Choosing the right shampoo is one of the most important steps in healthy hair care. Shampoo is primarily for the scalp. Conditioner and treatments support the mid-lengths and ends. When shampoo matches your scalp and hair needs, your routine feels simpler and more consistent.

This guide helps you choose a shampoo based on scalp type, hair texture, colour services, and your main concern. For a guided plan, use the routine links throughout this article.

1. Start With Your Scalp

Your scalp is skin. The right shampoo keeps it comfortable and balanced. Before you choose a shampoo, notice how your scalp feels between washes.

  • Does it become oily quickly?
  • Does it feel tight, itchy, or flaky?
  • Does it feel comfortable most of the time?

Oily scalp

An oily scalp usually needs regular cleansing that removes excess oil without over-drying. If your roots feel greasy within a day or two, start with a routine that supports balance.

Follow: Volume and Balance Routine

Dry or sensitive scalp

A dry or sensitive scalp benefits from gentle cleansing and soothing support. Avoid harsh cleansing that leaves the scalp feeling tight after washing.

Follow: Scalp Calm Routine

Balanced scalp

If your scalp feels comfortable and consistent, choose shampoo based on hair type and your main concern. You do not need an aggressive scalp formula if your scalp is already steady.

2. Understand Your Hair Type

After scalp needs are covered, consider your hair type and texture. This helps you avoid formulas that feel too heavy or too drying through the lengths.

Fine hair

Fine hair is easily weighed down. Choose lightweight shampoos that rinse clean and avoid residue. If your roots fall flat quickly, volume and balance is usually the most helpful place to start.

Follow: Volume and Balance Routine

Medium to thick hair

Thicker hair often needs more moisture for softness and manageability. If your mid-lengths feel dry, focus on hydration and smoothing.

Follow: Hydration and Smoothness Routine

Curly or textured hair

Curly hair tends to be drier through the lengths and can react to strong cleansing. Choose gentle cleansing with hydration support to help maintain curl definition and reduce frizz.

Follow: Curl Definition Routine

3. Consider Colour and Chemical Services

If your hair is coloured, lightened, or chemically treated, shampoo choice affects both hair condition and colour longevity. Over-cleansing can dry the hair and shorten the life of colour.

Coloured hair

If your colour fades quickly or looks dull between appointments, start with a colour-support routine. This helps reduce fading while keeping hair smooth.

Follow: Colour Protect and Shine Routine

Lightened or fragile hair

Lightened hair often needs a careful balance of gentle cleansing and strengthening support. If your hair feels weaker, breaks easily, or tangles more than usual, focus on repair.

Follow: Strength and Repair Routine

4. Choose Based on Your Main Concern

Pick one main concern and start there. This keeps your routine focused. Secondary concerns are often better addressed with conditioner, masks, and leave-in products.

Dryness and rough texture

If hair feels rough, dull, or tangles easily, start with hydration and smoothing support.

Follow: Hydration and Smoothness Routine

Frizz and humidity

Frizz is often linked to dryness, damage, or hair that absorbs moisture from the air. A smoothing routine can improve how hair behaves day to day.

Follow: Hydration and Smoothness Routine

Damage and breakage

If hair breaks during brushing or feels weak when wet, choose a strengthening routine and add weekly treatment support.

Follow: Strength and Repair Routine

Flat roots and lack of volume

If hair looks clean but falls flat quickly, look for light cleansing and avoid heavy buildup at the scalp.

Follow: Volume and Balance Routine

Scalp sensitivity or irritation

If your scalp reacts easily, keep the routine simple and consistent. Focus on gentle cleansing and soothing support.

Follow: Scalp Calm Routine

Maintaining colour and shine

If you want to protect colour and keep hair looking glossy, choose products that support colour longevity and smoothness.

Follow: Colour Protect and Shine Routine

5. How Often Should You Shampoo

There is no single rule. Frequency depends on scalp type, lifestyle, and product choice. The goal is a comfortable scalp and manageable hair between washes.

  • Oily scalp or frequent workouts: often every 1 to 2 days.
  • Normal scalp: often every 2 to 3 days.
  • Dry scalp or curly hair: often less frequently, using gentle formulas.

If you feel you need to wash more often than you want, consider whether your shampoo is either too harsh or not cleansing effectively. A small adjustment usually makes a noticeable difference.

6. When to Get Professional Guidance

If your scalp stays irritated, your hair feels consistently dry, or your colour fades quickly, a professional assessment helps. In the salon we consider scalp condition, hair density, texture, and your current routine.

If you prefer to self-select at home, start with the routine that best matches your main concern:

Final Notes

Start with your scalp, then consider your hair type, then choose based on one main concern. Keep your routine consistent for a few weeks before changing products again. This makes it easier to understand what is helping.

If you prefer to browse before committing to a routine, you can view all shampoos and compare options based on your needs.

FAQ

Should I choose shampoo based on my scalp or my hair?

Start with your scalp. Shampoo is mainly for the scalp. Hair length is supported by conditioner and treatments. Once the scalp feels balanced, choose based on hair type and your main concern.

What if my scalp is oily but my ends are dry?

Choose a shampoo that suits the scalp, then use a hydrating conditioner or mask on the mid-lengths and ends. Avoid applying conditioner at the roots.

How do I choose shampoo for coloured hair?

Use a colour-support routine and avoid over-cleansing. If your hair is also lightened or fragile, add strengthening support. Start with the Colour Protect and Shine Routine.

What shampoo should I use for frizz?

Frizz is often linked to dryness or rough texture through the lengths. Start with the Hydration and Smoothness Routine, then evaluate if you also need repair support.

How often should I shampoo?

Frequency depends on scalp type and lifestyle. Oily scalps often need more frequent cleansing. Dry scalps and curly hair often do better with gentler cleansing and fewer wash days.

How long should I try a shampoo before switching?

Give it about two to three weeks of consistent use. This helps you judge scalp comfort, oil control, and how the hair behaves between washes.