The Best-Smelling Shampoos and Conditioners to Upgrade Your Wash Day
There’s just something about smelling blissful that totally overhauls our mood. Dreaming of a vacation? Spritz on something fruity and tropical. Need to feel sexy for date night? Douse yourself in a spicy scent. From the candles in our home to an entire wardrobe of perfumes, we’re always on the hunt for the perfect scent to become our signature of the moment. And what better way to incorporate fragrance into your daily routine than an aromatic shampoo and conditioner?
These days, hair care brands are curating their own fragrances (we’re talking full blown top, middle, and base note perfumes) to enhance your wash day experience. Whether you have fine hair, thick hair, or something in between, we’ve rounded up the best-smelling shampoos and conditioners on the market. Warning: These shampoos and conditioners might make strangers sniff your hair.
1. Best-Smelling Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner:
SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Joia Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Frizz and split ends don’t stand a chance against this strengthening twosome. The cult-favorite shampoo and conditioner promises a 58% reduction in hair damage after just one use, and it’s safe for color-treated hair. We can’t get enough of the not-too-sweet, warm floral scent featuring notes of almond, jasmine, and salted caramel.
2. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for Thick Hair:
OUAI Thick Hair Shampoo & Conditioner
Where should we start with this savior in a bottle for thick strands? It delivers the deep moisture needed for hair prone to frizz, dryness, and split ends while nourishing with shea butter and avocado oil. If you’re not completely obsessed with how smooth your hair is after use, then you’ll come back for the “Mercer Street” fragrance, which is composed of Italian lemon, Turkish rose, lily, and white musk.
3. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for Thin Hair:
BUMBLE & BUMBLE Thickening Volume Shampoo & Conditioner
Indulge your senses and your strands with this dynamic duo that transforms lackluster locks into luscious, voluminous waves. Infused with a tantalizing scent that's as refreshing as it is invigorating, this power-packed pair not only adds body and bounce but also leaves your hair smelling absolutely divine. Say goodbye to flat, lifeless hair and hello to a sensorial experience that's as delightful as it is effective.
4. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine Hair:
AMIKA Normcore Signature Shampoo & Conditioner
Gently cleanse and nourish your hair without stripping it of moisture or weighing it down with this fan-favorite pair. The shampoo and conditioner are packed with nourishing vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids for hair health. They also feature sea buckthorn, which promotes elasticity and hydration while delivering a yummy, fruity scent.
5. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for Dry Hair:
BRIOGEO Banana + Coconut Nourishing Shampoo + Conditioner
Bring the power of superfoods to your hair with this antioxidant-rich shampoo and conditioner.
The star ingredients are banana extract to strengthen and protect your tresses, plus coconut oil to seal in moisture. Your thirsty hair will thank you, and your friends will compliment you on the juicy, fruity scent.
6. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for Textured Hair:
POTION STUDIO Satin Silk Shampoo & Confident Crown Conditioner
Sometimes, less is more, and this minimalist natural hair care brand embodies this truth. The understated, fresh, and natural scent of mango butter and coconut oil envelopes your hair in a way that smells elevated and effortless. We also love how it quenches textured hair, leaving it feeling ultra-nourished and hydrated without a greasy residue. With POTION STUDIO, you can achieve hydrated curls day after day, making your curly-haired life easier.
7. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for All Hair Types:
DAILY SHAMPOO California Naturals
If you’re dreaming of the California coast, the warm, woody, and citrusy scent in this cleansing and hydrating ensemble will effortlessly take you there. Rather than using harsh astringents or sulfates, the shampoo features a unique Coconut Cleansing Complex™ for a gentle cleanse. We also love the shine-inducing rich fruit butters packed into the conditioner for hair that is nourished and ready to drive with the windows down.
8. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner For Blondes:
SALTAIR Beach Blonde Purple Shampoo & Conditioner
This shampoo and conditioner delivers everything you need to maintain brass-free blonde hair, and it does it without breaking the bank. The ultra-violet pigments, orchid flower and kukui nut oil neutralize brass and enhance tone for the ultimate beach blonde look. The conditioner nourishes with shea butter and we are obsessed with the light floral scent featuring notes of orange flower, pink jasmine, and fresh plum.
9. Best-Smelling Repair Shampoo & Conditioner:
AVEDA Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner
As hard as we try, we’re not always the kindest to our hair, and we need to call in some reinforcements to repair and strengthen. That’s where this plant powered pair comes in. The shampoo gently removes excess oil and buildup, and the conditioner instantly detangles to prevent breakage. We’re also huge fans of the proprietary scent, a “pure-fume™” aroma with certified organic ylang ylang, rose, and other beautiful floral notes.
10. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for Hydration:
COCO & EVE Super Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner Set
It can be tough to find a shampoo that leaves your normal to dry hair feeling clean and oil-free while also delivering the hydration that you need, but this coconut and fig-scented duo does the trick. Whether your hair is kinky and curly, or straight as a pen, if you need hydration, look no further. You’ll love how it leaves your hair feeling nourished and repaired while smelling divine.
11. Best-Smelling Clarifying Shampoo & Conditioner:
EDEN BODYWORKS Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo & Conditioner
This refreshing shampoo invigorates your senses and your scalp with its potent yet pleasing minty scent. It’s made with tea tree oil and peppermint oil to penetrate the scalp and increase circulation (it gives the tingles to prove it!). We love that this clarifying shampoo gets rid of product build up and prevents dandruff, and the conditioner makes our list for its easy detangling properties.
12. Best-Smelling Gender Neutral Shampoo & Conditioner:
CLEAN LUXURY Shampoo & Conditioner Duo - Universelle
While all fragrances are truly gender-neutral at their core, the elevated scent in this shampoo and conditioner will have both femmes and masculine types reaching for an extra lather. The cleanser is great for all hair types and boasts protection for keratin- and color-treated hair, while the conditioner will bring your tired and distressed hair back to life. Enjoy top notes of mandarin orange and sea salt, heart notes of rose petals, and a woody dry down of amber and musks.
13. Best-Smelling Vanilla Shampoo & Conditioner:
POMELO + CO. Vanilla Dream Shampoo & Vanilla Cream Conditioner
Call us basic if you want, but we love anything with a warm and cozy vanilla scent. The shampoo features cocoa seed extract and vanilla extract that not only usher in an addictive fragrance, but also soften your strands and stimulate blood flow for healthy hair growth. The conditioner is just as captivating with marshmallow root extract and plant proteins for stronger, shinier hair.
14. Best-Smelling Shampoo & Conditioner for Curl Definition:
PACIFICA BEAUTY Pineapple Curls Curl Defining Shampoo
You might feel like your curly hair has a mind of its own, but this hydrating sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner was made to bring predictability to your curls with less frizz and more definition. It gives your hair the clean it needs while enhancing hydration with hyaluronic acid. Coconut oil restores dry hair and pineapple enzymes repair hair while smelling amazing. The results are beautiful, more defined curls that smell like paradise.
15. Best-Smelling Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner:
VERB Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Argan oil has a reputation for leaving your tresses soft, shiny, and nourished—and this shampoo and conditioner does just that. It’s great for dry hair of all textures and it’s fortified with pro-vitamin B5 for overall hair health. While the brand doesn’t boast about a signature fragrance within the formula, users rave that it smells so good and keeps them coming back for more.
For more hair care tips, check out these 12 easy ways to get the thickest and healthiest hair possible. Want in on all the IPSY fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
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