How to choose the right shampoo for your hair type

We all know how important it is to wash and condition our hair regularly. But, be honest, how much care do you really take when choosing a shampoo and conditioner with which to do that?

Did you know that a good shampoo – and by that we’re talking about one that’s formulated specifically for your hair type – can literally change your life? Okay, maybe not your entire life, but it can definitely alter the way your strands look and feel. For example, curly and coily hair types might need more intensive nourishment and moisture, while thinner, finer tresses call for more lightweight formulas that won’t weigh the hair down.

So, as you can see, using a wash and care system that was specifically designed for your hair type is really important. Read on to discover which shampoos will suit you and your tresses’ needs, now.

Which shampoo is right for you?

1. Curly/wavy hair

While your hair type can probably skip a wash or two, wavy and curly hair types often benefit from shampoos that can help rehydrate dry strands and provide extra moisture to help minimise frizz and define curl pattern.

Having been designed with curly-haired ladies in mind, the Dove Advanced Hair Series Quench Absolute range will help nourish and quench dryness from the inside, out for bouncier, more manageable curls!

Try: Dove Advanced Hair Series Quench Absolute Shampoo (£5.99*)

2. Dry/damaged Hair

Damaged hair can happen to the best of us, thanks to colour treatments, heated styling tools, and even the natural elements.

To revive your damaged, parched tresses, an intensely nourishing formula – like the Toni&Guy Cleanse & Nourish Shampoo for Dry Hair – will be your best bet. This particular formula will help hydrate the strands as it cleanses, making your tresses softer-feeling, smoother-looking and easier to style!

Try: Toni&Guy Cleanse & Nourish Shampoo for Dry Hair (£6.49*)

3. Fine hair

Fine-haired gals crave volumising products in order to give their locks a bouncy boost. A good volumising shampoo, or one that’s especially lightweight – like the Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Moisture Shampoo – will work to add more moisture into your hair, while at the same time, not weigh it down.

Try: Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Moisture Shampoo (£5.99*)

4. Straight Hair

Often dubbed as the “normal hair type,” straight-haired ladies still need some love to help maintain their already great-looking locks.

The trick is to look out for shampoo formulas that are nourishing, while also helping to clarify and remove build-up, which in turn will also help boost that healthy-looking shine. The great thing about the TRESemmé Deep Cleansing Shampoo is that it’s gentle enough for daily use and will leave your hair feeling fresh and squeaky clean afterwards.

Try: TRESemmé Cleanse & Replenish Deep Cleansing Shampoo (500ml,£3.69*)

5. Colour-treated hair

Needless to say, if you’ve been dyeing or bleaching your hair, you’ll need a powerful shampoo to help retain colour vibrancy, while also making your thirsty, damaged tresses look and feel healthier. So this is where TIGI Bed Head Colour Goddess Shampoo comes in. Not only will this oil-infused formula refresh, cleanse and remove build-up to help optimise colour vibrancy, but it can also make your strands more resistant to breakage during brushing, while also adding shine. Win-win!

Try: TIGI Bed Head Colour Goddess Shampoo (400ml, £17.95*)

6. Thick/coarse hair

In general, thicker, coarser hair types are more prone to dryness and frizz.  Enter: the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo, which was specifically formulated to leave your hair looking gorgeously sleek and more manageable. Think of it as the ideal frizz-fighter!

Try: TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Restore & Control Shampoo (500ml, £4.99*)

*RRPs are Unilever suggested retail prices only, it is at the discretion of the individual retailers to set the actual price.