie. It’s suitable for most hair types and textures, it cleans hair without stripping, and the violet pigments do some pretty heavy lighting to counteract yellow and orange tones. Silver-foxes, this one’s for you too. Those with dry hair may find the product to be more drying than moisturizing. Hair Types: Fine, medium, and thick | Key Ingredients: ArganID Technology, violet pigments | Size: 2.4–6.7 ounces Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair Biolage Full Density Thickening Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $24 View On Ulta $24 View On Jcpenney.com $24 What’s Great About It Strengthens and nourishes hair Softens hair without weighing it down What Could Be Better May be too hydrating for some If your hair per square inch is a little on the light side, you might consider Biolage’s Full Density shampoo. Formulated to nourish and fortify thinning hair, this shampoo takes a three-pronged approach: biotin, which adds strength and density; Zinc PCA, which reduces hair loss by rebalancing the scalp; and Gluco-omega, which promotes hair growth. While some may find the product too hydrating, for most users, this is a nourishing shampoo that restores your hair to its former glory, not to mention soft and smooth locks without the weight. Hair Types: Thin, thinning, flat | Key Ingredients: Biotin, Zinc PCA, Gluco-omega | Size: 13.5–33.8 ounces Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo Ulta View On Amazon $30 View On Nordstrom $15 View On Ulta $30 What’s Great About It Gentle enough to use daily Paraben-free What Could Be Better Works best as part of a hair care system Color treatments may look fantastic, but all that processing can really take a toll on your hair. To revive your locks, try Olaplex’s Nº.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. Featuring the brand’s patented Olaplex Bond Building Technology, it nourishes your hair back to good and helps prevent further damage, breakage, and split ends. Free of sulfates and parabens, this shampoo is safe for color-treated hair and gentle enough for everyday use. Note that this product works best as part of a multiproduct hair care system that can be costly. Hair Types: Dry, damaged, frizzy, all | Key Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, sunflower seed oil | Size: 3.3–8.5 oz. The Bottom Line Our Best Overall pick is the Redken All Soft Shampoo. This shampoo is powerful enough to nourish and restore moisture to dry brittle hair yet gentle enough for daily use. Moreover, it works with different hair types, but understandably, the price point could be cost-prohibitive for some. If that’s the case, consider our budget pick, Pantene’s Moisture Renewal Shampoo. This formula effectively adds moisture back into your hair, and like the All Soft, it’s suitable for daily use. Ultimately, you’re likely to achieve similar results for a fraction of the price. Tips for Choosing the Right Shampoo “When buying a shampoo, people should consider the density, texture, and condition of their hair, as well as how much product is used between shampoo treatments,” says Peace. We’ll add here that usage, hair goals, and ingredients are also important considerations. Usage When shopping for shampoo, the first order of business is to figure out what you want from your hair. If your daily hair aspirations include a sleek middle part or blowout that shows off your balayage color, your shampoo should support that. Another important consideration is the frequency of washing. If your hair is dry but you can’t conceive of walking out the door without daily washing, or you prefer to stick to washing twice a week to keep your highlights from turning brassy, you should get a shampoo that works with your routine. The last thing you want is a shampoo that’s too heavy for daily use or one that strips your color long before your next hair appointment. Hair Type Different hair types have different needs, and shampoos can be make or break. Fine or Thin Hair: Fine hair tends to be delicate and often lacks volume. So, to get what nature didn’t give, look for shampoos that provide volume and body without weighing your hair down. Skip heavy, overly moisturizing formulas, as they can make fine hair look limp and oily, and go for a thickening formula like the Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo. Thick or Coarse Hair: Thick hair also tends to be coarse, so look for shampoos with extra hydration to tame frizz and improve manageability. Better yet, opt for shampoos infused with moisturizing ingredients like oils and butters to nourish and soften coarse strands. Curly or Wavy Hair: Like thick hair, curly and wavy hair can also be dry and more prone to frizz. To keep them looking bouncy and healthy, opt for sulfate-free shampoos that won’t strip away natural oils. Moreover, be sure to look for products formulated specifically for curly hair, like Bumble + Bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo. Again, like thick hair, oils, and butters are your best bet to enhance curl definition and minimize frizz. Straight Hair: Those with straight hair should look for lightweight shampoos that gently clean without weighing hair down. Damaged or Chemically Treated Hair: If your hair is damaged from heat styling, coloring, or chemical treatments, opt for shampoos that nourish, moisturize, and restore your hair, like our Best Overall pick, Redken All Soft. While oils and butters are a good call for damaged hair, so are protein, keratin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. Ingredients When choosing a shampoo, be sure to pay attention to the ingredients listed on the label as well. While some ingredients can be good for your hair, others can do more harm than good. Moisturizing Ingredients: Oils and butters are almost a must-have for dry, damaged, or curly hair. So look for ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter for added hydration. Sulfate-Free Formulas: Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), can be harsh. Not only can they strip your hair of its natural oils, but they can also mess with color-treated hair, shorting the time between salon visits—and we all know that can get pricey. Natural and Organic Ingredients: Those who prefer to avoid chemicals should look for shampoos made with organic ingredients and products that are free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Questions and Answers Is it worth it to spend more on shampoo? While you can certainly spend a little more on shampoo, you don’t have to. For example, our budget pick comes in at a fraction of the cost of some entries on our list, yet it has a robust following because it delivers what it promises, and the price tag doesn’t hurt any feelings. According to Peace, “It is definitely worth it to spend more on shampoo.” But he warns, “That’s only if the shampoo does what you need it to do.” Can shampoo actually improve hair health? “Shampoo can definitely improve hair health. Using the right shampoo for any given length, texture, or condition will fortify the strands by removing unwanted buildup and debris that could dehydrate the hair and lead to breakage,” says Peace. “These products are also awesome on the scalp as they keep the follicles clear from any clogging agents.” Do you need to use both shampoo and conditioner? According to Peace, “Every shampoo treatment should be followed by a conditioning treatment. The purpose of the shampoo is to clean the hair of any unwanted oil, dirt, or product buildup, while the conditioner helps to lock in moisture to the strands while also making the hair more slippery for easier combing and brushing.” Why Trust Southern Living This article was written by Sharon Brandwein, a Certified Sleep Science Coach and freelance commerce writer. Over the last five years, Sharon has written product reviews and roundups for various online publishers. To curate this list of the best shampoos across categories, Sharon researched top products and checked in with Darrius Peace, master barber, hair stylist, and founder of Hayah Beauty in Birmingham. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit