Anyone with extra dry hair will tell you that it’s life-changing to finally discover the right products for your hair. I say this because I’m one of them. I’ve always had incredibly thick, dry, curly hair, and growing up, it seemed that no matter what shampoo or conditioner I used, my strands would always be drier than the Sahara Desert the next day. Ugh. To be honest, I also didn’t really know how to choose the right styling products or treatment masks for my hair type. When I finally learned that those with curls should stay away from harsh cleansing agents like sulfates (they dry curls out like no other), the game changed for me. Now, I use a gentle hair cleanser along with an extra-nourishing conditioner, and that has yielded amazing results.
That being said, I also still have some tips and recommendations from celebrity hairstylists to treat dry, damaged hair because they know best. “You want to look for shampoos and conditioners that have moisturizing ingredients, such as coconut oil, shea butter or argon oil,” says celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano. “You can also look for products that have aloe vera and glycerin in the ingredients. These specific ingredients are humectants, which help maintain moisture in the hair. I’d recommend staying away from any products that list sulfates or silicone in their ingredients—they are prone to damaging hair.” For more stylist picks and sage advice, keep scrolling below.
“Being in the haircare industry for over 20 years, I’ve tried almost every shampoo and conditioner on the market. I’ve had my favorites over the years, and while some worked better than others, I’ve been using Biotera Ultra Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner on my clients at the salon and have seen amazing results. It’s anti-fade, sulfate-, and paraben-free. It also provides a longer-lasting vibrant color. Biotera’s shampoo and conditioner is infused with pre- and post-biotics, marula oil, and other ingredients that will provide incredible hydration and nourishment to restore moisture and balance to dry or damaged hair.” — Christopher Naselli, celebrity hairstylist
If you’re transitioning back to your natural texture or just have curls that are dry, opt for a low-lather hair cleanser to help the hair maintain a little extra hydration. Celebrity hairstyist Sophie Gutterman has a few recommendations. “When the hair is dry especially due to chemical and heat damage, you want to focus on [finding] a shampoo that not only helps the scalp but adds a lot of moisture as well,” she says. “Something you can use every day without being too heavy or drying is the Lo-Lather Cleanser from the All About Curls’ Essential Moisture Collection. I’m loving it because it doesn’t matter how many times I wash in a week; my hair is never ‘too dry’ or ‘too heavy’ feeling. It’s very light but also gets the job done!”
If your hair is color-treated, you’ll probably want to find a shampoo and conditioner that’s formulated specifically for your strands. Celebrity hairstylist Guy Tang has a couple picks for you. “I love the Mydentity MyConfident shampoo and conditioner,” he shares. “It’s a color-securing shampoo and conditioner but also gives life to dry hair by making it feel soft and smooth.” Pro tip: Tang uses this set on dry, curly hair (even if it’s not color-treated) because it’s so nourishing and hydrating.
Because I have dry hair myself, I thought I would throw in my all-time favorite shampoo and conditioner set for dry, thick, curly hair. The Unearth Yourself Balancing Hair Cleanser leaves my hair feeling clean and balanced but never stripped. It also smells amazing with an essential oil blend of sandalwood, vetiver, and clary sage. The real star of this set, however, is the Nourishing Naram Conditioner. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients like kokum butter, sesame seed oil, ashwagandha, apricot kernel oil, and amla oil. My hair always looks and feels its healthiest when I use this set, and my curls stay hydrated for days after use. If you have dry hair, you know how rare that is.
Oribe’s Gold Lust sits atop the hairstylist and editor hall of fame for its unmatched ability to quench dry, thirsty locks. The shampoo contains a bio-restorative complex packed with biotin, plant collagen, caffeine, and niacinamide to strengthen the hair from within. Mediterranean cypress extract, keratin, and Oribe’s signature complex in the conditioner defend hair from damage and oxidative stress and provide long-lasting hydration.
Celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano loves this shampoo and conditioner for extra-dry hair. “I love the Healthy Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner by SexyHair. It’s the perfect blend to cleanse and moisturize the hair while not making it insanely heavy as other moisturizing products are prone to do.” If you have curls, Priano also has a few tips. “I like doing a combo routine of using the Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner and the Healthy Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner by SexyHair when cleansing curly or wavy hair. These two different lines hydrate the hair, prevent split ends, and any breakage from occurring when you use them on a regular basis. I also like to recommend using the Healthy Tri-Wheat Leave-In Conditioner ($19) with three to four pumps of the Love Oil ($23) when styling curly or wavy hair.
This bond-rebuilding shampoo-and-conditioner set from Olaplex is another favorite of Tang’s. It’s perfect for those with damaged strands, as it works to reseal the hair cuticle by rebuilding broken bonds within the shaft. It can improve and repair everything from frizz to split ends to heat damage. Each is also color-safe, helps strengthen brittle strands, and deeply hydrates.
This argan oil–infused set is a bit budget friendlier but doesn’t skimp on quality. Each contains a UV and thermal protectant with vitamins and antioxidants to nourish and repair the hair. That means if you heat-style your hair, you’re getting a conditioner and heat protectant in one—no need to use a separate product.
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