Let's just come out and say it: navigating the world of hair-care products can be daunting. There's just so much to take into consideration: Is your hair flat and fine, frizzy and thick, or somewhere in between? Do you get split ends easily? Or are you prone to fairy knots? Is your hair color-treated? Is dandruff making your scalp look like the North Pole and you need a brand-new shampoo to get rid of it? And if you think it's hard to take all this into consideration when shopping for your own hair products, imagine having to think about all that and more to test this category for our annual Best of Beauty Awards. But we did it anyway.
We found that there's a lot of good stuff out there no matter where you look. Your drugstore or 'round-the-way beauty supply each stock editor favorites from the likes of Carol's Daughter, Taliah Waajid, and Garnier. If you want to feel a little fancier without putting too much pressure on that credit card, Bumble and bumble, Living Proof, and Briogeo have a few of our most favorite options this year. And if money truly ain't a thang, Oribe and Christophe Robin have some gems you're going to want to add to your stash immediately.
Curly hair, straight hair, fine hair, frizzy hair — it all deserves to look good, and lucky you, we've rounded up the best products to guarantee that, no matter what your strands need to get there. What are you waiting for? Scroll down to see all of 2018's standout hair products for styling, washing, coloring, and more.
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: Fine Hair
The ultralight hydrators in Garnier Whole Blends Gentle Oat Delicacy Shampoo and Conditioner soften our ends without flattening our roots.
Shampoo, $5 (Shop Now), and Conditioner, $4 (Shop Now)
Read the Conditioner review +
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: Dry Hair
With their rich textures, Biolage R.A.W. Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner stand out from other sulfate-free formulas — and stand up to heat tools. Our brittle hair gives way to sleekness without a single snap.
Shampoo, $25 (Shop Now), and Conditioner, $25 (Shop Now)
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: Color-Treated Hair
Like microscopic magnets, the proteins in Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Conditioner attach to strands and seal up tiny holes in the cuticle, keeping hair glossy and color in place.
Shampoo, $35 (Shop Now), and Conditioner, $39 (Shop Now)
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: Damaged Hair
A natural humectant that’s also rich in amino acids, the honey in SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo and Conditioner boosts moisture and prevents breakage while coddling fragile hair.
Shampoo, $11 (Shop Now), and Conditioner, $11 (Shop Now)
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: Frizzy Hair
Unlike beauty editors, frizz is never choosy — it targets every texture. NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner, with ceramides and plant stem cells to eliminate fuzz, earn praise across the board.
Shampoo, $14 (Shop Now), and Conditioner, $14 (Shop Now)
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: Curly Hair
Similar to a seaweed wrap for your curls, the elastic polymers and marine extracts in Sebastian Professional Twisted Elastic Cleanser Shampoo and Detangler Conditioner spiral around each strand, adding renewed body and shape.
Shampoo, $18 (Shop Now), and Conditioner, $19 (Shop Now)
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER: Dandruff
No one ever thinks, Oh, good, flakes. But the creamy texture and clean floral scent of Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo and Conditioner are a pure pleasure.
Shampoo, $10 (Shop Now), and Conditioner, $7 (Shop Now)
Read the Shampoo review +
Read the Conditioner review +
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner turns frayed ends so silky, one tester with hair “fine enough to hold with two pins” was finally willing to let it all down.
$9 (Shop Now)
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Enriched with zinc, omegas, and proteins, Curls Cashmere + Caviar Hair Silk wraps thick curls in a sleeve of moisture, softening every bend and curve.
$15 (Shop Now)
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CO-WASH
You know how your hair produces natural oils that keep it strong and healthy? Pantene Gold Series Deep Hydrating Co-Wash knows it, too. The silky lotion lifts away dirt and impurities — not those essential lipids — then leaves behind enough argan oil and silicone to take the elbow grease out of detangling. (And our testers loved that it comes with a pump.)
$10 (Shop Now)
TREATMENT: Mask
Nexxus Keraphix Damage Healing Treatment Masque does more than heap on the moisture. Amino acids penetrate to the core, repairing damage and preventing breakage.
$5 each (Shop Now)
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TREATMENT: Scalp
The freezing, crackling, oh-my-God-what’s-happening microbubbles in Bumble and Bumble Bb Scalp Detox neutralize buildup at the roots for gravity-defying lift.
$34 (Shop Now)
TREATMENT: Oil
Hair oil is like mountain climbing: It’s all about the approach. ApotheCare Essentials The Mender Hair Oil can be rinsed out after a few minutes to quiet flyaways or combed through thick strands for intense hydration. Coconut milk and vitamin E create peak shine.
$10 (Shop Now)
TREATMENT: Thinning
To stimulate regrowth, apply a dollop of Women’s Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam to your scalp daily. It contains the highest dose of the only topical ingredient approved by the FDA to treat hereditary hair loss.
$40 (Shop Now)
Read the review +
STYLING PRODUCT: Volumizer
Some volumizers create the impression of fullness by clumping strands together. Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Mousse builds height and texture you can comb your fingers through.
$4 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Defrizzer, Thick / Coarse / Kinky Hair
We may not have a crystal ball, but we do know that L’Oréal Paris Sleek It Frizz Vanisher Cream blocks humidity and adds polish for up to three days. So at least the future looks bright for our hair.
$5 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Defrizzer, Fine / Medium Hair
The moisture-repelling molecules in Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer keep cuticles (but not volume) down.
$29 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Curl Definer, Thick / Coarse / Kinky Hair
Rich in aloe juice and coconut oil, Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie cushions curls, delivering bounce and shine without the slightest bit of stiffness.
$9 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Curl Definer, Fine / Medium Hair
Moisture is crucial to curls, but too much can drag them down. With just enough shea butter, Taliah Waajid Curly Curl “Gello” produces weightless definition and perfect springiness.
$8 (Shop Now)
Read the review +
STYLING PRODUCT: Wave Enhancer
Your hair doesn’t want to drink salt water, either. Joico Beach Shake uses beeswax to create airy waves and ropy bends without the crunchy feel.
$20 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Straightener
The shea butter and marula oil in OGX Smoothing + Shea Sleek Smooth Style Spray go head-to-head with hot tools; the lightweight formula disappears into your hands.
$9 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Edge Tamer
Thank you, Carol’s Daughter Pracaxi Nectar Frizz Tamer, for understanding the difference between sleek and slick. The nontacky formula smooths baby hairs with a dab of polish — not a wallop of shine.
$8 (Shop Now)
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STYLING PRODUCT: Hair Spray
No stickler for tradition, Sexy Hair Healthy Sexy Hair So Touchable provides more than mere hold. The brush-out formula adds shine, busts frizz, builds volume, and releases your inner free spirit.
$19 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Texturizer
Not to get too grandiose, but Ouai Dry Texture Foam will transform your hair — if not your life. Polymers and rice protein serve up that piecey, tousled, perfectly undone look you thought only existed on Instagram.
$28 (Shop Now)
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STYLING PRODUCT: Shine Booster
Loaded with keratin, Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Color Smoothing Serum locks in luster and disguises split ends. The cream-gel hybrid absorbs in seconds.
$5 (Shop Now)
STYLING PRODUCT: Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo used to be our dirty little secret, but Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo has cleaned up our act. Rice powder revives blowouts without a trace of buildup.
$23 (Shop Now)
HAIR COLOR: Permanent Color
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Coverage Nourishing Color Creme delivers color with so much depth and dimension, it reflects light and never looks one-note.
$8 (Shop Now)
HAIR COLOR: Semipermanent Color
Apply the tinted Christophe Robin Temporary Color Gel straight from the bottle (no mixing required) and rinse it off in the shower. Your color will be more lush (and your grays less apparent) through at least four shampoos.
$35 (Shop Now)
HAIR COLOR: Root Coverage
With its gentle formula and pristine results, DpHue Root Touch-Up Kit offers the feel (and longevity) of a salon job — minus the salon.
$30 (Shop Now)
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HAIR COLOR: Root Coverage
Why have the tiny zinc particles in Color Wow Root Cover Up won in this category for years? They cling to wiry grays and dark regrowth until you shampoo.
$35 (Shop Now)
Read the review +
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