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A good hair day looks different for everybody. Some might strive for the perfect bouncy blowout, while others consider shiny, springy ringlets a great success. Waking up dandruff-free might make one person’s morning, whereas the perfect slicked-back ponytail for a night out may warrant celebration for another. In the pursuit of the top hair products of the year for Allure’s 2025 Best of Beauty Awards, our editors experienced a lot of good hair days, but also quite a few not-so-good ones as we made our way through hundreds of shampoos and texturizing sprays, curl creams and conditioners, scalp serums and edge stylers.
For every experience with greasy roots or crispy curls, however, we discovered some truly incredible gems—46 of them to be exact—that cater to all hair types and keep hair health top of mind. Nearly all of them aim to strengthen your strands and coddle your scalp in addition to their primary benefit, whether that’s creating texture, adding color, or boosting shine: Good Dye Young DYEposit acts as both semipermanent hair color and a conditioning mask; Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel shapes curls and repairs broken disulfide bonds simultaneously; and Ceremonia Dry Shampoo con Arrowroot eradicates oil while still maintaining the scalp’s microbiome. These are just a few examples.
Comb through the list of Best of Beauty Hair winners and you’re certain to find something new to add to your routine. And when you do, regardless of how you like to wear your hair, every day going forward will be a good one.
Best of Beauty Awards 2025: Hair Care
Shop your favorite category or keep scrolling for the year's very best shampoos, curl creams, and dry shampoos.
See our winners:LargeChevron
Best Shampoo & Conditioners
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine Hair: John Frieda UltraFiller+ Shampoo and Conditioner
Best Fine Hair Shampoo & Conditoner
John Frieda UltraFiller+ Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why it won: John Frieda UltraFiller+ Shampoo and Conditioner gently cleanse and soften limp strands while staying weightless thanks to the featherlight hydrator panthenol that’s featured in both formulas. But it’s biotin and hyaluronic acid that get to the root of the situation, strengthening and hydrating hair so it’s healthier, more resilient—and fuller—overall.
Tester feedback from deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel
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“This shampoo and conditioner do everything I want—making my fine, limp hair look deceptively fuller, shinier, and softer—without anything I don't want, like a strong perfume-y scent.” —Elizabeth Siegel, deputy beauty director
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Dry Hair: Herbal Essences Honey Daily Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
Best Dry Hair Shampoo & Conditioner
Herbal Essences Honey Daily Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why It Won: You can make excuses for your parched hair—your age, your parents, your proclivity for your flatiron—or you can take action by adding Herbal Essences Honey Daily Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner to your shower. The camellia oil in the nourishing duo closely mimics the natural oils found on healthy hair and helps replenish it every time you decide to take your “everything shower.”
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“This shampoo and conditioner smell so fresh and sweet—but not cloying—and leave my hair less frizzy and so much softer.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Damaged Hair: Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur and Première Fondant Fluidité Réparateur
Best Damaged Hair Shampoo & Conditioner
Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur and Première Fondant Fluidité Réparateur
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why It Won: Calcium might be good for your bones, but not for your hair when it’s coming out of your showerhead. Too much can form a film around the cuticle, which can actually prevent reparative ingredients from doing their job. Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Réparateur and Première Fondant Fluidité Réparateur tackle the issue with citric acid to remove the calcium buildup from hard water, and then hand it off to glycine, a humectant that works overtime to soften the hair and make it stronger and more elastic.
Tester feedback from contributing writer Sophia Panych
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“I know this sounds crazy—and maybe I imagined it—but you can feel this shampoo and conditioner working as you’re in the shower. Your hair starts to feel silkier and less flimsy as you slide your comb through it, which I do in the shower as I rinse out conditioner. But it’s really how your hair looks after a couple of weeks of using this duo where you notice a visible change. My frayed ends started to look polished, and the broken bits along my hairline stopped being so fuzzy after blow-drying them.” — Sophia Panych, contributing writer
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair: Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
Best Color-Treated Hair Shampoo & Conditioner
Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner
Amazon (Shampoo)
Amazon (Conditioner)
Why It Won: The Biolage Professional Hair Spa Color Last Shampoo & Conditioner rely on soybean oil and stearic acid to keep highlights sparkly, brunettes glossy, and reds fiery for weeks, making it a bit more feasible to stretch out the time between your salon appointments. And with the brand’s signature clean-floral scent, every shower will transport you back to being in your colorist’s chair.
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
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“This Biolage shampoo-and-conditioner combo has become one of my absolute staples. Its quality is unmatched, and every moment of applying this product screams salon luxury. It provides a thorough clean and deep-conditioning, smells amazing, and brightens my blonde almost instantly. As someone who has been actively trying to delay my highlights appointments, I can visibly see this product extending the life of my color over time.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development.
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Curly Hair: Pattern Hydration Shampoo
Best Curly Hair Shampoo
Pattern Hydration Shampoo
Amazon
Creative producer Sydney Malone applies the Pattern Hydration Shampoo.
Why It Won: Pattern Hydration Shampoo wraps curls in a thirst-quenching cocoon of aloe vera leaf juice, honey, shea butter, and coconut oil. And while it offers serious hydration (and a heavenly woody-floral scent that we can’t get enough of), it’s never at the expense of shape or springiness.
Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone
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“This shampoo lathers well and has the perfect mild scent. I also love that it doesn't dry out and tangle my curls while I'm washing my hair. Once I'm done washing my hair, it creates the perfect base for a well-moisturized style.” —Sydney Malone, creative producer
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Shampoo
Best Dandruff Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Shampoo
Amazon (2-Pack)
Why It Won: Head & Shoulders Bare Soothing Hydration Shampoo still tackles dandruff with fungal-fighting zinc pyrithione, but in a stripped-back formula that’s free of sulfates, silicones, and dyes. What does it contain? Plant-derived cleaners and moisturizers, and a citric acid pH balancer for a gentle cleanse and a happy scalp.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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“When my scalp is flaring up, I use this shampoo two to three times a week in my shower routine, and the relief is instant.” —Kassidy Silva, social director
Best Purple Shampoo & Conditioner: milk_shake Icy Blond Shampoo and Conditioner
Best Purple Shampoo & Conditioner
milk_shake Icy Blond Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon
Why It Won: If your blonde ambitions are House of the Dragon–levels of platinum, the milk_shake Icy Blond Shampoo and Conditioner will be your most-trusted ally. The pair’s purple pigments are so dark, they’re basically black, completely banishing yellow and brassy tones, as milk proteins deeply condition. Even our bronde and highlighted testers found it gave their golden pieces a brightening boost.
Tester feedback from content marketing manager Hannah Brower
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“I use this set every three weeks when my hair is looking a little bleh. It instantly brings my blonde back to life! Most purple products can be drying, but this duo nourishes while it brightens.” —Hannah Brower, content marketing manager
Best Shampoo for Kinky Hair: Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate-Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo
Best Kinky Hair Shampoo
Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate-Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo
Amazon
Why It Won: If your hair texture falls within the Type 3 and 4 category, you know that your coils need all the moisture and none of the sulfates. Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate-Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo—which also skips alcohol, mineral oil, and petrolatum, by the way—relies on one of the richest hydrators out there to keep strands ridiculously soft and pliable: argan oil.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
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“This shampoo lathers so well with the tiniest drop and cleanses gently without stripping my hair of necessary oils." —Amber Venerable, creative director
Best Clarifying Shampoo: Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Best Clarifying Shampoo
Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Sephora
Why It Won: We appreciate having a shampoo that does some seriously deep cleaning in our routine, but only if it doesn’t leave our scalp feeling as dry as the Sahara. The Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo may include plant extracts that thrive in dry environments—like cactus flower, devil’s claw, and prickly pear seed—but that’s what makes them so good at taking care of your hair and scalp as the luscious lather gets to work breaking up buildup.
Tester feedback from shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis
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“If you want squeaky clean hair with shine, this is for you.” —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
Best Co-Wash
Best Co-Wash: Aveda Be Curly Advanced Co-Wash
Best Co-Wash
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Co-Wash
Amazon
Associate visuals editor Giancarlos Kunhardt applies the Aveda Be Curly Advanced Co-Wash.
Why It Won: A cleansing conditioner is critical for keeping curls, kinks, and coils happy and healthy, and Aveda Be Curly Advanced Co-Wash is just what the doctor hairstylist ordered. The creamy lotion washes away everything it needs to (dirt and impurities) and nothing that your hair wants (lipid-rich natural oils), leaving behind plant-derived peptides to keep curls strong and enough nourishing kokum seed butter for no-stress detangling.
Tester feedback from associate visuals editor Giancarlos Kunhardt
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“I’ve been using this co-wash for about a year now, and it’s become a tried-and-true staple in my routine. It cleans just enough between my biweekly clarifying shampoos without shocking or drying my hair. It feels like a hydrating conditioner but actually cleans my scalp and strands—key for my curly hair, which can get unruly. This formula keeps it calm and peachy, and it also works great as a topper after a harsh clarifying shampoo session. Oh, and it smells lovely!” —Giancarlos Kunhardt, associate visuals editor
Best Treatment for Thinning Hair
Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam
Best Treatment for Thinning Hair
Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam
Amazon
Why It Won: We don’t mess around when it comes to thinning hair, and neither does Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam, which contains the only FDA-approved, over-the-counter topical ingredient proven to regrow hair for those experiencing hereditary hair loss. And because the unscented foam has a thin consistency that all but vanishes from strands, you also get mess-free styling with whatever gel, cream, or spray you follow up with.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen
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"After losing a ton of my hair to a sudden hormonal imbalance (thanks, birth control), I've tried just about every hair growth remedy—both homeopathic and prescription—out there. Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Unscented Foam is just about the only thing that I can guarantee will help you grow new hair. But you have to be consistent; this formula requires daily application to do its thing." —Nicola Dall'Asen, senior news editor
Best Scalp Treatment
Best Scalp Scrub: AAVRANI Scalp Detox Jelly Cleanser
Best Scalp Scrub
AAVRANI Scalp Detox Jelly Cleanser
Amazon
Why It Won: To loosen flakes and break up product buildup, AAVRANI Scalp Detox Jelly Cleanser skips the gritty bits in favor of skin-sloughing glycolic acid and a built-in scrubber that gently exfoliates your scalp with its nubby silicone bristles. You still get that squeaky-clean feeling, just without the hassle of rinsing out sugar crystals or cleaning out your drain catcher.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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“When a high-performing formula meets a high-performing applicator, beauty magic happens—and AAVRANI Scalp Detox Jelly Cleanser is case in point. Its silicone applicator has soft teeth that make it easy to distribute the clarifying shampoo into every nook and cranny of your scalp.” —Dianna Singh, features director
Best Scalp Tonic: Act+Acre 3% Stem Cell Peptide Treatment
Best Scalp Tonic
Act+Acre 3% Stem Cell Peptide Treatment
Amazon
Why It Won: We wouldn't fault you for thinking the Act+Acre 3% Stem Cell Peptide Treatment is a fancy-pants serum for your face. The formula uses tried-and-true skin-care ingredients to boost collagen—but to improve hair quality, not for a plumper complexion. In addition to grape stem cells, the fast-absorbing spray includes caffeine and antioxidant-rich arugula leaf extract to help keep fallout at bay.
Tester feedback from associate visuals editor Giancarlos Kunhardt
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“I’m a gym rat and this treatment works wonders at refreshing my scalp and warding off any odors from forming between washes. I also really love the packaging. It’s supereasy to use thanks to the convenient spray nozzle.” —Giancarlos Kunhardt, associate visuals editor
Best Scalp Serum: Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
Best Scalp Serum
Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
Ulta Beauty
Why It Won: For strands that feel a little fragile, whether it’s from high-tension or hormones, stress or over-styling, Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops go right to the root of the issue to improve density and reduce breakage. The nongreasy, fast-absorbing serum supports the scalp with five different types of peptides and repairs hair follicles with protein-rich bioactive keratin ferment and fermented rice powder. It’s become an irreplaceable step in our testers’ nightly hair regimen.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“A year ago, I started to notice that my edges seemed to snap with even the slightest slick back. So I put away the edge brush and picked up these Cécred drops. I'm now on my second bottle. It feels like a serum—not so watery that my natural hair reverts, but not too oily either. The smell is divine, and after months of using it, I feel my hairline has become more resilient.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
Best Leave-In Conditioner
Lush Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer
Best Leave-In Conditioner
Lush Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer
Lush
Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen applies the Lush Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer.
Why It Won: Oat, almond, coconut. Lush Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer contains more milk options than a hipster coffee shop—all in the name of serving up a hefty dose of moisture to fried and frayed strands. Use it after the shower to detangle and decrease frizz, prior to blow-drying to protect from the heat, or as the liquid in your L.O.C. method.
Tester feedback from associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“Out of all of the products I tested for this year’s awards, this deliciously scented leave-in is the one I’ve restocked the most. It’s creamy but lightweight, reminds me of a cozy chai latte, and makes my bright blonde strands feel more like silk than straw." —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
Best Hair Mask
Best Hydrating Hair Mask: Kerasilk Smoothing Mask
Best Hydrating Hair Mask
Kerasilk Smoothing Mask
Amazon
Why It Won: We know it’s in the name, but we didn’t think Kerasilk Smoothing Mask could actually make our hair feel as slick as silk. Until we were rinsing it out in the shower and running our fingers effortlessly through our hair, that is. The results aren’t just surface-level, either. Hydrolyzed proteins replenish lost amino acids that intensively nourish and maintain hair in a healthy, balanced state.
Tester feedback from senior copy manager Leslie Lipton
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“Hair masks are fabulous for repairing damage and dryness, but they usually leave my fine, highlighted hair very flat and lifeless. But Kerasilk Smoothing Mask is now part of my everything shower, restoring my hair's shine and taming the frizz, giving bendability where breakability used to be." —Leslie Lipton, senior copy manager
Best Repairing Hair Mask: Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Mask
Best Repairing Hair Mask
Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Mask
Ulta Beauty
Why It Won: Just like Shakira’s hips, her cosmetic formulators didn’t lie when they told her the Isima Súperbomba Triple Repair Peptide Mask would be a hit. For hair that’s been through the ringer, the treatment mask repairs damage from root to tip, the inside out, and the outside in—regardless of hair type or texture. Targeting damage brought on by both heat styling and bleaching, the mask rebuilds broken hydrogen and ionic bonds, replaces lost proteins and keratin, and seals the cuticle for a glossy, frizz-free finish.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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“I grew up using traditional Dominican conditioning remedies to deeply nourish my hair, and this mask absolutely holds its weight against my go-to at-home staples. After just one use, my curls are brought back to life with so much shine and definition, without needing tons of product to maintain them. It’s easily one of the best new additions to my hair-care routine.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
Best Hair-Styling Products
Best Curl Cream: Fenty Hair The Homecurl Curl-Defining Cream
Best Curl Cream
Fenty Hair The Homecurl Curl-Defining Cream
Sephora
Fenty Beauty
Why It Won: It takes one thumb to pop open Fenty Hair The Homecurl Curl-Defining Cream’s flip-up cap, two hands to rake and scrunch the thick cream through your hair, and in about three minutes, you’ve treated thirsty curls to heaps of moisture and repairing proteins so they spring enthusiastically back into shape.
Tester feedback from beauty closet associate Edward Horgan
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“This is the best product for a quick, air-dry look that delivers curls without the crunch. My curls look defined, while the texture was consistently light and bouncy rather than stiff and heavy. And as for frizz, I don’t know her.” —Edward Horgan, beauty closet associate
Best Hair Gel: Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel
Best Hair Gel
Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel
Amazon
Manager of creative development Lauren Alberti applies the Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel.
Why It Won: Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel coats the hair in flexible, humidity-resistant polymers to form structured spirals with zero frizz. And because curls have broken bonds, too, the brand infused the formula with its renowned hair-repairing bond builders as well.
Tester feedback from manager of creative development Lauren Alberti
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“I unknowingly put this product to the ultimate test by going out on a humid summer afternoon and getting caught in a surprise thunderstorm. Typically, something like that would have me putting my hair up in a messy bun and giving up on it looking cute for the rest of the day. But behold! The Olaplex No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel proved me wrong. My curls were able to quickly recover from the surprise rain and extreme humidity with this gel. I was shocked that I could keep my hair down for the rest of the day and have it not look wild and frizzy.” —Lauren Alberti, manager of creative development
Best Hair Volumizer: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
Best Hair Volumizer
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
Amazon
Why It Won: The K18 Biomimetic Hairscience AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray takes limp hair (especially fine, limp hair), up up and…. up even higher with an extract of palmaria palmata, a seaweed that’s rich in the amino acid arginine that helps thicken up individual strands. The brand’s signature protein-repairing peptide simultaneously takes a journey into the individual hair shaft to repair any damage, helping tackle a lack of volume on a long-term basis.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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“I've tried a lot of volumizers in my fine-haired day, and I've found a handful that deliver oomph immediately—but very few that add volume that lasts. This spray is one of those rare gems: I apply it in damp hair, blow-dry, and then enjoy the extra bounce well into the following day.” —Dianna Singh, features director
Best Hair Texturizer: Maria Nila Texture Spray
Best Hair Texturizer
Maria Nila Texture Spray
Amazon
Why It Won: Our testers are still wondering how Maria Nila Texture Spray can be both the sheerest mist they’ve tried and also the one that adds the most body, dimension, and grip. What they’re not questioning? That their hair gets better with every spritz of this delicate dry styler.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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"A texturizing dream! Two quick spritzes to each side of my part keeps my roots lifted, and it adds the extra grip I need to keep my claw clip in place all day." —Kassidy Silva, social director
Best Wave Enhancer: Ouai Wave Spray
Best Wave Enhancer
Ouai Wave Spray
Amazon
Why It Won: Surfer-style beach waves, French-girl bed head, rumpled rocker vibes— whatever type of effortless bends you're after, the Ouai Wave Spray can coax them out of the straightest of strands. And while the musky-floral fragrance brings major beach vibes, the nonsticky styler skips the sea salt, replacing it with hydrolyzed rice protein to add volume and natural movement minus the crunchiness or tangles.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“This is my second-day hair savior. I use a mister bottle to dampen my hair, then essentially douse it in this wave spray, and it consistently turns out perfect. It adds just enough shape and volume that I feel put-together even on air-dry days.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
Best Curl Enhancer: Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé
Best Curl Enhancer
Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé
Amazon
Why It Won: If this were a beauty pageant and not the Best of Beauty, Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé would take home the award for Miss Congeniality. The silky gel gets along with every curl type (our testers ranged from 2A to 3C), encasing spirals of all patterns in a pliable cast that helps keep them buoyant. And as if we needed another reason to like it, the formula flushes curls with rich-but-lightweight moisture in the form of shea butter, linseed seed extract, and more than a few oils (avocado, sunflower, and andiroba, a plant from the Amazon rainforest).
Tester feedback from senior manager of analytics and audience development Monica Perry
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“I've seen beauty creators from 2C–4C curls test this gel, and while the results are varying degrees of definition, depending on the style and the curl pattern, it always seemed to deeply moisturize without significant shrinkage. But I was still a bit skeptical (because I’m always skeptical) when I tried it on my mixed curl pattern. 10/10. After my Best of Beauty testing bottle ran out, I bought it in bulk.” —Monica Perry, senior manager of analytics and audience development
Best Finishing Oil: Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Miracle Oil Serum
Best Finishing Oil
Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Miracle Oil Serum
Amazon
Why It Won: Both our fine- and thick-haired testers marvelled at the exceptional luster left behind by Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Miracle Oil Serum. What’s truly miraculous? The fact that they found themselves in total agreement over the ultra-lightweight shine-booster and frizz-smoother.
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant ElleAnna Revell
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“I have loose, wavy hair that tends to get frizzy, so I like using this oil post air-drying. I evenly distribute one to two pumps by raking my fingers through my strands; no styling is necessary. It leaves my hair feeling unbelievably soft and so shiny, and I like that the oil absorbs so fast that a greasy residue is never left behind,” —ElleAnna Revell, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Best Heat Protector: Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
Best Heat Protector
Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
Amazon
Why It Won: With over 150 blowout-only salons around the country, Drybar knows a thing or two about heat and hair, and the Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist proves it. You can rely on it to effectively—and weightlessly—shield strands from color-fading UV rays and hair-singeing temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tester feedback from senior copy manager Leslie Lipton
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“Other heat protectants can actually make my hair staticky, but the lightweight marula oil in Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist coats just enough to keep hot tools from literally frying my strands.” —Leslie Lipton, senior copy manager
Best Multitasker: Chris McMillan The Styling Balm
Best Multitasker
Chris McMillan The Styling Balm
Sephora
Why It Won: Longtime Allure readers will remember that hairstylist Chris McMillan shared his tips and tricks on the pages of Allure for over a decade. Now he’s bottled them up in the form of The Styling Balm, a multitasking, serum-like balm that delivers heat protection, definition, and exceptional smoothness—whether your style of choice is a Rachel-reminiscent shag or a “c*nty little bob.” Our testers even reached for it on air-dry days to add texture and shine.
Tester Feedback from senior copy manager Leslie Lipton
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“Chris McMillan The Styling Balm is a new star in my hair-care routine. I apply it to freshly washed, towel-dried hair before blow-drying and a bit more when I'm done to seal and smooth my ends (although if you like piecey texture, it can work that way, too).” —Leslie Lipton, senior copy manager
Best Styling Cream: Bumble & Bumble Bb.Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Long Last Styling Cream
Best Styling Cream
Bumble & Bumble Bb.Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Long Last Styling Cream
Amazon
Commerce writer Lily Wohlner applies the Bumble & Bumble Bb.Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Long Last Styling Cream.
Lily Wohlner
Why It Won: Bumble & Bumble Bb.Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Long Last Styling Cream makes fuzzies and flyaways disappear when smoothed over a sleek chignon or slicked-back ponytail. But this is more than just a finishing product. Used as a prep step, it protects from heat and adds polish to a blow-out or air-dry, its seven different oils (nangai, coconut, argan, grape seed, macadamia, sweet almond, and safflower seed) ensuring you get shape without any stiffness.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“My hair is on the finer side, so I can tell immediately when a product is too heavy. This cream never weighs my strands down but still delivers on moisture and hydration. It’s also a powerhouse when it comes to fighting frizz and humidity in the summer, which my hair is always in dire need of. Think of it as a frizz-fighting styling cream and smoothing hair oil rolled into one.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
Best Styling Cream: RŌZ Evergreen Style Cream
Best Styling Cream
RŌZ Evergreen Style Cream
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why It Won: It should come as no surprise that a hairstylist known for creating effortless hairstyles (hello, Emma Stone’s whimsy pixie) has created such an easy-to-use styling product. Mara Roszak developed the RŌZ Evergreen Style Cream to use in place of traditional gels, providing light-to-medium hold with shea butter, hydrolyzed pea protein, and carnauba wax. A little goes a long way to get what you want from this does-it-all styler—and it really does it all, from Emma Stone’s feathery pixie to Zoe Saldaña’s sleek Met Gala bob (both Roszak clients).
Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin
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“I wear my hair in so many ways—naturally curly, bouncy blowout, sleek middle part—and this cream elevates my look, no matter how I choose to style it. It can define curls, smooth heat-styled ends, and lockdown flyaways for updos. This cream is like lotion, sealing up dry ends, taming frizz, and making it all look supple and healthy. It doesn't hurt that its fragrance profile is subtle and elegant, like you're taking a drive through Big Sur with the windows down, and happened to pick up some of the magic in your hair.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
Best Hairspray: L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
Best Hairspray
L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold HairSpray
Amazon
Why It Won: Taking center stage once again in this category is the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray. Beloved by professional dancers and hairstylists alike, the iconic, extra-fine mist performs beautifully whether you’re shellacking a ballerina bun in place or creating a blow-dry you can still brush through.
Tester feedback from contributing writer Sophia Panych
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“As someone who took ballet since they were four years old, I've had a can of Elnett in my bathroom since middle school. When I became a beauty editor covering fashion week, I was shocked to learn my favorite hairspray was a backstage staple, and discovered a whole new way to use it. Now, not only do I still reach for the stuff to keep slicked-back styles pristine, but I also use it to set soft waves or a smooth blowout and have them stay touchable.” —Sophia Panych, contributing writer
Best Mousse: Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse
Best Hair Mousse
Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse
Amazon
Why It Won: Coconut and shea butter oils are two of the heaviest moisturizers out there, so it’s mind-boggling how Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse produces such airy volume and bouncy curls when raked through wet hair. Perhaps not so surprising? The level of shine and suppleness that those nourishing oils impart.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
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“Whether I have a black pixie, long braids, or a platinum short curly cut, I use this foam almost every day. It smells great and foams up the perfect amount I like for any and all hairstyles. Most importantly, however, it doesn’t dry the hair out." —Amber Venerable, creative director
Best Pomade: Fatboy Perfect Putty
Best Pomade
Fatboy Perfect Putty
Amazon
Senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applies the Fatboy Perfect Putty.
Why It Won: The kaolin clay in Fatboy Perfect Putty may add grit to the hair, but the beeswax and carnauba wax mean the paste feels soft and creamy—not icky sticky. Malleable and with a matte finish, when worked through the hair, this white paste keeps flyaways at bay, musses up the ends of short cuts, and sculpts amazing second-day texture.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“As a short-haired girl with perpetual flyaways, I'll try any hair pomade once. Most of them, I only try once because I'm that damn picky. Fatboy's Perfect Putty, though, has made it back into my stash time and again since a hairstylist introduced me to it nearly 10 years ago—and I always use up every last bit until I'm desperately scraping the corners of the jar. It's perfect to me: matte enough to tamp down oily sheens but not so much that it dries my hair out; heavy enough to weigh down flyaways and keep them down for hours on end but not enough to flatten out volume; soft and pliable enough to work through hair easily but grippy enough to keep everything in its place.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
Best Edge Control: Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Perfect Edges Firm Hold Edge Control
Best Edge Control
Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Perfect Edges Firm Hold Edge Control
Amazon
Creative producer Sydney Malone applies the Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Perfect Edges Firm Hold Edge Control.
Why It Won: It’s not just that the Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco Perfect Edges Firm Hold Edge Control allows you to swirl and sculpt your hairline to your heart’s desire. It’s that the moisturizing gel keeps the most stubborn edges in place for up to 24 hours, laying them down precisely with lots of shine and zero flakes. And regardless of whether your hair is naturally kinky or relaxed, you can trust that your hair will smell heavenly and remain safe from humidity.
Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone
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“I have super coiled, natural hair, so finding an edge control that actually holds all day, especially in the summer, is tough. I’ve been using Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco’s Perfect Edges Firm Hold Edge Control for years because it really keeps my edges laid without flaking or giving up halfway through the day. I usually wrap my hair for 15 to 20 minutes after applying it, and that little step makes a big difference. It’s become my go-to—whether I’m running errands or getting ready for a big event.” —Sydney Malone, creative producer
Best Twisting Cream: SheaMoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Stretch Multi-Tasking Volume Cream
Best Twisting Cream
SheaMoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Stretch Multi-Tasking Volume Cream
Amazon
Why It Won: Melon and coconut sound like the makings of a delicious tropical treat, but they’re also what allows the SheaMoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Stretch Multi-Tasking Volume Cream to define and elongate type 4 coils so effectively. Shea butter and hyaluronic acid join coconut and Kalahari melon oils to add a surge of strand-softening hydration, minimizing shrinkage in the process.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“Slipping and sliding! That is what my coils were doing after I applied this cream. It has amazing slip that helped detangle and brought every individual curl to life. It works best when applied to wet hair for either a wash-and-go or twist out. Bonus points: Use a dryer to set the length instead of air-drying. It's got a soft hold for touchable definition.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
Best Dry Shampoo Spray: Batiste Light Dry Shampoo Mellow Melon
Best Dry Shampoo Spray
Batiste Light Dry Shampoo Mellow Melon
Ulta Beauty
Walmart
What It Won: It’s hard to improve upon an award-winning original, but Batiste Light Dry Shampoo Mellow Melon managed to—and then some. Rice starch still sops up oil and beefs up strands, but with an even airier spray that stays invisible and smells softly fruity and floral.
Tester feedback from content director Kara McGrath
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“I have professed my love for Batiste Original Dry Shampoo countless times, but even I understand that, for some, the highly effective aerosol-propelled powder can be a bit intense. If the OG dry shampoo leaves your hair feeling a little too gritty, you'll likely love the new ‘light’ version. I find it soaks up oil just as well, but it doesn't leave as much of a trace at the roots, and the scent is a bit lighter.” —Kara McGrath, content director
Best Dry Shampoo Powder: Ceremonia Dry Shampoo con Arrowroot
Best Dry Shampoo Powder
Ceremonia Dry Shampoo con Arrowroot
Revolve
Sephora
Features director Dianna Singh apples the Ceremonia Dry Shampoo con Arrowroot.
Why It Won: If you prefer a nonaerosol dry shampoo (that’s also talc- and alcohol- free), Ceremonia Dry Shampoo con Arrowroot dispenses its oil-absorbing rice starch and arrowroot powder throughout your hair with a pffft of air. Then, watch as your greasy roots—and the product itself—disappear.
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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“Ceremonia Dry Shampoo con Arrowroot has a pouf applicator that makes it easy to target roots. And the formula itself both absorbs excess oil and adds just the right amount of volume and texture.” —Dianna Singh, features director
Best At-Home Hair Color & Dye
Best Permanent Hair Color: eSalon Custom Hair Color Set
Best Permanent Hair Color
eSalon Custom Hair Color Set
Amazon
Why It Won: If you’ve ever wished you could have a hairstylist by your side when dyeing your hair at home, eSalon Custom Hair Color Set is the next best thing. The deliver-to-your-door system’s probably the most personalized box dye that exists, hence its 10 Best of Beauty wins over the years. Fill out a questionnaire, upload a photo, and a professional colorist mixes your perfect blend based on your hair goals and history—right down to the developer strength. The only thing you won’t get is the in-salon gossip session.
Tester feedback from contributor Liana Schaffner
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“The finished result was so flattering and natural, it was like the shade was made for me—because it was.” —Liana Schaffner, contributor
Best Semi-Permanent Hair Color: Good Dye Young DYEposit
Best Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Good Dye Young DYEposit
Amazon
Why It Won: The Good Dye Young DYEposit provides casual hair color for commitment-phobes and DIYers with a formula that lets you switch up or enhance your hue in the shower. In shades that range from subdued and natural to shocking and rock-star rebellious (this is Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams’ brand after all), just replace your conditioner with the treatment-slash-temporary-tint once a week, and you’ll emerge with vivid color and significantly softer strands.
Tester feedback from senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“Take it from someone who's been bleaching and dyeing their hair à la Hayley Williams for 15 years now: DYEposit is a nonnegotiable for upkeep when you've got brightly colored hair. It doesn't just keep vivid hair colors saturated for months on end; it works like a conditioning mask, too, helping to undo all the damage you probably did dyeing it in the first place." —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
Best Clear Hair Gloss: JVN Revive Rapid Repair Bond Gloss
Best Clear Hair Gloss
JVN Revive Rapid Repair Bond Gloss
Amazon
Why It Won: As editors, we prefer not to gloss over things, except when it comes to a product like JVN Revive Rapid Repair Bond Gloss. Exceptionally thorough, the clear, universal formula doesn’t just impart a salon-worthy sheen. In the 60 seconds you leave it on in the shower, strands are treated to a strengthening and shine-enhancing solution of bond builders, rice protein, and algae-derived sugars.
Tester feedback from beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“My hair is bleached, and gray, and growing out a body that has been on this earth for almost five decades now—it’s definitely seen shinier days. But a single minute in the shower with this clear gloss brings it back (or at least way closer) to the days before balayage and fading pigment and perimenopause.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
Best Color Hair Gloss: dpHue Glossy Glaze
Best Color Hair Gloss
dpHue Glossy Glaze
Dermstore
Revolve
Why It Won: The saying goes that there are only three things you can be certain of—life, death, and fading hair color. Or maybe it was taxes? Regardless, the reality of getting your hair dyed or highlighted is that it will eventually start to go dull. That’s why dpHue Glossy Glaze is so handy. Available in seven shades (cool blonde, golden blonde, light to medium brown, caramel, dark brown, copper, and sheer) and applied in the shower after you shampoo, the tinted formula needs just two minutes to revive your color back to its original dazzling and dimensional shape.
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant ElleAnna Revell
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“My hair tends to get dull and dry, especially during the colder months. This Glossy Glaze is my secret two-minute fix for silky, shiny strands. I use this product every couple of weeks in the shower after shampooing, and it genuinely looks like I just left the salon!” —ElleAnna Revell, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Best Powder Root Coverage: Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler
Best Powder Root Coverage
Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler
Amazon
Why It Won: Raking in its fourth Best of Beauty Award, it's clear we might have some attachment issues with our handy Madison Reed The Great Cover Up Root Touch Up + Brow Filler. We don’t ever want to be without this convenient compact, which is the best quick fix for concealing grays, camouflaging regrowth, and filling in brows. Each of the six shades looks completely natural and won’t abandon you until you’re ready to wash it out.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“I love my balayage sessions with my longtime colorist Abby Haliti—but I still only manage to get in her chair every three or four months. To brighten and blend in those last few weeks before an appointment, nothing beats this budgeproof powder—I can attest that it survives every sudden rainshower or sweaty New York City day.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
Best Spray Root Coverage: Clairol Root Touch-Up 2in1 Color + Volume Spray
Best Spray Root Coverage
Clairol Root Touch-Up 2in1 Color + Volume Spray
Amazon
Why It Won: Hair colorist on holiday? The Clairol Root Touch-Up 2in1 Color + Volume Spray helps you hold out until they get back. The spray, which feels a bit like dry shampoo, seamlessly covers grays and regrowth, with the added benefit of bulking up your hairline.
Tester feedback from contributing writer Talia Gutierrez
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"I can't stop tying my hair up in a tight, slick-backed ponytail. I love the sleek style, but wearing it as often as I do has caused some thinning at my hairline. I'm self-conscious about it, so I spray a bit of this root cover-up on areas where damage is most noticeable. Not only does it give my hairline a fuller look, but it also covers up incoming (and incredibly stubborn) gray hairs near my temples." —Talia Gutierrez, contributing writer
Written by Sophia Panych
How does Allure choose the best products for Best of Beauty Hair?
To determine the Best of Beauty Hair winners, Allure editors and contributors test thousands of hair-care and styling products over many months, evaluating each formula for its ingredients, efficacy, texture, packaging, fragrance (when relevant), and performance.
Testing hair-care products is different from categories like makeup, body-care, and fragrance. There are products that can be used on different textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, and in those cases we call on several editors with different hair types to gauge if those formulas do indeed work for everyone.
Often, though, hair products are created with specific consumers in mind. Sometimes this means a product is formulated to address a particular concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). In these cases we enlist testers who represent our readers most likely to use that product so we can best evaluate the formula and determine if it is truly award-winning.
Are Best of Beauty Hair winners safe for color-treated or damaged hair?
Yes. Many of the Best of Beauty Hair winners are color-safe and/or designed to repair and strengthen damaged strands. You’ll find bond-building treatments, deep-conditioning masks, nourishing glosses, and gentle shampoos that help maintain vibrancy, reduce breakage, and support chemically processed or over-styled hair.
Do these products work for all hair types and textures?
The products spotlighted in the Best of Beauty Hair category address the full spectrum of textures and concerns. This means that whether your hair is curly, coily, coarse, straight, wavy, thinning, thick, or color-treated, you’ll find an award-winning product that can upgrade and enhance your existing routine.
Are there affordable or salon-quality hair-care products featured in Best of Beauty?
Yes. The winners span a full spectrum of price points, from budget-friendly staples available at the drugstore (L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray, for instance) to premium products from renowned hairstylists (looking at you, Chris McMillan Styling Balm). For even more options, you can find our favorite products of the year under $24 in our list of Steals winners and explore the most impressive indulgent beauty buys of 2025 in our Splurges winners.
What kinds of hair-care products are included in the Best of Beauty Awards?
This category, which features 46 products total, encompasses almost every kind of hair-care and styling product imaginable. This means the list of winners includes a broad range of options, such as clarifying shampoo, edge control, curl cream, texturizing spray, volumizing mousse, leave-in conditioner, dry shampoo, root touch-ups, and much, much more.
Like what you see from Allure's Best of Beauty Awards?
