Best hair products of the year—announcing our 2022 w&h hair awards winners!

The best hair products should make everyday styling a lot easier. But with aisle after aisle dedicated to shampoos, serums, colorants, and heated tools, choosing the right product can be tricky. That's why team woman&home, along with our esteemed industry judges have done the hard work for you, to reveal our 2022 woman&home Hair Awards winners. 

Let's face it—there’s no greater confidence boost than a good hair day. We all want amazing, salon-worthy hair—whether you’ve got straight hair or natural texture, long or short hair, are oily or in need of an intensive burst of hydration. Shiny, swishy, silky hair never fails to put an extra spring in your step. 

So after months of washing, preening, and zhooshing with the best hair products and tools for every styling need—from the best hair dryers to the best shampoo and conditioner for every hair type—our expert panel brings you their ultimate recommendations to help you get the hair you want. Each and every product in our list has our woman&home seal of approval and is guaranteed to make your hair healthier and styling easier. It’s all good hair days from here.

Our woman&home hair awards categories 

• Haircare 
• Styling
• Colour
• Hair treatments
• Hair health
• Tools
• Special recognition 

Our judging panel 

Special thanks to our panel of  judges whose hard work and expert insights made the woman&home Hair Awards 2022 possible. This year's judging panel included:

SARAH COOPER-WHITE

Group Beauty Director

CHARLEY WILLIAMS-HOWITT

Group Beauty Director

FIONA MCKIM

Beauty Channel Editor, womanandhome.com

RHIANNON DERBYSHIRE

Senior Beauty Editor

STEPHANIE MAYLOR

Beauty Editor

EMMA NORTH

Senior Beauty Writer

SAM BURNETT

Hairstylist, Owner and Creative Director of Hare and Bone salon

JENNIE ROBERTS

Session Hairstylist and Afro Textured Hair Educator

BEN COOKE 

Stylist and Co-founder of Lockonego salon

SALLY BROOKS

Award-winning Hairdresser and Owner of Brooks & Brooks salon

CHRISTEL BARRON-HOUGH

Colour Specialist and Founder of Stil Salon

The best hair products of 2022, chosen by our woman&home hair awards judges

Best hair products 2022—Haircare

A great shampoo and conditioner are the cornerstones of beautiful hair. Whatever your hair needs, keep these essentials in your bathroom for the ultimate in hair cleansing and conditioning.

A solid all-rounder suitable for most hair types, the vegan formula restores moisture without weighing fine hair down. Expect softer, smoother, deeply-cleansed hair. 

"I really enjoyed using this. It has a really nice consistency and my hair felt lovely afterward. I'd definitely recommend it for daily use." Sally Brooks

This leave-in conditioner is a win-win for your hair and the planet. Your strands will continue to absorb the nourishing blend of concentrated plant oils long after your shower, and you'll end up saving up to 100L of water per tube from not rinsing off the conditioner. 

"Quick and easy to use after you get out of the shower, this no-rinse formula left my hair smooth and knot-free." Emma North 

Product build-up is the enemy of bouncy, voluminous hair. This is when a clarifying shampoo can help. This one is gentle yet effective and loaded with nourishing ingredients and a mild pH that offsets its deep-cleansing effect with a big slurp of moisture. 

"I loved the scent and it left my hair feeling clean and fresh. I associate clarifying shampoos as being quite stripping, but this was gentle and left my hair feeling soft." Sarah CW

Hair looking a little worn out and weathered? Upgrade your cleanser with this blend of plant extracts and organic essential oils, that not only leave hair feeling replenished, but make for a sensorial treat in the bathroom too. 

"It had a sweet, creamy scent that I could still smell the next day. I enjoyed its rich texture, and despite containing no sulfates, it lathered up nicely." Stephanie Maylor

With a celebrity client list that includes the Kardashians and Megan Fox, Andrew Fitzsimons knows all about what goes into creating a stellar style. Naturally, he's poured his expertise into this new high street haircare line-up. The curl collection is weightless and leaves kinks, curls, and coils soft and springy.

"This range is affordable, and I really trust that Andrew knows his stuff. This shampoo was the best thing I have tried in a long time." Rhiannon Derbyshire

Enriched with Mirabelle Plum Seed Oil, high in fatty acids, antioxidants, and other lovely goodies are known to protect hair from the damaging effects of UV rays and free radicals, this shampoo is gentle on color-treated hair. 

"Pretty packaging, and it smells delicious. Gentle on sensitive scalps and lathers up nicely. My hair looks healthy and glossy." Sally Brooks

Often, it's the ingredients left out of a product, rather than what is put in, that make the biggest difference to colored hair. This is certainly the case with TRESemmé's cleanser, which has been formulated with 0% sulfates, silicones, or dyes that make this a gentle, non-stripping option for dyed hair.  

"‘It’s great to see more and more high street brands going sulfate-free. My hair feels nice and clean with a healthy gleam." Stephanie Maylor

It's not just warm, brassy tones blondes have got to watch out for—it's the damage caused by bleaching agents. This shampoo tackles both with neutralizing violet pigments and nourishing proteins to fortify weakened strands. 

‘A very pleasant surprise! This was significantly less drying than most purple shampoos I've tried, and still gave my blonde a lovely creamy tone." Fiona McKim

Rewind the clock on stiff, brittle, and straw-like hair with skincare-inspired ingredients that reinstate a soft and silky swish. 

"For such a rich treatment packed with nourishing ingredients, the formula was surprisingly lightweight. Hair looked smoother." Sam Burnett

Max out on hydration and restore the softness of fuzzy, coarse, and unmanageable hair with this buttery mask. Expect a smooth, frizz-free finish. 

"This intensive conditioner left my hair super shiny and smooth. It has a great scent too!", Jennie Roberts

The main cause of frizz is almost always dehydration. Thirsty hair sucks moisture from the air, causing strands to swell and fluff up. That's why this formula is loaded with nourishing Argan oil to ensure hair stays well-hydrated and less prone to fuzz. 

"The fragrance and texture of this shampoo make it seem a lot more expensive than it is. My hair was much more manageable, and heaps shinier." Stephanie Maylor

Best hair products 2022—Styling

Whether you need to smooth frizzy hair, boost volume or refresh oily roots, you’ll look like you’ve just stepped out of the salon with these hair styling heroes. 

This dry shampoo ticks all the boxes—it absorbs excess oil, injects volume and imparts a fresh feeling to second and third-day hair.

"I love it. It makes my hair feel freshly washed and provides body. And it doesn’t leave hair looking powdery." Sarah CW

No frills bottle, all the thrills results. This bargain dry shampoo mops up lank roots as well as double-figure versions so you can stretch out your blow-dries. 

"Banishes greasy roots without leaving any residue. You can’t go wrong for the price." Charley WH

Ideal for fine hair that lacks natural oomph, this dry shampoo not only absorbs excess oil but its texturising formula, enriched with Organic Flax Fibre, gives impressive grit to limp hair.

"This is non-gunky, smells like clean laundry, and disguised my day two (okay three!) hair" Fiona McKim

The perfect flexible styling cream for curls and coils. It calms frizz and shapes curls without going all crunchy. 

"Another great product from Trepadora. Curls feel smooth and silky, and it smells great too." Jennie Roberts

Plant oils enhance the supple smoothness of waves and curls to enhance your natural texture without crunch, stickiness, or flaking. 

"A brilliantly affordable and fuss-free product. Noughty's entire range is great for curly hair—this is a real hero." Rhiannon Derbyshire 

This styling cream is as light and creamy as the name Soufflé suggests, with moisturizing ingredients that curls will lap up, and great, buildable hold. 

"This melts into coily hair and holds texture to maintain definition and shine. Curls stay hydrated for days." Jennie Roberts

This modern take on a mousse uses dry powder-foam technology that injects volume without resorting to thickeners. This means there's zero tackiness or crunch—just oomph for days.

"Incredibly gripping, creating super hold and lots of oomph but still leaving hair soft to the touch." Sam Burnett

This delivers all-day body and bounce, thanks to plumping collagen and kale protein, with heat-activated style memory technology that locks volume in place. 

"I'd certainly recommend this mousse as a budget option. It's lovely and volumizing and gives great hold but use sparingly—apply too much and your hair can turn a little crunchy." Emma North 

Light, unsticky protection from heat-styling tools up to 230°C, with botanical oils to nourish and detangle hair. The cream closes the scales of each strand, and fills in gaps so hair looks smooth. It smells delicious too.

"A lovely product. A rich formula that doesn't weigh the hair down—it’s a multitasking hero!" Ben Cooke

This multi-tasking primer protects hair up to 230°c, encourages volume and creates a shield against humidity. 

"This is a great product to have in your hair kit. It gives a natural finish, shine, and decent hold." Sam Burnett

Lock down a slick ponytail or elegant chignon with this firm hold, non-sticky spray that brushes out easily.

"Perfect for keeping an updo in check and flyaways under control without leaving hair crispy. Smells lovely." Sarah CW

Best hair products 2022—Colour

Whether you dye your hair at home or need to maintain your shade between salon appointments, these color care heroes will enhance your hue, zap brassy tones and turn up the shine. 

Keep blonde and highlighted hair crisp and clean for up to 8 washes with this neutralizing toner that knocks out warm, brassy tones. 

"Refreshed my hair color after one use. Any yellowness disappeared, leaving a bright blonde." Charley WH

A lifesaver when you can't get to the salon, this spray-on concealer diffuses a veil of colour over grown-out roots for a natural finish that will stay put until your next shampoo. 

"It's so easy to use and has great, natural-looking pigments that blend well into the roots of my hair. Other judges said it covered greys in a flash too." Emma North

A speedy colour boost and rich conditioning treatment for hair in need of a refresh. Use in place of your regular conditioner for a healthy, glossy finish. Leave on for anywhere between two and 15 minutes to customize the intensity to suit you. 

"Whether you want to perk up your blonde or have some fun with color, this range is perfect. It makes your hair super shiny too." Sarah CW

The formula is free of ammonia and powered by nourishing oils for a kinder color experience that delivers unparalleled shine and shimmering notes. 

"I’ve used Olia for years. This new Glow collection imparts beautiful iridescent tones, which brunette hair often lacks." Stephanie Maylor

Best hair products 2022—Hair treatments

When your regular conditioner just isn’t cutting it, turn to these intensive treatments and hair masks to deliver hydration, mirror-like shine, and nourishing ingredients that repair the damage caused by color chemicals and heat styling. 

The mask has a unique buttery-gel consistency that penetrates deep into the hair cuticle and cortex. It repairs from the inside-out using a cocktail of Blue Sea Kale, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Complex, and a Mediterranean Sea Kelp-Algae Blend, which deliver long-lasting hydration.

"Love the scent, love the consistency, love how easy it is to brush through, love how silky and smooth my hair looks after styling. Well worth the splurge." Stephanie Maylor

A dreamily lightweight oil that softens and silkifies. It has fantastic versatility too—use it as a pre-blow-dry styling product, a finishing oil, or a leave-in treatment.

"The entire beauty team loves this. Leaves my hair soft, shiny, and frizz-free. It’s a luxe treat, but lasts for ages." Sarah CW

Give weak, low-energy hair a proverbial shot in the arm with this nourishing, restorative treatment. It strengthens damaged, brittle hair, and reduces breakage by 95%. 

"Loved the creamy, buttery texture. Hair felt softer and stronger, even after the first use. A great treatment for over-processed hair." Sam Burnett

For over-processed, over-styled, over-it hair, this magic mask rebuilds the hair structure from within for stronger, healthier hair with a noticeable difference from the first use.

"Left my hair looking and feeling stronger, healthier, and in much better condition." Charley WH

This iconic pre-shampoo treatment puts the stretch and elasticity back into weakened hair so it feels stronger and healthier. The hero ingredient is hydrolysed elastin, which helps hair to stretch without snapping. And because the mask is applied before shampoo, it provides an intense moisture fix that won't weigh fine hair down.

"I love this deeply nourishing, deliciously softening treatment. Always have, always will. You'll want to leave it in for at least half an hour, so does take a bit of time out of your day. But that just makes it a perfect lazy Sunday treat." Fiona McKim 

Repairs damage as you sleep, with a soporific lavender and sandalwood aroma to soothe the mind. 

"This really impressed me. It’s not your typical mask and it soaks in completely without any tackiness. I applied it to my ends, tied up my hair, and, the morning after, it felt sleek and soft." Rhiannon Derbyshire

Powered by Hyaluronic Acid, this spray-on serum actually thickens each hair strand and leaves it noticeably more hydrated. Use on wet or dry hair whenever you need a hydration hit. 

"I loved how silky, shiny and bouncy this spray-on serum left my locks. Serums don’t often agree with my fine hair, but this one feels light and non-silicone-y, plus it smells wonderful." Charley WH

Best hair products 2022—Hair health

If you’re worried about hair thinning, or suffering from an itchy, irritable scalp, it’s time to call in the big guns. Add some of these SOS products to your hair care regime for thicker-looking, healthier hair.

With rosemary oil, menthol and ginger extract, this treatment is a tonic for scalps in meltdown mode. Massage directly into the scalp and leave in. 

"The packaging is fab and the fragrance very pleasant. The formula didn’t disappoint either, and left the scalp very refreshed." Christel BH

These soothing drops—enriched with organic argan oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E—are added to your favorite shampoo to deliver immediate and palpable relief from a dry, irritable, itchy scalp. 

"Always great ingredients and science from Bouclème. This is no exception—great for flaky scalps." Jennie Roberts 

Taking on fine, limp, flat hair, this body-boosting set contains two types of collagen—first soluble collagen coats the cuticle in a protective layer to enhance shine, then collagen amino acids penetrate the hair cortex to plump and thicken.

"Smells fabulous, and leaves hair looking and feeling thicker and bouncier. It's a must for those with fine or thinning hair." Sarah CW

Great hair starts from within. If yours is on the thin side or won’t grow past a certain length, add these supplements, which are formulated with biotin and zinc, to maintain healthy hair growth. 

"It takes a few months before you see results, but it’s worth the wait. I don't see as many strands in my brush." Emma North

Best hair products 2022—Tools

Heated hair appliances can be a big outlay so you want to know that the gadgets you’re splurging on are going to do the job. From reliable hair dryers and straighteners to the best curling irons and tousled wavers, these hair tools are worth your hard-earned cash. 

A shortcut to beachy, mermaid waves, this supersized tool gets through long hair with ease. The ceramic-coated barrels help create a smooth, frizz-free finish with bags of shine. 

"Loved these! Great for red-carpet looks. Took a few practices to get the tension and sections right, but after that it was fantastic!" Jennie Roberts 

Made with firm natural boar bristles, this brush helps to pull the natural oils through the lengths and ends for an all-over shine. It smoothes hair into a flawless updo without tugging.  

"I love a natural bristle hairbrush—it's amazing for smoothing hair, and gentle on hair that needs more care. A great little brush." Ben Cooke

Cordless, stylish, damage-reducing, and as adept at waving as it is straightening. Unless you’re on a tight budget there’s nothing not to love about the Dyson Corrale.  

"Amazing design and packaging—feels very high-end and is easy to use. Hair looks and feels super smooth, and the temperature is perfect." Christel BH

The snazzy and recently updated infrared ray technology helps to distribute the heat evenly for a more gentle straightening experience. It has 10 temperature settings to choose from so you can tailor your styling session to your hair texture. 

"This is a great tool. It doesn't get too hot, which is good, and the hair was left with a smooth, shiny finish." Ben Cooke

With a 14mm barrel, this is ghd's slimmest curling wand and creates tight, springy curls. 

"The slim wand creates great results for clients, whether they have fine or thick hair. It’s also really easy to use and delivers a long-lasting curl." Sam Burnett

With a sleek look, magnetic attachments, and a powerful-yet-quiet motor, this is an appliance that marries form and function. Expect to slash your drying time significantly. 

"This was incredibly lightweight, which made it easy to control. It had great heat adjustments, and I also really rated the concentrator nozzle and diffuser." Sam Burnett

Compact and surprisingly lightweight, this 2-in-1 dryer brush cuts styling time in half. The oval design and ionic technology work in tandem to deliver a swishy, curvy, bouncy blow-dry. 

"This was really easy to use and the results were great—hair was full and bouncy, with smooth ends. The temperature switch from hot to cold was good for setting styles." Ben Cooke

Best hair products 2022—Special recognition

In our special final category we want to shout about the best hair products and brands that are doing great things. These deserving winners are well worth having on your radar.

There are so many reasons to love this new wave cleanser. Instead of using harsh, oil-stripping detergents, New Wash is powered by essential oils that gently cleanse and condition hair in one easy step. This means it's going to save you time, money, and crucial space in your bathroom. It works on every hair type to reset and rebalance oil production so you can gradually eke out your shower sessions.

"Left my hair feel clean and shiny, without the need for a separate conditioner. Saves on product, uses less water, is formulated with environmentally friendly ingredients and the packaging saves on plastic too." Stephanie Maylor

One bar will last up to 80 washes, and the formula is 95% natural as well endorsed by Cruelty-Free International and the Vegan Society. 

"Love the packaging, love the concept, love the results! A great sustainable swap." Sally Brooks

100% vegan and cruelty-free, Pacifica products prove that ethical beauty doesn't need to cost the earth in order to protect it. The Silky Hydro Luxe collection is powered by vegan silk proteins that switch on lustre like a light switch.

"A great range with ethical ingredients. My hair felt brilliant after use, and I loved the fragrance, too." Sally Brooks

With pure, plant-powered ingredients, hair-nourishing results and sustainable formulas that help preserve the Amazon rainforest, Rahua does good things for hair and the planet.

"I'm obsessed with everything Rahua does. The entire range smells divine, contains ethically sourced, luxurious natural ingredients, and makes my hair feel so silky. Gorgeous." Fiona McKim