Introduction to Shampoos
Like finding the perfect foundation or concealer, choosing the best shampoo for your hair type can easily turn into a wild goose chase. The subject of in-shower hair care can be pretty divided. How often should I use shampoo each week? What about conditioner? What’s the best shampoo for oily hair? Dandruff? Dry scalp? Thinning hair? Do I really have to rinse and repeat?
Understanding Hair Types and Concerns
These questions are all valid, especially if your No. 1 goal is to achieve salon-worthy hair at home. The Post Wanted team loves to shop and provide credible recommendations on what’s worth your money and what’s not. This review of the best shampoos is one of our readers’ favorites, which is why it has been a topic I’ve put to the test for four years straight.
Testing Method
The full testing method is highlighted below, but allow me to give you the TLDR version. I put a variety of shampoos on a strict rotation, analyzed how they lathered and rinsed each hair-wash day, and assessed the final look once styled, while also considering the best conditioners to complete your routine.
Expert Insights
Because shampoo is necessary to care for and cleanse your hair and scalp, Post Wanted consulted two hairstylists who provided the 411 on all things shampoo, from ingredients to look for to how to apply it to your scalp. “If you feel the shampoo is no longer working for your needs, it’s time for a change to address the latest concern,” Amy Abramite, hairstylist, salon educator and creative director at Maxine Ltd. in Chicago, told the Post. “Having a few different shampoos in the shower to rotate is an effective way to treat multiple concerns simultaneously.”
Top Shampoos for Different Hair Concerns
But, scrubbing a sudsy formula on your strands is more trial-and-error than anything else, which is why I put 29+ sought-after shampoos to the test — including the best dry shampoos I tested and the best sulfate-free shampoos I reviewed, as well as the best personalized shampoos I reviewed after taking hair quizzes from three top brands.
Kérastase Resistance Bain Extentioniste Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Offers a deep clean with a fresh scent
- Tangibly made my hair grow
- Leads to long-lasting blowouts and visibly noticeable healthy hair
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
The Kérastase Resistance Bain Extentioniste Shampoo is a true game-changer that made a difference in my hair after one use. Not only did my entire head of hair feel thicker but the ends of my hair felt longer and more nourished.
Dove Scalp+ Density Boost Hydrating Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Sulfate-free, so offers a gentle cleanse
- Budget-friendly, so reachable for many shoppers
- Formulated with niacinamide and zinc to help hydrate the hair
Cons:
- Overuse can lead to dry hair, so use every other day if you have fine to medium hair
“Cheaper shampoos are more likely to contain harsh detergents or surfactants, which can strip the hair of natural oils, weakening it and leaving a residue that can cause breakage when combined with styling products,” Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist for Kim Kardashian West and other high-profile names, said.
Virtue Full Shampoo
Sephora
Pros:
- Tangibly thickens the hair as you’re shampooing!
- Helps grow hair and give it body when used consistently over time
- Richly lathers
Cons:
- Price point may be unreachable for some
- Heavier consistency than most, though not a dealbreaker
First things first — fine hair is when the stands are slender in diameter compared to coarse hair where the diameter is larger, according to Abramite.
Prose
Prose
Pros:
- Fully custom product line, unlike competitors that have a pre-formulated “base” that isn’t 100% tailored to your hair type
- Fresh scents and aesthetically pleasing packaging
- Comes with additional hair products for purchase, if desired
Cons:
- May take a bit longer to ship than most other options, given it’s a customized formula
- Your personal hair type may change over time, leading you to adjust your formulation
After weeks of testing, Prose was my favorite of the three. Though I recommend and use all of them, something about this formula just worked for my hair.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Boasts that signature coconut-y scent characteristic of Moroccanoil products
- Hydrates the hair well and mixes wonderfully with conditioners and other styling products
- Nurtures dry hair
Cons:
- Not the best for oily or superfine hair as its high moisture result may weigh down your locks
From the makers of one of the best leave-in oils the haircare industry has to offer, Moroccanoil’s Hydrating Shampoo is exactly what it sounds like — a blessing for dry hair.
Dae Daily Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Has a unique citrus scent that’s unlike any other shampoo tested
- Rich in nutrients to offer vitality and shine to your hair
- Helps blowouts last longer
Cons:
- May leave the hair flat with overuse, so use every other day if you have fine to medium hair
“Those who have oily hair should look for a shampoo that includes ingredients that are clarifying and exfoliating such as alpha-hydroxy acids but should stay away from sulfates which can overly strip the hair,” Fitzsimons recommends.
14th Night The Nourishing Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Best sulfate-free shampoo tested
- Helps eradicate frizz
- Contains actual gold, leaving a shimmer to your hair, one that you can visibly see in the palm of your hand once dispensed
Cons:
- Price may be unreachable for some
“Sulfate-free alternatives are a little gentler than those with sulfates,” Fitzsimons explains.
Ulo Thickening Shampoo
ulo
Pros:
- Formulated without artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates and sulfates, which offers your hair a gentle, non-irritating cleanse
- Boasts a lightweight consistency once applied, absorbing into the scalp well
- Said to have a great scent and helps the hair look fuller after each wash
Cons:
- The price point may be higher than what some may wish to spend
- It may not be the best option for dry scalps, as this formulation caters more toward hair growth and strengthening
Calling all the men: If you’re aiming to try a new shampoo that was thoughtfully curated with natural ingredients, the Ulo Thickening Shampoo is a best-in-class option.
Dr. Groot Bond Fortifying Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Creates instantly shiny hair from the moment it’s rinsed out
- Fairly affordable for its professional quality
- Includes keratin and silk protein to naturally tame frizz and add shine
I can’t shut up about the Dr. Groot Bond Fortifying Shampoo. It’s truly a miracle for thinning hair and splitting ends.
milk_shake Insta.Light Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Has one of the most gloriously fruity-sweet scents
- One of the best to use for a naturally bouncy end result once blow dried
- Gently cleanses the scalp and gives it a Hollywood-level shine
Holy hair. I think I found one of my new favorite brands for 2025, and that’s milk_shake.
Dr. Groot Hair Thickening Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Leaves the ends of the hair full and revitalized
- Contains biotin, which is an expert-recommended ingredient for hair growth
- Infused with an herbal blend that leaves the hair purified and feeling fresh
What’s revolutionary about the PURA D’OR Anti Hair-Thinning Biotin Shampoo is its popularity, effectiveness and affordability, all infused into one pump-dispensing bottle.
AG Hair Curl Fresh Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Plant-based formula that has that “clean” feeling with each use
- Moisturizes natural waves and curls
- One of the best for air-drying your hair
I’m just going to come out and say it — AG Hair’s Curl Fresh Shampoo is the best shampoo for curly hair I’ve tested.
amika Mirrorball High-Shine + Protect Antioxidant Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- De-frizzes and adds shine simultaneously
- Fairly priced
- Contains antioxidants to support hair health
The brand amika is known for its captivating, alluring scents — and the Mirrorball High-Shine + Protect Antioxidant Shampoo is one of the best you’ll find.
Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo
Amazon
Pros:
- Contains niacinamide to moisturize and help thicken the hair
- Leaves the hair satiny but not over-washed
- Hydrates the hair well with a lavish scent and a dreamy feel
You can’t come between me and the K
