Choosing the right shampoo can make all the difference to the health and appearance of your hair. While many shampoos may seem similar, the right formula is designed to target your hair's unique needs, whether it's dry, fine, coloured, curly, oily, or damaged.

If your hair feels dry after washing, your colour fades quickly, or your roots become oily within a day or two, your shampoo could be the reason. In this guide, we'll help you identify your hair type and choose the best shampoo to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.

Why Choosing the Right Shampoo Matters

Shampoo does much more than simply clean your hair. A quality shampoo removes excess oil, dirt, sweat, and product build up while supporting your hair's natural moisture balance.

Professional shampoos are formulated with high quality ingredients to target specific hair concerns without stripping away essential moisture. Using the wrong shampoo can leave your hair feeling dry, heavy, dull, or difficult to manage, while the right one creates the foundation for healthier, more manageable hair.

Identify Your Hair Type

Before choosing a shampoo, ask yourself these questions:

• Does your scalp become oily quickly?
• Does your hair feel dry or rough through the mid lengths and ends?
• Is your hair coloured or chemically treated?
• Is your hair naturally curly or textured?
• Is your hair fine and lacking volume?
• Is your hair damaged from heat styling, bleaching, or colouring?

Your hair may fit into more than one category. For example, it's common to have an oily scalp with dry ends or fine hair that's also coloured.

Best Shampoo for Dry Hair

Dry hair often lacks moisture and natural oils, making it feel rough, brittle, or prone to frizz. It can also become tangled easily and appear dull rather than shiny.

Look for shampoos that provide lasting hydration without weighing the hair down.

We recommend: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo 266ml

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo gently cleanses while replenishing moisture and protecting coloured hair. Its concentrated, sulphate free formula softens dry strands, improves manageability, and leaves hair feeling healthier after every wash.

Ideal for:

• Dry hair
• Coloured hair
• Medium to thick hair
• Hair lacking softness and shine

Best Shampoo for Fine Hair

Fine hair can often become flat, limp, or oily quickly. Heavy moisturising shampoos may leave it looking weighed down rather than voluminous.

Choose lightweight formulas that cleanse effectively while adding body and fullness.

We recommend: Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo 266ml

Designed specifically for fine, colour treated hair, Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo gently removes impurities while creating the appearance of fuller, more voluminous hair. It lifts at the roots without stripping moisture, leaving hair feeling light, fresh, and bouncy.

Ideal for:

• Fine hair
• Flat hair
• Colour treated hair
• Hair needing extra body

Best Shampoo for Coloured Hair

Hair colour is an investment, so it's important to protect it with products formulated specifically for colour treated hair.

Regular shampoos can cause colour to fade faster by stripping away moisture and pigments.

We recommend: Redken Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo 300ml

Redken Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo helps maintain vibrant colour while delivering incredible shine. Its acidic formula helps seal the hair cuticle, leaving hair smoother while helping colour remain fresher for longer.

Ideal for:

• Coloured hair
• Dull hair
• Hair lacking shine
• Anyone wanting longer lasting colour

Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair

Heat styling, bleaching, colouring, and environmental stress can all weaken the hair over time. Damaged hair often feels rough, breaks easily, and lacks softness and shine.

Choose a shampoo that helps strengthen weakened hair while cleansing gently.

We recommend: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo 300ml

This strengthening shampoo helps reinforce weakened hair while reducing the appearance of damage. It improves softness, resilience, and shine while helping hair look and feel healthier over time.

Ideal for:

• Bleached hair
• Chemically treated hair
• Heat damaged hair
• Fragile or weakened hair

Best Shampoo for Curly Hair

Curly hair naturally tends to be drier than straight hair because natural oils take longer to travel down the hair shaft.

Hydration is essential for defining curls, reducing frizz, and maintaining bounce.

We recommend: Clever Curl Cleanser 450ml

Unlike traditional shampoos, Clever Curl Cleanser gently cleanses without stripping away the moisture curls need. It helps maintain curl definition while keeping the scalp fresh and balanced.

Ideal for:

• Wavy hair
• Curly hair
• Coily hair
• Frizz prone hair

Best Shampoo for Oily Hair

If your hair becomes greasy quickly, it's often a sign that your scalp is producing excess oil. While it may be tempting to wash with a harsh shampoo every day, over cleansing can strip away your scalp's natural oils, causing it to produce even more oil in response.

Instead, choose a shampoo that gently removes excess oil and product build up while helping to maintain a balanced scalp.

We recommend: Biolage Scalp Sync Clarifying Shampoo 400ml

Biolage Scalp Sync Clarifying Shampoo deeply cleanses the scalp and hair, removing excess oil, impurities, and product build up without leaving hair feeling stripped or dry. Inspired by the antibacterial and calming properties of mint leaf, it leaves the scalp feeling refreshed and revitalised.

Ideal for:

• Oily hair
• Oily scalp
• Product build up
• Hair that feels heavy or greasy between washes

Can You Have More Than One Hair Concern?

Absolutely. Most people don't fit neatly into just one hair type.

You might have an oily scalp with dry ends, fine hair that's also coloured, or curly hair that's been damaged by heat styling. In these cases, choose a shampoo that addresses your main concern, then use your conditioner, treatment, or styling products to target your other needs.

For example, someone with fine, coloured hair could use Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo with a hydrating conditioner to add body while maintaining moisture and protecting their colour.

Professional Shampoo vs Supermarket Shampoo

If you've ever wondered whether professional shampoo is worth the investment, the answer is yes.

Professional shampoos are formulated with higher quality ingredients and more concentrated formulas than many supermarket alternatives. This means you typically use less product with each wash while receiving targeted benefits for your specific hair type and concerns.

They're also designed to work alongside matching conditioners and treatments, helping you achieve healthier, more manageable hair over time. While professional shampoos may cost more upfront, they often last longer because you only need a small amount each wash.

Tips for Getting the Best Results from Your Shampoo

Even the best shampoo won't perform at its best if it's used correctly. Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your routine:

• Wet your hair thoroughly before applying shampoo.
• Focus shampoo on your scalp rather than the mid lengths and ends.
• Massage your scalp gently using your fingertips to lift oil and build up.
• Rinse thoroughly before applying conditioner.
• Use a conditioner that's suited to your hair type.
• Avoid washing your hair with very hot water, as it can strip moisture and contribute to dryness.

Still Not Sure Which Shampoo Is Right for You?

Choosing the right shampoo doesn't have to be overwhelming. Complete our free online Hair Consultation to receive personalised product recommendations and expert advice from our experienced salon stylists, tailored to your hair type, concerns, and goals.

Healthy hair starts with the right foundation, and choosing a shampoo that's designed for your hair type is one of the simplest ways to achieve stronger, shinier, healthier looking hair.