Considering how often the average human uses it, we don’t put nearly enough thought into our shampoo.
Though shopping for shampoo might seem like a no-brainer, not all of them are created equal. To make the hunt for your perfect match a bit easier, we’ve rounded up our favorite shampoos for all hair types—and better yet, each of these come from brands that don’t test on animals, so you can feel good about the products you use.
Best for all hair types: Function of Beauty
Let’s be honest—everything is more fun when it’s customizable, even when it comes to a seemingly mundane everyday product like shampoo. With an emphasis on sustainability, Function of Beauty is one of the leading brands in custom shampoo, boasting literally thousands of custom formula possibilities. Their website features a short quiz you can take that allows the brand to get acquainted with your hair type and needs. If their shampoo isn’t enough of a selling point, they also offer serums, masks, and other products to help you get the best hair of your life. Nobody knows your hair better than you, after all.
Buy here.Dry, damaged hair: Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo
If you’re looking to amplify the luxury factor in your shower, this pearlescent, silky formula from Giovanni adds a touch of glamour to your everyday routine. Their Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo has a subtle shimmer that’ll help make your dry, damaged hair glow, while its ultra-hydrating ingredients help to tame and soften hair that’s endured years of heat styling and chemical treatments.
Buy here.Oily hair with product buildup: Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Two
If you find that your hair tends to produce a lot of oil between washes, the Clarifying Shampoo Two from Paul Mitchell is bound to be your saving grace. Its formula is designed to help minimize oil production of the scalp, so you can wash your hair less often in the long run. With an energizing fresh lemon scent, this shampoo is fantastic for busting product buildup at your roots if you’re the type of person who reaches for the dry shampoo a little too often. At around $14, it’s also budget friendly.
Buy here.Fine, flat hair: Lush Big Shampoo
Lush is known for their innovative cruelty-free bath products, so it’s no wonder that they deliver in the shampoo department. Their Big Shampoo is formulated with sea salt that exfoliates the scalp and leaves you squeaky clean without stripping necessary oils from your hair. If your flat, fine hair is giving you the blahs, this shampoo is guaranteed to give a much-needed boost to dull, lifeless locks and deliver major volume—no blowout necessary.
Buy here.Curly hair: Only Curls All Curl Cleanser
Since curly hair is naturally dryer than straight hair, it can be tricky to find a shampoo that helps hydrate while giving you a truly clean feeling. British brand Only Curls specializes in formulas that are tailor-made for curly hair, using ingredients like avocado oil, kukui oil, and aloe that hydrate your waves and ringlets naturally. Their bestselling All Curl Cleanser is made without harmful sulfates, silicones, and alcohol, so you can rest easy knowing you’re treating your curls with the love they deserve.
Buy here.Tightly curled or kinky hair: Ouidad Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil Shampoo
Ouidad is a brand that specializes in products for all curl patterns. Their Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil Shampoo is a big hit among customers, especially those with tight Type 3 or Type 4 curls that many mainstream brands neglect. This oil-based shampoo mimics the natural oils in your hair, so your curls stay hydrated without suffering from annoying product buildup. The result is springy, lively hair that stays true to its natural curl pattern.
Buy here.Colored hair: Verb Ghost Shampoo
Whether you’re a habitual colorer or quarantine boredom has pushed you to experiment with box dye (we won’t judge), it’s a known fact that shampoo and colored hair aren’t historically the best of friends. Thankfully, Verb’s Ghost Shampoo is fortified with natural ingredients like green tea extract, moringa seed oil, and sunflower seed extract that keep your hair clean and promote shine without stripping it of its color. As the Ghost Shampoo’s name implies, the formula is featherlight, meaning it won’t weigh down your hair.
Buy here.
