Grooming Awards 2023: Hair Care Products

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

AskMen’s long-running Grooming Awards are back with the best product, treatment, and device recommendations for making sure you look and feel your absolute best in 2023. Whether you’re looking for a top-tier hair trimmer, a serum to make your skin glow, or a cologne to entrance your next date, we’ve got you covered.

That’s because AskMen writer and grooming expert Joey Skladany combed through thousands of products released in the past year and handpicked the ones that stood out as must-haves. And each and every Grooming Award winner is recommended and tested not just by beauty industry insiders and professional dermatologists, but also, and most importantly, consumers like you.

Hair is a fascinating thing. It’s dead yet always growing, it’s revered as a source of beauty in some cultures and hidden away in others. One thing that seems to be constant: It’s obsessed over. So it’s no wonder that having hair that looks awesome is a big factor in your overall look, and figuring out the right shampoo, conditioner and styling product for you can take your attractiveness to the next level.

Without further ado, these are AskMen’s top picks for the best hair care products in 2023.

Different hair has different needs, but one shampoo that is great for every human head comes from Blu Atlas. The product is made with coconut-derived surfactants that work overtime to remove dirt, oil, and any other impurities, so you rest assured that only clean, silky-smooth hair will be hitting the pillow at night.

$25 at BluAtlas.com

Yes, boys. Conditioner is an essential step in your hair routine for silky-smooth, anti-frizz locks. And Verb will make a ginormous difference in your hair quality after rubbing a quarter-sized amount into your scalp, post-shampoo, to deliver some much-needed moisture.

$20 at VerbProducts.com

It’s a 10 proves you don’t have to pay a pretty penny for perfect results. If your hair is at a seven, then give it the treatment it deserves with this leave-in conditioner that detangles, prevents breakage, and enhances body (not your actual body, though, unfortunately).

$21 at ItsA10Haircare.com

No, this is not dog shampoo. Yes, it will drastically improve the quality of your mop. This is the one you can use every day without fear of build-up or hair loss. And its Coastline scent smells, for lack of a better term, freakin’ amazing.

$8.97 at Walmart.com

An unfortunate reality of aging (and stress!) is the loss or thinning of hair. But there’s a way to preserve your mane with this herbaceous shampoo and conditioner duo that aims to strengthen and restore follicles that are practically begging for extra attention. Warning: The rosemary and mint will remind you of a delicious cocktail and you may need to start happy hour sooner rather than later upon use.

$9.99 at MielleOrganics.com

Flakes? Don’t know her, at least while using Aveda’s Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner. The award-winning haircare brand relies on burdock root, echinacea, and sage to help restore your dry, itchy scalp so that you can wear your go-to black t-shirt with confidence once more.

$43.90 at Amazon.com

Brittle, dry hair has met its match with Curlsmith’s Essential Moisture Cleanser and Conditioner that foams but doesn’t strip the head of moisture. Also, don’t let the name “Curlsmith” fool you — it’s formulated to treat any type of hair, from fine and straight to thick and wavy.

$12.50 at Curlsmith.com

Our second favorite bar comes in the form of shampoo and conditioner and Good Time has, quite frankly, owned this market with a line of bars that smell and work amazingly. They’re also good for the planet by being 100% plastic-free with carbon-neutral shipping. And a whopping 50% of the company’s profits are donated to support clean water initiatives, so good hygiene truly will never feel better.

Find out more at goodtime.org

A dry shampoo is a wonderful investment for those whose hair is oily enough to power an old lamp. And Olaplex has established itself as an authority on yielding thicker, fuller hair with its line of highly-rated products, like this Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo that can be used when life gets in the way and you only have time for a quick spritz in between showers.

$30 at Amazon.com

Scrub a dub dub, clean hair in this tub. NatureLab has a certified hit on its hands with this two-in-one scalp scrub that rids your head’s dermis of debris. Due to its exfoliation properties, you only need to use it once or twice a week, which means a little goes a long way.

$19 at NatureLab.com

We can see clearly that Bumble and Bumble’s shampoo will become a staple in our shower routines. The brand’s clarifying shampoo is perfect for the guy who really only needs to wash his hair once a week and relies on his natural oils (lucky!) to feed the scalp hydration.

$86 at BumbleAndBumble.com

Those envious waves in need of extra special care will thrive with Maui Moisture’s coconut oil-based curl quenching and anti-frizz shampoo. It’s vegan, paraben-free, and, frankly, the only excuse we need to book a ticket to Hawaii, have a spa day, and enjoy all of the beauty products the islands have to offer.

$7.99 at Amazon.com

Whether you’ve dyed your hair platinum or want your blondness to be even more intense, Kevin Murphy’s Blonde Angel Wash is a showertime must. It eliminates dullness, restores shine, and could *land you a spot in the next Legally Blonde sequel. *Results not likely.

$35 at KevinMurphy.com

If a used brillo pad looks better than what you’re currently rocking, consider this rose and apricot hair mask to infuse much-needed moisture into your scalp so that hair can grow with shine, thickness, and pizzazz. OK, so you may need a little help with the pizzazz part, but luckily John Masters Organics has an entire line of products to help you achieve your styling goals.

$32 at JohnMasters.com

An all-in-one may be the definition of peak laziness, but if you’re going to go that route, do it with a product that actually works and won’t cost an arm and a leg. Every Man Jack ticks all the boxes with their all-over wash that works just as effectively on the head as it does on the toes. And it smells wonderful, to boot, with scents like cedarwood and sandalwood.

$17 at EveryManJack.com

Most hair loss requires a personalized treatment plan based on hair type, progression, and causes. Once you go through the process of answering questions and meeting with Keeps’ dermatologists, the medical team then comes up with a customized action plan that you can test for three months to figure out if it really works for you. This prevents a trip to the doctor and prescriptions are sent through the mail so you can have the key to thicker, fuller hair delivered right to your doorstep.

Find out more at Keeps.com

While we always recommend the expertise and care of a hair professional, sometimes a dye job must happen in a pinch. But don’t subject your hair to the harsh chemicals of most box kits. Instead, consider John Frieda’s Precision Foam Color line which locks in salon-quality color that actually lasts.

From $29.99 at Amazon.com

Nothing will come close to hair treatments prescribed by the derm, but we found success in stimulation with Act + Acre’s Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum. Simply apply two pipettes-worth to parted, damp hair, massage it into the scalp, and leave it to absorb. The result: less shedding and more hair growth.

$86 at ActAndAcre.com

American Crew, perhaps the most recognizable men’s hair care line in the world, has created a name for itself with its classic forming cream. And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Use it for medium hold, medium shine, and a large number of compliments. Supporting the brand is basically patriotic.

$21 at AmericanCrew.com

Fiber has got to have a bit of flexibility, but maintain its signature hold. And Imperial Barber’s Fiber Pomade is one of the best in the biz. It’s highly pliable and boasts extra-long fibers so that your hair is free to roam and won’t be weighed down by too much unnecessary gunk.

$24 at ImperialBarberProducts.com

Pomades don’t have to be an oil slick to the hair strands, which is why we opt for Barb’s soft clay iteration that is creamy, flexible, and 100% plant-derived, making for a grooming experience that is equal parts successful and friendly to the environment.

$30 at TheBarbShop.com

Limp, boring hair deserves a bit of zhuzh and extra texture. Enter Eufora Hero Texture Putty: The latest addition to your medicine cabinet and the product you’ll likely use every day. Style it into dry or damp hair for an effortless look that looks like you put effort into it. And then say that ten times fast to impress those around you even more.

$23.25 at Eufora.net

Things that benefit from more volume: alcohol, derrieres, surround-sound TVs, and hair. Kenra takes care of the latter with a spray that actually strengthens locks so they can stand up to convertibles, roller coasters, or whatever you decide to put them through in a typical day.

$20.99 at Ulta.com

Curly-haired dudes require styling products that accommodate their specific hair type and Ouidad fits the bill, enhancing bounce and luster with this moisturizing style gel that doubles as a hydrator. Is it time to bring back the Justin Timberlake ramen hair? All signs point to yes.

$26 at Ouidad.com

Gel may seem a bit old-school, but with a brand like Harry’s, you won’t get that crunchy, crispy ridiculousness from the ‘90s. Instead, you get high hold and high shine that will last until your next shampoo.

$8.98 at Walmart.com

You’ll be feeling super fine after spraying Oribe’s top-selling can that has developed a cult following among Instagram’s beauty influencer community. The hold is medium so you can style as you go, but it’s strong enough to keep intentional waves and loose tassels intact for hours on end.

$23 at Oribe.com

We protect friends, family, and feelings, but not always our hair. That changes today with Moroccan Oil’s Protect and Prevent Spray, designed to shield the head from damaging UV rays, pollutants, and projectile beads of saliva from that annoying coworker who simply can’t shut up.

$34 at Sephora.com

You Might Also Dig: