In the grand biological narrative, hair serves as more than a mere protective layer; it embodies evolution’s transformation into a symbol of power, identity, and confidence over the course of a few thousand years. Our hair is a deeply personal expression, a connection to a broader world encompassing family, community, and culture. At Lookyst, we understand the profound connection hair has, not just to ourselves but to you.
In the spirit of this understanding, we are thrilled to unveil Lookyst’s Best Hair Products of 2023. Mirroring the dedication of Lookyst’s Hair Care category in their Best of Beauty Awards, our team has rigorously tested and retested hundreds of shampoos, conditioners, curl creams, mousses, gels, and at-home hair dyes. The result is a carefully curated selection of 48 top picks, each deserving of your crown and our coveted seal.
Your strands deserve nothing but the best, and these products cater to every hair type, texture, color, and length. After exploring our picks, venture into the realm of the year’s most prestigious beauty awards. Unsure where to begin? Lookyst has a wealth of reader-favorite selections in Skin Care, Tools (including blow-dryers and flatirons), Splurges, and Steals – all awaiting a place on your discerning vanity. Discover the hair-care essentials that will elevate your routine in 2023 and beyond.
Best Shampoos: Viviscal Hair Thickening Shampoo, for Naturally Thicker & Fuller Looking Hair
Renowned for their science-backed hair supplements, Viviscal also offers a shampoo and conditioner designed to thicken and fortify hair. These products boast a notable array of components, including anatel, a unique complex with clinically proven natural ingredients like pea sprouts. Additionally, they’re enriched with three essential elements for hair growth: biotin, keratin, and zinc.
Best Shampoo & Conditioner pairs: Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo 250ml
This shampoo offers a nurturing cleanse that preserves essential moisture in the hair. It’s safe for colored hair, works to prevent color fade and oxidization, and leaves hair feeling fresh, robust, and healthy. Its highly concentrated formula means you only need a little peruse, and it has a luxurious, creamy texture.
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner 250ml
An intensive, moisture-rich conditioner, this product is designed for repairing damage. Its thick texture provides deep hydration and bonding, resulting in hair that feels silky, soft, and easy to manage, making detangling a breeze.
Best Scalp Treatment: Kérastase Symbiose Intensive Anti-Dandruff Cellular Night Serum
The Micro-Exfoliating Cellular Treatment offers an immediate solution, effectively removing existing flakes. On the other hand, the Cellular Night Serum is a long-term remedy. It functions as an overnight treatment, employing piroctone olamine to combat the Malassezia bacteria responsible for dandruff.
Best Leave-In Conditioner: Cantu Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream
This deep conditioning treatment, enriched with shea butter, penetrates deeply and is formulated with pure shea butter and various natural oils. It’s designed to halt and repair breakage, mend split ends, and enhance manageability.
Best Hair Masks: OLAPLEX Hair Perfector No.3 Repairing Treatment
No more damage when it comes to bleaching your hair. Revolution! Thank you Olaplex.
Best Scalp Scrub: OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub | Deep-Cleansing Scrub for Hair
Ideal for both scalp and skin rejuvenation, OUAI Haircare’s Scalp & Body Scrub is the quintessential weekly detoxifier (perfect for a self-care Sunday, right?). This deep-cleansing, lightly foaming scrub utilizes mild sugar crystals for exfoliation, cleansing, and softening the skin, while coconut oil conditions and restores moisture. For an enhanced scalp cleanse, Jen Atkin recommends mixing a little of your preferred OUAI shampoo with this excellent scrub.
Best Scalp Serum: Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic
Weleda’s Revitalizing Hair Tonic, an entirely natural formula, addresses the root causes of hair thinning. It promotes increased hair growth and volume, resulting in naturally stronger hair and a healthier scalp.
Best Hairspray: Style by Amika Headstrong Intense Hold Hairspray
This quick-drying, strong-hold spray not only sets hair firmly in place but also guards against breakage and reduces split ends, all while strengthening the hair with Provitamin B5. After using it post-blow-drying, we noticed it not only maintained our hairstyle but also left our hair feeling more conditioned and noticeably shinier.
Best Curl Cream: John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch-Up Crème
John Frieda’s curl cream is a go-to for keeping hair exceptionally smooth and sleek. It’s packed with water-insoluble silicones, so it’s important to use a sulfate-based clarifying shampoo once a month to remove any accumulated residue.
Best Mousse: COLOR WOW Xtra Large Bombshell Volumiser
Fulfilling the dreams of those with fine hair, Color Wow’s Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer Travel gives thin hair a gorgeous, thick, and full appearance that lasts for days. This innovative foam, in a convenient travel-sized bottle, provides significant, enduring volume without burdening your hair. It adds texture, body, and immediate hold to limp locks.
Best Hair Oil: Kérastase Elixir Ultime, Hair Oil
Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale is an intensively moisturizing hair oil designed for all kinds of dull hair in need of a shine boost. Suitable for any hair type, this Original Hair Oil blends three potent oils – marula, argan, and camellia – to create a versatile product. It can be used as a pre-cleanse treatment, a heat protectant, or a styling aid.
Best Hairloss Products: Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner
Revitalize dull, fine, and brittle hair, restore energy to lifeless hair, and rejuvenate dyed hair – Watermans brings out the most healthy-looking hair. Formulated with hair growth stimulating proteins to address issues like excessive hair fall due to breakage, and menopause hair problems and to enhance your hair’s natural thickness and condition, Watermans is your ultimate hair care solution.
Best Scalp Massager: FREATECH Scalp Massager
Designed to revolutionize the shampooing experience, this product is a true game changer. It effectively takes over the role of your fingers, enabling you to indulge in a head spa experience while cleansing your hair and scalp.
Best At-Home Hair Color & Dye: John Frieda Precision Foam Colour
This revolutionary non-drip foam ensures perfect coverage for every strand, spreading rapidly and effortlessly to roots and hard-to-reach areas. The nourishing conditioner included enhances the color, sealing it in for lasting richness and vibrancy. Offering permanent color with up to 100% grey coverage, it’s most effective when you choose a shade within two levels of your current hair color.
Best Purple Shampoo: Kérastase Blond Absolu, Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Ideal for bringing back shine and gloss, this purple shampoo is infused with hyaluronic acid and edelweiss flower. These ingredients collaborate to effectively cleanse away grime and excess oil, all while providing hydration to your lovely hair.
Best Dry Shampoo: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo
This silicone-free cleansing spray applies effortlessly, utilizing the brand’s Triple-Action Cleaning Technology. It effectively absorbs oil, sweat, and odor while avoiding any powdery residue. Ideal for every hair color and type, the large-sized dry shampoo is enriched with a time-released fragrance, ensuring freshness all day long.
Best Detangling Product: Mane ‘n Tail Detangler Spray
Contrary to what its name might suggest, Mane n Tail’s Detangler isn’t for horses. It’s one of the most renowned detangling sprays available. Its non-oily formula makes brushing through your hair a breeze, smoothly removing knots without leaving your hair feeling heavy. Take it from the horse’s mouth, Lookyst Official 😉
Best Brush: Denman Curly Hair Brush D3
Perfect for styling naturally curly hair and crafting ringlets, this hair brush features 7 rows of sculpted, round-ended nylon pins. These pins enhance softness, density, and movement, allowing for the definition of curls in wet hair.
Best Straightening Iron: Remington Ceramic Straight 230 Tourmaline Hair Straighteners
The Remington Ceramic 230 Straightener stands out as one of the most budget-friendly options in this selection, featuring a unique twist dial for effortless switching among eight different heat settings. Its floating plates ensure excellent hair alignment, making it suitable for all hair types.
Best Hair Rollers: Remington H9100 Proluxe Heated Rollers
This set includes 20 medium and large rollers, which our testers found to be ample for thick hair. The rollers heated up quickly in just 90 seconds during testing, and the hair looked well-styled after use. It’s a yes from the Lookyst team!
Best Hair Dryer: ghd Air Hair Dryer
This ghd hair dryer was exceptional in smoothing hair and eliminating frizz, with users noticing their hair appeared healthier after use. Its quick drying ability didn’t result in any dryness, and all users were satisfied with their final hairstyles. The diffuser attachment was particularly appreciated by those with curly or wavy hair.
Best heatless hair curling band: Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
Beautiful curls and no damage!? Yes, please! For all hair types. This heatless curling rod headband is perfect for creating curls or waves on any hair type, from straight to curly, and is ideal for long or medium-length hair.