Cosmopolitan’s 2025 Hair Awards: Editors’ Picks for Best Hair Products
Discover the very best hair products of 2025 as chosen by Cosmopolitan editors and readers, from clean beauty winners to drugstore favorites.
Every year, Cosmopolitan assembles its panel of beauty experts and a massive cohort of dedicated readers to scour thousands of haircare products and distill the selection down to the most exceptional formulas. In the crowded world of cleansers, nourishing treatments, conditioners, and styling tools, only the very best make the cut. After months of rigorous testing and candid reviewing, discover the most coveted hair products of 2025—from clean beauty breakthroughs to cult-classic essentials and wallet-friendly wonders. No matter your hair type, texture, or styling goal, these picks are sure to transform your tresses.
How the Winners Were Chosen
- Expert Panel: Cosmopolitan’s beauty editors and a selection of industry insiders nominated best-selling, trending, TikTok-viral, and expert-recommended products across the hair category.
- Reader Input: Over 239,000 Cosmopolitan readers cast votes in 119 categories for their personal favorites, cementing the list with real results and feedback.
- Testing Process: Products were judged on efficacy, innovation, ingredient quality, scent, ease of use, and overall experience.
- Diversity of Options: Winners include options for every budget, hair type, and styling need, from drugstore deals to salon staples and luxury standouts.
Below, explore each top-ranked product, organized by type and accompanied by expert and reader testimonials where available.
Best Shampoos of 2025
Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo
“I have been testing this for months and have seen a real difference. It leaves my hair feeling soft, smells divine, and really reduces shedding,” raves Veronica Lopez, Sex and Relationships Editor. Natural ingredients and a luxe experience make this a true scalp savior.
Benefits Best For Reduces shedding, softens hair Thin or shedding hair Laura Polko Color Protect Shampoo
Sarah Maberry, Fashion and Luxury Commerce Editor, calls this “the best combo for bleached hair”. Locks stay vibrant, soft, and shiny—and the scent is stellar.
Benefits Best For Protects color, boosts shine Color-treated, bleached hair Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo
Julee Wilson, Beauty Editor-at-Large, describes this duo as a “whole reset ritual” that cleanses without stripping and hydrates without heaviness.
Benefits Best For Balances scalp, lightweight hydration Normal to dry hair OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo
Designer Kara Miller declares this her go-to for making limp strands fuller and healthier. The floral scent and spa-worthy packaging are icing on the cake.
Benefits Best For Volumizes, hydrates, light fragrance Fine, flat hair Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo
Lifestyle Editor Hannah Chubb swears it tones and brightens blonde without stain or harshness. Lathers well and leaves locks silky soft.
Benefits Best For Neutralizes brassiness, softness Blonde, highlighted hair
Reader Favorites: Top Voted Shampoos
MONDAY Haircare Volume Shampoo
Editors and readers agree: This is the best volumizing shampoo for the price. Delivers shine and body, especially lovely for fine hair.
Redken All Soft Shampoo
Widely praised for reviving dry strands and soothing the scalp. Readers with chronic dryness found renewed softness and healthy shine.
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
This extra-hydrating formula is a curl and coil favorite. It imparts softness even before conditioning, thanks to silk proteins, and leaves hair smelling spectacular.
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Beloved for strengthening and restoring hair after color or chemical treatments. Locks remain soft, smooth, and brilliantly healthy.
Best Conditioners of 2025
OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Conditioner
This affordable conditioner earns top marks for feeling premium. Readers rave about the scent, performance, and tangible results for fuller hair.
Key Ingredient Benefits Biotin & Collagen Thickens, strengthens strands OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Conditioner
Argan oil infuses this conditioner with moisture and shine. Many users call it the “under-appreciated hero” for silky results at a bargain price.
Pattern Beauty Heavy Conditioner
Especially favored for Type 4 hair and damage recovery. Curly-haired readers credit Pattern for helping natural curls rebound and thrive.
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Paired with its matching shampoo, Olaplex No.5 helps rescue hair post-color or bleach, restoring softness, strength, and manageability.
Editors’ Holy Grail: Ultimate Styling & Treatment Winners
hOURS Full-Time Plumping Mousse
Samantha Jones, Commerce Editor, extols this mousse as the biggest game changer for heat styling. Delivers extraordinary volume, hold, and hydration—making blowouts last longer and look lusher. Hydrates without greasiness and is suitable for curls or straight styles.
Kristin Ess The One Purple Conditioner
This purple-tinted conditioner works with its matching shampoo to neutralize brass and keep blondes vibrant, soft, and smooth.
Clean Beauty Standouts: 2025 Award-Winning Formulas
If you seek haircare free from harsh chemicals, Cosmopolitan’s 2025 Clean Beauty Awards highlight the very best in safe, effective, and eco-conscious products. After months of rigorous testing, the final 17 represent a spectrum of top-performing shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, and treatments.
- Ultra-Gentle Shampoos: Designed for sensitive scalps, these cleansers combine gentle surfactants with botanicals for a nourishing wash.
- Multitasking Leave-Ins: Condition, detangle, protect, and tame frizz—with minimalist formulas that deliver real results without weighing hair down.
- Hydrating Conditioners: Free from silicone and heavy oils, they restore moisture and shine on all textures.
- Plant-Based Styling Creams: Achieve hold and definition with enhanced health and environmental safety.
What others are reading
The 2025 Readers’ Choice: Most-Loved Everyday Heroes
Thousands of Cosmopolitan readers cast votes for their most relied-upon hair products—focusing on staples that deliver quality and value for every day use.
- MONDAY Haircare Volume Shampoo: Known for being affordable and effective for fine hair, boosting volume without heaviness.
- OGX Biotin & Collagen and Argan Oil Conditioners: Praised for their premium results at drugstore prices; consistently voted top conditioners for all hair types.
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo: Moisturizes dry curls and coils, making every wash a great hair day.
- Pattern Beauty Heavy Conditioner: Universally recommended for natural, curly hair—especially for reversing heat and styling damage.
- Olaplex No.4 & No.5 Bond Maintenance: The ultimate rescue duo for color- and chemically-treated hair, restoring bond health and vibrant shine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I pick the best shampoo for my hair type?
A: Identify your main hair needs—such as hydration, color protection, volume, or curl definition—and choose products formulated for those concerns. Read editor and reader reviews for real-life results and look for award-winners in your category.
Q: Are clean beauty hair products better for sensitive scalps?
A: Clean beauty shampoos and conditioners often omit harsh detergents, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making them gentler on sensitive skin. They may include soothing botanicals and natural oils to nourish and protect without irritation.
Q: What’s the difference between drugstore and high-end hair products?
A: Drugstore hair products can offer excellent results and value, especially those featured here. High-end picks may use higher-concentration active ingredients, luxury fragrances, and innovate with new technology—but price doesn’t always equal performance. Let reviews and awards guide your purchase!
Q: Is Olaplex suitable for non-color-treated hair?
A: Yes. Olaplex’s bond-building technology strengthens hair regardless of color or chemical treatment. Many users see improved health, shine, and manageability even with untreated hair.
Q: Can volumizing or thickening shampoos help with hair growth?
A: While these shampoos create fullness and body, actual hair growth is best supported by scalp health and targeted treatments. The Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo and others in this list combine volume benefits with scalp support.
2025 Innovation Highlights: What Sets These Products Apart
- Bond-building technology: Olaplex’s widely loved formulas not only restore bonds broken by color and heat, but they also prevent future damage with continued use.
- Eco-responsible packaging: Many Clean Beauty Award-winners adopt recyclable materials and sustainability commitments.
- Real reviewer testimonials: Candid editor and reader quotes provide authentic insight into how products perform in daily life—beyond marketing claims.
Choosing Your Routine: Advice from Cosmopolitan’s Editors
- Don’t Overcomplicate: Pick a gentle cleanser, a hydrating conditioner, and one or two styling products suited to your texture and finish goals.
- Think of Your Scalp: Scalp health supports strong and resilient hair. Add a scalp-focused shampoo or treatment if dealing with shedding or irritation.
- Affordable Doesn’t Mean Lower Quality: Drugstore favorites like OGX, MONDAY, and SheaMoisture deliver premium results on par with salon brands.
- Treatments Enhance Basics: Weekly deep conditioning or bond-building treatments can make a visible difference, especially for color or heat-exposed hair.
2025 Haircare Awards: Full List of Standout Winners
| Category | Winner | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Best Scalp Shampoo | Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo | Thinning, shedding hair |
| Best Color Protect Shampoo | Laura Polko Color Protect Shampoo | Bleached, dyed hair |
| Best Reset Shampoo | Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo | Normal/dry, irritated scalps |
| Best Fine Hair Shampoo | OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo | Flat, limp hair |
| Best Purple Shampoo | Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo | Blonde, highlighted hair |
| Best Budget Volumizing Shampoo | MONDAY Haircare Volume Shampoo | Fine, straight hair |
| Best Hydrating Shampoo | SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo | Curls, coils |
| Best Bond Maintenance | Olaplex No.4 & No.5 | Color-treated, damaged hair |
| Best Drugstore Conditioner | OGX Biotin & Collagen/Argan Oil | All hair types |
| Best Deep Conditioner | Pattern Beauty Heavy Conditioner | Curly, natural hair |
| Best Styling Mousse | hOURS Full-Time Mousse | All hair types; blowouts |
Final Thoughts
Cosmopolitan’s 2025 Hair Awards reveal a diverse array of winners across every price point, hair texture, and need. From bond-building powerhouses to curl-friendly saviors and volume-boosting cleansers, these products represent real-world beauty excellence. Let the editor and reader picks inform your next purchase and make every day a great hair day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What’s the best shampoo for dry scalp?
A: Redken All Soft Shampoo and Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo are favored by editors and readers alike for calming dryness and restoring scalp health.
Q: Is drugstore haircare as effective as luxury brands?
A: Many Cosmopolitan winners—like MONDAY Haircare and OGX—perform just as well as (or better than) high-end products. Focus on ingredients, reviews, and awards to guide your choices.
Q: Can these products help restore damaged hair?
A: Bond-building formulas like Olaplex and deep conditioners from Pattern Beauty and SheaMoisture deliver notable improvement for damaged or stressed strands.
References
- https://www.lolavie.com/blogs/press/cosmopolitan-s-2025-clean-beauty-awards-the-best-hair-products
- https://hourshaircare.com/blogs/all-articles/full-time-is-a-cosmopolitan-2025-holy-grail-beauty-award-winner
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a64590501/holy-grail-beauty-awards-2025-hair-tktk/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65321822/readers-choice-beauty-awards-2025/
- https://www.lolavie.com/blogs/press/welcome-to-cosmo-s-2025-readers-choice-beauty-awards
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