Love your hair and want to keep it looking healthy and happy? We want that for you too, that’s why we’re giving you our definitive guide on the best shampoos for different hair types. There are a few do’s and don’ts too, so read on to find out just how to have a good hair day most days!
How to Choose Shampoo For Your Hair Type
Be it super straight or extra curly, our guide will have you picking the shampoo that puts your hair first. So go ahead and explore shampoos for different hair types !
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Check The Ingredients
No matter what type of hair you have, its is important to know how to choose shampoo. keeping a check on just what is in those products you use is equally important. While adverts can promise you amazing results, it’s good to see just what is in those bottles before you decide to experiment. If any of them have parabens, SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate), SLES (sodium laureth sulphate) and formaldehyde – try and skip them. There are many Sulphate & paraben free products available in the market. These are known to irritate skin and have, in some cases, been linked to cancer.
POPxo Recommends: Aloe Veda Cleansing Shampoo Paraben Free (Rs 230)
For The Silver Vixens Out There
Whether you’ve premature greys or have got a full head of salt and pepper vibes going, it’s important to keep the colour looking shiny and silvery! Knowing how to choose shampoo made for platinum/silver hair is a must. These shampoos help to neutralize those yellow undertones that can make grey hair look unhealthy.
POPxo Recommends: Nexxus Platinum Pro Colour Toning Shampoo (Rs 7,152)
Got Excess Build-Up?
A week of using hair irons, serums, leave-in conditioners and the lot can cause scalp build-up. When that happens just a regular shampoo won’t do. Using a clarifying shampoo will attack gunk and residue that just isn’t pretty to look at. However, these shampoos strip the hair of all oils, so make sure you know how to choose shampoo for such situations. In addition to this, do make sure that you these only once or twice a month and always use a hydrating conditioner after.
POPxo Recommends: Protein Kera Pre Treatment Clarifying Shampoo (Rs 999)
The Curly Tops
Girls with gorgeous curls need a ton of moisture to keep those strands intact. Shampoos and conditioners made especially for curly hair are great but can sometimes cause a lot of residue after a few days. Try finding a shampoo with apple cider vinegar and shea or cocoa butter that add moisture but also combat excess residue.
POPxo Recommends: Shea Moisture Raw Shea Restorative Shampoo (Rs 1,999)
Fine Hair, Don’t Care
If you need a ton of volume it’s time to get a shampoo with an ingredient called Panthenol, this helps thicken each strand making your hair appear thicker. Also, as mentioned before stay away from shampoos that have SLS, they weigh hair down making it even flatter than usual. Another fun trick is to use dry shampoo between washes as the powder soaks up oils and it adds a good bounce and body to the hair.
POPxo Recommends: The Body Shop Rainforest Volume Shampoo (Rs 1,199)
Got Oily Scalp And Hair?
Many people with oily hair think that using clarifying shampoos every other day will keep their hair balanced. However, frequent use of clarifying shampoos can sometimes over stimulate the scalp and make it produce more oils. For a start on how to choose the best shampoo for oily hair, it’s best to look for shampoos and conditioners that say balancing on the label as that maintains your hair. Also, go easy on the conditioners, as most of them are meant for moisture and can aggravate an already oily scalp.
POPxo Recommends: L’Oreal Professionnel Expert Serie Sensi Balance Shampoo (Rs 635)
Best Sulphate And Pareben Shampoos In India
Over Treated Hair
Usually, any treatment that you do comes with an aftercare package, however, once those are done, it’s really important to pamper your hair. Finding a good strengthening, vitamin E, and protein enriched conditioner really helps to seal in any lost life and nutrients in your hair. Since your hair has gone through so much already, keep your shampoo really gentle for a good clean feeling.
POPxo Recommends: Organix Healing + Vitamin E Shampoo (Rs 725)
Dry And Damaged Hair
Dry hair can occur naturally or can be caused by pollution and sun damage. It’s a must to go for hair spa treatments to really nurture your locks. However, a weekly wash with keratin shampoo and conditioner will also help to boost those proteins in your hair and strengthen them. Creamy formula shampoos are also a good option as opposed to clear ones, as they tend to be more hydrating.
POPxo Recommends: Tresemme Keratin Smooth Infusing Shampoo (Rs 1,399)
Dry Shampoo Is For Everybody
While you might think dry shampoo isn’t good for a certain hair type that just isn’t true. The whole point of a dry shampoo isn’t to replace your mid-week wash, but to really extend the life of a good blow dry or if you’re on the go and have no time to wash your hair. An absolute must on our guide of how to choose the right shampoo, a little spray around your hairline and a quick blow-out will bring your hair back to its newly washed look. In fact, dry shampoo is particularly good for people with slightly oily hair, since it absorbs grease and shine.
POPxo Recommends: BBLUNT Back To Life Dry Shampoo (Rs 550)
Frizzy Hair
There is no getting around frizzy hair when humidity is at an all-time high. However, using the right conditioner can help the frizz be more manageable. The secret really is in the conditioner, a good smoothening one usually contains a form of silicone that binds to the hair to keep it from being over the top. Also, if you pair this with a creamy shampoo, as opposed to a clear formula one, your frizz will be more under control.
POPxo Recommends: Wella Professionals Enrich Moisturizing Conditioner (Rs 700)
For Some Extra Volume
If you’re tired of all the extra styling and wish to add some volume to your hair, we suggest you go for some volumizing shampoo which instantly opens up your tresses and adds an extra bounce to your hair. Processed for fine hair, these shampoos balance the natural pH of your hair and lift each strand to give you a headful of healthy, bouncy hair.
POPxo Recommends: St.Botanica Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo (Rs 799)
For Those Winter Days
Winters not only tend to dry out our skin, but our scalp as well, which results in dry, lifeless, and unruly looking hair. Investing in cream based hydrating shampoo will make sure that your hair get the nourishment they need in order to maintain their natural lustre. Go for a hair product that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and E so that your tresses continue to be the glorious mane that they are!
POPxo Recommends: Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo (Rs 1,980)
For The Lovers Of Everything Sleek!
If you’re one of those who love to keep their mane classically sleek, it would be best if they got shampoos that are laden with moisturizers. Rich with keratin and similar smoothening agents, such shampoos seal the moisture in the hair cuticles and keep frizz at bay for you to enjoy smooth and ultra straight hair styles!
POPxo Recommends: Ayur Veda Aroma Deep Gorge Smoothening Shampoo (Rs 1,150)
For The Coloured Mane
Almost all of us are attracted to the idea of colouring our hair at some point or the other. But what many of us fail to realise is that coloured hair demand immense amount of care to lock in the hair colour and to also prevent strands from harmful effects of ammonia. So, it is best to invest in a colour protectant shampoo that is free of sulphates and one that also helps elongate the life of colour on your hair.
POPxo Recommends: Matrix Biolage Colorlast Orchide Color Protecting Shampoo (Rs 205)
For Those Troubled With Fallouts
If your hair have suddenly developed a tendency of falling out, then getting a shampoo that helps control hair fall is a good option. We suggest you get one which has minimum sulfates and is contains more of natural herbs so that your hair get the least distressed during your regular hair wash sessions.
POPxo Recommends: Bottega Di Lungavita Linfa Age Hair Fall Prevention Shampoo (Rs 690)
We hope that our guide on how to choose best shampoo for your hair type will help you in picking the right product for your tresses!
Images: Shutterstock
This story was updated in February 2019.