The best hair products of all time, according to GLAMOUR's editors (we should know, we've tried thousands)
No matter how skilled you are, your choice in hair products will largely determine the overall success of your chosen style and colour. Whether you like your hair to be big and bouncy or smooth and shiny, or whether you’ve finally nailed an epic updo or braid, the most incredible results are always achieved with help from a shelfie of equally phenomenal conditioning masks, shine sprays and repair treatments.
But because we all have very different hair types (from frizzy and coarse, or dyed and damaged to super long) as well as lengths colours, it can be hard to figure out exactly what your hair needs – and which products work best.
Whether you have straight, curly, fine or thick hair, we've done the hard work for you. We assembled all of our beauty editors and some trusted contributors, to nail down the hair products that are 100% worth the hype and deserve a spot in your stash.
We've tested, debated, finally agreed and now collated our can't-live-without products into the ultimate list that's guaranteed to please even the trickiest of hair types. All to help you slay in the hair department, whether you're rocking natural kinks, waist-length waves, sleek updos, blunt bobs and everything in between. You're most welcome.
And the winners are...
36 hair products that are 100% worth the hype, according to GLAMOUR's beauty editors...
THE HAIR REPAIRERS
OLAPLEX Repairing Range, £26 each, Look Fantastic
As far as crowd-pleasing hair ranges go, Olaplex has collected an insane following of celebrities, beauty insiders and editors. The reason? It truly does live up to the hype. Once a sneaky salon secret, now proudly displayed in our bathroom, OLAPLEX works to reverse damage and restore shine, by actually repairing bonds on a molecular level. The range includes the best-selling No.3 Hair Perfector (best applied to damp hair, left on for 10 minutes, then rinsed off with shampoo), the bond maintenance shampoo and conditioner and some other heroes including the new No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask which was a hit when the GLAMOUR team road-tested it.
Save when you shop for Olaplex with these LookFantastic discount codes.
THE HIGH-SPEC BLOWDRY
Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer, £299, Boots
Wet to dry is no longer satisfactory. Now we want to switch from hot gusts to icy cold blasts, enjoy a zero-static promise and click-on magnetic, rotating attachments that smooth, style and add bounce, all at once. So, yeah - thanks for ruining all other hairdryers for us, Dyson. This offers quick, easy, quiet blow-drying and we love the precision head for making front sections super smooth.
Special shout-out from: Lottie Winter, Beauty Editor and Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
THE TRUE DETANGLER
The Wet Brush Original Detangler, £11.99, Cult Beauty
As a nation, we’re divided. Half tingle at the thought of having their hair brushed, the rest can’t think of anything worse, unless said person is armed with this. Slips through knots like a hot knife through butter, unravels kinks, smoothes frizz, and generally makes the whole experience dead pleasant.
Special shout-out from: Camilla Kay, Beauty Director and Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
THE FRESH FAKER
OUAI Super Dry Shampoo, £20, Look Fantastic
Don’t get us wrong – we love the volume and extra grip a good, powdery dry shampoo gives, but genuinely clean hair will always win. With microscopic volcanic minerals that absorb excess oil without residue, this grease dissolver fakes that freshly washed feel.
Save when you shop for Ouai with these LookFantastic discount codes.
THE HAIR TOUSLER
Hair by Sam Mcknight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist, from £10, Cult Beauty
For flat, limp locks that need life, throw your head upside down, create a cloud of this ultra-fine texturising spray, flip, shake, scrunch, et voila. That carefree, sexy, dishevelled look has never been so easy. Helps that it leaves hair smelling like a little slice of heaven, too.
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
THE OLD FAVOURITE
L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray, £6.70, Boots
There’s a reason this credible gold canister can be found in most beauty cabinets. Your gran loved it, mum’s a fan, and let’s not lie – when your boyfriend stays over, his hair seems to magically acquire the full-bodied, sculpted finish that our favourite fine mist facilitates.
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
THE CURLING QUEEN
Soft Waves Curling Wand, £40, Babyliss, Feel Unique
Maybe it's the barrel size, or maybe it's the adjustable heat, but there's something special about the Babyliss wand that creates the perfect nonchalant, beach waves every time.
Save when you shop with these Feel Unique discount codes.
THE FRIZZ FIGHTER
Color Wow Dream Coat, £25, Look Fantastic
When something has this many five-star reviews, there’s only one thing to do adds to basket. It claims to protect hair from humidity with an invisible cloak of heat-activated polymers, but does it actually work? Hang on while we swish the silkiest, frizz-free hair of our life.
Save when you shop with these LookFantastic discount codes.
THE SUPER STRAIGHTENERS
GHD Platinum Plus Styler, £189, Look Fantastic
For hair that's so sleek, so straight and so sophisticated, the GHD Platinum Styler never lets us down. Plus, the predictive technology and optimum temperature control means minimal damage.
Save when you shop with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE SCALP FACIAL
Centred En-Root Scalp Treatment, £36, Cult Beauty
This powerful blend of essential oils combined with salicylic acid gently liberates your scalp from product build-up, dirt, debris and flakes, preventing bad bacteria. It works to re-balance the skins natural equilibrium whilst helping the hair follicles to flourish.
Special shout-out from: Camilla Kay, Beauty Director
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE ECO SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Ethique Pinkalicious Solid Shampoo, £12, Boots
An earth-friendly way to wash your hair, Ethique's hair bars save on water and packaging. Our firm favourites so far include the Pinkalicious Shampoo Bar which lathers well, and leaves hair feeling super clean with a lightweight, voluminous feeling.
Special shout-out from: Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE INVISIBLE DRY SHAMPOO
Living Proof Dry Shampoo, £27, Look Fantastic
We couldn’t live through second day hair without this. It refreshes hair and boosts volume without leaving behind any white marks or residue.
Special shout-out from: Lottie Winter, Beauty Editor
Getty ImagesTHE HEAT PROTECTOR
TRESemme Care & Protect Heat Defence Spray, £5.50, Boots
An absolute classic, TRESemme's heat protector smells good and is easy to use – it mists just the right amount over hair without leaving it greasy, protects against very hot temperatures and heat tools and reduces breakage by up to 82% with continued use.
Special shout-out from: Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE REJUVENATING SERUM
Kevin Murphy Young Again Serum, £33, Cult Beauty
Heat damage, colouring and over-styling can all accelerate hair oxidation (effectively hair ageing). This weightless leave-in treatment oil helps to counteract the damage leaving strands nourished and deeply conditioned. It's like a youth serum for hair in a bottle.
Special shout-out from: Camilla Kay, Beauty Director
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE CURL-FRIENDLY SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Maui Moisture Smooth and Revive Vanilla Bean Shampoo & Conditioner, £5.99 each, Boots
This smells so good. It's an incredible detangler that leaves coils feeling soft, clean and smelling amazing.
Special shout-out from: Shei Mamona, Beauty Assistant
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE DRY SHAMPOO FOR BLONDES
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones, £15.45, Look Fantastic
This is super fine and super blonde, plus subtle violet undertones balance brassiness. If you have light-toned hair, it's the absolute best.
Special shout-out from: Camilla Kay, Beauty Director
Getty ImagesTHE GLOSS-GIVER
L'Oreal Wonder Water by L'Oreal Elvive Dream Lengths 8 Second Hair Treatment, £9.99, Boots
This makes use of lamellar technology previously only available in salons. Tiny care molecules smooth cracks in the hair shaft and create a super-fine veil on hair to give the silkiest surface going. Apply this after shampooing, leave it eight seconds, rinse it off and you're guaranteed glossy salon-worthy hair.
Special shout-out from: Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE NEW-GEN HAIR COLOUR
Bleach London Rose Shampoo Bar, £7, Boots
Alongside being a more environmentally-friendly option thanks to the bar format, this offers up an easier way to add colour to hair. Use it to deposit a pale pink colour onto hair to maintain colour or build a pastel rosé shade. We're looking forward to more shades launching!
Special shout-out from: Camilla Kay, Beauty Director
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE DRUGSTORE HERO
Garnier Ultimate Blends Moisturising Hair Food Aloe Vera Shampoo & Conditioner, £3 each, Boots
Like a superfruit smoothie for hair, this is packed full of nourishing 98% natural ingredients that leave hair feeling luxuriously soft. It feels like a treat to use, smells amazing and won't break the bank.
Special shout-out from: Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE SPLIT-END SEALER
Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil, £39.90, Look Fantastic
This keeps split ends away and leaves hair smelling salon fresh.
Special shout-out from: Lottie Winter, Beauty Editor
Getty ImagesTHE GENTLE COMB
Ori Lifestyle Green Sandalwood Comb, £12, Selfridges
I love any wide tooth comb that’s gentle on coils, but this one looks fab and is made from green sandalwood.
Special shout-out from: Shei Mamona, Beauty Assistant
Getty ImagesTHE CURL-WHISPERER
George Northwood Unparched Shampoo & Conditioner, £18 each, Boots
This is an incredible detangler – your fingers will glide through any knots as soon as you apply the conditioner. After, hair feels clean, hydrated and soft, plus it defines curls beautifully, even on 4C hair. The only drawback is that the pump can be a little tricky to use.
Special shout-out from: Shei Mamona, Beauty Assistant and Camilla Kay, Beauty Director, who loves the Undirty range
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE ULTIMATE HAIR TIE
Slip Pure Silk Hair Scrunchie, £39, Cult Beauty
These are so gentle on hair and won't rip of fray strands on their way out. We recommend having one on your wrist, in your handbag and by your bed – they're magic.
Special shout-out from: Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Getty ImagesTHE OOMPH-GIVER
Virtue Texturising Spray, £17, Look Fantastic
A few spritzes of this on dry hair gives an instant cool-girl bedhead look without any sticky residue.
Special shout-out from: Lottie Winter, Beauty Editor
Getty ImagesLIQUID SILK
Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, £24, Look Fantastic
This smells like a tropical vacay, protects hair against heat and UV rays and leaves strands feeling unbelievably silky thanks to an expert blend of six feather-light oils. It'll soften, detangle, fight frizz and boost your mood thanks to the yum fragrance.
Special shout-out from: Elle Turner, Deputy Beauty Editor
THE SCALP SOOTHER
Philip B Anti-Flake Relief Shampoo, £40, Feel Unique
The office battle over hot or cold has left our scalps in a sorry state. Dry, irritated and uncomfortable – these are the spoils of air conditioning, central heating, or even extreme temperatures outdoors. Luckily, this scalp shampoo is on hand to lift away the damage, replenish lost moisture and eliminate dandruff.
THE CURL TAMER
Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Finishing Mist, £40, Cult Beauty
Say yes to curls and no to dryness with this frizz-smoothing, moisture-locking oil spray. It’s no surprise brand founder, Charlotte Mensah, is three-time award winner of ‘Afro Hairdresser of the Year’. We love the super softening powers, non-greasy finish, and the deep, woody scent.
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
THE BOUNCEBACK BALM
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, from £19.50, Cult Beauty
Is it weird we look forward to waking up early for this? Probably. But when you experience the unbeatable spring, shine and strength that one scoop before shampoo facilitates, so will you. 10-20 minutes is just enough time to squeeze in a yoga class, too wink wink.
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
THE KIND CARE
Aveda Shampure Nurturing Shampoo & Conditioner, from £9, Look Fantastic
Maybe it’s the soft, herbal, spa-worthy scent, the gentle nourishing formula with plant-derived ingredients, or the cruelty-free and sustainable tags, but something about this shampoo-conditioner duo makes us feel zen. Our scalp and hair feel calm and healthy as well.
THE SCULPTOR
L'Oreal TechniArt Pli, £16.50, Look Fantastic
Our favourite styling spray has been reformulated. Yep, that's right - perfection has been tampered with. But guess what? The risky move paid off! The brilliant heat-activated technology still keeps hair flexible, adds heights to roots and gives general gutsiness to hair, just...well, better!
THE SILVER SIDEKICK
PRO:VOKE Touch Of Silver Brightening Purple Shampoo, £3.99, Boots
The trend for platinum tones has left us looking oh so chic, but icy shades require maintenance. For a brightening shampoo that knocks back brassiness without denting the wallet, this product can’t be compared. Lather on and watch those highlights shine.
Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.
THE BEDTIME BARRIER
Silke London The SILKE Hair Wrap, £50
Restless sleeper? As well as missing out on some major nocturnal skin repair, your tossing and turning could also result in some serious hair breakage. To keep strands intact, reduce frizz and lock in moisture, make this chic 100% silk turban the finishing touch to your sleepwear style.
Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
THE SMOOTH TALKER
L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil Masque, £19.50, Feel Unique
There's nothing more disappointing than sitting with a mask on your head for 10 minutes, then dealing with tangles after knot cool. For guaranteed silky, nourished locks that wont snag as you comb, this weekly hair hydrator is pumped with smoothing oils that nourish - while separating - your strands.
THE RESTORER
Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask, £32.85, Feel Unique
Not only does this richly restorative mask have the brand's signature scent that we just want to rub all over ourselves, but it also leaves hair with a noticeable shine and bounce. Hair health, restored!
THE DAILY REPAIRER
Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, £26, Look Fantastic
This daily leave-in is sooo good, beauty editors will part with their cash for this hair repairer. With quinoa protein and macadamia oil it naturally protects and repairs, giving hair back a silky smooth feel and appearance. Use it daily and we defy you not to notice the difference within a week.
Getty ImagesTHE STYLE ASSISTANT
Spell Beauty Edge Styler, £7.99 Spell Beauty
This is super versatile. The thinner bristles are perfect to pull baby curls and create kiss curls. The thick rubber bristles are more gentle and the pointed tapered tip helps to create partings when styling or braiding.
Special shout-out from: Shei Mamona, Beauty Assistant
