17 best shampoos of all time, according to the GLAMOUR team

Why we love it: Truly living up to its name, this deeply cleansing and clarifying shampoo is the GOAT when it comes to eliminating product build-up from styling products and dry shampoo. You only need a teeny tiny amount each time, but it'll quite literally pull out any dirt, oil, and impurities, and leave your hair feeling squeaky clean. Best of all, unlike many clarifying shampoos, it's totally fine to use on coloured hair.

“Given my reliance on dry shampoo, my hair often accumulates product build up. So whenever I feel like it needs a good refresh (read: often), I turn to Ouai's detoxing formula. Packed with apple cider vinegar for pH restoration, and micellar water to unclog hair follicles, it provides a thorough cleanse, leaving my hair feeling exceptionally fresh after each use,” says Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer.

Pros: Colour-safe. No parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. Goes a long way.

Cons: Expensive.

• Tester: Mayola Fernandes.
• Best for: Getting rid of product build-up.
• Bottle size: 300ml.
• Vegan? No.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: Apple cider vinegar and micellar water.

Why we love it: Not only is it sold alongside a matching conditioner, but this TIGI shampoo is a really affordable option. Designed specifically for dry hair, it gives moisture-deprived tresses a real boost of hydration, and leaves locks looking silky and soft when dry. Great value for money, the enormous bottles last absolutely ages — and the amazing fruity scent will stick around long after you've washed your hair.

“It lasts for ages – that’s my main takeaway with this one. The bottles are huge, making the cost-per-wash is seriously impressive. The only thing worth noting is that – if you’ve already got slightly oily hair – you might want to steer clear. Thanks to it being *so* moisturising, my hair got oily perhaps a tad quicker than it did when I used an alternative shampoo from this edit. If you’ve got dry hair, however? Get. On. It,” says Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.

Pros: Affordable. Includes conditioner.

Cons: Has silicones.

• Tester: Sophie Cockett.
• Best for: Soft and silky hair on a budget.
• Bottle size: 750ml (Pack of 2).
• Vegan? Yes.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: Glycerin.

Why we love it: The haircare equivalent of the green juice you have on Monday morning after a weekend of gluttony, this impactful shampoo is essentially a health reset for your hair. Fortified with hydrolyzed quinoa that visibly enhances colour vibrancy, intensely moisturising baobab seed oil, antioxidant-rich grapefruit extract, and a special form of keratin protein, it's a formula that packs a real punch. Expect instant improvement in the overall condition of your mane.

“This shampoo serves as a refreshing reboot for my hair, adding much-needed moisture to my heat-damaged hair. Enriched with Alpha Keratin 60ku and baobab seed oil, its nourishing blend noticeably tames frizz and restores shine in my hair, despite years of damage to my ends from heat styling. It smells gorgeous, too, which is an added bonus,” adds Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer.

Pros: Clarifying. Lathers nicely. Goes a long way.

Cons: Expensive.

• Tester: Mayola Fernandes.
• Best for: Resetting your hair, detangling.
• Bottle size: 240ml.
• Vegan? Doesn't say.
• Cruelty-free? Doesn't say.
• Hero ingredients: Alpha keratin 60ku, hydrolyzed quinoa, and grapefruit extract.

Why we love it: Treat dry and brittle locks to this rich and nourishing Redken formula that massages into a really lovely lather. It's formulated with proteins that protect against breakage and minimise the appearance of split ends, and the brand's Strength Complex of amino acids that plump each and every single fibre with heaps of hydration. The result? Hair that looks and feels soft, smooth, and generally more manageable.

“My hair has never felt so clean and yet so nourished at the same time. Normally it's one or the other — with some shampoos stripping my hair back and making it feel brittle and dry, and others only adding to the oils that were already there. But this one is the perfect middle. If scent is important to you, this one has a subtle hint of Drumstick lollies,” says Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR's Senior Commerce Writer.

Pros: Super rich. Contains protein. Lathers nicely.

Cons: Not cruelty-free.

• Tester: Georgia Trodd.
• Best for: Cleansing your hair without being too drying.
• Bottle size: 300ml.
• Vegan? No.
• Cruelty-free? No.
• Hero ingredients: Redken strength complex.

Why we love it: Did you know that hard water can wreak absolute havoc on your hair, and leave it far more susceptible to dryness and breakage? Alongside their bestselling shower head and shower filter, Hello Klean are famous for their haircare products that have been designed to combat the negative effect that hard water can have on our tresses. This shampoo boasts a truly unique formula, with bamboo charcoal being used to draw out any extra minerals and metals hiding in the hair shaft, so that your hair is left looking and feeling weightless from root to tip. Then lactic acid and licorice root help stimulate growth and build hydration, and oat protein leaves behind a lovely softness and shine.

“My hair has been slow to grow and limp and lifeless for as long as I can remember. So I can't begin to explain how much of an instant change I noticed when I started using this shampoo. No longer weighed down by unnecessary minerals and metals, my hair is softer, shinier, and looks far more hydrated. And best of all, I think it's even finally starting to grow,” says Georgia Lockstone, Freelance Commerce Writer.

Pros: No parabens, sulfate-free, or silicones. Colour-safe. Great reviews.

Cons: Only comes in one bottle size.

• Tester: Georgia Lockstone.
• Best for: Hair that's been damaged by hard water, hair loss.
• Bottle size: 350ml.
• Vegan? Yes.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: Bamboo charcoal and oat protein.

Why we love it: Looking for a more premium shampoo formula that strengthens hair cuticles from the inside out? The Oribe Gold Lust Repair Restore Shampoo is just the thing. Formulated to help restore moisture, boost shine, and balance the scalp, this nourishing formula features a bio-restorative complex (including plant collagen, caffeine, and biotin) to treat your hair to some proper TLC.

Pros: Deeply nourishing, balancing and rejuvenating.

Cons: Expensive.

• Best for: Damaged hair, thick hair.
• Bottle size: 250ml.
• Vegan? Yes.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: Argan oil and maracuja oil, Oribe’s signature complex.

Why we love it: A trusty purple shampoo is something most salon blondes – from trophy blonde to Bambi blonde – will reach to for at least one hair wash day a week. As well as illuminating white and light tones — and banishing any excess brass — this lovely shampoo's clarifying formula will still ensure your hair gets a thorough cleanse. It'll leave you with your brightest possible shade of blonde, silver, or white hair — without sucking away any shine or moisture.

“My highlighted hair often starts to go a bit brassy throughout the month, so to keep the blonde a nice cool tone I reach for Tigi's Catwalk Fashionista Violet shampoo for every other wash. It's formulated to tone and clarify thanks to its deep purple shade, and you can leave it on for up to 10 minutes depending on how bright you want it to look,” says Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR's Senior Commerce Writer.

Pros: Sulphate-free. Customisable. Lovely fragrance.

Cons: Quite expensive. Not for every wash.

• Tester: Georgia Trodd.
• Best for: Blondes looking to banish any excess brass.
• Bottle size: 750ml.
• Vegan? Doesn't say.
• Cruelty-free? Doesn't say.
• Hero ingredients: Pearl extract and rice milk.

Why we love it: Thanks to its hydrating and nourishing properties, and proteolytic enzymes that break down any dead skin cells blocking the hair follicles, Aloe Vera sits at the heart of this formula. Enriched with ingredients like Queensland nut (aka macadamia nut) and sea buckthorn that are great sources of strengthening and hydrating fatty acids, this shampoo makes a great cleanser for brittle and damaged hair types. Plus, the clever Polycare® Split Therapy Technology has been clinically proven to instsntly repair split ends.

“As someone with rather dry hair, finding a shampoo with ingredients that are rich in strengthening and hydrating ingredients is really important to me. Infused with rich and nourishing macadamia nut oil, and hydrating plant-based squalene, this repairing shampoo really ticks my boxes. Plus, I love the sweet and juicy pomegrante fragrance that it leaves behind,” adds Georgia Lockstone, Freelance Commerce Writer.

Pros: Lovely fragrance. No parabens, sulphates, or silicones.

Cons: Expensive. Not for fine hair.

• Tester: Georgia Lockstone.
• Best for: Brittle hair that's been overly damaged or processed.
• Bottle size: 300ml.
• Vegan? Yes.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: Aloe vera, polycare split therapy technology, and Queensland nut.

Why we love it: Don't want to undo all that time and money you spent at the salon? This gently cleansing formula will thoroughly wash away any impurities — while still protecting against colour fading — thanks to its clever Japanese amino-fortified complex that prevents breakage. The result? Radiant and healthy locks that'll keep their vibrancy for longer between hair salon appointments.

“This shampoo is so, so good at protecting against colour fading, and it genuinely leaves my hair feeling more weightless than ever. I get balayage around two-to-three times each year, and I wasn’t convinced this shampoo would protect against fading and leave my hair soft – but oh how wrong I was. It has fast become my favourite shampoo in my bathroom, and at an affordable price, too,” says Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.

Pros: Sulphate-free. Colour-safe. Lightweight.

Cons: We can't find any.

• Tester: Sophie Cockett.
• Best for: Protecting coloured or bleached hair.
• Bottle size: 250ml.
• Vegan? No.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: Japanese amino-fortified complex.

Why we love it: Just an all-round great buy, this Redken shampoo boasts a super-concentrated formula that works wonders on all hair types and textures. It’s formulated with Citric Acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid within Redken's famous concentrated bonding care complex that's designed to protect weak bonds, and fortify the strength and resilience of your hair after a bleach or colour. It also tames frizz, enhances shine, and protects against premature colour fading.

“When I’m taking an everything shower and want to take time to really pamper, I’ll always reach for this Redken shampoo because it feels so luxe, and I know it does a seriously good job at caring for. my hair. I use it, my housemate uses it, my friends with afro hair use it. And we all adore it. Just note: a little goes a long way. Your hair will feel a tad sticky if you use more than the recommended amount,” adds Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.

Pros: Lathers up nicely. pH balancing. Colour-safe.

Cons: Expensive.

• Tester: Sophie Cockett.
• Best for: A formula that works on all different hair types and
• textures.
• Bottle size: 300ml.
• Vegan? No.
• Cruelty-free? No.
• Hero ingredients: Citric acid.

Why we love it: For making fine hair look fuller and more voluminous, this Grow Gorgeous shampoo is definitely the way to go. Its richly nourishing formula effectively cleanses the scalp, roots, and ends, while also encouraging visibly fuller, luscious-looking locks with its invigorating caffeine, biotin, and keratin formula. To maximise softness and shine, the formula has also been enriched with rice protein. Hands down, one of the best volume shampoos around.

“I was first introduced to Grow Gorgeous when I started using their famous hair-growth serum early last year — and it's still a product that I use weekly on my fine hair. So, I had no reservations about trying the brand's shampoo, and was immediately impressed with how much more full and voluminous it made my hair look. Like me, my mum has really fine hair — and it's also still growing back after chemotherapy — so I treated her to a bottle of hair growth shampoo for Christmas. She still uses it whenever she washes her hair, and says that it leaves her locks looking far thicker, as well as super soft to the touch,” says Georgia Lockstone, Freelance Commerce Writer.

Pros: No parabens, sulfates, or phthalates, great reviews, goes a long way, helps achieve bouncy and voluminous hair.

Cons: None as far as we can tell.

• Tester: Georgia Lockstone.
• Best for: Lacklustre locks that are lacking in volume.
• Bottle size: 250ml.
• Vegan? Yes.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: Caffeine, keratin, and rice protein.

Why we love it: One of the OGs in the hair health game, Olaplex products have been specifically formulated to restore breakage-prone locks. A favourite amongst hair stylists, this bestselling shampoo intensively nourishes as it cleanses the hair and scalp. Using its patented technology, it. works to repair the bonds within hair that's been exposed to lots of colouring, bleaching, heat styling, and chemical treatments. Enriched with sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel, rosemary leaf extract, and banana fruit, this formulation leaves behind a sensational amount of shine.

“A total classic. No round-up of the best shampoo would be complete without an entry from Olaplex – and while I’ve tested my fair share of products since I started working as a journalist nearly six years ago, it remains a firm favourite. Just remember to only use a really small amount – it’ll last for ages that way,” adds Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.

Pros: No sulfates. Suitable for all hair types. Colour-safe.

Cons: Expensive. Most effective when used with other Olaplex products.

• Tester: Sophie Cockett.
• Best for: Transforming damaged hair over time.
• Bottle size: 1000ml.
• Vegan? Yes.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.
• Hero ingredients: OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology.

Why we love it: After a hydrating shampoo with an alluring floral scent? Say no more. This cruelty-free, vegan and silicone-free formula from Herbal Essences will nourish, restore and soften your hair, especially when paired with the matching Rose Scent Petal Soft Conditioner. Featuring an uplifting rose fragrance, this formula is packed with naturally-derived ingredients and nutrients and is also one of the more affordable entries in this round up.

Pros: Affordable, cruelty-free, vegan, siloicone-free.

Cons: Strong fragrance.

• Best for: Hydration.
• Bottle size: 350ml.
• Vegan? Yes.
• Cruelty-free? Yes.