Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner starts with understanding two things: your scalp type and your hair needs. Different textures, levels of dryness, frizz, colour treatment, and oiliness all require different formulas.

Below is a complete guide + recommended products from EssenceLK.

1. Understanding Your Scalp & Hair Type

A. Your Scalp Type (Most Important!)

Experts say:
“Choose shampoo for your scalp and conditioner for your hair.”

Dry Scalp

• Feels tight, itchy, flaky

• Needs moisture and soothing ingredients
  
  

Oily Scalp

• Gets greasy quickly

• Needs deeper cleansing and oil control
  
  

Normal/Combination Scalp

• Not too oily or dry

• Needs gentle, balanced formulas
  
  

2. Your Hair Condition (Texture & Concerns)

Dry / Damaged Hair

Often caused by heat styling, chemical treatments, sun exposure, or harsh shampoos.
Needs: Moisture, repair, smoothness.

Oily Hair

Gets greasy fast, especially at the roots.
Needs: Lightweight cleansing without heavy oils.

Frizzy or Curly Hair

Naturally drier because natural oils don’t travel down curls easily.
Needs: Hydration, frizz control, curl definition.

Color-Treated Hair

Chemically processed hair weakens the cuticle.
Needs: Colour protection + bond repair + gentle cleansing.

Normal Hair

Healthy hair needing basic maintenance.
Needs: Gentle cleansing + lightweight hydration.

3. Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Each Hair Type (With Backlinks)

A. For Dry & Damaged Hair

Look for: Shea butter, macadamia, argan oil, bond-repair proteins, nourishing masks.
These ingredients deeply hydrate, repair split ends, and soften rough texture.

Recommended Products (EssenceLK):

• Garnier Fructis Macadamia Hair Food Conditioner
  
  
  

• Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
  
  
  

• OGX Hydrate & Revive Argan Oil Hair Mask
  
  
  
  

• OGX Hydrate & Repair Argan Oil Shampoo
  
  
  

• OGX Hydrate & Repair Argan Oil Conditioner
  
  
  

Why these work:
They contain rich oils and fatty acids that restore moisture and smooth damaged cuticles.

B. For Oily Hair

Look for: Clarifying formulas, lightweight conditioners, scalp-balancing cleansers.

Recommended Products:

• Tresemmé Cleanse & Replenish Shampoo & Conditioner
  
  

• Hask Keratin Smoothing Shampoo
  
  
  
  

• Hask Keratin Smoothing Conditioner
  
   
  
  

Why these work:
They remove excess oil and buildup without stripping the scalp.

C. For Frizzy or Curly Hair

Look for: Sulfate-free formulas, moisture-rich conditioners, oils, anti-frizz serums.

Recommended Products:

• John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo
  
  

• John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Conditioner
  
  
  
  

• L’Oréal Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum|
  
   
  
  

• Tresemmé Lamellar Shine Shampoo & Conditioner
  
  
  
  

• OGX Brazilian Keratin Smooth Hair Mask
  
  
  
  

Why these work:
They enhance curl definition, reduce frizz, and add shine.

D. For Color-Treated Hair

Look for: Colour-locking formulas, purple toning ingredients, bond repair.

Recommended Products:

• Tresemmé Color Revitalize Shampoo & Conditioner
  
  
  
  

• L’Oréal Elvive Purple Shampoo
  
  
  
  

• L’Oréal Elvive Purple Conditioner
  
  
  
  

• OGX Bond Protein Repair Shampoo
  
  
  
  

• OGX Bond Protein Repair Conditioner
  
  
  

Why these work:
Helps maintain colour vibrancy, strengthen damaged bonds, and prevent fading.

E. For Normal Hair

Look for: Gentle cleansers, hydration without heaviness.

Recommended Products:

• Garnier Aloevera Hydrating Shampoo
  
  
  
  

• Garnier Aloevera Hydrating Conditioner
  
  
  
  

• Garnier Watermelon Shampoo for Fine Hair
  
  
  
  

• Garnier Watermelon Conditioner for Fine Hair
  
  
  

Why these work:
They cleanse gently without weighing hair down.

4. Extra Tips for Healthy Hair

• Don’t overwash: 2–3 times per week is ideal for most hair types.
  
  

• Use conditioner every time you shampoo.
  
  

• Apply shampoo on scalp only, not on the lengths.
  
  

• Condition from mid-length to ends, not the roots.