The Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Your Hair Type

No matter how you style it, healthy looking hair starts in the shower. The right shampoo and conditioner formulation for your particular hair type will help make the most of your natural hair texture. From color-treated and curly to dry and dull (and everything in between), here is our list of the best shampoos and conditioners to transform your strands.

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Dry or Damaged Hair

Shampoo

First of all, avoid clear shampoos if you have dry or damaged hair—they won’t provide the rich hydration your strands desperately need! Look for rich shampoos that contain the ultra-conditioning ingredients keratin and camelina oil for smooth, shiny, and protected locks.

Conditioner

Use a moisturizing conditioner from root to tip, concentrating on your mid-shaft and ends (the scalp should be receiving the least amount of product). Look for conditioners with ingredients, such as proteins and botanical actives that repair, restore, and strengthen your hair’s keratin structure.

Recommendations

Shampoo: Rene Furterer Absolue Keratine Renewal Shampoo
Conditioner: Klorane Conditioner with Desert Date

Fine Hair

Shampoo

Be on the lookout for gentle shampoos that are packed with thickening ingredients, like panthenol and advanced polymers for increased volume. Make sure the formula contains one of these strand-protecting extracts: moringa seed, artichoke leaf, and golden root. They will help shield against environmental damage.

Conditioner

Stay away from heavy conditioners that weigh hair down—too much conditioner can make strands look and feel greasy. Instead find lightweight formulas with strand-swelling botanical extracts and apply from your mid-shaft to ends.

Recommendations

Shampoo: R+CO Dallas Thickening Shampoo
Conditioner: R+CO Dallas Thickening Conditioner

Curly, Wavy or Thick Hair

Shampoo

Look for rich shampoos with nourishing botanical extracts and frizz-busting ingredients. You don’t need to wash your hair every day so feel free to skip a day or two so the natural oils on your scalp can work their magic.

Conditioner

Curly, wavy or thick hair will work best with conditioners that contain natural oils and plant extracts, which delicately coat strands and reduce frizz. Ingredients like witch hazel and nettle condition and balance your hair’s hydration levels without crunchy or heavy residues.

Recommendations

Shampoo: Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control
Conditioner: R+CO Atlantis Moisturizing Conditioner

Coarse/Unruly Hair

Shampoo

For the driest of hair types, it’s best to use super hydrating and creamy shampoos for your thirsty strands. Avocado oil and alkekengi extract lock in moisture, smooth out strands, and protect against damage, increasing manageability and softness.

Conditioner

Since this hair type can become extremely dry, you’ll want an extra-moisturizing conditioner. Deep conditioners that contain essential oils, frizz-controlling extracts, and moisturizing beeswax will hydrate your hair and provide strands with smooth hold.

Recommendations

Shampoo: Rene Furterer Lissea Smoothing Shampoo
Conditioner: Rene Furterer Lissea Smoothing Conditioner

Color Treated Hair

Shampoo

If your hair has been color-treated, you’ll need a shampoo that keeps it looking as vibrant as possible. Use mild cleansers that won’t strip color, and seal in hydration as if it were a moisturizing top coat for smooth, healthy-looking strands.

Conditioner

Use color-preserving shampoos with sulfate and paraben-free formulas to prevent fading, protect against discoloration, and retain necessary moisture. Look out for ingredients like rice extract and hibiscus extract which help soften, moisturize, and restore shine.

Recommendations

Shampoo: Bumble and Bumble. Color Minded Shampoo
Conditioner: R+CO Gemstone Color Conditioner

Dull

Shampoo

If you feel like your locks have lost their luster, you might have a fair amount of build up. Make sure you clarify your hair about once or twice a month to avoid the dulling effects of oiliness and product pile up. Go for shampoos with citrus pulp and glutamic acid which restore radiance by cleansing away excess sebum and styling leave-ins.

Conditioner

Use a conditioner packed with shine-magnifying ingredients and conditioning proteins to revive and fortify hair against environmental stressors. Look out for ingredients like silk amino acids, pearl protein, and sunflower seed extract which all help give you glossy strands.

Recommendations

Shampoo: Klorane Shampoo with Citrus Pulp
Conditioner: Oribe Conditioner for Brilliance & Shine

Aging Hair

Shampoo

Hair weakens over time, so make sure you’re gently cleansing with an antioxidant-rich formula to strengthen and thicken strands. Wash with a paraben and silicone-free shampoo infused with fortifying olive extract to balance the scalp, provide substance, and reinforce your hair structure.

Conditioner

Sometimes all your locks need is an ultra-hydrating conditioner to restore youthful bounce, shine and smoothness. Use formulas infused with rich oils like maracuja and argan, which seal the cuticle, help reduce split ends, and protect against hair-aging UV damage.

Recommendations

Shampoo: Klorane Shampoo with Essential Olive Extract
Conditioner: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner

And if you’re proudly rocking grey hair, keep it vibrant with Oribe’s Silverati Shampoo and Conditioner.