Shampoos, which ones to trust.
My Top 5 Shampoos: Inside the Bottle, Technology, & Feel
When it comes to choosing a shampoo, I care about what’s inside, the tech that delivers, and how your hair actually feels after rinse. Here’s my current top 5, ranked by ingredient integrity, innovation, and that post-wash feel.
My Top 5 Picks
#1 — Fenty Hair “The Rich One”
This is my daily go-to. Its ingredient profile is clean but powerful, and it delivers that lush lather and soft hair after rinse. You’ll find key amino acids and lightweight proteins in there, which help with strength and moisture without weighing hair down, perfect for repairing or protecting fragile hair. After washing, hair feels supple, detangled, and ready to style. It’s the mildest formula out of all on this list. Smells like warmth with a subtle aroma of vanilla. Try it here.
#2 — RŌZ Foundation Shampoo
Minimal but smart. It’s engineered with coconut / clean surfactants that cleanse without stripping. The tech is in the balance — it doesn’t fight your hair, it supports it. Once rinsed, hair feels balanced, not tight or coated. Smells a bit botanical, floral, natural. Try it here.
#3 — Goldie Locks Signature / Ultra Hydrating
This one bridges hydration + slip. This would be my recommendation for very fine hair or anyone who likes a weightless cleanse. Ingredients include botanical extracts and conditioning agents, and your hair after feels glossy, flexible, and easy to manage. Smells of citrus and freshness. Try it here.
#4 — Oribe (Gold Lust / Moisture & Control)
Luxury done right. Oribe formulas are sulfate-free and bring in hero molecules you also see in high-end lab formulas: think biotin and caffeine. The tech is refined: their bio-restorative complexes and plant stem cells. After rinse, hair feels silked, shiny, and classy — the kind of feel you can’t fake. Smells like a gender neutral fragrance, bergamont and sandalwood. Try it here.
#5 — Kérastase Discipline (Sulfate-Free version)
A popular option that alot of my international clients use. But I need to be specific, only Discipline’s formula is engineered to control frizz, restore smoothness, and add manageability without harsh sulfates. Post-wash, hair feels calmer, more “in motion,” and less prone to flyaways. Smells like strong floral fragrance. Try it here.
Alternative Shampoos I Also Trust
Davines, Amika, Ouai, Pureology — they may not always hit my top-5, but they’re dependable. Many have shifted to gentler surfactants, include oils or extracts, and avoid too many harsh additives. Great rotation shampoos or backups.
What to Watch For (In Your Ingredients List)
Look for:
Amino acids — lightweight repair and moisture. Three good ones to look for: Arginine, Serine, Histidine.
Oils or beneficial lipids — argan, jojoba, plant seed oils give slip, shine, and cuticle support.
Gentle surfactants — anything ending in -isethionate, -taurate, or -glucoside usually means less stripping (vs SLS/SLES).
If your shampoo lists those ingredients somewhere in the mid-section (not just bottom) — that’s a strong sign it’s doing the work, not just marketing.
