The Best Shampoo And Conditioner For Your Hair Type
When it comes to buying shampoo and conditioner, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of grabbing whatever looks cutest or smells great. But since, these are the products that you use most frequently, investing in a good shampoo and conditioner is always a good idea. And trust us, when you start, you’ll never look back. This means finding good quality products that are targeted for your hair type is essential.
Luckily for you, we got in touch with the experts at haircare hero brand Sachajuan, and the most in-demand celeb hairstylist and Founder of Ouai, Jen Atkin, for their top product recommendations. We’ve also included some bomb drugstore options to try, because, well, we think there’s some great drugstore options out there too.
Why buying products for your hair type is so important!
Before we get to all the juicy product recommendations, it’s helpful to understand why it’s so important to buy products for your hair type. Just like your skin, everyone’s hair type has its own separate set of concerns. For example, if you have coily curls you’ll want to avoid frizz and add curl definition. Whereas if you have straight hair, you’ll probably want to add volume. To achieve these results, the texture, weight and key ingredients will be completely different; what would work wonders for afro textures and curly hair would be a nightmare for those with oily hair. This is exactly why you need to find a product that does all the right things, rather than aggravate your hair concerns.
Oily Hair
If you’re constantly battling greasy locks, you may want to rethink your current shampoo and conditioner. Look for products with cleansing and detoxifying ingredients like kaolin clay, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint. Another amazing ingredient for greasy hair is salicylic acid, which is able to dissolve dead skin cells that are blocking your scalp that could cause dandruff and oil buildup.
Sachajuan recommends: “The Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo, $28, and Scalp Conditioner, $31, are clarifying products formulated to maintain the balance of the hair and scalp and to counteract the effects of dry skin. The regulating shampoo removes dandruff and itchiness while maintaining a healthy pH balance. Rosemary oil, menthol, and ginger extract soothe scalp irritation, leaving the scalp calm and refreshingly revived.”
Jen recommends: The combo of the Ouai Clean Shampoo, $28, and Clean Conditioner, $26, will offer a deep cleanse, helping rid your scalp of any product buildup or grease. We should also mention that it smells delicious; it’s scented with Italian lemon, Turkish rose, jasmine, and white musk.
Our drugstore fave: The Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo, $4, is a must if you have oily hair. The shampoo contains three forms of refined clay to detoxify the scalp and soak up any oily residue. It’s also gentle enough to use on a daily basis.
Posts You'll Love:
Split-End Prone
Splits ends are the worst, so in an effort to dodge them at all costs, a restorative hair product is a must. Look for rich, hydrating ingredients like essential oils; rose oil or argan oil that’ll seal the hair cuticle. Anything with the words “recovery,” “repair,” and “mending” are a great place to start.
Sachujuan recommends: “Our Hair Repair, $34, will promote cell regeneration and lends vitality and strength to the hair. Its long-lasting effect and frizz-reducing benefits leave your hair manageable with a silky shine and a healthy look,” explains the experts at Sachajuan.
Jen recommends: If your hair is damaged Jen suggests using The Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo, $36, and Deep Conditioning Mask, $36. Not only will it offer a deep cleanse, but it’s super hydrating and it’s packed with reparative ingredients like biotin and rose oil to keep split ends to a minimum.
Drugstore fave: We’re obsessed with the HASK Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Shampoo, $6, and Conditioner, $6. It’s saved our split ends on multiple occasions. And it’s thanks to its key ingredient; monoi oil, a blend of Tahitian gardenias and coconut oil, which help strengthen the hair follicle to avoid future split ends.
Curly Girls
Curly girls out there, this one is for you. If you’ve been #blessed with curly, coily or kinky locks you’ll probably be familiar with the curly girl method (if not get reading, here). The CGM recommends using gentle cleansing ingredients weekly and then packing in as many hydrating factors as possible such as creams, custards, and of course, leave-in conditioners.
Sachajuan recommends: “The Sachajuan Curl Shampoo, $28, and Curl Conditioner, $31, will gently cleanse the hair without drying out your curls. Enriched with Ocean Silk Technology and boosted with Wheat Protein, brittle hair is moisturized and conditioned, leading to less breakage and more defined curls. Curly hair is gently cleansed, and cuticles nourished. Hair is left stronger, shinier, and more defined,” the Sachajuan experts tell us.
Drugstore fave: Shea Moisture is one of our fave haircare brands for curls as they offer super-rich, intense formulas. The Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo, $12, and Conditioner, $12, is amazing as it won’t strip away moisture but as it contains silk proteins and hydrating oils it’ll strengthen the hair follicle and define the curl pattern.
Kinky Afro Texture
If you have 4A to 4C curls, you may want to ditch traditional shampoo altogether. Or, as determined by the Curly Girl Method, limit your cleansing to biweekly. The key thing to remember is to use as many hydrating products as possible and limit heat styling to a minimum.
Sachajuan recommends: The Sachajuan experts suggest to “Refresh your hair with our Hair Cleansing Cream, $42; it cleanses hair using a new, non-traditional technique based on caring waxes. The cream formula does not lather but creates shine, luster, moisture and softness while refreshing your hair. An innovative way of nourishing and cleansing suitable for dry, coarse, bleached, colored or damaged hair.”
Jen recommends: Jen suggests using The Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Avocado Hydrating Shampoo, $24, and Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner, $24. The hydrating combo is made for curly, textured hair as a result, it’s packed with moisturizing ingredients like tomato fruit ferment and rice amino acids to help seal and strengthen the hair cuticle.
Drugstore fave: The Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, $12, will help cleanse your scalp while simultaneously allowing your hair strands to retain their natural moisture, which is essential for kinky hair. Follow with the Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi OIl Omega-3-6-9 Rescue + Repair Conditioner, $12, which is packed with omegas and fatty acids to replenish and restore the hair.
Dry and Damaged Hair
Hands up if you have a tendency to overwork your hair? If you’re guilty of this, it’s time to show your locks some love with an intense reparative shampoo and conditioner combo. Look for rich formulas packed with hydrating ingredients like essential oils (our fave is argan) as well as fatty acids and omegas that’ll help repair the hair cuticle so you no longer have dry, damaged hair.
Sachujuan recommends: According to the experts at Sachajuan “The Intensive Repair Shampoo, $28, and Conditioner, $31, will revive your hair as the restorative formulas will penetrate the hair follicle to offer maximum strengthening, conditioning, and detangling. Sachajuan’s Ocean Silk Technology combines with UVA and UVB protection, remaining even after rinsing, leaving hair in a healthier, stronger state.”