Kailey Strachan for E! OnlineAs a beauty tool, the humble bottle of shampoo is often overlooked and underappreciated. It's easy to see why—when it comes down to it, even the cheap hotel shampoos get hair clean.
But a shampoo's ability to cleanse is only half the battle. With formulas designed to absorb oil, reduce brassiness, clear scalp of buildup and even wash without traditional detergents, there is a shampoo to accommodate every specific hair need. What's more, these specialized formulas can cut styling time by helping to smooth, volumize and provide second-day hair texture with first-day cleanliness.
Want ridiculously bouncy curls like Kerry Washington? The brightest of blonde like Margot Robbie? A lived-in texture like Sienna Miller? Consult the chart to see which shampoo can carry your hair from simply clean to next-level bright, bouncy and frizz-free.
What: Shampooing mousse
When: Seeking second-day texture with first-day clean
Why: Creates tousled volume without product buildup
What: Balancing shampoo
When: Hair is oily
Why: Eliminates excess oil while moisturizing hair
R+Co Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner, $29 ; The Seaweed Bath Co Balancing Argan Shampoo, $13
What: Revitalizing shampoo
When: Hair is dull
Why: Maximizes shine
What: Dry shampoo
When: There's no time for a shower
Why: Erases oily scalp
Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo, $48; Farmaesthetics Powdered Silk Dry Shampoo, $30
What: Volumizing shampoo
When: Hair is flat
Why: Creates lift at roots
What: Clarifying shampoo
When: Hair is dull, lifeless
Why: Rids scalp of buildup, brightens highlights
DryBar Texas Tea Volumizing Shampoo, $24; EO Sweet Orange Clarifying Shampoo, $9
What: Pre-shampoo
When: Product buildup weighs hair down
Why: Cleanses scalp for added lift at the roots
What: Color-restoring shampoo
When: Hair is dyed
Why: Stretches color vibrancy
Kérastase Chronologiste Pre Shampoo, $44; Dessange Paris Color Restorative Shampoo, $10
What: Gentle shampoo
When: Scalp is easily irritated
Why: Cleanses without harsh detergents
What: Brightening shampoo
When: Blond tones turn brassy
Why: Lifts and lightens blond and silver color
Natu Liberating Shampoo, $15; V76 by Vaughn Brightening Shampoo For Silvering Hair, $26
What: Nourishing shampoo
When: Hair is brittle
Why: Mends fried strands
What: Moisturizing shampoo
When: Hair is dry
Why: Helps create healthy, bouncy curls
davines Nounou Shampoo, $24; Marulaoil Rare Oil Replenishing Shampoo, $25
What: Conditioning cleanser
When: Seeking a gentle alternative
Why: Minimizes washing frequency
What: Sulfate-free shampoo
When: Hair is naturally textured
Why: Won't strip hair of natural oils
What: Smoothing shampoo
When: Hair is frizzy
Why: Smoothes shafts to minimize frizz
WEN Lavender Cleansing Conditioner, $32; Sans[ceuticals] Nourishing Hair Wash, $38; Unite Smoothing Shampoo, $28