Think shampoo will simply cleanse hair and that’s that? Think again: shampoos are now tailor made to do anything from soften coarse strands to reducing frizz and repairing damage. All you have to do is pick the right one for your hair type – and use it in the right way.

This guide will help.

Coloured-treated hair:

In general, opting for a gentle shampoo that’s ideally free from sulphates is the best way to protect colour-treated or balayaged hair, though some colours can benefit from specific shampoos designed for them. If blonde, using a shampoo containing purple pigments may help to prevent brassy tones from emerging, while redheads should use colour-depositing shampoos designed to keep the colour vibrant.

Dry, dehydrated hair:

Rather than looking for the inclusion of specific ingredients, focus on what shouldn’t be in the formula: namely alcohol and sodium chloride. Once you’ve ruled that out, try shampoos containing oils like olive and almond, and avoid rubbing at hair but rather gently massage to distribute the shampoo.

Fine, easily-knotted hair:

The best shampoos for fine hair will contain bulking <and> hydrating ingredients, making it slip nicely and also propping up strands as much as possible. Go for anything containing proteins for the former and aloe vera to hydrate. Remember to always condition ends – choose the right one and your hair won’t be weighed down by it but will benefit from the cuticle being smoothed down.

Frizzy hair:

If you dread flyaway strands around your head, get your hands on a shampoo containing ingredients that are designed to coat the cuticle and thereby reduce frizz. Look for silicones and proteins in the formula, and whatever you do, don’t rub at your wet hair with a towel, but instead gently press moisture out of the ends when it’s wet with the towel (this is a rule to adhere to on balayage portions of your hair too if you want to ensure they stay silky).