We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping People Tested The 9 Best Hair Products of 2024, According to Stylists and Our Tests Shop proven shampoos, flat irons, and hair growth products By Madison Yauger Madison Yauger Madison Yauger is a shopping editor at PEOPLE.com with eight years of digital media and journalism experience. She has a penchant for lifestyle content with a focus on staples like cozy throw blankets, chic dog jackets, Away luggage, and the linen pants celebrities can’t stop wearing. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 8, 2024 03:10PM EDT In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsThings to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Alli Waataja When it comes to your hair, there are countless tips and tricks you can use to improve its health and appearance. But when you’re choosing between thousands of similar products, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. We compared viral hair oils, countless hair growth shampoos, and hot tools that style your locks effortlessly, all to find the best hair products in every category. Experts Say It’s all about maintaining naturally shiny, healthy hair. With today's salon hair color and lighteners being much healthier and less damaging to your hair than they once were, you want to be sure to use only the best products at home. Make sure you’re using protection products such as leave-in detanglers, hair masks for colored or processed hair, and a healthy washing regimen for your scalp.—Julius Michael, celebrity hairstylist We’ve tested hundreds of products that contribute to hair health as well as the safest styling tools to keep your hair happy over time. Read on for the best hair products PEOPLE tested in 2024. Our Top Picks Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair: Briogeo Destined For Density Shampoo at Target ($32) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Oily Hair: Nécessaire Shampoo at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Dandruff Shampoo: Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo at Amazon ($11) Jump to Review Best Scalp Massager: Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Hair Oil: Olaplex Bonding Oil at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Brush for Curly Hair: Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush at Amazon ($17) Jump to Review Best Heat Protectant: Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray at Amazon ($33) Jump to Review Best Hair Dryer: Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Ionic Hair Dryer at Walmart ($94) Jump to Review Best Flat Iron: BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron at Amazon ($160) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair Briogeo Destined For Density Shampoo PHOTO: Sephora $32 at Target $32 at Nordstrom $32 at Sephora Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.9/5 Performance/Effectiveness 5/5 Cleansing Ability 5/5 Scent 5/5 Overall Results 5/5 Star Qualities Actively restored hair growth and prevented future hair loss Improved the appearance of the hair, adding volume, texture, and shine Healthier hair after two months of use Red Flags Expensive given the 8-ounce size Your hair can thin out for medical issues, as a postpartum symptom, and many other reasons, but there are shampoos that actively work to prevent this loss and restore hair growth. When we compared 21 top-rated shampoos for thinning hair, the Briogeo Destined for Destiny shampoo delivered. Our tester had dry, thinning hair and used the shampoo consistently for two months. They saw immediate improvement in hair loss and even regrowth on the areas that had caused previous concern. The shampoo is formulated with ingredients like green coffee oil, caffeine, zinc, biotin, and copper peptides which all contribute to healthier hair. We noticed an improvement in hair volume, texture, and shine, and though it’s expensive given the size, we think it’s absolutely worth it. Size: 8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Energy complex, zinc, copper peptides, biotin | Hair Type: All hair types People / Jaclyn Mastropasqua Best Shampoo for Oily Hair Nécessaire Shampoo PHOTO: Sephora $28 at Amazon $28 at Nordstrom $28 at Sephora Our Ratings Feel 5/5 Performance 5/5 Oil Absorption 5/5 Star Qualities Absorbed oil without stripping the scalp Made the hair feel lightweight and freshly clean Relieved an ongoing scalp itch for a tester Red Flags Have to use it more frequently to see the clean results When you have oily hair (coming from personal experience) it’s a constant struggle of trying not to over-wash while also keeping your hair looking clean. Shampoos designed for oily hair, like this one from Nécessaire, allow you to wash more frequently without causing excess sebum (oil production) since it doesn’t strip away your natural oils. “When it comes to shampoo and conditioner you always want to look for products that are sulfate and paraben free,” says Julius Michael. “They won’t strip your hair of the natural oils you need for shine, they won’t leave build up creating dull limp locks, and most importantly they clean and condition your hair while adding essential vitamins back into your hair cuticle.” We were so impressed with the results — after weeks of using the shampoo, our testers’ hair consistently felt lightweight and looked so fluffy and clean. Our tester had experienced pretty regular scalp itchiness before trying this shampoo and it has completely relieved that sensation. When we tested 15 shampoos for oily hair over the course of six weeks, The Shampoo by Nécessaire was an obvious winner in terms of feel, performance, and oil absorption. Size: 8.4 oz. | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, aloe vera juice | Hair Type: All hair types Best Dandruff Shampoo Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo PHOTO: Amazon $7 at Amazon $8 at Target $8 at Walmart Our Ratings Cleansing Ability 5/5 Oil Absorption 5/5 Scent 5/5 Performance 5/5 Star Qualities Lifted product buildup and reduced excess oil on the scalp Salicylic acid eliminated dead skin cells successfully Consistent results from first wash to three months later Red Flags Didn’t lather quite as much as other shampoos “Anti-dandruff shampoos are generally antifungal and act against the agents causing inflammation and flaking of the scalp,” NYU Langone dermatological surgeon Mary L. Stevenson tells PEOPLE. She says they’re made with ingredients that “help counter the cause” of those symptoms and “soothe the inflammation in doing so.” We tested 22 dandruff shampoos over three months to see the long-term effects of each, and the Neutrogena shampoo showed stellar performance from the first wash. We appreciated its ability to lift product buildup on the scalp, and our testers had noticeably cleaner hair after each wash. The formula is gentle enough to use every day and it doesn’t have the medicinal scent that some dandruff shampoos have. It didn’t lather quite as much as a standard shampoo, but the salicylic acid targeted dead skin cells and oil buildup and left the hair really clean and healthy (sans dandruff!). Size: 4.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Hair Type: All types especially those who experience extremely dry skin on the scalp People / Sara Luckey The 15 Best Hair Growth Products of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Scalp Massager Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush PHOTO: Amazon $28 at Amazon View on Lovelyskin.com View on Leonorgreyl-usa.com Our Ratings Bristles 5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Serum Penetration 5/5 Star Qualities Created a better shampoo lather in the shower than with hands Can apply many oils, treatments, and other products to your hair and scalp Smart design with soft bristles and a comfortable grip Red Flags Couldn’t find any When it comes to your scalp health, a good massage can do wonders for stimulating the skin. “Using a scalp massager can help to exfoliate dead skin cells on the scalp and aid in product penetration,” Dr. Robinson tells PEOPLE. “Scalp massagers can also help to alleviate tension in the scalp which may help to support overall health of the hair and the scalp,” Garshick adds. During our testing, we compared 21 scalp massagers for a month to assess the effectiveness of each. It felt like a luxury spa treatment to massage shampoo into our testers’ hair with the brush during showers, and it actually helped create a better lather than when you use your hands to apply shampoo. The tool has gentle bristles and a comfortable handle to grip during use. For dry hair, it also helps massage conditioning treatments in your hair as well as other products. “You might find using a scalp massager with dry shampoo helps to distribute the dry shampoo more effectively if you have thick hair,” adds Dr. Robinson. It doesn’t tangle your hair, comes in a lovely storage box, and is fairly affordable given the quality. Materials: Silicone and plastic | Hair types: All hair types People / Allie Merriam The 8 Best Scalp Scrubs of 2024 for All Hair Types, According to Experts Best Hair Oil Olaplex Bonding Oil PHOTO: Sephora $30 at Amazon $30 at Nordstrom $30 at Sephora Our Ratings Application 5/5 Absorption 5/5 Feel 5/5 Hair Shine/Sheen 5/5 Star Qualities Restores the bonds in your hair (acting as treatment and styling oil) Made hair less frizzy, and acted as heat protectant Created silky smooth results Red Flags Contains silicone Another winner from Olaplex, this hair oil restores the bonds in your hair, so it not only helps to style your hair, it benefits its health. We were impressed with how it boosted the vibrancy of our tester’s hair color, provided heat protection, and reduced frizz. Our team loved the feel of the oil — it stood out from the 29 other hair oils we tested. It’s lightweight and made our tester’s hair feel soft and silky. We continued long-term testing this hair oil for six months, and our tester was completely dazzled by the results. Their frizz was regularly tamed and the hair oil nourished their sometimes dry ends. Our tester even used the Olaplex oil as a heat protectant for their extensions and it worked beautifully. Star Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, grapeseed oil, fermented green tea oil | Key Benefits: Repairs broken bonds, offers heat and UV protection, fights frizz, help maintain color vibrancy | Size: 1 oz. People / Tamara Staples People / Tamara Staples People / Tamara Staples Best Brush for Curly Hair Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush PHOTO: Amazon $17 at Amazon $17 at curls.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Performance 5/5 Star Qualities Easily detangles without disrupting the curl pattern Customizable bristle rows designed for thin and thick sections of hair Minimizes frizz and provides a nice scalp massage Red Flags Wide handle is hard to maneuver When it comes to curly locks, there’s no better brush than the Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush. It swiftly moves through your hair, detangling the strands without disrupting the curl pattern. Our tester loved how much definition and bounce their hair had after brushing it. One of the best features of this brush are the customizable bristle rows that can move around to suit your specific hair pattern — with one set for thinner hair sections and one for thick. Our tester said this brush “creates curls you dream about.” We love the lightweight frame of this brush, though it does have a wide handle which might not be everyone’s preference. The brush detangled our tester’s hair in just one pass, minimizing frizz, and providing a nice scalp massage. After testing 25 brushes for curly hair, the Curls Ultimate brush more than earned its place as our best overall pick. Bristle Material: Nylon | Curl Type: Wavy, curly, very curly, coily The 24 Best Curly Hair Products to Keep Your Curls Hydrated and Frizz-Free Best Heat Protectant Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray PHOTO: Amazon $33 at Amazon $18 at Nordstrom $18 at Sephora Our Ratings Application 5/5 Absorption 5/5 Efficacy 5/5 Hair Feel 4.9/5 Overall Look 5/5 Star Qualities Reduces frizz, hydrates hair, and prevents breakage Kept a piece of toast from burning when stuck in a toaster Versatile as a detangler and a UV protectant Red Flags Didn’t create too much volume Hot tools like hot air brushes and blow dryers are a common part of the hair styling process, so it’s important to protect your hair using a form of heat protectant. “I always recommend that everyone use a heat protector on their hair if they are using heat to style, whether it is a blow dryer or hot tool and even to protect from sun damage,” says Julius Michael. Our team tested dozens of heat protectants and Living Proof impressed us the most with its versatility across different hair types and other benefits like frizz reduction, hydration, and breakage prevention. For good measure we also tested the heat protectants on a piece of bread and the section that had spray on it remained untoasted while the rest of the slice had a crispy texture. Though this formula didn’t create as much volume as we’d have liked, it’s color safe, and works as a detangler and UV protectant too. Size: 1.7 oz., 8 oz. | Benefits: Detangles and softens strands, UV protection, nourishes dry hair | Temperature Protection: Up to 450°F People / Jessica Juliao People / Jessica Juliao People / Jessica Juliao People / Jessica Juliao The 16 Best Detanglers of 2024 for Knot-Free, Glossy Hair Best Hair Dryer Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Ionic Hair Dryer PHOTO: Amazon $94 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Features 5/5 Drying Performance 5/5 Overall Look 5/5 Value 5/5 Star Qualities Extremely well priced, given quality Comes with varied heat settings, a turbo boost, and a cold shot Only took 20 minutes for a full blowout Red Flags Complex settings for a beginner This budget-friendly hair dryer has taken our top spot two years running, so there’s no question it’s the hair dryer you should reach for first. It earned perfect scores in every single test (the only dryer we tested that did so). We were highly impressed with the speed, power, and special settings like a turbo boost and a cold shot feature to smooth the hair. Plus it only takes 20 minutes to complete a blowout with this hair dryer. “My go-to styling is a beautiful, voluminous blowout,” says Joseph Michael. He shares the trick that “blow-drying the hair with it being more wet, rather than rough dried, will allow the blow dry to last longer and not frizz up as quickly.” Thanks to several attachments, including a diffuser, the Hot Tools hair dryer works effectively for all hair types. Considering how well the tool actually dried the hair — creating both volume and definition — as well as the low price, we’ve consistently ranked the Hot Tools pick as our best overall hair dryer. Hair type: All | Weight: 2.75 lbs. | Wattage: 2000 | Settings: 4 heat / 3 speed / cool shot / turbo / volume or smooth | Attachments: 2 concentrators, diffuser People / Leticia Almeida People / Jessica Juliao People / Jessica Juliao Best Flat Iron BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron PHOTO: BaBylissPRO $160 at Amazon $160 at Ulta View on Babylisspro.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Glide Performance 4.9/5 Value 4.9/5 Straightening Ability 4.9/5 Star Qualities Only took 20 seconds to heat up Lightweight to hold and easy to maneuver Ion technology combats frizz Red Flags Didn’t work as well on thicker hair Whether you want smooth, straight hair, or a wavy look, flat irons are versatile styling tools. The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dual Ionic flat iron impressed our team enough to take the top spot of all the flat irons we tested. It only took 20 seconds to heat up — an advantage when you’re running behind in your morning routine. It’s lightweight to hold and can be maneuvered around your head with ease. The titanium plates are made with an ion technology that basically combats frizz to help smooth down your hair. It’s kind of like the old trick of rubbing a dryer sheet on clothes to avoid static — it takes the charge out of the equation. Plus, that feature can be turned on and off depending on your preference and hair type. Though it’s designed and advertised to work on all hair types, we found the best success with fine and wavy hair, rather than thicker strands. While the price is competitive with other top styling brands, we think this tool is worth the investment. Temperature Settings: 5 | Width: 1.25 inches | Material: Titanium People / Jessica Juliao People / Tamara Staples People / Jessica Juliao Things to Consider When Buying Hair Products Hair Type Your hair type will always play a huge factor in the products you buy. Those with thicker, curly hair will need a specific type of brush like the Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush and hair dryer attachments like the diffuser that comes with the Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Ionic Hair Dryer. Those with fine hair should be extra cautious with the heat from styling tools and use a heat protectant like Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray. Oily hair needs specific shampoos like Nécessaire Shampoo. Then there’s also the issue of dryness which can cause dandruff and a need for Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo and a tool to help shed excess buildup like the Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush. Price Depending on the product you’re interested in, prices will vary greatly. For instance, you can spend as little as $7 on a top-rated brush or as much as $160 on hair tools that industry experts swear by. But we don’t want you to have to overspend, so all of our “best overall” picks are competitively priced within their individual category. Function Most of the products on our list are user-friendly from the jump for every level of expertise with a few exceptions. That said, understanding how products can interact with each other can help you choose the right ones too. For instance, a scalp massager as an application tool can help hair oil absorb faster and shampoo clean more thoroughly than just using your fingers. Once you’ve blow dried your hair, you can use a rotating curling iron to finish the look. “Just roll half the length of the hair on the iron, leave out the ends, and get a perfect beach wave with minimal effort,” says Julius Michael, adding that you can “smooth it out with a flat iron, creating sleek shiny hair.” Behind the Scenes We tested hundreds of hair products over the past year. Before each test, we conduct thorough research into each category to determine the best or most popular products we should try. We also do our best in recruiting testers of all different hair types and ages. What We Learned Cost: The most expensive product doesn't necessarily mean the best, and throughout our testing, we found products as little as $7 that provided luxurious treatments for our hair.Consistency: Whether testing shampoos, hair treatments, or hair growth products, we found consistency to be key. We had testers use each product for periods ranging from weeks to months, and before, during, and after their shower routine (depending on the product). Results May Vary: Everyone's hair is beautifully unique, and as such, what works for someone else may not be the right fit for you. It's important to pay attention to your skin and hair type, as well as any sensitivities to ensure the most success. Frequently Asked Questions What products improve hair quality? “Hair loss and damaged hair are often a concern,” says Julius Michael. “If you are a new mom and are suffering from baby breakage you’ll want to use a hair vitamin to help slow down hair loss and speed up regrowth.” He also suggests sticking to products that “are not heavy or leave build up on your hair, causing a dull coating on your beautiful crown.”Joseph Michael likes “leave-in detanglers as a way to treat the hair whether you’re doing heat styling or just allowing your hair to air dry.” For clients who like to air dry their hair, he recommends using a “hydrating oil like a rosemary oil.” Is Olaplex actually good for your hair? In short, yes. Both of our expert hairstylists mentioned Olaplex by name when recommending treatments that can improve the hair’s quality. “I always recommend for my clients to do a bond builder like Olaplex once a week,” says Joseph Michael. “For any hair type you should take vitamins or use products that have hair bonders built in like K18 or Olaplex to restore damaged hair,” agrees Julius Michael. What is the best way to style hair without damaging it? To style your hair without damaging it, it’s important to use a combination of good treatments and tools. “Make sure you’re using good heat protectants such as leave-in detanglers,” says Joseph Michael, cautioning against hot tools “that get too hot for your hair texture.” Those with fine hair should be extra careful when choosing a heat setting because this hair type is more delicate than others.But damage can happen with skin sensitivities as well as from preparation with the wrong cleaning agents. “If you have a sensitive scalp, you’ll want to use a natural or organic product line,” suggests Julius Michael. He also recommends shampoos and conditioners without “unwanted chemicals.” Are there certain ingredients that make for a better shampoo or conditioner than others? Joseph Michael suggests looking for vitamin E oil and rosemary oil. “Both strengthen the hair and help with hair growth,” he says. “I like to stay away from products that have too much alcohol which can dry out the hair and make it look a little brittle.” PEOPLE's Beauty Awards: See Our Favorite Hair Products of 2023! Why Trust PEOPLE? Madison Yauger is a shopping editor with extensive experience writing about beauty, with special attention to hair products. She only trusts absolute experts with her own locks. For this story, she relied on insights from a series of different tests we held on a variety of treatments and tools in the hair space. She also interviewed celebrity hairstylists Julius Michael and Joseph Michael. For the skin and scalp-related products, she got important insights from dermatologists Mary L. Stevenson MD, FACMS, Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, and Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD. Using all of this data, plus specifications from each brand on the individual products themselves, she crafted this list of the best vetted hair products from every category we’ve tested at PEOPLE. Meet Our Experts Julius Michael is a celebrity hair stylist, responsible for many of the incredible looks of stars on Bravo TV. He specializes in applying and styling clip-in extensions as well as his technique for creating “Julius Michael signature waves." Joseph Michael is a celebrity hair stylist who works with clients like Bachelor alum Cassie Randolph and actress Ginny Gardner, among others. He’s created looks for fashion shows, Hollywood parties, movie premieres, and more. Mary L. Stevenson MD, FACMS is a dermatological surgeon at NYU Langone specializing in skin cancer treatment, laser, and cosmetic procedures. Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist. She's President and Co-Founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut and the founder of DMR Research. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.