Announcing our 2026 woman&home Hair Awards winners!

RRP: £30

Suitable for all hair textures, this performed especially well on dry or damaged types. Hair felt sleek and looked shiny, and the judges loved the spa-like scent too.

“I have been loving using this on my client's hair. Firstly, the smell is calming, relaxing and just wonderful. It’s also super light on the hair, doesn’t feel heavy and gives a lovely shine.” Katie Hale, freelance stylist and expert colourist

RRP: £30 each

A lightweight duo to gently wash hair while boosting body, making a noticeable difference to the thickness without weighing it down.

"My favourite ever shampoo. My hair feels fuller after just one use – it's plump, nourished and super shiny." Annie Milroy, beauty writer

RRP: £8.50

This is very well named – it really does feel weightless. With a satisfying lather and fresh scent, it's a brilliant buy that cleans without stripping moisture.

“I liked that this removes build-up while leaving hair soft, manageable and easier to style. It helps to reduce unwanted frizz without weighing hair down.” Jennie Roberts, session hairstylist and Afro hair educator

RRP: £18.95

It's won two years running! The judges loved how hair felt hydrated even before using conditioner.

“I find sulphate-free shampoos can be a bit wishy washy, but my hair felt incredibly clean after using this. The moisturising ingredients helped to tame my stubborn hair, and the unisex scent is a nice change from typically sweet-smelling shampoos.” Jess Beech, beauty editor

RRP: £4.99 for the shampoo and £5.99 for the conditioner

A nostalgic formula that stands the test of time. Affordable and brilliantly hydrating.

“My hair was so soft and shiny after using this, and the ends were nourished. It combs through hair easily, leaving hair mostly detangled and has that lovely signature Aussie scent.” Aleesha Badkar, digital beauty e-commerce editor

RRP: £5.99

Providing deep nourishment to tighter coils, this rich yet lightweight formula results in glossy, shiny curls.

"It's great value for money. The large bottle will last a good amount of time, as you don't need a lot of product. There's a great slip to the product, making it really easy to detangle curls and coils." Leah Hill, hairstylist and hair educator

RRP: £28

This makes an immediate difference to the softness and manageability of damaged hair. It strengthens to prevent future harm, while repairing any existing damage.

“A fabulous conditioner, and one which is now added to my line-up of favourites. It leaves the hair soft, shiny and feeling stronger and healthier.” Chlöe Swift, hairstylist and haircare expert

RRP: £14

The judges loved the foam formula, which spreads easily through strands, hydrating without weight, for bouncy, better-defined curls.

“The airy mousse gently conditions with a fresh, citrus-herbal scent that’s clean and slightly zesty. I love this product!” Jennie Roberts, session hairstylist and Afro hair educator

RRP: £32

This hairdresser's favourite has been reformulated to be even more efficient and effective. Now, it takes just three minutes to heal the damaged bonds in your hair. A must-have for anyone who regularly bleaches or heat-styles.

“This is a really solid repair treatment and one that performs consistently well on damaged hair, which felt smoother, more resilient and easier to manage after regular use.” Edward James, hairstylist and salon owner

RRP: £65

A seriously impressive new launch, this treatment has been clinically proven to repair and strengthen hair by up to 97% in just two minutes. It's a truly transformative product – damaged hair is noticeably and significantly improved.

"So easy to slot into my haircare regime. It helped to coax my hair smooth and make my ends feel less frazzled without leaving my hair lank.” Stephanie Maylor, beauty editor

RRP: £39

This does exactly what it says on the tin – it helps hair be more elastic, making it more resilient to snapping. It's easy to take these classics for granted, but when we tested it, we remembered why it's such a consistent winner – it just works.

“This is a true industry classic and a staple treatment that delivers every time. It instantly improves elasticity, hydration and shine, leaving hair noticeably softer, stronger and easier to manage. 10s across the board.” Pete Burkill, celebrity hairstylist

RRP: £45.99

As you’d expect for such a premium brand, this hair oil is an absolute delight to use. Made using a blend of seven omega oils, it’s lightweight, makes a difference right away to frizz and flyaways, and it looks and smells gorgeous.

“This oil is light and easy to apply, with the stopper dispersing the perfect amount of product. Feels really expensive.” Cos Sakkas, global creative director

RRP: £9

A little goes a long way with this formula, making it even more great value. Argan oil is blended with squalane, which seals the cuticle while hydrating hair, for a serious shine boost.

“I thought this was really impressive. I was expecting it to make my hair greasy in the morning after applying too much, but it didn't. It left my hair soft, shiny, and so smooth. Amazing value for money!" Annie Milroy, beauty writer

RRP: £26

Cleverly harnessing the power of skincare ingredients, including ceramides, shea butter and hyaluronic acid, this impressed our judges with its smoothing capabilities. Fluffy, flyaway-prone hair looked sleek and polished after one use.

“It’s a great shine boosting treatment. The formula contains nourishing ingredients that help smooth and hydrate the hair, and the packaging is really appealing.” Samantha Cusick, founder of Samantha Cusick London

RRP: £13.99

This hard-working formula is an efficient multitasker; it detangles, conditions, protects from heat and improves shine – the list goes on! All hair could benefit from a misting of this before styling.

“This did an impressive job at detangling my hair, encouraging a smooth, frizz-free and glossy shine finish. It also doesn't leave the hair weighed down. Extra points for smelling absolutely divine.” Sennen Prickett, digital beauty writer

RRP: £58.50

An innovative product designed to tackle signs of ageing in hair, including dryness, dullness and thinness. The rich formula deeply nourishes and repairs, leaving strands more supple and easier to manage.

“A stunning formula. It has a very nice scent, and it’s silky to apply. It very much delivers on what it says.” Nancy Stripe, grey blending specialist and owner of Stripe Colour Studio

RRP: £8

The judges were impressed with this affordable formula, especially for its lightweight texture, which worked brilliantly on fine hair. Strands feel softer and silkier after the first use.

“I like the slightly looser formula, which felt easier to work into my long, fine hair than thicker textures (which tend to fall down the drain in gloopy chunks), and my hair was soft and shiny after trying it just once.” Fiona McKim, digital beauty channel editor

RRP: £16.99

According to the judges, this treatment takes just five minutes to provide you with the greatest shine of your life. Dull, drab hair was replaced with glossy, sleek locks with shampoo-ad levels of swish.

“Frizz and flyaways are a constant struggle for me. This 5-minute gloss treatment helped to banish any tell-tale signs of breakage, leaving my hair silky-soft and shiny.” Naomi Jamieson, digital beauty writer

RRP: £70

The hour-long treatment involves applying a hydrating mask that includes antioxidants, avocado butter and hyaluronic acid before sealing this goodness into the hair cortex at -16C. Innovative and not at all gimmicky, the system leaves hair soft and glossy for up to five weeks post-treatment.

“A week after having this treatment, I had my hair assessed by a trichologist who said my hair was in amazing condition with so much shine. My hair stayed glossy for the full five weeks.” Jess Beech, beauty editor

RRP: from £250

Unlike traditional straightening treatments, which work by breaking and reforming the bonds in our hair, this smoothing system restores strength to existing bonds. The frizz-busting effects last for up to three months. The treatment not only left our judge’s hair with the shiniest, silkiest finish she’d ever had, but the results meant her usual hour-long blow-dry took just 20 minutes.

“The effects of the treatment were immediate, with the normal frizz level I'd see straight after washing already reduced. A financial investment but worth the time and effort you'll save in styling.” Aleesha Badkar, digital beauty e-commerce editor

RRP: From £75

Curious about extensions? These clip-ins are a great starting point. They’re designed to add volume at the root and fullness throughout for an instant update without the need to visit a salon.

“A great innovation and a really clever concept, especially for targeting specific areas like the parting or hairline, where clients often want discreet fullness. They’re lightweight, easy to place and give a very natural-looking lift.” Pete Burkill, celebrity hairstylist

RRP: £24.99

Sworn off heat? These heatless rollers create beautiful, soft waves without the need for plug-in tools. Our judges found them surprisingly comfortable to sleep in and the technique is a doddle to master.

“These did a really good job of creating soft waves without any heat, which is always a win if you’re trying to be a bit kinder to the hair.” Samantha Cusick, founder of Samantha Cusick London

RRP: £89

If you have fine locks, these rollers will restore oomph. They work in just 45 minutes for impressive volume and a soft, gentle curl. Our judges said they’ve never seen their hair so full of life.

“After just 45 minutes, my once flat and lifeless hair was transformed into a bouncy blow-dry that was full of volume.” Sennen Prickett, digital beauty writer

RRP: £195

The antidote to drawers full of clutter, this three-in-one tool does it all – from bouncy blow-dries and defined curls to soft waves. It’s powered by thermal heat, rather than hot air, for long-lasting, frizz-free results.

“A fantastic all-round multi tool if you want to switch between curling and waving your hair. I really loved the effect both brushes had on my hair.” Sarah Cooper-White, beauty director

RRP: £229

A complete game changer for straightener addicts battling split ends and static. The contoured plates glide smoothly through hair with options to adjust both the heat and amount of tension for minimal damage.

“I’m super impressed with this iron – it’s a game changer. The really cool feature is the tension setting, which I’ve never seen before on an iron.” Ben Cooke, session stylist and salon owner

RRP: £299

The curved plates on these straighteners make it easy to create waves and curls, as well as straight styles. They glide beautifully through the hair, with adjustable heat settings to help reduce damage.

“It’s versatile and can create lots of different styles, the adjustable temperature makes it more hair-friendly, and the overall build feels premium and long-lasting.” Samantha Cusick, founder of Samantha Cusick London

RRP: £579

Our judges loved the versatility of this tool – it’s a hard-working, stand-alone hairdryer with smart attachments that let you curl, wave, straighten, smooth and volumise. It's expensive, but worth it.

“A great one-and-done hairdryer and multistyling tool. It worked brilliantly as a diffuser, and the brush attachments did a brilliant job of smoothing out my curly hair.” Rhiannon Derbyshire, senior beauty editor

RRP: £18

Brushing hair when it’s wet is a key cause of breakage, but not with this brush. Two-tiered teeth technology uses the longer teeth to detangle and the smaller ones to smooth. A true team effort for tangle-free hair without tugging.

“This is easy to use and great to be able to deal with tangles on wet hair without pulling or breaking.” Sarah Black, creative director, Arkive by Adam Reed

RRP: £12

Whether you’re a seasoned curl styler or trying to persuade lost spirals back, this brush is excellent at adding definition. Use the bristled side to work curl creams through hair and the comb sides to shape and separate.

“I usually don't like the faff or the finished look of brush styling, but this is brilliant, and feels foolproof. I’m now using it all the time. It’s quite the bargain, too.” – Rhiannon Derbyshire, senior beauty editor

RRP: £14.65

This clever tool can be used for both detangling and blow-drying. It glides through fine, knotty hair when soaking wet and works wonders for a smooth, flicky blow-dry.

“As someone who is generally too lazy to get a second brush out for blow drying - and who finds most round brushes too tuggy, this has improved the finish of my blow dries considerably.” Fiona McKim, digital beauty channel editor

RRP: £159.99

A streamlined solution for a salon-quality blow-dry without getting arm ache. The tool combines powerful airflow with ceramic plates on the rounded brush to dry and style. Easy to adapt, whether you’re adding volume or smoothing.

“I really liked that this offers more than one look – you can either use it to smooth the hair or to boost volume, and both worked really well. It can be used on dry hair for a refresh, too, which is handy for someone like me with unruly hair!" Jess Beech, beauty editor

RRP: £165

A powerful, lightweight hairdryer that does exactly what it says on the tin. It emits ions that seal the hair cuticle while you style for a smooth, glossy finish. It's been built to last too, with the motor engineered for 2,000 hours – that's a lot of blow-drying.

“Very user-friendly, and buttons made it easy to control the heat and speed. It dried my hair efficiently and without frizz at the roots. Nice and light in hand too.” Stephanie Maylor, beauty editor

RRP: £299

Short on time? Say hello to this ultra-fast hairdryer. The newly launched tool uses dual-airflow technology for a super-speedy blow-dry without extreme heat. The intelligent memory locks in your last-used settings, too – so you can resume where you left off.

"I used this on my clients and found that the hair dried faster and felt both smoother and softer.” – Katie Hale, freelance stylist and expert colourist

RRP: £55

If you wake up with bedhead, this is a chic way to keep hair frizz-free overnight. Our judges liked the high quality of the silk and how well it stayed in place. Try it, and you’ll never want to be without it.

“I love the 100% silk material. It’s so incredibly soft and pleasant to wear, keeping my hair frizz-free and nourished overnight.” Leah Hill, hairstylist and hair educator

RRP: £37 for four

Judges were impressed by how well these luxe ties secured fine hair for fuss- free styling. The ultimate upgrade from plain hair elastics.

“These scrunchies are great for keeping my hair neat and out of the way whilst being gentle. They are discrete and look good with any outfit, so that's a win! My go-to hair ties now.” Chlöe Swift, hairstylist and haircare expert

RRP: £17

An affordable way to stimulate the scalp and improve hair growth – in a clinical trial, 78% of users agreed it reduced hair loss. For best results, use consistently and be patient – it’ll take weeks to notice the regrowth, but it’s worth the wait!

“Good ingredients that penetrate into the hair follicle to deliver results as claimed. The formulation is light and absorbs well. Plus, the application nozzle makes it super easy to use.” Eva Proudman, FIT IAT trichologist

RRP: £72

An impressive formula that boosts growth thanks to an impressive line-up of active ingredients.

'“A well-formulated scalp serum designed to support a healthy scalp environment while enhancing overall hair quality. A great option for anyone looking to nourish the scalp and achieve stronger, fuller-looking, healthier hair.” Jade Summers, director and trichologist

RRP: £30

The rollerball makes application of the peptide-infused formula easy, while the massage motion helps it sink in better. An effective targeted treatment for areas of loss or thinning.

“I tested this on a couple of clients with finer hair over about eight weeks and started to notice small new hairs appearing around the hairline, which was really encouraging.” Edward James, hairstylist and salon owner

RRP: £56.99 for one month's supply

It’s a consistent award winner for good reason. In a crowded market, Viviscal stands out for its decades of research, robust clinical trials, and great results. Quite simply, it does what it promises – improves hair growth for fuller, thicker locks.

“Viviscal has many clinical trials and contains a high dosage in each capsule. With high levels of iron, vitamin D and collagen, it is proven to help with hair loss with very little effort.” Hannah Gaboardi, trichologist

RRP: £33.53 for a 14-day supply

Looking for a trustworthy collagen supplement with an inoffensive taste? We’re huge fans of Kollo. It offers a high dose of marine collagen (10,000mg), and we noticed a marked improvement in new hair growth after using it.

“I’m a big advocate for collagen when it comes to supporting hair thickness and overall hair health, so it’s great to see a high dose in one serving. A great option if you’re looking to support thicker, healthier hair from the inside out.” Samantha Cusick, founder of Samantha Cusick

RRP: £13.99

An innovative way to tackle damaged hair. Mist the lightweight mix of bond repairers and ceramides through hair after washing and conditioning, for instantly softer, smoother locks.

“What I really liked was how easy this product was to slot into my regime as a way of repairing and rehydrating. Because it's a water, it was light and not at all heavy or lank-feeling, so great for all hair types.” Stephanie Maylor, beauty editor

RRP: £30

Who knew a dandruff serum could be so enticing? Dry, itchy flaky scalps were soothed in seconds of applying this lightweight serum, designed to treat skin affected by hard water.

“My routinely itchy scalp felt instantly comfier and calmer, plus the serum wasn't at all heavy and left no residue (my main concern with any leave-on product). In fact, my hair almost felt fresher and cleaner than if I'd applied nothing.” Fiona McKim, digital beauty channel editor

RRP: £5.99

Ideal if you’re hoping to achieve a more platinum shade of grey without breaking the bank. Provoke is a brilliant brand when it comes to at-home toner - we love their range for blondes too.

“Visibly neutralises yellow in the hair without being too strong. A fantastic budget product at an extremely good price point.” Nancy Stripe, grey blending specialist and owner of Stripe Colour Studio

RRP: £57.90

Keep your blonde looking fresh, clean and bright with this shampoo and conditioner, made using 100% natural ingredients, including seaweed and naturally derived plant pigments.

“Having a natural product that cares for the scalp and hair whilst also toning any brassiness and keeping blondes fresh is a really positive thing.” Sarah Black, creative director at Arkive by Adam Reed

RRP: £12

Not only does this range create salon-worthy shades, but it achieves it without damage. It protects and strengthens hair by using bond-building technology in every step of the colouring process.

“Delivers impressively strong results for home colour, with a colour that’s accurate and true to tone as well as leaving the hair looking healthy, shiny and well cared for.” Nancy Stripe, grey blending specialist and owner of Stripe Colour Studio

RRP: £7.99

If you want a dye that provides strong tones at home, look no further. Available in six punchy shades, including Cherry Red and Sunset Copper, these dyes provide a vivid, bright colour that lasts up to eight weeks.

“The zero ammonia formula makes it more pleasant to use and gentle ingredients like Argan, Acai and Guarana meant the scent was soft. The included Moisture Shine Mask helps to lock in colour and boost gloss.” Nancy Stripe, grey blending specialist and owner of Stripe Colour Studio

RRP: £31.50

We were impressed by the concept and results of this treatment. The minerals in hard-water areas can alter the colour of your hair, but this clears it all away, helping to keep your tone looking pristine.

“This smells gorgeous and left my hair silky soft. I’m always excited to find a product that can help keep build-up at bay and my blonde fresh.” Sarah Cooper-White, beauty director

RRP: £23.30

Using shampoo designed for coloured hair is essential to prevent fading, and this is a brilliant one, formulated to keep your look bright for up to 10 weeks.

"My hair looked visibly shinier after, and also felt very soft." Amelia Evans, artistic director of Hare & Bone

RRP: £15

We’re long-time fans of MD London’s hair tools, and were so excited about the brand’s launch into haircare. Designed to be the first step in your styling routine, this product perfectly preps strands and helps your hairstyles to hold better through the day.

“A really solid all-round primer that preps the hair beautifully and makes styling much easier, whether you’re air-drying or blow-drying. The price point is also really good.” Pete Burkill, celebrity hairstylist

RRP: £5.15

This hairspray is a classic for a reason – it’s unparalleled in its ability to hold hair in place without feeling dry or crispy, and it brushes out effortlessly. A must-have in anyone’s haircare line-up.

“An icon of a hairspray, nothing can beat its ability to hold without buildup. It brushes out so easily and gets rid of flyaways without weighing the hair down.” Jo Clayton, freelance hairstylist and makeup artist

RRP: £26

Transport yourself to sunnier climates with this beautiful scent, which has warming notes of honeysuckle, amber and peach. Thanks to the fine, light mist, it won’t impact your hairstyle.

“A very fresh fragrance with a lovely light spray. It didn’t make the hair feel heavy." Christel Barron-Hough, founder STIL Salon

RRP: from £14

If you struggle with baby hairs or flyaways, you’ll love this lightweight styling cream. It smooths down unruly strands without leaving them greasy, while also nourishing.

“This is a great multi-purpose product if your hair type suits a creamy product. Definitely good for thicker hair that can take the weight of the cream.” Ben Cooke, session stylist and salon owner

RRP: £29

Everything you’d want from a curl cream – it hydrates, softens and defines, leaving curls springy and shiny. It provides brilliant hold, too, so you could use this as a one-and-done styling step.

“I would go as far as saying it's my all-time favourite curl cream. Hair lasts nourished, defined and frizz-free for the week and really easy to refresh with water as the product reactivates,” Leah Hill, hairstylist and hair educator

RRP: £47

Expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. There’s a reason this is such a consistent award winner – it effortlessly creates the perfect amount of zhuzh and movement in just a couple of spritzes.

“Much-imitated, never-bettered, this is the original dry texturising spray and still surpasses the competition. It gave my fine, flat hair a cool, mussed-up texture and packed it with extra volume.” Fiona Mckim, digital beauty channel editor

RRP: £26.50

Most dry shampoos just blot out grease with powder, but this actually cleans hair – it’s been proven to remove 95% of sebum from the scalp. It really does leave hair feeling fresher without any chalkiness or heaviness.

“There’s something very satisfying about the boost from this powerful spray to freshen up a lacklustre hair day. It smells divine and totally eliminated my flat oily roots without any of the usual chalky cast.” Jo Clayton, freelance hairstylist and makeup artist

RRP: £48

This is not your average heat-protection spray. It’s made using Resilicore, a patented technology that creates an invisible shield around each strand, leading to unbeatable protection from heat up to 232C.

“I love knowing that adding this to my hair drying routine protects my hair from the repeated heat damage from blow-drying and hair tools. It's very lightweight, easy to apply and reduced my usual flyaways by a mile.” Jo Clayton, freelance hairstylist and makeup artist

RRP: £10

An inexpensive, yet impressive, formula for glossier hair. It’s also a great solution if humidity causes your locks to puff up, thanks to the lamellar technology, which acts as a barrier and stops the moisture in the air from seeping in.

“I absolutely loved it. It’s easy to apply and gives hair amazing shine and frizz control once styled. This is a new favourite in my haircare routine.” Sarah Cooper-White, beauty director

RRP: £14.50

A duo that really delivers in terms of organic ingredients and genuine care for the environment. Judges were impressed by how hard the shampoo and conditioner worked, leaving hair soft, shiny and beautifully scented.

“The shampoo was deeply cleansing and yet very gentle on the scalp. The conditioner had a pleasant weightiness to properly treat and smooth my flyaway hair, leaving it shiny and tangle free.” Jo Clayton, freelance hairstylist and makeup artist

RRP: from £5.50

We loved Coco-Nourish – a gentle, kind-to-hair range formulated especially to nourish and define curls. It’s our new secret, coconut-scented weapon for tear and tantrum-free hair wash days.

“I'm very careful about what I put on the children's skin but Childs Farm is a brand I trust and often buy myself. The coconut hair range is very visually appealing for kids, and smells lovely. I can still smell it on the children's hair three days in.” Stephanie Maylor, beauty editor

RRP: £45.60

Great at delivering a satisfying, nourishing cleanse without harsh sulphates or dehydrating detergents. It also gets top marks for the naturally derived formula, biodegradable, refillable bottle and Leaping Bunny certification.

“I test this every year, and every time I revisit, I am so impressed by how soft and hydrated my hair feels. It feels like witchcraft that my hair could feel this clean and fresh without foaming agents or sulphates.” Jess Beech, beauty editor