My TikTok is dominated by videos of mirror glaze hair. Scrolling my FYP gives endless clips of the shiniest, glossiest and healthiest hair that I can only dream of.
While this may reveal more about what the algorithm deems to be of interest to me than I would like people to know, it also has set me on a mission to achieve the same level of enviable sheen - and that starts with the first step in everyone’s haircare routine, shampoo.
When you have dry hair, it may feel like it’s impossible to get the level of hydration required to mimic that fresh-from-the-salon glow. But this need not be the case. Dry hair can be caused by many different reasons, from overly harsh products to washing your hair too often, via chemical treatments and salty seawater. There may also be environmental reasons, age (as you start to produce less oil as you get older) or the lack of protection by the cuticle to seal in the moisture.
While it is not yet possible to reverse the ageing process, many of the other causes can be solved with the right haircare routine that will prevent dull, brittle and frizzy strands from ruining your day.
We consulted the experts to find out what we need to know about selecting the optimal shampoo to combat dry and damaged hair.
What is the shampoo for dry and frizzy hair?
Valerie Maine, CEO and founder of the Live True salons, explains, “We always recommend a shampoo that has plenty of hydrating ingredients. Going for salon quality brands is a must as they are high performing and best for overall hair health”.
The experts at Ouai suggest that “Before looking for shampoo it might be a good idea to see what the root cause of your dry, frizzy hair is. It could be a variety of factors like age, hormones, heat and/or mechanical damage, colouring, and relaxants. When selecting a shampoo, it’s important to look for hydrating and reparative ingredients. Each OUAI formulation also includes hydrolyzed keratin to help with frizz and flyaways.
Is sulphate-free shampoo good for dry hair?
Luke Hersheson, CEO of Hershesons, reveals that “Sulphate-free shampoo is good for maintaining moisture, so it is kinder to the hair. It won’t necessarily affect the frizziness but will certainly make it less dry and it won’t strip the hair of so much of its natural oils. For frizzy hair, I use styling products to really help smooth the hair, The Almost Everything Cream helps to condition and tame frizz helping to boost shine. Kerastase Discipline range is really good it’s kind of made for coloured frizzy hair and it’s also sulphate free.”
Maine adds, “Sulphate-free shampoo tends to give a gentler clean, which can be good for dry hair that’s caused by excessive washing or is damaged and needs careful handling. If your hair is dry, you don’t necessarily need to make the switch to sulphate-free, but it can be worth trying out”.
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Redken All Soft Shampoo 500ml
This is a cleansing shampoo that has been given the seal of approval by Valerie Maine, CEO and founder of Live True. It is praised for its ability to transform dull and lifeless locks into a silky, soft and smooth finish thanks to the complex of gold camelina and avocado oil.
This formula is all about creating shine, while also strengthening the individual strands with a combination of olive oil and silka amino acids. Hair is hydrated and left with a lovely aroma.
Buy now £18.92, lookfantastic
Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste 250ml
Luke Hersheson name-checked this product collection to counteract the effects of dry hair - namely brittle end and frizziness. It packs 72 hours of protection into its formula in order to infuse tresses with pro-keratin that fortifies broken and compromised strands.
The shampoo has an amino acid-rich formula that is combined with a wheat protein derivative and ceramide R that work in tandem to shield it from humidity. Sulfate-free.
Buy now £24.44, lookfantastic
Ouai Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This is a new addition to the Ouai collection and uses a salicylic infusion that stands out among other shampoos on the market. This is an ingredient you may recognise from your skincare routine if you have blemish-prone skin and is known for its exfoliating, pore de-clogging properties.
This formula offers relief to stressed scalps and so is ideal for those suffering from dandruff, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, but it’s good for dry hair too, especially if this is caused by environmental damage. Surfactants leave softy, cleansed locks in their wake without sulphates, parabens of phthalates.
Buy now £32.00, Cult Beauty
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
There is a reason why Pureology’s Hydrate shampoo is often found in our ‘best’ round-ups: it’s quite simply a very good product. The scent alone will be enough to convert you to the world of the vegan haircare brand (it has notes of patchouli, bergamot and lavender), but you’ll stay for the transformation of your tresses that will appear healthier, hydrated and vibrant if treated with colour.
Sage, green tea and jojoba form the basis of the formula that is nourishing and protective. These nourishing powerhouses are combined with the brand’s patented Antifade complex that should buy you some time between salon appointments and prevent further environmental aggressors from affecting your hair.
Buy now £14.54, Amazon
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Urban Moisture Shampoo 300ml
This shampoo will leave your hair soft and hydrated - what more can you ask for? It has the ability to thoroughly cleanse without feeling like it’s stripping your hair of its natural oils and so in just a few uses, it will look stronger and moisturised, thereby minimising frizz and frayed ends. The formula combines moringa oil and red algae extract to counteract urban stresses like pollution.
Buy now £34.43, lookfantastic
Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner Duo
Moroccanoil places its signature argan oil at the heart of this shampoo and conditioner combination to treat the hair to its antioxidant benefits from root to tip. There are also keratin proteins mimicking those found naturally to rebuild the strength of your tresses and make your locks more manageable. The formulas are free from sulphates but still have the ability to restore shine.
Buy now £34.70, lookfantastic
Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing shampoo 1L
You can rely on Philip Kingsley - the brand behind the beloved Elasticizer conditioning mask - to be a treat to damaged hair. This is the specialised formula for those with parched locks to maximise the antioxidant benefits, wheat protein rebuilding and strengthening properties in order to leave you with the silky smooth hair of your dreams.
Buy now £67.00, Selfridges
L’Oréal Professionnel Shampoo, With Protein And Gold Quinoa
Part of L’Oréal Professionnel’s Absolut Repair range, this shampoo was created in order to counteract the effect of over-processing and damage. It is designed to offer resurfacing to the hair and as such encourage less surface damage from the very first wash.
The formula is infused with gold quinoa and protein, the former of which sounds like a very luxe upgrade to the superfood favourite and the latter helps with rebuilding broken strands. Hair feels nourished, more manageable and soft.
Buy now £9.76, Amazon
Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo
If you’re not yet familiar with Olaplex, where have you been? The bestselling label is known as the haircare of hairdressers. The brand’s No4 is its repairing shampoo, which is particularly helpful for damaged hair. The formula gets to work repairing split ends and frizz by relinking broken bonds. It’s nourishing and leaves your hair easier to manage, while also looking and feeling shinier and healthier.
If you want to grow your hair you should really add this - and the entire range from 0 to seven - to your routine, immediately.
Buy now £27.90, Sephora
Wella Professionals Fusion Shampoo 1000ml
Whether you have thin or thick hair, long or short, this versatile shampoo makes every hair wash more manageable and makes you feel like you’ve just stepped out of the salon, from the smell to the professional formulation.
A little goes a long way, you need just a small amount to coat the entire head of hair and maximise its benefits. The combination of silk amino acids and micronised liqids helps to build resilience.
Buy now £25.00, lookfantastic
VICHY Dercos Anti-Dandruff - Dry Hair Shampoo 200ml
Targeted to those looking to counteract dandruff, it is a creamy texture that provides calming and soothing relief to those experiencing aggravation. It’s gentle but effective in removing build-up and dirt from the day, leaving behind a subtle but fruity aroma that you’ll catch a whiff of throughout the 9 to 5.
Buy now £13.50, lookfantastic
Grow Gorgeous Repair Rescue Shampoo 250ml
Grow Gorgeous specialises in products that will encourage growth and this shampoo is known as a strand strengthener that is restorative for damaged hair. It creates a protective shield to prevent further stress on the strands, whether that’s caused by heated tools, product build-up or excess oil.
The formula contains caffeine, amino acids derived from carob trees and cupuassu butter to bring nourishment and prevent your locks from feeling brittle.
Buy now £10.50, lookfantastic
Leonor Greyl Shampooing Crème Moelle de Bambou
The Parisian haircare label Leonor Greyl will offer a luxurious experience with every hair wash. The beautifully-scented product will have you relishing hair wash day, especially the after-effects.
This formula is targeted to long, dry, thick or frizzy hair with a concoction of natural active ingredients that remove impurities and have a conditioning effect, all while offering the thorough cleanse that you’d be looking for in your shampoo.
Buy now £33.50, Sephora
