Courtesy
It’s time to talk about the most important part of your day: the simple wash, rinse, and repeat. In order to create the finest manes in the game, our editors play favorites when it comes to shampoos and conditioners. Below, ELLE.com editors weigh in on the secret to silkiness, protecting the impulsive dye job, and minimizing the frizz without compromising curls.
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“This shampoo was recently recommended to me and I haven’t used anything else since. It gently cleans my hair without making it super dry. As for my conditioner, I use this mask from the same collection. A tiny bit each time I wash goes a long way and keeps my hair extra hydrated.” —Nikki Ogunnaike, ELLE.com Style Director
Kérastase Nutritive Fondant Magistral, $32.25; kerastase-usa.com
Kérastase Nutritive Masque Magistral, $39; kerastase-usa.com
“My N.Y.C. hairdresser introduced me to this shampoo because I’ve always had a lot of fine hair that could use the volume lift. I love how this formula doesn’t weigh my hair down at all, though. My hair is soft, full—and better yet, maintains those qualities without washing daily. With the conditioner, I’ve always been hesitant about using a lot—it can make my hair flat, quickly. But this conditions the ends and keeps my strands tangle-free and smooth. Overall, it’s a solid shampoo-conditioner duo for fine hair.” —Alyssa Bailey, ELLE.com News Editor
Alfaparf Semi di Lino Magnifying Shampoo, $18.37; amazon.com
Alfaparf Semi di Lino Magnifying Conditioner, $25.65; amazon.com
“Parts of my hair have been bleached to high hell for over a year, so it needs TLC. These are the bottles currently sitting in my tub. The formulations are nourishing and I never come away from a wash feeling like my hair is overly squeaky and stripped. Aveda’s products always have a calming hippie fragrance (this product combines bergamot, lavender, and ginger lily notes); I always feel like I’m at a day spa when I use them.” —Estelle Tang, ELLE.com Senior Culture Editor
Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Shampoo, $30; aveda.com
Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Conditioner, $30; aveda.com
“My scalp is gross, and there’s no pussyfooting around it. It likes to overproduce skin, meaning I have dry skin where flakes abound. I massage—or scratch, let’s be real—this Aesop shampoo vigorously into my skull for soothing, tingly feels. I’ve been using Dove’s conditioner since middle school. Sure, some fancy brands are technically better at luxuriating your hair than this bulk-sized bottle, but I’ve yet to find something where cost and quality aligned so well.”—Justine Carreon, ELLE.com Market Editor
Aesop Calming Shampoo, $29; nordstrom.com
Dove Nutritive Solutions Conditioner, $8.99; amazon.com
“I don’t believe that shampoos and conditioners have to match but I must admit mine do. The products work together like magic. I have really frizzy, curly hair and this is my go-to when I want to minimize the static head. I’ve been loyal to the brand for a few years now and I don’t see myself switching anytime soon. It meets my number one goal: Minimize the frizz without compromising the curl. Now, I need to further my matchy-matchy lifestyle and find an adorable bra-underwear set that pairs well with good hair days.”— Chloe Hall, ELLE.com Special Projects Editor and Producer
Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo, $26; sephora.com
Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner, $26; sephora.com
“Micellar water works wonders for removing makeup and all dirt from the skin. I had no idea it works the same way for hair—and with all the styling products I use day to day (like 10 pounds of dry shampoo, not gonna lie), I needed a formula that would effectively cleanse it all off without leaving my scalp stripped. I love how sudsy this formula gets after just one pump—it turns the mundane task of shampooing into a full-on indulgence. As the seasons change, my scalp suffers. When dryness and flakes are inevitable, I turn to this conditioner. It feels immediately cooling and calming on the skin and silky on my strands. The millenial pink bottle is a ‘grammable touch—and yes, I still love millenial pink in 2019 don’t @ me. “— Kristina Rodulfo, ELLE.com Senior Beauty Editor
Pantene Micellar Shampoo, $9.99; target.com
Oribe Serene Scalp Conditioner, $46; amazon.com
“My first bottle of this was $0 (hi, beauty closet!), but I actually dipped into my own pocket to buy it again because I loved it that much. I take my hair seriously and put expensive shampoo in the same category as mascara: You do notice a difference with when you spend more. It’s rich, it actually made my non-styled hair more mangeable, and it smells like some subtle floral situation. As one of those girls who doesn’t wash every single day (or every other day), I can do a thicker conditioner as my regular. I’ve totally swapped out classic formulas for masks and depending on the season, I’ll either rinse it out or leave it in, and then skip the smoothing product I’d normally add to damp hair. Since I’ve found argan oil to be a super fit for my thick, coarser strands, this oil-inclusive mix made a lot of sense” — Leah Melby Clinton, ELLE.com Director of Branded Content
Oribe Shampoo for Magnificent Volume, $44; nordstrom.com
Kerastase Masque Elixir Conditioner, $23.86; amazon.com
“I’m just going to be honest: I get really large flakes on my scalp. Be it from a blowout, product buildup, or getting braids, escaping flakes seems to be inevitable. But with weekly washing and this one-two punch combo, I can manage. This argan oil shampoo has been in my rotation since it’s release because it restores the much needed moisture to my scalp. It also manages to work well with relaxed, natural _and_ synthetic hair—a god send! Once i’m finished washing, I seal in the moisture with a hefty dollop of this olive and orange oil fortified conditioner. The result? Shiny, healthy, flake-free hair.” — Starr Bowenbank, Editorial Fellow
Creme of Nature Professional Argan Oil Moisture and Shine Shampoo, $8.55; amazon.com
ORS Olive Oil Strengthen & Nourish Replenishing Conditioner, $9.71; amazon.com
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