Caring for your hair is a universal practice, but it’s also deeply personal. The “best” routine is the one that works for your individual style and texture, while putting the health of your hair and scalp at the forefront. As beauty editors, we’re constantly testing the plethora of high-powered formulas and innovative tools that launch each year to bring you our curation of standouts that truly work. From game-changing scalp products to a dry shampoo that gets the job done, below you’ll find the 2025 Beauty Awards winners in the hair category.

Best Hydrating Shampoo

Roz Foundation Shampoo

“My hair is constantly changing, but this shampoo has remained a constant. Infused with ceramides and coconut-based surfactants, my hair drinks this shampoo up. It forms the richest lather that leaves my hair free of any frizziness or dryness, all the while nourishing my color-treated hair. Safe to say: Mara Roszak knows her stuff.” – Derek Deng, associate content editor

Best Hydrating Conditioner

Ceremonia Deep Moisture Conditioner

“When Babba Rivera founded Ceremonia, she set out to make your hair-care routine a spa-like experience. The Deep Moisture Conditioner fits perfectly into that vision. Rich in texture and hydrating benefits, key ingredients cupuaçu butter, sourced from Latin America, and castor oil smooth strands while locking in shine. As an added sensorial element, each bottle features the brand’s signature fragrance with notes of lemon zest, jasmine, and vetiver. Designed for dry or thick hair, this definitely leans on the heavy side of conditioners.” — Adelaide Giesey, editor

Best Volumizing Shampoo

Redken Volume Injection Shampoo

“Redken’s Volume Injection Shampoo genuinely delivers noticeable body and fullness. My hair feels clean, light, and bouncy after just one wash, and the volume actually lasts. It’s truly as if each hair strand was injected with plump volume.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director

Best Volumizing Conditioner

Crown Affair The Volumizing Conditioner

“Growing up with thick, heavy hair, the word ‘volume’ felt like an unachievable goal that was always just out of reach. I’m a realist—there is only so much a product can do when your strands are naturally weighed down. But the one thing that truly changed the game for me this year was Crown Affair’s The Volumizing Conditioner. From the first squeeze, I knew this product was innovative. The consistency resembles a gel moisturizer, light and bouncy in the hand but fast absorbing. A trio of star ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, rice protein, and panthenol, hydrates hair without adding any extra weight and creates a full, voluminous finish. Trust me when I say the results speak for themselves!” — Adelaide Giesey, editor

Best Strengthening Shampoo

Oribe Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo

“My curly but thin hair can lean quite fragile, and this nourishing cleanser builds strength from within. It’s great for my brittle ends and helps me wash less and grow my hair more with far less breakage.” — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Strengthening Conditioner

Pantene Pro-V Miracle Rescue Deep Repair Conditioner

“TikTok has rediscovered how good drugstore shampoo and conditioner are, and it’s all because of products like this one. The formula’s melting pearls intensely hydrate and repair hair from the inside out, leaving it softer, silkier, and shinier.” — Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor

Best Thickening Shampoo

Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo

“I find that my hair is the strongest, longest, and healthiest when I’m intentional about balancing strengthening and moisturizing products. Pairing Vegamour’s Gro Revitalizing Shampoo—which is formulated with keratin, biotin, and peptides—with a moisturizing conditioner has definitely made a noticeable difference in my hair this year. My ends are fuller, there are no detectable signs of breakage, and even my stylist has remarked that my layers need more frequent trims from the growth.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director

Best Thickening Conditioner

Briogeo Destined for Density Caffeine + Biotin Peptide Density Conditioner

“The thing not everyone tells you about having longer hair is that gravity can easily weigh it down, so I’m always game for a volume boost. I’ve found that this crucially starts in the shower, and Briogeo’s Destined for Destiny conditioner is a standout at bringing tired, heavy strands back to life. The formula features caffeine, biotin, and copper peptides to provide an instantly fresh, bouncy result while supporting hair health and growth over time. To that last point: This product will help increase thickness from roots to ends without having to add an extra treatment step to your routine.” — Ali Webb, associate style editor

Best Thickening Spray

Ouai Thickening Spray

“Consider this the equivalent of a face mist for your hair. A little refresh in a bottle that gives life back to your strands, it’s a secret weapon for thin, flat hair (it doesn’t hurt that the packaging looks especially cute on a vanity). Formulated to create a fuller and more voluminous appearance, use a light spritz as the last step of your styling routine, focusing on your roots. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Ouai product if it didn’t double as a heat protectant and feature one of the brand’s luxurious scents. We can thank founder Jen Atkin for thinking of every detail.” — Adelaide Giesey, editor

Best Clarifying Shampoo

Act + Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo

“We’ve all dealt with buildup one way or another, whether it’s from product, hard water, or both. This shampoo allows for a fresh start—it clarifies your scalp to reduce brassiness, boost volume, and remove lingering buildup for healthier, shinier hair.” — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Shampoo for Curls

Pattern Hydration Shampoo

“There are quite a few Pattern products in my washday routine, but the Hydration Shampoo deserves a special shoutout. It’s one of the first products I ever tried from the brand in 2019, and I’m still in love with the formula six years later. With its aloe, honey, and coconut oil blend, this hair cleanser can remove all buildup while maintaining moisture. Thanks to this shampoo, my curls always look and feel so refreshed and hydrated post-wash.” — Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor

Best Conditioner for Curls

Fenty Hair The Rich One Moisture Repair Conditioner

“I’ll admit that I don’t deep condition my hair as often as I should, but Fenty Hair’s The Rich One Moisture Repair Conditioner made me a believer, and now I actually look forward to it. After the first use, my curls were noticeably softer and hydrated, and it made detangling a breeze. I’ve officially incorporated this product into my washday routine, and my strands thank me for it.” — Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

Best Co-Wash

Mielle Organics Detangling Co-Wash

“People with coily hair can fall in love with a good detangler, and having a detangler that is a co-wash and smells amazing is the definition of winning! This moisturizing cleanser cuts down on the detangling time while adding moisture and gently cleansing hair. It’s perfect for a refresh in between shampoo and conditioner washdays. As an on-the-go coily hair mom of a little coily hair girl, I appreciate a product that retains moisture and eases detangling. This one is a go-to!” — Rolanda J. Wilkerson, P&G beauty care senior scientist

Best Edge Control

The Frontal Queen Baby Hair Control

“I initially tried The Frontal Queen’s Baby Hair Control in 2023, following its TikTok virality. I’m still using this edge control two years later because it’s that good. It delivers a super-strong hold (48 hours, to be exact) while moisturizing your hair with a blend of oils (vitamin E, argan, and castor oils). Once applied, it grips my hair nicely, making it easy to slick back or create swoops with my baby hairs. Anytime I deviate from using the Baby Hair Control, I’m disappointed by how other edge controls don’t last or turn white, so I don’t see myself ever parting ways with this gel. The formula absolutely lives up to the hype.” — Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor

Best Hair Growth Serum

Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops

“From braids to slick backs, my edges could always use some TLC. Cécred’s Restoring Hair & Edge Drops are viral on TikTok right now, and for great reason. The before and after pictures from real users are enough to make you want to run to your nearest Ulta Beauty and grab a bottle or three for yourself. The formula contains five key peptides to improve hair density and scalp health. I’ve been using this product for a few weeks now and can’t wait to see my side-by-side results in the coming months.” — Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

Best Scalp Exfoliant

Bread Beauty Supply Scalp-Serum

“Experts have been talking about scalp help for years, but it wasn’t until recently I started paying attention. Now, with the help of this scalp serum, I’m able to exfoliate, soothe, and nourish the skin beneath my hair overnight. It feels cooling and visibly helps the dry or irritated spots on my scalp. I use it the night before I wash (twice a week) and I love it.” — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Scalp Soother

Royal Oils by Head & Shoulders Instant Soothe Scalp Elixir

“This one is a favorite of mine. It’s my go-to scalp care product. It soothes itching, flaking, and dryness in between washes with a zinc-based scalp care active. It’s a personal go-to that I use when I wear braids. I can feel confident that I am caring for my scalp because I know that it works. As an added bonus, I’ve had the pleasure of working on the development of this line and have seen firsthand the clinical results and the benefits for myself!” — Rolanda J. Wilkerson, P&G beauty care senior scientist

Best Hair Mask, Moisture

Aveda Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Perfecting Masque

“Hair masks are the foundation of any curly hairstyle, and Aveda’s Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Perfecting Mask proves this hands down. This mask is formulated with a vegan peptide blend to promote scalp and follicle health, baobab seed oil for shine, and shea butter to nourish curls. I use this weekly in the shower on my 3c/4a curls as slip to detangle, and leave it in for as long as I can. Once I rinse it out, I can truly feel the difference in my strands. They’re stronger, more hydrated, and ready to receive styling product. Unlike so many curly hair products that favor sweet scents, this mask has a sophisticated, citrus-based fragrance of lemon, bergamot, and orange. Finally, it’s silicone- and sulfate-free and has made a huge difference in the definition and longevity of my wash-and-gos.” — Star Donaldson, social media director

Best Hair Mask, Repair

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 5-Min Liquid Mask

“Bleaching your hair is bound to be a humbling process unless, of course, you have this hair mask on hand. Whenever my bleached hair is feeling extra damaged, I find myself coming back to this mask, not only because of how it soothes and softens my hair but also because of how quickly it works. After a few consistent uses, I’ve found that my bleached hair feels just as healthy as my natural hair—and that’s saying a lot.” — Derek Deng, associate content editor

Best Detangler

LolaVie Glossing Detangler

“This is the one product my roommate routinely steals from our bathroom, and I don’t blame her. The LolaVie product has mastered the one crucial characteristic of a detangler: It’s reliable. Just a little spray is all it takes to glide through long, thick hair. The scent is subtle enough that it doesn’t overpower your natural aroma, but strong enough that you notice when a hair sweeps across your face. A blend of peptides and B-Pro3 Bond Technology hydrates strands while protecting and repairing damage, so you can customize how you incorporate it into your routine, whether it be before air-drying or heat-styling.” — Adelaide Giesey, editor

Best Hair Oil

Anablue Huile du Maroc Treatment Oil

“This oil is absolutely incredible, and I use it daily on my clients. It’s a lightweight, fast-absorbing, and super-hydrating blend of Moroccan botanical oils, and I use it before and after styling to add shine, smooth frizz, and nourish my clients’ hair and scalp. It can also be used as a leave-in conditioner for those who don’t heat style. Anablue’s Huile du Maroc Treatment Oil doesn’t leave one bit of greasy residue, which can be a huge issue with oils. Parched and/or damaged hair lives for this treatment oil, leaving it soft and radiant. All in all, this is the absolute best hair oil I have ever used to this day.” — Matt Rez, celebrity hair colorist

Best for Shine + Definition

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day High-Shine Gloss

“For years, I’ve cycled through the salon every two to three months for a pro gloss, but with Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day High-Shine Gloss, I’m finally achieving those glassy results at home. This treatment gives my hair an incredible, mirror-like shine—and an indescribable silkiness—that rivals a pro treatment.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director

Best for Blocking Humidity

Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat

“The humidity-blocking powers of Color Wow’s Dream Coat are nothing short of magic. Whenever I give myself a silk press, this product is essential to creating and maintaining a sleek finish. It is formulated with Color Wow’s proprietary Anti-Humidity Complex that makes hair resistant to humidity, prevents frizz, and even provides heat protection. It also locks in moisture and prevents my curls from reverting even in the most humid NYC conditions. I use this as a primer before I flat iron and have never looked back. If you want to straighten your curls but worry about the weather, simply add this to your routine. I swear by it.” — Star Donaldson, social media director

Best Curl Cream

Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream

“My washday styling routine isn’t complete without the Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream. It contains three ingredients my hair loves—aloe vera, coconut oil, and shea butter. This blend deeply hydrates, reduces frizz, and locks in moisture without weighing your hair down. While my hair is still damp, I apply a generous amount of the curl cream and scrunch it in. Once my curls are dry, it’s easy to see how much of a difference the product makes. My curls are bouncier, shinier, and much more defined.” — Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor

Best Mousse

Nexxus Hy-Volume Weightless Lift Cloud Foam

“The Nexxus Hy-Volume Weightless Lift Cloud Foam is a divine revelation. The texture is exactly as described—a light, airy cloud foam that distributes easily through my hair. It provides incredible lift and body from the roots without any stiffness, leaving my hair feeling soft, voluminous, and never crunchy.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director

Best Dry Shampoo

Batiste Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo

“As a beauty editor who loves cardio, I’d consider myself a dry shampoo expert. It is simply not realistic for me to wash my hair after every workout, but I also don’t always love the grit and buildup from consecutive days of dry shampoo. So fortunately, Batiste is saving my greasy roots with its latest innovation, a ‘sweat-activated’ dry shampoo that kicks in once you’re actually sweating. It’s practically invisible, making me feel like my hair is actually clean, not just dry and gritty.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director

Best Hairspray

Dae Sunsetter Hairspray

“As a former teen ballerina, the word ‘hairspray’ always brings to mind crispy, crunchy buns and some light trauma. However, hairspray has come a long way, and this brushable formula is proof. The superfine mist keeps my styles in place without any crispness or crunchies in sight, even when I run my hands through my hair. It has a pretty, shiny finish, and like all of Dae’s products, smells like a yummy orange creamsicle.” — Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor

Best Texturizing Spray

Tresemmé A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray

“Tresemmé’s A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray gives my hair that perfect amount of lived-in texture and grit without feeling sticky or stiff. It adds body and hold, making it ideal for bringing a little intentional, Olsen-like messiness to my air-dried waves.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director

Best Styler for Volume

K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray

“Warning: This one is for serious volume. A few spritzes of K18’s AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray—coupled with a round brush or 20 minutes in hot rollers—and my hair looks triple the size. If you love that fluffy, layered look with sky-high lift, there’s nothing on the market that compares to this styler (which doubles as a reparative treatment).” — Holly Rhue, editorial director

Best Hair Treatment Kit

Epres Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kit

“As a hair colorist whose career has been dedicated to hair health, I cannot go one day without Epres Bond Repair Treatment. I’m constantly blown away by the superpowers of this extremely clean, new generation of bonding for damaged hair. I have seen miracles in 10 minutes, where broken disulfide bonds of damaged hair are repaired and transformed so hair is full of shine and soft to touch. The treatment is easy to mix and apply for both professionals and clients before and after chemical services in the salon and at home to protect and repair heat and other environmental damage. What makes this lightweight spray treatment even more of an obsession is the Biodiffusion bond repair technology, which continues to repair hair from the inside out for hours after use, even when hair is fully dry. I’m hooked for life, and my clients can’t stop raving about their hair continuously getting healthier with each use.” — Matt Rez, celebrity hair colorist

Best Hair Gel

Bounce Curl Light Hold Creme Gel

“When I was in high school, trying to figure out how to care for my curls, I discovered Bounce Curl’s Light Hold Creme Gel through natural hair influencers. I saved up money to buy a bottle, and after using it, I saw how much of a game-changer it was for my hair. The lightweight gel enhances definition while conditioning your hair with jojoba esters, oat protein, and aloe. For over 10 years, I’ve trusted the Light Hold Creme Gel to keep my curls looking defined and glossy, and this product has never let me down.” — Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor

Best Bonnet

Cee Cee’s Closet Bonnet

“If you’ve ever woken up with your bonnet somehow across the room (IYKYK), you need this one from Cee Cee’s Closet NYC. Bonnets are universally considered an essential part of having a good hair day, but all are certainly not created equal. This one from Cee Cee’s Closet NYC has a beautiful, bold print on the outside and a poly-silk lining on the inside. Compared to other bonnets I’ve tried, it has a surprising amount of space that is big enough to hold tons of hair or even braids. My favorite part is the strong elastic band that feels snug and allows me to sleep peacefully at night, knowing it will be there in the morning. And while I slumber, it retains my hair’s moisture, keeps away frizz, and prevents breakage by protecting my hair from cotton pillowcases. This is the only bonnet you’ll need, no matter your curl pattern or style.” — Star Donaldson, social media director

Best Blow Dryer

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

“I’ve exclusively used the Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer for the past year. The first feature that stands out is the dryer’s ‘scalp protect mode,’ which reduces heat to 131°F as the hair dryer gets closer to your scalp. Watching this feature adjust in real-time is just as incredible as you’d think—it makes drying your hair a more intuitive, irritation-free process. The second feature I love? The five intelligent attachments that come with the dryer. ​There’s a wave and curl diffuser, gentle air attachment, styling concentrator, wide-tooth comb, and flyaway attachment. Whichever heat and airflow settings you program for each attachment, the device will remember them every time they’re attached to the dryer. As someone with curly hair, I was primarily excited about the new wave and curl diffuser attachment. The pronged inserts in the diffuser push air into your roots, allowing it to define and volumize curls and coils. Thoroughly drying my curls usually takes a long time, but this diffuser and the dryer’s innovative features cut down dry time and leave me with a fluffy head of hair.” — Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor

Best Curling Tool

T3 Curl ID Smart Curling Iron

“T3’s Curl ID Smart Curling Iron has been a staple in my hair-care routine for years. I love that you can customize the settings based on hair texture, so that you’re getting the perfect amount of heat for your hair to keep it healthy. This curling iron gives you gorgeous, smooth, and shiny curls that last.” — Shani Darden, esthetician and founder of Shani Darden Skin Care

Best Straightening Tool

BondiBoost Aloe Flat Iron

“If the thought of a flat iron brings back memories of crunchy, heat-damaged strands from the aughts, allow this BondiBoost marvel to change your perspective as it did mine. As the name suggests, the brand’s ceramic-coated tourmaline plates are infused with aloe, which nourishes, adds shine, and reduces frizz while you create your desired style. I’ve used it to straighten, create flat-iron curls, and style my bangs, and I’ve found it to be a breeze for all thanks to the ultra-customizable heat settings, 10-foot swivel cord, and 45-minute automatic shutoff (attention, anxious girlies like me: No more mid-commute panics about whether you unplugged it).” — Ali Webb, associate style editor

Best Diffuser

Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex DefrizzFast Diffuser

“Trying to figure out how best to dry and style my curls has been a journey, but the retractable and extendable prongs on Shark’s SpeedStyle DefrizzFast Diffuser has made all the difference. It allows you to customize the experience based on your unique texture (I retract the prongs for my fine hair, and it also allows for less heat on the scalp). Then, I extend the prongs to get a bit of lift at the root. The result is more defined curls in just a few minutes.” — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Hairbrush

La Bonne Brosse The Good Brush No.02

“There is nothing I love more than a pretty little trinket, except for a pretty little trinket that actually has a purpose. Not only does this French-made brush look so pretty in my bathroom, but it also makes my hair feel and look amazing. Featuring a mix of boar and nylon bristles, you can use it wet or dry, and the keratin in the boar bristles strengthens my hair with every brush. It makes my hair so soft and shiny, and I do think it’s been overall healthier since I’ve incorporated it into my routine. It’s a bit of a splurge, but it’s something I’ll treasure forever.” — Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor