The Best Hair Products of 2024, in the PEOPLE Beauty Awards

With all the products at our disposal (we know, we know) we’re fortunate to have more good hair days than bad. But that doesn’t stop us from wanting quicker, easier ways of achieving our desired styles. That’s why our testers slathered, smoothed and sudsed up tons of products to discover the top new products — whether your hair is straight or coily, fine or thick or unpredictably uncooperative. These are the shampoos, conditioners, mousses, serums and tools we added to our vanities.

THE BEST HAIRCARE OF 2024

BEST SCALP SCRUB: Living Proof Scalp Care Exfoliator

Between the serum-like formula, which tackles flakes and excess oil, and the pointed applicator tip, this scrub is a must-try. 

BEST SCALP TREATMENT: NatureLab. Tokyo Saisei Biomimetic Peptide Treatment Essence

With patience, this innovation actually boosts growth and prevents grays from multiplying. 

BEST SYSTEM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES: Nous It Girl

It’s rare that a system works for all hair types, but this one was a hit with a range of lengths and textures, including one tester’s curly-haired husband.

BEST SYSTEM FOR CURLS AND COILS: Redken Acidic Bonding Curls

This duo nailed its respective roles. Testers described the shampoo as “luxurious and sudsy” and were impressed by how the conditioner left hair “slippery and comb-able.”

BEST SYSTEM FOR DAMAGED HAIR: Nexxus Amino Bond

Thanks to this bond-building combo which contains strengthening amino acids and keratin protein, no one will know that you heat-style, color, bleach or all of the above.

BEST SYSTEM FOR DRY HAIR: Herbal Essences Honey Daily Moisture 

True to the brand’s ethos, these two smell amazing. But they also do a fantastic job hydrating hair without leaving it feeling heavy or greasy.

BEST SYSTEM FOR FINE HAIR: Divi Volumizing

This duo invigorates your scalp (we’re talking tingles thanks to tea tree oil!) and adds tons of bounce.

BEST SYSTEM FOR FRIZZY HAIR: Moroccanoil Frizz Control

“My hair has never been softer,” said one happy tester who also reported that the argan oil system, which has the brand’s signature scent, “really tamed” her frizz.

BEST MASK: Dove Bond Strength 10-in-1 Serum Mask

Even if it didn’t revive our dry, damaged hair in only 60 seconds, we’d still use it just for the incredible
scent alone. 

BEST MASK FOR BLONDES: Schwarzkopf Keratin Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Mask

In addition to eliminating yellow tones, this violet treatment contains keratin to keep strands strong. 

BEST DETANGLER: Color Wow Money Mist

This multi-tasking spray detangles, smooths frizz, adds shine and protects against heat. Plus it has the best “fancy salon” scent. 

BEST LEAVE-IN TREATMENT: Pantene Pro-Vitamin Repair Essence

The weightless floral-scented elixir makes hair look instantly silkier and, over time, actually repairs damage. 

BEST STYLING CREAM: Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Long Last Styling Cream

Our curly-haired testers said this cream defined their spirals without any stickiness. 

BEST VOLUMIZING SPRAY: RŌZ Air Thickening Spray

This formula delivers all-over fullness and what one tester called “the perfect texture” while still
leaving hair touchable. 

BEST MOUSSE: Blake Brown Blackcurrant VanilleGlam Mousse

This airy, crunch-free foam from Blake Lively’s new brand makes us wonder why we ever stopped using mousse. 

BEST Gel: Olaplex No. 10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel

This bond-building gel enhances your natural curl pattern while hydrating and strengthening hair. 

BEST DRY SHAMPOO: Hask Tea Tree Oil Dry Shampoo

“It’s everything I need in a dry shampoo!” raved one tester, who added that it turns clear when it absorbs into hair. 

BEST SERUM: Garnier Fructis Hair Filler Repair Serum

The trio—there’s one for curls, one for damage and one for color-treated hair—have targeted ingredients that improve each strand’s health from inside out. 

BEST OIL: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil

“It’s the best hair oil I’ve ever used,” declared one tester, who noted that you need only “a teeny bit” of the “great-smelling” formula to see the smooth and shiny results. 

BEST HAIRSPRAY: TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Finishing Spray

We knew this one was the winner when it kept one tester’s hair smooth on an unbearably humid day. 

BEST BLOW-DRY BRUSH: Kristin Ess Hair Soft Volume Blow Dry Brush

Our testers loved how easy it was to maneuver this tool. Says one: “It’s not too heavy and saves
you a step of using a separate brush.” 

BEST HOT ROUND BRUSH: Mane It’s Giving Body Hot Round Brush

Our testers loved this TikTok-hyped tool. It heats up in a flash and creates all kinds of waves and curls.