24 hero hair products that made the cut in the Glamour Beauty and Wellness Awards 2024
Straight or curly, thick or fine, the best hair products are essential to achieving and maintaining healthy strands. Be it a strengthening shampoo that repairs damaged ends or a shine-boosting serum that delivers a glass-like finish, finding the right formulations for you can totally transform your hair (and self-esteem).
Discovering the best products for your specific hair type and concern isn’t always easy. The search can be slow and expensive, which is where the GLAMOUR Beauty & Wellness Power List Awards 2024 come in.
With 24 categories and a shortlist of hair products that has been curated by some of the biggest names in the industry – think iconic hairstylist Sam McKnight and celebrity favourites Dimitris Giannetos and Dionne Smith – you know the winners are going to be nothing short of mane-changing.
From everyday essentials to once-weekly hero treatments, scroll down to discover the smart formulations and innovative creations that got your vote…
Best shampoo & conditioner for colour-treated hair
Colour-treated hair? Add this transformative duo to your shower shelf, pronto. Starring the brand’s patented molecule, the No4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo repairs broken bonds caused by bleach for stronger strands. While the No5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner boosts moisture for more vibrant colour.
Shortlist:
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo & Conditioner
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Bain Chroma Respect Shampoo & Chroma Absolu Fondant Cica Chroma Conditioner
Best shampoo & conditioner for curly hair
Bring lacklustre strands back to life with this power couple from L’Oréal Professionnel. The jelly shampoo, which transforms into a luxurious foam on contact with water, swiftly removes excess oil and product build-up without drying hair. Pair with the leave-in conditioner to moisturise curls and coils for seriously smooth results.
Shortlist:
Pattern Cleansing Shampoo & Intensive Conditioner
KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo & Humecto Creme Conditioner
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo & Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner
Best shampoo & conditioner for fine hair
Fine hair in need of some oomph? Turn your head to this volume-boosting duo from Kérastase. The Volumifique shampoo lifts from the roots and adds body through the ends, while the Densifique conditioner locks in moisture and restores shine. Hair looks and feels fuller after just one wash.
Shortlist:
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra [Hyaluronic] Moisture Boosting Shampoo & Moisture Locking Conditioner
Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl Cleanse Volumising Shampoo & Nourish Volumising Conditioner
Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo & Conditioner
Best shampoo & conditioner for thick hair
Curly and textured tresses will really appreciate Ouai’s Thick Hair Shampoo & Conditioner. Jam-packed with moisturising ingredients (like shea butter, marshmallow root and avocado oil), this ultra-nourishing duo promotes shine and boosts elasticity, leaving even the driest strands silky-soft. Bravo, Jen Atkin!
Shortlist:
Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo & Conditioner
Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin Hydrating Shampoo & Masquintense Riche
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo & Conditioner
Best shampoo & conditioner for dry/damaged hair
Olaplex wins again with its beloved No4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, which together deeply hydrate and strengthen while repairing shattered bonds with the brand’s patented bond-building technology. A winning combo for dry and damaged strands, this dream duo promotes the look of healthy and shiny hair.
Shortlist:
Virtue Recovery Shampoo & Conditioner
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner
Best shampoo & conditioner for Afro hair
Combining rich and reparative formulas with luxe packaging, Cécred by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is destined for stardom. Launching with eight products, the standouts include the Hydrating Shampoo and Moisturizing Deep Conditioner that together cleanse and hydrate Afro hair thanks to nourishing butters, oils and hyaluronic acid.
Shortlist:
Camille Rose Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse & Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask
Pattern Cleansing Shampoo & Intensive Conditioner
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
Best leave-in treatment
Specifically formulated with fine hair in mind, Moroccanoil Treatment Light is a lightweight take on the iconic formula we all know and trust. Blended with antioxidant-rich argan oil and shine-boosting vitamins, the must-try treatment nourishes lacklustre ends and smooths frizz without ever leaving your hair slick or weighed down.
Shortlist:
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Moisture + Damage Defense Leave-In Treatment
Best hair mask
Elasticizer is a cult classic that has stood the test of time. Originally formulated for Audrey Hepburn, the pre-shampoo treatment (which has remained unchanged since 1974) locks in moisture and repairs damaged hair with its combination of hydrolysed elastin, olive oil and glycerine. Seriously good – one tub sells every minute worldwide.
Shortlist:
Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque
Chris Appleton & Color Wow Money Masque
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque
Best heat protection
We’re not exaggerating when say this spray is ah-ma-zing. Essentially a waterproof jacket for your hair, the heat-activated formula seals strands to block out frizz-inducing humidity for seriously silky results that will last for up to three washes. Simply spritz it into damp hair and blow dry.
Shortlist:
GHD Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray
Bumble And Bumble Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist
Fantasia IC Heat Protector Straightening Spray
Best dry shampoo
There may be fancier options out there, but Batiste’s dry shampoo will always be a cult classic. Leaving zero white marks in its wake, the purse-friendly formula uses rice starch to absorb excess oils and bulk up flat roots, giving second- or third-day hair a new lease of life.
Shortlist:
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
Best smoothing product
It’s no surprise to see Color Wow’s Dream Coat Supernatural Spray win again. The anti-frizz treatment, which comes highly recommended by pro session stylists, guarantees long-lasting shine and smoother strands with its humidity-blocking technology that needs heat (and tension from a hairbrush) to work its magic.
Shortlist:
Moroccanoil Intense Smoothing Serum
Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion
Best shine product
Get your hair into peak shiny condition with L’Oréal Paris’ glossing treatment. Loaded with glycolic acid, the winning formula deeply hydrates and strengthens strands for a salon-worthy swish at home. Apply to wet hair and leave it to work for five minutes before rinsing off. It’s softer, sleeker hair, bottled.
Shortlist:
TreSemmé Lamellar Shine Finishing Oil
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Finishing Mist
Schwarzkopf Professional Osis+ Sparkler Shine Spray
Best volumiser
Covet voluminous hair? Turn your head to this foaming formula from Color Wow. The next best thing to a professional blowdry, this styling staple boosts body and volume with just a few pumps to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair in an instant.
Shortlist:
Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl Superlift Volumising Spray
Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
John Frieda ProFiller+ Thickening Spray
Best texturiser
For hair that looks done but undone, look no further. This barely there texturising mist from hair maestro Sam McKnight is the only product you need to create that slightly dishevelled, tousled texture, which looks effortlessly cool. For best results, tip your head upside down, spritz it in and mess it up.
Shortlist:
Andrew Fitzsimons Après Sexe Texture Spray
Best blow-dry product
Color Wow’s Dream Coat Supernatural Spray has secured yet another award, winning the best blow-dry product category. Seriously good stuff, the unrivalled formula creates a humidity-resistant surface on the hair for a frizz-free finish and glass-like shine. Apply to damp hair before blow-drying with tension to activate the treatment.
Shortlist:
Amika Brooklyn Bombshell Blowout Spray
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Super Blowdry Cream
Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray
Best hair oil
A good hair oil should repair damage and restore shine – which is exactly what the Olaplex No7 Bonding Oil does. Powered by the brand’s patented bond-building technology, the lightweight formula moisturises strands from the inside out, protects hair from high heat and smooths out any unwanted frizz.
Shortlist:
Kérastase Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale Refillable
Moroccanoil Treatment Original
Best curl cream
Not only does this Curl Crème have major #shelfie appeal, but it also really works. Combining linseed and chia seed extracts with coconut and babassu oils, the hydrating formula softens strands and enhances natural wave patterns without weighing hair down. The result? Bouncier, more defined curls.
Shortlist:
Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream
Best hair gel
Not all hair gel is created equal and this one from Aveda is a cut above the rest. Ideal for 3C-4C hair types, the non-crunchy formula – which is infused with a plant-based peptide – strengthens and protects coils and tight curls from humidity, while delivering long-lasting hold and definition.
Shortlist:
Got2b Ultra Glued Edge Styling Gel
L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Fix Max Shaping Gel
Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel
Best edge control
This invisible gel formula from Schwarzkopf (Maya Jama is a fan) expertly shapes and lays edges without any crunch. What’s more, it doubles up as brilliant brow gel – brushing hairs into place for a feathered, laminated look that stays put all day long. At £5.50, it’s a no-brainer.
Shortlist:
RedOne Maximum Control Violetta Aqua Hair Gel Wax
Gummy Professional Styling Wax Ultra Hold
Best hairspray
Holding styles since 1960 (when Elnett first launched), L’Oréal Paris has gone on to develop several more iconic formulas, including this strong hold iteration. Offering next-level hold with zero stiffness or stickiness, mist this hero hairspray all over a finished style to keep it in place.
Shortlist:
Hair By Sam McKnight Modern Hairspray
Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Finish Medium
Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Hairspray
Best at-home permanent hair dye
Safely switch up your hair colour at home with L’Oréal Paris’ Préférence Permanent Haircolour. Available in a wide range of shades, the professional-grade formula provides vibrant colour and unbeatable shine (thanks to added flower oils) for a next-to-natural finish that lasts up to eight weeks.
Shortlist:
No Bleach London Permanent Vegan Dye
Sta-Sof-Fro Permanent Powder Hair Color
Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Permanent
Best temp colour product
Combat colour fade in-between salon visits with this semi-permanent tinted gloss from renowned colourist Josh Wood. Intended to enhance your current tone, the award-winning formula comes in an array of blonde, brunette and copper shades to boost vibrancy and shine in just 20 minutes.
Shortlist:
Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask
Crazy Color Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream
L’Oréal Paris Colorista Spray 1-Day Color
Best scalp product
Trending on TikTok, rosemary oil is said to boost circulation and improve blood supply to hair follicles, encouraging healthy hair growth. Find it in abundance in Mielle’s Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil where the hero ingredient is paired with biotin and mint to strengthen strands and smooth split ends.
Shortlist:
The Steam Bar The Scalp Saviour Mask
Act + Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil
Best bond builder
Correcting damage caused by heat styling and chemical colour is no easy feat. Yet this 10-minute pre-wash treatment, developed with the brand’s patented bond-building technology, gradually rebuilds broken strands for thicker, healthier-looking hair. No wonder Kim Kardashian is reportedly a fan.
Shortlist:
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
