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Though we all have different hair types and textures, we can all agree that we want our hair to look and feel its best at all times. To achieve and maintain healthy hair, curating our routine with the most effective products and tools is essential. As editors, hundreds of hair care products reach our desks every year, and we spend countless hours trying them all. And after months of testing, we’ve pinpointed the most innovative, barrier-breaking formulas on the market. From the best hydrating shampoo to the best hot tool, here are the 2024 Beauty Awards winners in the hair category.
Best Hydrating Shampoo: Salwa Petersen Chébé Hydrating Shampoo
“Salwa Petersen’s entire hair care range benefits my curls, but I particularly love the Chébé Hydrating Shampoo. The gentle formula contains strengthening chébé (an ingredient native to Chad), moisturizing argan oil, and replenishing squalane. Working this through my scalp and hair removes all traces of buildup without stripping my hair of its natural shine and moisture. Without a doubt, it’s a shampoo that everyone with curly and coily hair should add to their routine.” — Olivia Hancock, editor
Best Hydrating Conditioner: Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
“I’m adamant about showing my curls the TLC they deserve on washdays. Since my hair is prone to dryness, deep conditioning regularly is a nonnegotiable step. Cécred’s Moisturizing Deep Conditioner has been a game changer in my routine. It’s formulated with ingredients like moisturizing shea butter, strengthening bioactive keratin ferment, and hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid. The potent blend revives my dehydrated, dull hair, leaving me with juicy, soft, and moisturized curls.” — Olivia Hancock, editor
Best Volumizing Shampoo: Christophe Robin Delicate Volumizing Shampoo
Christophe Robin / Byrdie
“I always recommend this shampoo to clients with fine hair. The rose-scented formula thickens hair from root to tip, leaving limp hair full and voluminous without drying it out. It’s also gentle enough for color-treated hair and can be used daily.” — Jenna Perry, celebrity colorist + founder of Jenna Perry Hair Studio
Best Volumizing Conditioner: Philip B. Botanicals Peppermint Avocado Conditioner
“I have a lot of hair, but individually, the strands are pretty fine, so volumizing products are a constant priority in my haircare routine. This conditioner from Philip B. Botanicals simultaneously refreshes strands with peppermint oil and menthol, provides time-released nourishment with safflower oleosomes, and uses avocado extract and amino acids for shine and bounce. The result is rejuvenated, healthy hair that has lush volume and movement rather than falling flat.” — Ali Webb, associate editor
Best Dandruff Control: Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Silicone-Free Dandruff Shampoo
Head & Shoulders / Byrdie
“Dandruff is a reality for me but significantly less so now that I’ve discovered the Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Silicone-Free Dandruff Shampoo. The gentle formula is incredibly effective at cleansing *and* hydrating my scalp to reduce flakes and features a delightful aloe scent that’s perfect for summer. And while the formula matters most, the packaging is an added bonus here. Most anti-dandruff shampoos come in plain, clinical packaging—I love that this one comes in a playful, sage-colored bottle. The bottle is also Head & Shoulders’ most sustainable vessel to date, using 45% less plastic than a traditional shampoo bottle and featuring a fully recyclable design (including the cap).” — Holly Rhue, editorial director
Best for Minimizing Breakage: Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo for Thinning Hair
“Nécessaire has done it again with its new Rosemary Shampoo (and coordinating conditioner). Packaged in the brand’s signature sleek packaging, the Rosemary Shampoo is a strengthening formula containing a blend of plant proteins to refortify hair, ceramides to balance the scalp’s skin barrier, and rosemary oil, which has been shown to improve circulation and, subsequently, hair growth. More research is needed to confirm the relationship between rosemary oil and hair growth, but anecdotally, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve noticed explosive hair growth around my hairline after six months of consistent use. I have patches of fresh baby hair sprouting all over the place and notice that my ends are much stronger against breakage, leading to longer hair. Generally, my scalp is also much calmer, and I love the delightful, subtly minty sensation on my scalp after a steamy workout.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director
Best for Strengthening: Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum
“Act+Acre Stem Cell Serum is beneficial for the scalp, as it contains apple stem cells, bamboo and pea sprout extract, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients work together to nourish, strengthen, and protect the hair follicles, promoting healthy hair growth and improving hair density and thickness. The serum protects the scalp from damage, stimulates hair growth, and reduces irritation, creating a balanced and healthy environment for strong, lustrous hair.” — Dhiran Mistry, hairstylist + owner of The Carriage House
Best for Thickening: Better Not Younger Superpower+ Advanced Hair Densifying Scalp Serum
Better Not Younger / Byrdie
“Over the years, I’ve noticed some thinning along my hairline where I’ve been known to pull, brush, and smooth for a slicked-back bun. And I know these styles can be damaging, so I’m not surprised! But it did force me to start looking into options (and, of course, pulling back on the amount of times I wear my hair that way). I found Better Not Younger’s Densifying Scalp Serum and I’ve never looked back. The potent gel–serum (I love the texture; it feels like it really grips) is specially designed for hair that is visibly thinning and uses a blend of rosemary extract, castor oil, hydrolyzed rice protein, and apple cider vinegar to thicken the appearance of hair. Essentially, I wanted less of my scalp to show when I pulled my hair back—and this product delivered. To really reap the benefits, I love to massage it in with the brand’s Comfort Liquid Comb and let it set.” — Hallie Gould, editor in chief
Best Hair Mask, Moisture: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask
“I use hot tools on my fine hair almost daily, which means my ends can get dry and damaged pretty quickly. I reach for this mask when my hair is feeling particularly lifeless, and it does a wonderful job of smoothing and softening it. It has a thick texture that feels creamy and is easy to work through the lengths of my hair, and the honey scent is a pleasant addition to my shower experience.” — Alyssa Kaplan, commerce writer
Best Hair Mask, Repair: Harklinikken Hair Mask
“My hair is prone to breakage and thinning, and I’m constantly looking for a mask that’ll help with both. This one, which features a blend of abyssinian and olive oils, seals in moisture, repairs damage, and reduces breakage all at once. After using it, my hair feels stronger and looks healthier. This mask keeps my beloved length in tact, so I love to leave it on all night to really soak up all the good ingredients.” — Hallie Gould, editor in chief
Best Hair Mask, Curls: Aveda Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Perfecting Masque
“When my hair needs extra attention, I turn to Aveda’s Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Perfecting Masque. The intense mask contains a strengthening peptide derived from plant proteins, conditioning kokum seed and shea butter, shine-boosting baobab seed oil, and moisturizing sunflower seed oil. Using it every washday has helped me increase my curls’ smoothness, shine, and definition.” — Olivia Hancock, editor
Best Hair Essence: Pantene Pro-Vitamin Essence
“We’re lucky to live in a time when bond builders have become commonplace in haircare—I, for one, love that I can heat style as much as I do with minimal damage thanks to a few key products. A standout in this department is Pantene’s Pro-Vitamin Essence, a leave-in treatment that rebuilds hair’s protein structures with pro-vitamin B5 for increased strength and smoothness with each use. It has a light, tropical floral scent with a hint of sandalwood and works on both wet and dry hair, making for a delightful, seamless addition to any routine.” — Ali Webb, associate editor
Best Hair Oil: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
“The Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is my number-one ride-or-die product. I use it personally and find that the buildable formula works on all my clients, too. It keeps hair healthy, shiny, and ready to air-dry or heat style (it can protect hair up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.)” — Jenna Perry, celebrity colorist + founder of Jenna Perry Hair Studio
Best for Shine: Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Hair Shine Spray
“I use the Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Hair Shine Spray to add extra razzle-dazzle to any hairstyle. The superfine mist instantly imparts a noticeable glossiness and radiance to my hair. It does this, thanks to mullein, a plant-based ingredient that captures UV light and converts it into full-spectrum light. While I appreciate the shine factor of this spray the most, I also love that this formula is not greasy at all.” — Olivia Hancock, editor
Best for Air-Drying: Oribe Hair Alchemy Heatless Styling Balm
“Admittedly, I haven’t integrated a new styling product into my hair routine in quite some time. I just know what I like and stick to it. That said, I was intrigued when Oribe launched this Heatless Styling Balm because I tend to air-dry more often than anything else. It feels like the best of both worlds—a way to maintain the ease of my routine while still making my waves look nice as they dry. And—drumroll—it’s perfect. It adds a light hold and shine, smooths, and makes my hair texture thrive. I do two to three pumps (my hair is fine, so I have to be careful about overloading product, but this one is really lightweight), rake it through roots to ends, and then scrunch. My natural waves haven’t looked this good in a long time.” — Hallie Gould, editor in chief
Best for Blocking Humidity: Amika The Shield Anti Humidity Spray
“Sea buckthorn berry extract, plus the additional ingredients in Amilka’s anti-humidity spray, works to moisturize, strengthen, and protect the hair from the damaging effects of humidity. The spray combats frizz, improves hair elasticity, and creates a protective barrier against environmental stressors, leaving the hair smooth, hydrated, and resistant to breakage.” — Dhiran Mistry, hairstylist + owner of The Carriage House
Best Curl Cream: Rahua Control Cream Curl Styler
“Rahua’s curl products are among my favorites, especially the Control Cream Curl Styler. The leave-in styling product is made with fortifying rahua oil, moisturizing shea butter, hydrating organic aloe, and molasses for hold. Applying this to my curls ensures they’ll be soft, defined, and bouncy once dry.” — Olivia Hancock, editor
Best Edge Control: Aunt Jackie’s Smooth + Swirl Edge Gel with Extra Firm Hold
Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils / Byrdie
“Aunt Jackie’s Smooth + Swirl Edge Gel with Extra Firm Hold checks all my edge-control boxes without any compromise. The gel is clear with a thick consistency that makes it easy to apply and sculpt, but it dries down without any white flakes. It’s formulated with biotin so it strengthens and protects my hair while I style it. I’m blown away by the longevity of the hold and that my hair doesn’t feel crunchy after use. It also easily softens up with a little water, so I can switch between slicked-back looks and curly styles with ease.” — Star Donaldson, associate social media director
Best Hair Gel: Djerf Avenue On the Go Styling Gel
“Djerf Avenue On the Go Styling Gel is formulated for all hair types, and I can attest to the fact that it actually works on my 3C/4A hair, and I’m obsessed. First, let’s talk about the scent. So many curly hair gels smell too sweet and tropical, but this one has a light vanilla and slightly woody scent that complements my daily fragrance wardrobe. In addition, the gel feels lightweight and doesn’t leave any white cast on my curls. I apply it to wet hair, and it gives my curls great definition without being crunchy. I love it so much that I only use it on special occasions for fear of running out.” — Star Donaldson, associate social media director
Best Mousse: Pattern Beauty Curl Mousse
“Last summer, I discovered the powers of curl mousse and haven’t looked back since. Pattern Beauty Curl Mousse defines my curls without weighing them down and provides hold that lasts all week with zero touch-ups—my hair looks better each day. I can achieve the perfect braid-out and wash-and-go with this powerhouse product, so it’s a win-win for me.” — Jasmine Phillips, social media editor
Best Dry Shampoo: Dae Hair Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo
“Dry shampoo is crucial to the health and longevity of my silk presses. I’ve tried so many aerosols that smell great but leave my scalp damp, causing my roots to curl back up. Dae Hair’s Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo has totally changed this for me with its pump applicator and aerosol-free formula. The dry shampoo is a talc-free powder that comes in a pump rather than a can so you’re able to evenly distribute it throughout your hair without any water. The small bottle contains over 600 pumps, and the sweet citrus scent boosts my mood. Best of all, it doesn’t leave any white residue on my dark brown hair no matter how much I use it.” — Star Donaldson, associate social media director
Best Hair Spray: Tresemmé Ultra Fine Hair Spray
“When it comes to hair spray, I count on Tresemmé. The brand has long been an industry leader in the category, and the Ultra Fine Mist Hair Spray is a prime example of why. The ultra-fine hair spray is non-drying and flexible and provides an all-day hold. Whether wearing a slicked-back bun or loose curls, this formula ensures my style is protected from humidity and looks fresh no matter what my day has in store for me.” — Olivia Hancock, editor
Best Tool: Mane It’s Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush
“I’ve always been a fan of huge, fluffy, Farrah Fawcett–inspired hair. But honestly, the thought of digging a blow dryer and round brush out from under my crowded sink—and then holding both over my head for 20 minutes—is exhausting. Fortunately, Mane—the new sister brand to Jen Atkin’s Ouai—has made it so simple to get the voluminous blowout of my dreams in literally five minutes. The brand’s It’s Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Brush heats up quickly and manipulates hair incredibly well. I can flip my ends up into a chic little ’60s moment, mold my shortest layer into a faux curtain bang, or smooth and straighten in just a few minutes. The tool is also incredibly lightweight, so it’s very easy to maneuver (no exhausting my arm muscles).” — Holly Rhue, editorial director
Read the original article on Byrdie.
