When it comes to men spending money on themselves, I’ve found something interesting. While you guys are getting pretty good at treating yourself to a great pair of shoes, or a jacket you feel like a million bucks wearing, the products in your grooming routine too often get shortchanged.
Let’s be real. There’s a very good chance there could be a Rolex on your wrist…and a 3-in-1 shampoo, body wash, and face wash combo purchased at the Dollar Tree in your shower.
I’ll never understand it!
Because as a way to level up your lifestyle every single day, quality hair and skincare products are a steal at twice the price. That is, when you break ’em down by cost per use.
So here’s a good place to start when it comes to upgrading your daily lifestyle: your shampoo.
Using a “fancy” shampoo immediately elevates your getting ready routine and lasts way longer than than your latest attempt to learn a new language on Duolingo.
To be clear, investing in a premium shampoo is not really that much of a splurge. That said, I do understand that the sticker shock for something you’ve previously considered a sub-ten dollar afterthought at the drugstore is real.
Every one of the salon quality shampoos on this list rings up at over $15, which may be more than you’ve ever paid for shampoo. That’s okay! Just breathe, remember you’ve bet more on a fantasy football parlay, and scroll the #SGapproved product list. You’ve got this!
Check out 5 of the best salon quality shampoos for guys
Best everyday men’s shampoo: Bumble & bumble seaweed shampoo
A little trivia about me: I took a gap year after high school and moved to New York City, where I (wo)manned the front desk of high-end hair salon Bumble & bumble. I learned all about how to take care of my super-fine, super-straight hair, the joys of a good blowout, and how the workplace is really just an extension of high school hallways.
I also learned that the brand’s signature Seaweed shampoo was the favored shampoo of nearly all our male clients.
RELATED: Get the #SGapproved daily skincare routine
Why? Well, it smells great, for one. In fact, this might be the best smelling men’s shampoo around. You can also use it as a body wash in a pinch, and it comes in a big ol’ 33oz size so you can stock up once and be good for nearly a year.
Best salon quality shampoo for sensitive noses: Necessaire the Shampoo
If you’re sensitive to smells, a good fragrance-free shampoo is going to be your best bet.
The Nécessaire is a rising star in the world of clean beauty for its adherence to ingredient lists sans sulfates and silicones.
Best men’s shampoo for curly and coily hair: Pattern Hydration Shampoo
Started by actress and noted fabulous hair haver Tracee Ellis Ross, the haircare brand Pattern caters to consumers looking for a more luxurious grooming experience for their curly, coily, and textured hair.
The moisturizing formula of their hydration shampoo softly lathers to cleanse your hair and scalp to gently remove build-up and dirt without stripping away moisture.
Best anti-dandruff men’s shampoo: Briogeo Scalp Revival shampoo
No shame in the anti-dandruff game!
This powerful yet gentle dandruff relief shampoo leverages salicylic and lactic acids to help eliminate scalp flaking and irritation, without stripping your hair of vital moisture and nutrients. Dealing with not just dandruff symptoms, but seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis, too? This exfoliating shampoo is for you.
Best moisturizing men’s shampoo: Lolavie Restorative Shampoo
Jennifer Aniston is as well known for her amazing hair as she is for her comic timing, so the actress and producer’s foray into haircare with Lolavie came as no surprise. Her goal? To combine the best of science and nature with haircare products that are effective, smart, and unfussy.
The restorative shampoo looks good in your shower and feels even better lathered on your scalp. The naturally-derived, plant-based ingredients promote hydration, strength, and healthier-looking hair.