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“Don’t believe what you see online.” This early-internet mantra has gone from paranoia to prescience, and it’s showing up in our real lives, where more and more products are designed to look good rather than be good. Expensive sweaters don’t look like the cozy cable knits from our favorite rom-coms. And recent studies even show that many supplements don’t actually contain the ingredients they claim.
Beauty is no exception. There are hundreds of pricey bottles with clever packaging and not much product inside. Even more insidious are the products that deliver cosmetic shine while quietly undermining your hair’s health. You could be doing everything right while your shampoo and conditioner work against you. The good news: Sometimes one intentional switch is all it takes to transform your hair. So we asked a hair expert (and our editors!) to find the best shampoos and conditioners for shinier, thicker, healthier hair.
Featured image by Michelle Nash
Shiny hair is healthy hair
Sure, super-shiny hair is sometimes a matter of genetics. But most of the time, shiny hair is simply healthy hair. And with effortless hair trends not going anywhere this year (if the loose locks in “Sense and Sensibility” are any indication), the best thing we can do for our hair isn’t endless styling, but something much simpler: It’s looking after it.
According to trichologist and hair health expert Emily Denard, shiny hair shouldn’t feel like smoke and mirrors. “Healthy hair growth starts with a clean, balanced scalp and minimizing unnecessary breakage,” she says.
If you’re doing everything right and still noticing breakage, the answer probably isn’t some expensive potion (though our editors do have a few holy-grail hair serums to share). It may just be that you’re using the wrong shampoo and conditioner for shiny hair. (We can help with that.)
What ingredients should we look out for to get shiny hair?
What are the go-to ingredients we should be scanning every back-of-the-bottle label for? Your hair relies on what’s called a Protein-Emollient-Humectant (PEH) balance, so look for all three when you’re shopping for shampoos and conditioners for shiny hair. But what are they, and what do they do?
Proteins for shiny hair
Turns out, the protein trend may be relevant for our hair, too. As the building blocks of our hair strands, proteins like keratin, biotin, and plant proteins (often from fruit or even rice) can help prevent breakage and boost both smoothness and shine.
Other bond-building ingredients, like peptides and amino acids (TL;DR: the molecules that make up proteins), also earn a spot on the label.
Emollients for shiny hair
Emollients are oils that seal in the water humectants attract (we’ll get to those). They help prevent breakage by strengthening your strands, coating each one so it’s less likely to split. Look for ceramides and light oils like coconut, avocado, and squalane to lock in moisture and protect your hair from the strand out.
Humectants for shiny hair
Hydration is key to healthy hair. Humectants attract water to keep your hair, and crucially, your scalp, hydrated. A healthy scalp barrier is just as important for healthy, shiny hair. Look for nourishing ingredients you might recognize from skincare: glycerin, panthenol, aloe, honey, and even hyaluronic acid.
What steps should we incorporate into our hair-care routine to get the glossiest locks?
Rinse and repeat is the mantra for a reason. A good shampoo and conditioner are the building blocks of any hair-care routine, and everything else is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. For those of us with a more high-maintenance routine (my own curls need a little extra TLC), Denard recommends:
- Exfoliate before you shampoo. Gently brush the scalp on dry hair to help loosen dead skin, excess oil, and product residue.
- Shampoo twice when needed. Especially after oiling your hair, the first wash lifts away oil and buildup, and the second actually cleanses the scalp.
- Keep conditioner off the roots. Apply it mainly to the mid-lengths and ends to hydrate your strands without weighing down your scalp.
- Try a leave-in conditioner. Keeping the lengths hydrated helps reduce tangling, frizz, and breakage, all of which can make it harder to retain length.
- Give your ends extra care. A small amount of hair oil can help seal in moisture and protect against dryness and breakage.
Editors’ picks: The best shampoos and conditioners for shiny hair
Think it’s time to upgrade your shampoo and conditioner? We’ve got you. Ahead, our editors share the products that have earned a permanent spot in their routines. No fluff. No fillers. And definitely no frizz.
Shampoos and conditioners for coily hair
“My nightly hair oil routine means my shampoo has to do a lot of work to give me that squeaky-clean feeling. This detox shampoo does the job. I follow with the conditioner and the leave-in, all in the signature Pattern Beauty Palo Santo scent.” — Langa Chinyoka, Beauty Editor
“When my hair is in protective styles like braids, my main concern is preventing breakage. Hydration is huge for repair and prevention, so I treat my hair to this shampoo and conditioner duo. It keeps my hair healthy even when I’m styling with heat or wearing tight braids.” — Langa Chinyoka, Beauty Editor
Shampoos and conditioners for straight hair
“I truly believe Roz changed my hair. Mine is long, thick, and straight, and it tends to build up product easily. The first thing I love about this duo is the scent: it’s sophisticated and nature-inspired, like a spa mountain retreat. But what keeps me coming back is how clean, healthy, and smooth it makes my hair. Styles and shine just last longer. And so does this product, by the way. A set lasts me almost eight months, washing three to four times a week.” — Brittany Chatburn, Content Marketing Director
“I’m admittedly biased because I love all things Dae, but honestly, my hair has never been healthier. The duo has become a staple in my routine and leaves my hair feeling so soft and shiny.” — Anna Decker, Social Media & E-Commerce Manager
Shampoos and conditioners for wavy hair
“Not only does this combo leave my hair feeling soft and clean, but the scent immediately transports me to a eucalyptus-filled spa. This is one of those products I restock the moment I start running low.” — Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
Shampoos and conditioners for curly hair
“I use this once or twice a week for a deep, deep clean! My hair is short, but it’s thick and curly, and I never felt like I could fully get my JVN Air Dry Cream out until I started using this!” — Edie Horstman, Wellness Editor
Hair oils and masks for shiny hair
Extra credit? Nourishing (but not overly heavy!) oils and masks can give your hair extra shine and softness. Just remember: The more you add to your routine, the more crucial your shampoo and conditioner become, since they’re the clean slate everything else builds on.