How To Find the Best Shampoo for Your Hair

In a saturated market, finding the best shampoo for your strands can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with a million pieces. There are shampoos for dry hair and shampoos for oily hair; formulas that boost volume, and others that help protect against color fading. And that’s not even taking into account shampoos for specific concerns like buildup or damage. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, finding your perfect pick from the bunch can feel like an unnecessarily challenging task. 

Fortunately, we’re here to help simplify the process. Ahead, we’re sharing a look at 13 of our best shampoos for every different hair type, texture, and concern. We’ll also arm you with useful tips on selecting the right haircare products for your needs. Keep reading—and get ready to enjoy bouncy, shiny strands.

Does the Type of Shampoo You Use Matter?

While all shampoos are intended to cleanse the hair, not all formulas are created equally. The ingredients they contain—and the way in which they work—may vary from product to product. In general, you’ll get the best results if you choose a formula designed for your specific hair type and concerns, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Those with dry hair, for example, may want to reach for a good moisturizing shampoo that helps hydrate and quench parched strands. But ultra-moisturizing shampoos may be too rich for those with fine or oily hair. In a similar vein, clarifying shampoos can be useful when you’re dealing with oily roots or product buildup. But if you use them too frequently—or your scalp is dry—you run the risk of stripping your strands of its natural oils. Ultimately, it’s all about balance. The best shampoo for your hair will provide a gentle yet thorough cleanse and help address your specific concerns to help promote healthier-looking (and better-feeling) hair. 

Types of Shampoo and Their Uses

As mentioned, there are many different types of shampoo. Understanding the differences between each type is the first step in choosing the best formula for your needs. 

Clarifying shampoo

Those who rely heavily on styling products, such as leave-in conditioners, hair gels, or serums, can often benefit from adding a clarifying shampoo to their routine. These deep cleansing formulas help remove excess oil and product buildup to refresh the scalp. Unlike other shampoos, they’re not meant to be used every time you lather up. Instead, you can use them on an as-needed basis to help clarify your scalp and strands. 

Moisturizing shampoo

Moisturizing shampoos, as you may be able to guess, help moisturize the hair as they cleanse it. They’re often formulated with lightweight oils or hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and are particularly well-suited for those with dry hair. Some may also help tame frizz and flyaways. 

Volumizing shampoo

Although sprays and gels can provide body, a volumizing shampoo is another way to amp up your strands and avoid the extra product buildup. These thickening formulas are best for those with thin or flat hair who can benefit from a little extra oomph. 

Color-safe shampoo

If you color your hair often, a color-safe shampoo is a no-brainer. These formulas are designed to gently cleanse your hair without altering your color. Some also help protect against color fading to help prolong the life of your hue.

Bond-repairing shampoo

Bond-repairing shampoos help strengthen weak hair from the inside out, which can help protect against brittleness and breakage. Though anyone can use these formulas, they’re particularly well-suited for those with hair damaged from heat or chemical processing.

Glossing shampoos

Another option that can be beneficial for most hair types is glossing shampoos. These formulas are specifically designed to boost your hair’s luster to promote silkier, shinier-looking strands.

Toning shampoos

Toning shampoos are unique in that they don’t just cleanse the hair—they also subtly change its color. Purple toning shampoos contain violet pigments and help counteract brassiness in blonde and silver hair, while blue toning shampoos contain blue pigments and help neutralize brassiness in lightened brunette hair. Like clarifying shampoos, these aren’t meant for daily use—once per week is usually sufficient. 

What Are the Different Hair Types?

Identifying your hair type is another important step in finding the best shampoo for your needs. Typically, hair type is classified with a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) and a letter (A, B, or C). The number describes your hair’s curl pattern—straight, wavy, curly, or coily—while the letter describes your hair’s texture.

Straight hair

Straight hair, also known as Type 1 hair, is pretty straightforward (pun intended). It lays naturally flat and has little to no curl. 

• 1A: Type 1A hair is pin-straight and has a fine texture. It typically looks silky smooth and may have trouble holding a wave or curl (even with the help of styling aids). Those with this hair type may notice that their hair appears greasy quickly, particularly at the roots.

• 1B: Type 1B hair is straight, but some strands may have a slight bend or wave. Texture-wise, it’s neither fine nor thick, but right in the middle. 

• 1C: Type 1C hair is on the thicker side and typically features a soft, subtle wave. Those with this hair type may notice that their hair appears more wavy or gets frizzy when exposed to humidity. 

Wavy hair

Type 2 is wavy hair. This hair type typically features a soft wave that can appear more prominent depending on how you cut and style your hair.

• 2A:The finest of the wavy hair types is 2A hair. Those with this hair type typically have very loose, subtle waves that can easily be weighed down by the use of heavy styling products. 

• 2B: Type 2B hair is probably what you think of when you picture wavy hair. It’s in between straight and curly and often has a tousled, beachy texture. 

• 2C: If you have 2C hair, your strands may appear wavy at times and curly at others. This hair type is the coarsest of the wavy hair types and tends to be more susceptible to frizz than Types 2A and 2B. 

Curly hair

Ringlets, spirals, and coils all fall under the umbrella of curly Type 3 hair. Those with this hair type will typically want to reach for products designed to hydrate curls without weighing them down—anything too heavy could make your curls lose their bounce.

• 3A: Type 3A hair is on the wavier end, with loose but springy curls and a fine hair texture. The curls may start directly at the root or a bit further down the hair shaft. 

• 3B: Medium-thickness curly hair is known as Type 3B hair. This hair type boasts full, defined curls that start directly at the root. Those with Type 3B hair may find that their ends get dry quickly, as the oils from your scalp aren’t able to travel down the strand as easily as they can for those with straight hair and looser waves.

• 3C: Type 3C hair is characterized by the presence of tight spirals roughly the diameter of a finger. Those with this hair type often enjoy plenty of volume but may experience frizz without a proper haircare routine.

Coily hair

Coily hair used to get clumped into the same hair type as curly hair, but experts have come to understand their specificties better. Known amongst pros as Type 4 hair, this natural hair type features a tight curl pattern, though the shape of the curls can vary depending on which subcategory you fall under. 

• 4A: Type 4A hair is fine in texture and extremely springy. It’s characterized by the presence of tight, S-shaped coils about the diameter of a crochet needle. 

• 4B: Unlike the rounded curls of Type 4A hair, 4B hair features angular Z-shaped spirals that extend from the roots to the ends. The hair tends to be fairly springy, though shrinkage can be a concern. 

• 4C: Type 4C has the tightest curls and the least definition among other curly hair types. The coils themselves may be S-shaped or Z-shaped (or both), and the hair tends to be thick and coarse.

Once you’ve identified your hair type, finding the best shampoo to use becomes a matter of finding a formula that addresses your unique needs. We’re helping with that, too—find our top recommendations for various hair types and concerns below.

Our Best Shampoo for Dry Hair

As we mentioned earlier, shampoos that are good for dry hair are those that help lock in moisture to help hydrate and nourish parched strands. 

If you’re unsure whether your hair is dry, closely examine how it looks and feels. Brittleness, frizzing, and having a straw-like texture are all indications that your hair could use some TLC. In that case, we suggest reaching for the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo. It’s made with hyaluronic acid and delivers up to 72 hours of hydration for shinier, bouncier-looking strands. If your hair is super dry, you can use the L’Oréal Paris Hylaron + Plump Flash Hydration Wonder Water after your shampoo to help lock in long-lasting hydration. Don’t forget to follow up with a conditioner to really nourish your strands. We recommend sticking with the collection and using the L’Oréal Paris Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner for the best results.

Our Best Shampoo for Oily Hair

If you’ve found yourself washing your hair in the morning only to have greasy roots by lunchtime, you likely have oily hair. Using a lightweight shampoo that removes excess oil can help keep your strands feeling fresh and balanced. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hylaron + Pure Purifying Shampoo For Oily Hair, which is designed to remove up to 100% of scalp residue for fresh, clean-feeling strands. Pair it with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Rehydrating Conditioner for Oily Hair to keep your lengths feeling soft and hydrated without any weigh-down.

Our Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair

Dealing with damaged hair is never fun (or easy, for that matter) but the first step back on the road to recovery is nailing down a shampoo that can add moisture and shine. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Shampoo is meant for fragile strands, as it helps reinforce weak hair bonds to strengthen hair from the inside out. Pair it with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Conditioner for smoother, stronger hair in as little as one use.

Our Best Shampoo for Frizzy Hair

Managing frizz starts with finding a shampoo that’s good at smoothing and moisturizing strands. Our top recommended shampoo for frizzy hair: The (aptly-named) L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Frizz Defy Shampoo with Marula Oil, which helps smooth, tame, and cleanse frizzy strands. Use it alongside the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Frizz Defy Conditioner with Marula Oil for up to 24 hours of protection against frizz and humidity. 

Editor’s Tip: For extra frizz control on humid days, consider adding an anti-frizz serum to your routine. We’re fans of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In.

Our Best Shampoo for Buildup

Even if you aren’t styling your hair regularly with products, hard water, minerals, and your scalp’s natural oils can build up, leaving your hair looking limp or greasy. To help combat build-up, we suggest reaching for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo. The deep-cleaning shampoo helps remove hard water buildup, product residue, and other impurities without stripping or over-drying the strands. Plus, unlike many clarifying shampoos, it’s color-safe, so you don’t have to worry about it causing your fresh hair color to fade prematurely. After lathering up, we recommend working the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Restoring Conditioner throughout your lengths and ends to help replenish your strands and lock in moisture.

Our Best Shampoo for Chemically Treated Hair

Certain salon services, like keratin treatments and perms, can often leave your hair feeling extra dry and damaged over time. Throw frequent dye sessions and heat styling into the mix, and over-processed strands may be on the horizon. The best shampoos for chemically treated hair can help target the signs of damage and improve your hair’s overall look and feel. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo is one such example. When used with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Conditioner, the reparative system helps strengthen the hair and improves manageability while leaving hair looking silky and shiny. For extra TLC, consider adding the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi-Use Treatment into your routine once a week. Each jar of the multi-purpose treatment contains 91 grams of our Repair Concentrate with Protein and can be used as a rinse-off conditioner or an extra-indulgent leave-in treatment. 

Our Best Shampoo for Dull Hair

Overhaul dull hair with a glossing shampoo that can help to bring back vibrance like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo. The pH-balanced formula delivers long-lasting shine and helps protect color from premature fading. We recommend pairing it with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Glossing Glaze and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner to give your mane a sleek, glossy-looking finish that looks as though you just stepped out of the salon. 

Our Best Shampoo for Flat Hair

The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Sulfate-Free Shampoo is our top pick for those looking to boost volume starting in the shower. The color-safe formula contains lotus flower extract and provides lasting volume with zero weigh-down. After shampooing, replenish your strands with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Sulfate-Free Conditioner, then get to styling. 

Our Best Shampoo for Wavy Hair and Curls

Curls and coils of all shapes and sizes are the healthiest (and therefore easiest) to style when you use a shampoo tailored to that hair type. We love the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo for the way it hydrates, fights humidity, and shapes curls without weighing them down. After washing and before styling, add in an extra dose of shine using the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Seal Conditioner which locks in moisture for up to 72 hours for soft, bouncy waves, curls, and spirals.

Our Best Shampoo for Fine Hair

When you have thin, flat hair or you’re dealing with hair loss or shedding, you’ll want to reach for a shampoo that helps make your hair appear fuller and thicker. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Thickening Shampoo. When used in conjunction with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Thickening Conditioner, the rosemary-infused formula helps fortify the strands, protects against breakage, and leaves fine hair looking up to 15 times thicker. 

Our Best Shampoo for Colored-Treated Hair

From peach hair to golden copper highlights, if you spend the time (and money) to perfect your hair color, you’ll want your dye to last for as long as possible. As such, it’s a good idea to reach for a shampoo that is formulated to preserve the lifespan of color-treated hair, like the L'Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo. This shampoo has an antioxidant and UV filter to help protect the hair fiber and preserve color. Pair it with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo for up to eight weeks of protection against color fading and dullness.

Our Best Shampoos for Brassy Blonde Hair

You’ve likely heard that using a purple shampoo, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo for Toning Blonde Bleached Hair, is key to maintaining blonde locks, and we’re here to confirm it’s true. The purple hues help balance brassy tones for a natural, lived-in blonde while simultaneously nourishing the color-treated hair. Brightening your blonde hair can also be achieved using shampoo such as the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Blonde Shampoo For Brightening Blonde Hair. In either case, we recommend pairing your chosen shampoo with its coordinating conditioner—either the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Conditioner for Toning Blonde Hair, or the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Blonde Conditioner for Brightening Blonde Hair. 

Our Best Shampoo for Gray or Silver Hair

Silver hair can get brassy too, which is why the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Silver Care Shampoo for Gray Hair is among our favorites for those with natural or lightened gray hair. This sulfate-free shampoo is designed for all shades of gray and helps neutralize unwanted warmth to let those cool tones shine (literally). Use it with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Silver Care Conditioner for Gray Hair for brighter, smoother, and shinier-looking strands.

Our Best Shampoo for Length Retention

Keeping long healthy hair starts with a shampoo that prevents breakage and loss, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo. It’s formulated with a blend of castor oil and vitamins B3 and B5 and helps seal split ends to help minimize breakage. To keep those lengths hydrated, follow it up with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Super Detangler Conditioner. 

Next Up: 8 Conditioner Mistakes to Avoid

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris