How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Your Hair Type

Are you using the best shampoo for your hair? In this blog, Laura Elliott, head of education at Neäl & Wølf reveals how to choose the best shampoo for your hair type.

1. Distinguish your hair type

The first step to selecting the right shampoo for you is identifying what your hair type is. There are four different types of hair. These are straight, wavy, curly and coily. Once you have determined which of these categories your hair falls into, take a step further to analyse the feel of your hair. Is it dry or damaged? Does it feel fine? Bear this in mind when choosing your shampoo.

2. Think about colour

The colour of your hair is another important consideration when choosing your shampoo. Coloured hair should have special care to prevent fading. The right shampoo can help with this, making colour last longer and appear shinier.

3. Consider your scalp

Put some thought into your scalp health before choosing your shampoo. For example, if you have a dry scalp, look for shampoos with moisturising ingredients like argan oil or shea butter. The right shampoo should care for your scalp as well as your hair.

4. Always check ingredients

Always pay close attention to the ingredients listed in hair products. Consider that some ingredients can dry out your hair, making it weak and brittle. Stay away from substances like sulphates, parabens, triethanolamine and diethanolamine which can have negative effects on hair and overall health. Read more information: Harmful Ingredients in Hair Products to Avoid

5. Finish with conditioner

When it comes to hair care, conditioner is just as important as shampoo! Complement your shampoo with a conditioner tailored to your hair type. Here at Neäl & Wølf, we have a selection of matching shampoos and conditioners that work together in harmony and can also be mix and matched. Learn more: Shampoo and Conditioners

What is the best shampoo for your hair type?

There are a variety of different shampoos to choose from, each with different purposes, benefits, and ingredients. Clarifying, anti-breakage, purifying, colour-safe, thickening, the list goes on … but which one is right for you? If you have doubts about the shampoo that you’re currently using, we’re here to help determine the right product for your hair. Below, we’ve listed a guide to each hair type.

Damaged hair

Hair damage is more than just dullness and split ends. When hair is damaged, the outer layer, commonly known as the cuticle, develops cracks. Once the cuticle is open, the hair is at further risk of breakage. If what we’re writing is calling out to you, for damaged hair we’d recommend trying an anti-breakage shampoo that restores the hair’s pH balance, as products with a high pH level have been proven to break down the strands.

Our award-winning HARMONY Intensive Care Shampoo has been specifically designed to repair damage using a unique blend of camelia seed oil, argan oil and a protein complex, proven to provide moisture from within. Developed to instantly transform texture and appearance, HARMONY leaves hair shiny, healthy looking and manageable and can also help to provide colour protection. See our full selection of specialised hair care: Damaged Hair Products

Dry hair

Dryness develops when the hair does not retain moisture, causing the outer layers to break down. There are many factors associated with dry hair, such as diet changes, age, water, and heat styling. Dry hair tends to be brittle to touch, with an increasing number of flyaway hairs and split ends that can easily tangle and result in further breakage. Individuals with dry hair can also experience an itchy scalp and dandruff.

To combat dry hair, choose a moisturising solution like our HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo. The blend of betaine, argan oil, panthenol, and shea butter creates intense nourishment. This leaves hair looking healthier and more manageable. Discover our full selection of hair care: Dry Hair Products

Blonde hair

If you have blonde, lightened or grey hair, you may find it useful to invest in a high-quality purple shampoo. Why? Blonde hair is often more porous, which means it is susceptible to absorbing air pollution and shower minerals. Secondly, when you lighten your hair, your natural colour is lifted to make room for the new tones. However, as all hair has an element of underlying warm hues, lifting your hair lighter allows the red, yellow or orange tones to take over due to the removal of depth. To prevent warmer tones appearing and help your hair stay lighter and brighter for longer, purple shampoos are an affordable way to keep the brass at bay between salon visits.

Our blonde customers swear by our best-selling BLONDE Purple Brightening Shampoo, specially designed by experts in the field to brighten and tone blonde, grey and lightened hair. BLONDE combines violet pigments with a blend of wheat protein and glycerin, for long-lasting colour protection and enhanced brightness. Browse our selection of blonde hair care: BLONDE Hair Products

Fine hair

Fine hair is classified by the width of the hair strands, as opposed to the density. A common misconception with fine hair is that it does not require as much hydration as other hair types, as naturally it feels softer and silkier. However, it’s important to note that fine hair does still need a balance of moisture, lipids and proteins, and without proper conditioning, it can quickly become dry, brittle and prone to breakage.

When it comes to fine hair it’s important to get it right, as heavy products can make it look greasy and weigh down the strands. Volumising shampoos are designed to thoroughly cleanse and enhance volume. If you’re looking for an award-winning volumising shampoo that significantly enhances volume without creating build-up, our AMPLIFY range could be the shampoo of your hair dreams. AMPLIFY Volumising Shampoo is formulated to effectively cleanse and enhance hair by using a unique blend of panthenol and protein See more: Fine Hair Products

Frizzy hair

Frizzy hair occurs when the hair cuticle is raised, allowing moisture to enter and swell the hair strands. This swelling causes the hair to become frizzy, particularly in humid or damp environments. Frizzy hair can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, hair porosity, damage from heat styling or chemical treatments, and lack of moisture. Individuals with naturally curly or wavy hair tend to be more susceptible to frizz due to the shape of their hair follicles, which makes it easier for moisture to penetrate the hair shaft.

The best way to manage frizzy hair is to use hydrating and smoothing hair products, like our HARMONY Intensive Care Shampoo and HYDRATE Moisture Hair Mask. This mask locks in moisture to replenish dry hair and control frizzy hair. View our full range to keep frizz at bay: Frizzy Hair Products

Curly hair

Curly hair is a hair type characterised by a natural spiral or wavy pattern, ranging from loose waves to tight coils. Unlike straight hair, curly hair has an oval or asymmetrical shape in its cross-section, causing it to bend and curl as it grows. This unique texture is determined by genetics, with factors such as the shape of the hair follicle and the distribution of proteins influencing the curl pattern.

HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo is a brilliant option to revitalise your tresses. The powerful combination of revitalising ingredients helps keep your curls looking their best. Browse our range: Curly Hair Products

Coloured hair

Coloured hair refers to hair that has been dyed or treated with pigments to change its natural colour. Whether it's a subtle highlight, a bold statement shade, or a complete transformation, colouring hair allows you to express your creativity and personal style. Coloured hair can range from vibrant hues like fiery reds and electric blues to more natural tones like caramel blondes and chestnut browns.

The hair products that you use depends on the type of colour you choose. For example, blonde, grey and white hair colours may opt for a purple shampoo like our BLONDE Purple Brightening Shampoo. If you have darker hair it may be better to try a nourishing shampoo such as HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo to maintain the general health of your hair and prevent colour fade. For more information on coloured hair, visit our blog: What Hair Colour Suits Me? A Guide to Choosing the Right Shade

Dull hair

Dull hair is characterised by a lack of shine, often appearing flat. This condition occurs when the hair cuticle becomes rough and uneven, preventing light from reflecting off the hair surface. Several factors contribute to dull hair, including environmental damage, excessive heat styling and over washing with harsh shampoos.

Alongside a nourishing shampoo like our HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo, harness your hair’s natural shine with a finishing spray. Our GLOW Super Shine Spray helps to revitalise tresses and add a dramatic, glossy shine. Simply spritz evenly over hair. For more hair shining solutions, visit our page: Hair Shine Products

Hair extensions

Hair extensions are synthetic or natural hair strands that are attached to natural hair to add length, volume, or colour. They come in several types, including clip-in, tape-in, sew-in, and fusion extensions, each offering different methods of application and duration of wear.

Whichever hair extensions you use, take care with our DAILY Cleansing Shampoo. DAILY is a shampoo designed to cleanse the hair, leaving it fresh, full of shine and ready for styling. Wheat protein boosts vital moisture and reduces flyaway hair. liquid shea butter delivers brilliant shine. The result? Luxurious, easy to manage, radiant locks. For more information on hair extension care, read our blog: The Best Shampoo for Hair Extensions

We hope that this advice has helped you to choose the best shampoo for your hair type. To browse our full range of shampoo and conditioner solutions, click here: Shampoo and Conditioners