10 Best Smelling Shampoos for Your Hair
Let’s be honest; what is one of the first things you notice about a shampoo or hair product? It might be the reason why you add it to your cart instantly or the reason why you put it back and quickly look for another. Yes, we’re talking about the scent! Because there’s nothing worse than finding what seems to be the perfect shampoo and conditioner for your hair types and needs but only to find out that it makes your hair smell in a way that is not ideal, to put it nicely. Of course, you need to use products that leave your hair feeling soft and healthy, but it’s incredibly important that they leave a pleasant scent behind as well. Today on the AYAM blog, we’re going to take a look at some of the best smelling shampoo products out there so that you don’t have to!
One of the most common problems with trying to use all-natural hair products or clean shampoos is that often, their scents are, well, not the best. If you need to use products that have natural ingredients in them, then you might need to find alternatives in brands that use natural ingredients in their formulas, but that know a thing or two about how to make them smell like heaven! In the list of best-smelling shampoos we compiled, some products are made with natural ingredients, like AYAM and Herbal Essences. We also included some from the other side of the spectrum, which are famous for their scents (making them a holy grail product line for many!), like Victoria’s Secret.
What is the Best smelling Shampoo or a conditioner?
The thing with scents is that it’s usually very subjective to decide which scent is better than another because different people have inclinations towards different types of fragrances. Some people might prefer green apple smelling shampoo, while others might be more inclined towards lavender rosemary-scented hair products. It’s impossible to name one product as THE best smelling shampoo or conditioner ever because there’s always going to be a differently scented product that different people will like more. So, when researching the best smelling shampoo and conditioner products out there, we came across some products and brands that are fan favorites, like the Aveda Shampure shampoo line and the Ouai Smooth Shampoo. We also found out that while it’s essential for a shampoo and conditioner set to smell delicious, it’s not the sole reason why many people buy a particular brand or shampoo product.
With online shopping and gift subscription programs like subscription boxes being on the rise, it’s not easy to choose a yummy smelling hair care product because you can’t smell things through the computer, although how cool would that be? (We’re looking at you, Elon Musk!). This is where reviews and learning about products through recommendations can be an excellent tool! We know it’s likely that you saw one of your favorite influencers talk about their hair care routine and mention the products that had a say in whether or not their hair smelled terrific. And of course, you’ve probably been in a situation where you hug one of your friends, and you’re like, I HAVE to know which hair care product she has on that leaves her hair smelling this good! Here’s the list of best-smelling shampoos, rounded up from online research, word of mouth, and our favorite influencer recommendations:
1. AYAM Beautycare Dead Sea Minerals + Caviar Extract Shampoo
Honestly, many of us fell in love with the scent of the product before even looking at all of the many benefits it has, especially for those that have dry hair. The entire AYAM Beautycare hair care line is centered around hydrating and nourishing formulas made with top tier natural ingredients that will make your hair feel, look and smell its best. The Caviar Extract formula is our favorite one of the three AYAM formulas because it doesn’t smell fruity or basic like other brand shampoos usually do. It feels more like a perfume or body spray type of scent that honestly makes us wish there was a perfume made after it! Its fragrant smell also lasts for a long time, even when your hair gets a little dirty on your no-wash days, it will still smell like you just washed it.
2. AYAM Beautycare Dead Sea Minerals Original Shampoo
The Original Dead Sea Minerals shampoo is made for all hair types, and not only does it smooth and hydrate your hair (goodbye, frizz!), but its sweet and aromatic scent will have everyone asking you what perfume you’re wearing or what hair product you’re using. One of the best moisturizing shampoos out there, with the added plus of smelling like you sprayed expensive perfume on your hair? You have to try it! Another added plus? Its rich smell isn’t overly feminine, which means your man will probably love it, too! If he does, then we recommend buying some more and having extra stock on hand, because it will inevitably run out fast.
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H5: AYAM Beautycare Dead Sea Minerals + Argan Oil Extract Shampoo
If you have oily hair and have struggled to find a shampoo that helps you with oil control, but that also smells good, then look no further. You need to try the Dead Sea Minerals + Argan Oil shampoo from AYAM! It is a specially formulated shampoo for normal to oily hair that leaves your hair silky smooth. This shampoo not only has Argan Oil as its star ingredient, but it’s also infused with Linseed Oil and Chamomile Extract, which makes for a beautiful blend of natural scents. The combination of these scents will turn your shower into an aromatic spa-like experience and will make washing your hair go from a chore (which is usually the case for those who suffer from oily hair) to an experience you’ll actively look forward to!
3. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo
If you’re a millennial or a 90s kid, then the brand Herbal Essences will take you back in time for sure! These products were a staple of everyone’s shower shelf back in the day, famous for their deliciously fruity and flowery scents. While we’re more fans of the OG scents like the rosehip (the famous pink bottle) or the chamomile (the yellow one) formulas, they have created new products and a new image throughout the years, which have also been quite successful. One of the most loved fragrances of the new line of products is the coconut-scented Hello Hydration Shampoo, which has the refreshing and tropical notes of coconut. These kinds of scents transport you to a sandy beach and remind you of times of relaxation and vacation. If you love fruity scents, then you should try shampoos like this one!
4. Aveda Shampure Shampoo
This is one of the most repeated names that came up when we searched for the best smelling shampoos and conditioners. It’s a nurturing shampoo that is famous for its calming aroma with high notes of herbal and natural scents, which have made it a fan favorite for around 20 years. If you’re not a fan of herbal scents, then this is not the product for you, but if you are, then the smell will likely relax you and turn your shower into an aromatherapeutic experience for sure. Another plus is that according to the reviews, the scent is powerful and will last for days, which is an added plus, especially for those that don’t suffer from oily hair and can go for a more extended amount of time without washing it.
5. Victoria’s Secret Shampoo
If there’s a brand that’s famous for the sexy and empowering aromas of their body sprays, perfumes, and hair care products, it’s Victoria’s Secret. This has made their shampoo and conditioner lines very successful because the fragrance notes are similar to those of their holy grail body sprays and lotions. The Victorias Secret So Sexy shampoo is highly sought after for its scent rather than its benefits or hydrating and protecting qualities, with many users being delighted with the fragrance but not with the actual results it has on their hair. This is why we recommend using it if you have normal hair and don’t have many hair concerns like frizz, dry hair, or damaged hair. If you have hair concerns, then it might be best to look into another product that will help your hair look and feel its best without sacrificing these things for a specific scent.
6. Ouai Smooth Shampoo
The Ouai brand’s line of hair care products has become widely known and loved around the world, even if it is a relatively new brand. It’s undoubtedly because of the expertise of its founder, celebrity hairstylist and hair guru Jen Atkin, which has turned her vast knowledge and experience into Ouai. The brand’s Smooth Shampoo is one of its best-known products, and people love it because of its smoothing and anti-frizz properties, but especially because of its strong scent. It’s a very rich, floral perfumey aroma that most users adore, but if you are sensitive towards strong smells and prefer more calming scents, then you might not be a fan of this shampoo.
7. Kérastase Nutritive Shampoo
Kérastase is a salon-grade brand which has specially formulated products that are loved by professionals in the hairstyling industry. Its products are a bit on the pricier side because of this, but the ingredients, results, and trademark fragrances have caused them to have a very loyal following. One of the most famously scented products of the brand is the Kérastase Nutritive Shampoo, which is a fan favorite because of its long-lasting and robust aroma. This product is perfect for those that have damaged, dry hair and love sweet, floral scents. The perfumey aroma will last for days on end, helping you smell like you just washed your hair (even if it’s been a few days since). If you’re not a fan of ambrosial smelling hair care products, then this might be one to avoid. Look for herbal or fruity scented products instead.
8. John Masters Organics Shampoo
The John Masters Organics Lavender Rosemary Shampoo is, without a doubt, a fan favorite. It’s an ultranourishing shampoo that leaves your hair feeling revitalized and smelling fresh and clean. The scent alone will win over anyone that loves herbal scented products because the combination of organic lavender and rosemary oil makes for a pleasant and calming aroma. Lavender has aromatherapeutic qualities that bring calm and relaxation, so by using this shampoo, your shower will go from being three short minutes long to feeling like hours at a relaxing spa. We need to warn you though, the classic formula that made it a fan favorite for many years was recently changed, leading to mixed reviews on the new formula, which smells the same but does not have desirable results on hair look and feel.
9. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo
If you suffer from scalp issues like dandruff, have dry hair, and want a hair care product that won’t smell like it’s a medicated formula, then this is the product for you. If you like herbal scents like tea tree and strong scents like peppermint, that is. People love this product because of its fresh, energizing minty scent that leaves their scalp feeling “tingly” and revitalized. However, if you are on the more sensitive side, then it might be best to avoid this shampoo because the peppermint scent can be very overpowering. Its formulation makes it a long-lasting scent on hair, so it will last for days after you last washed it! It’s not a very feminine aroma, so your man will likely love this product as well!
10. Rita Hazan True Color Shampoo
The Rita Hazan True Color Shampoo is a holy grail product for those that have colored hair. It helps take care of your color and helps it last longer between visits to the hair salon, and it also nourishes all hair types. It has a characteristically strong scent which has divided many users, some hate it, and some absolutely love it. One review said that it smelled like “springtime in a bottle”, making it a perfect product for those that adore perfumey, floral aromas. However, if you are sensitive to strong smells, or are not a fan of floral scented hair care products, then you might have to pass on trying this one out.