Shampoos & Conditioners For Every Hair Type

Written By Amy M. Koberling

It probably comes as no surprise to you that I take my hair care pretty seriously. With that, I specifically want to use this blog post to discuss two foundational steps to a haircare routine: shampooing and conditioning. If you read my haircare starter pack, you probably know that I want to structure this discussion a little differently than you would naturally think. I don’t necessarily use (or in most cases, recommend), using one shampoo and conditioner for every single wash day. Due to this, I am going to break up the concept of shampoo and conditioner in a few different ways: the value of a clarifying shampoo, a second cleanse shampoo for different hair types, a typical conditioner, and conditioning masks. Ok, we clearly have a lot to discuss, so sit back, and let’s begin!

Clarifying Shampoo:

Discovering the role of clarifying shampoo, to no exaggeration, revolutionized my hair care routine. A clarifying shampoo can be life changing for issues like oily scalp and crispy ends. They offer a deep clean that regular shampoos can't match, removing product residue and excess oil that weigh down hair. Their higher concentration of cleansing agents clears away the buildup from styling products, reviving your scalp and hair’s natural volume. The key to maximizing the benefits of a clarifying shampoo lies in personalized use. For example, I use a gentle detox shampoo as my first cleanse on wash days. This seems to work really well for my hair/scalp, but I encourage you to find what cadence works best for you!

I should also emphasize that not all clarifying shampoos are the same! Some are more intense than others, so I will list out my favorites for different concerns below:

Second Cleanse Shampoo/Everyday Shampoo:

I want to preface that although I am labeling this as a “second cleanse” shampoo, this does not mean you cannot use it as a stand alone shampoo (if you are choosing to opt out of the clarifying shampoo). With that being said, when choosing a second shampoo, I do tend to go a little more of a gentle route (especially if you are using a detox shampoo prior). In my opinion, the ideal shampoo for you should leave your hair clean, fluffy and voluminous but not feeling literally squeaky clean and stripped.


I also suggest choosing a shampoo that is tailored to your current hair concerns/hair goals. For example, do you have an oily scalp? Dry scalp? Are you combating  greys? How about hard water building up? (quick tangent: if you are struggling with hard water in your shower, I highly recommend reading my thoughts on “The Benefits To A Shower Filter).” Your second shampoo should support your scalp/hair’s current state!

Here are some of my favorite second wash shampoos for different hair concerns:

Conditioner:

At this point, with me talking about 100 different ways to shampoo, you probably have had the thought that I've sidelined conditioners in my recommended routine. Let me set the record straight: this is not the case! Conditioners hold an irreplaceable spot in most individual’s hair care regimen. However, it's worth noting that not all conditioning treatments are created equal, and some wash days call for specialized treatments that either take the place of traditional conditioners or are best used without them (if you are curious to know more about the holy grail hair treatment I am referring to, you can watch my video on the peptide treatment I use).

When you are not opting for a conditioning mask (spoiler alert for the next section) or specific treatments that advise against the simultaneous use of conditioners, I wholeheartedly encourage embracing the benefits of regular conditioning. Just so we give conditioning a little TLC, let’s go over some of the benefits:

  • pH Balance Restoration: Our hair and scalp go through a lot, from exposure to hard water to the use of styling products. Conditioners help to restore the natural pH level, keeping your hair and scalp healthy and balanced.

  • Moisture and Shine: They infuse hair with essential moisture, combating dryness and leaving your locks silky and shiny.

  • Strength and Protection: Conditioners work to strengthen hair by replenishing vital nutrients and forming a protective barrier against environmental stressors.

Ok now that we have discussed the benefits, let’s go over a few of my favorite conditioners for different hair types/concerns:

Hair Conditioning Masks:

Now I know this isn’t really in the category of what you think of when you hear traditional “shampoo and conditioner.” However, I wanted to mention conditioning masks since I personally use (and recommend using) once per week, as a supplement to your traditional conditioner. Similar to your normal conditioner, they not only infuse your hair with much-needed moisture but also act as a shield for your hair cuticles, preventing breakage and ensuring they remain smooth and intact.

Think of it as your conditioner, but to the next level. How often you use a conditioning mask is going to be up to your personal hair needs, but I definitely encourage experimenting with one (I have a feeling you’ll love it). I know I will sound like a broken record at this point, but I personally don’t pair a conditioning mask with a conditioner, so I would choose to use your traditional conditioner on your non-mask days.

Linked below are a few of the conditioning masks I absolutely swear by:

I hope this helps give you some inspiration as you build your hair routine! If you have any requests, questions, or anything else you want me to cover in it, make sure to DM me! 


Also, if you are looking to explore haircare even more, I highly encourage listening to my recent podcast episode on How To Fix Damaged Hair, Should We Use Silicones and Sulfates & Dyson Versus Shark with Abbey Yung


**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may contain products gifted in PR. This means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase via these links at no additional cost to you (thank you! It helps me keep things up and running)… As always I ONLY recommend products, goods and services that I stand behind and personally love and use.

Amy M. Koberling
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