As I beauty editor, I’ve tried hundreds of shampoos – these are the best for every hair type, and all under £10

As I beauty editor, I’ve tried hundreds of shampoos – these are the best for every hair type, and all under £10
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As I beauty editor, I’ve tried hundreds of shampoos – these are the best for every hair type, and all under £10
Author: Tara Ledden
Published: Feb, 20 2025 16:15

HOW much do you spend on shampoo? I’d imagine, for most people, it’s less than  £10. So, I wasn’t at all surprised by an email I received this week with new research confirming more than two-thirds of us do indeed spend under a tenner on shampoo.

 [Four bottles of M&S hair products: nourishing shampoo and conditioner, volumising shampoo and conditioner.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Four bottles of M&S hair products: nourishing shampoo and conditioner, volumising shampoo and conditioner.]

There are hundreds of brilliant budget options around - including the viral M&S £3 Volumising and Nourishing shampoos. When I saw them on Tiktok, I knew I needed to try them for myself. The packaging looks sleek and minimal - although, it's virtually impossible to squeeze the conditioner out, so I had to take the lid off.

 [M&S Nourishing Shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [M&S Nourishing Shampoo bottle.]

I suggest you do the same unless you've got Hulk-like strength. The good news is, the packaging is completely recyclable, so there's at least one pro. Judging by the names alone, I expected I'd prefer the M&S Nourishing Shampoo, £3, but after using both, I'm surprised to say the M&S Volumising Shampoo, £3 is my favourite.

 [Bottle of M&S volumising shampoo.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Bottle of M&S volumising shampoo.]

M&S Nourishing Shampoo, £3. Both lather really well - even though they're sulfate free (an ingredient that can cause dryness for some people, although I don't avoid it myself!) which is a novelty, as many shampoos without sulfates don't provide the same level of cleaning.

 [Arkive by Adam Reed All Day Everyday Shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Arkive by Adam Reed All Day Everyday Shampoo bottle.]

They're both also silicone free - an ingredient that delivers shiny, smooth hair but can weigh down lengths and cause build-up on hair (again, I'm all for the extra shine, so a silicone-free shampoo isn't high on my priority list). Another thing they have in common is the hero ingredients - each features micro algae, which helps re-balance the scalp, reducing oil control while alleviating dryness.

 [L'Oréal Elvive Hydra Pure 72H Purifying Shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [L'Oréal Elvive Hydra Pure 72H Purifying Shampoo bottle.]

In addition, the volumising shampoo contains grapefruit extract and jojoba oil for weightless hydration, while the nourishing shampoo has a cocktail of caring coconut oil and bergamot water for superior softening. M&S Volumising Shampoo, £3. I have fine hair that gets dirty quickly, but it’s also long and prone to tangling, so I need a shampoo that gets rid of all the grime at my roots without drying out my lengths - and both products managed to do exactly that.

 [Pantene Active Pro-V Classic Clean shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Pantene Active Pro-V Classic Clean shampoo bottle.]

The volumising variation also helped my roots feel super-clean and lifted, so my hair was swishing around like the women in TV ads - something I could get used to!. Arkive The Everyday Shampoo, £12. If the M&S packaging is too much of a hurdle, for the last 18 months, Arkive The Everyday Shampoo, £12, has been my go-to and I don't see that changing any time soon.

 [Pink bottle of Monday Gentle Shampoo with coconut oil.  350 ml. 0% SLS. PETA certified.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Pink bottle of Monday Gentle Shampoo with coconut oil. 350 ml. 0% SLS. PETA certified.]

It seems to be on offer for around £9 every time I need a restock (thank you, universe) –  and it leaves my scalp squeaky clean, while also detangling and adding shine. I’m also a huge fan of L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Pure 72h Purifying Shampoo, £2.75 , which is formulated for greasy roots and dry ends, all for less than the cost of a sandwich.

 [Aussie SOS Repair & Revive shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Aussie SOS Repair & Revive shampoo bottle.]

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Pure 72h Purifying Shampoo, £2.75. Given there are so many affordable specialised shampoos, a stat that did surprise me from that email is that only 51% of people choose a shampoo specific to their hair type. Using products that tackle your concerns will turn your basic wash into a treatment.

 [Lee Stafford Plump Up the Volume plumping shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Lee Stafford Plump Up the Volume plumping shampoo bottle.]

Whether that’s reducing frizz, adding body, defining curls or protecting colour, a shampoo geared towards the issue is the first step  in reducing it. So, here are the best for each hair type. BEST FOR NORMAL HAIR. I don’t think I’ve met a single person who doesn’t have at least one thing they’d like to change about their hair, but if you do fall into this category, lucky you! Maintaining the balance is key, so a shampoo that gently cleanses and leaves hair soft, like Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo, £6, is a winner.

 [Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Nourishing Shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Nourishing Shampoo bottle.]

Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo, £6. BEST FOR SENSITIVE SCALPS. Monday Haircare Gentle Shampoo, £4, is developed for delicate scalps, with a low level of fragrance and natural ingredients, like shea butter and coconut oil to soothe the scalp and soften hair.

 [L'Oréal Elvive sulphate-free growth booster anti-fall shampoo.]
Image Credit: The Sun [L'Oréal Elvive sulphate-free growth booster anti-fall shampoo.]

Monday Haircare Gentle Shampoo, £4. If your scalp is itchy or prone to dandruff,  call in the big guns – Nizoral Scalp Soothing Itchy & Sensitive Shampoo, £8.75, will gently exfoliate to prevent build-up. BEST FOR DRY LENGTHS. Aussie SOS Repair & Revive Shampoo, £8, has been a staple in my mum’s shower for as long as I can remember and her hair is never anything but shiny.

 [Garnier Ultimate Blends Balancing Shampoo bottle.]
Image Credit: The Sun [Garnier Ultimate Blends Balancing Shampoo bottle.]

Aussie SOS Repair & Revive Shampoo, £8. Whether you regularly use heat tools, or you’re long overdue a trim, it makes hair look and feel healthy. BEST FOR ADDING VOLUME. Over the Christmas break, my sister sent me to buy her shampoo with strict instructions: “Nothing moisturising or heavy –  if it says volumising or thickening, it’ll be fine.”.

Lee Stafford Plump Up The Volume Plumping Shampoo, £7.99. I picked Lee Stafford Plump Up The Volume Plumping Shampoo, £7.99, after a quick scan of the shelf, and she says it’s the best she’s used. It leaves hair clean and weightless, but not dry or static which is often the case with body-building formulas.

BEST FOR NOURISHING CURLS. Andrew Fitzsimons Nourishing Shampoo for Curly Hair, £9.50. Andrew Fitzsimons Nourishing Shampoo for Curly Hair, £9.50, lathers well, so hair feels clean, plus it contains amino acids to heal broken bonds and coconut oil to repair inside and out for better definition.

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