Introducing Cosmo's First-Ever Hair Awards
TBH, navigating the world of hair can be...a lot. There's just so much out there. How do you separate the real from the fake? The meh products from the gotta-have-'em products? Don't worry, whether your hair is stick straight, super curly, or somewhere in between, we've got you covered. Here are the 16 winners of the first-ever Cosmo Hair Awards. This hits list, which was curated by our team of very picky beauty editors, will save you time, money, and a whole lotta style struggles.
Meet your new wash-day essentials.
L’Ore?al Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner
“Leave this on for just 60 seconds. It’s made with a concentrated serum for maximum softness and nourishment, fast.” —Carly Cardellino Vaccaro, beauty director
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
$14, ulta.com
“325 flexible bristles glide through tangles without a single snag or tear. A serious game changer for knotty hair like mine.” —Lauren Balsamo, senior beauty editor
Revitalash Cosmetics Thickening Shampoo
$36, amazon.com
“My hair looked significantly fuller in about a month thanks to ginseng and willow bark—ingredients that stimulate hair follicles to produce thicker strands.” —LB, senior beauty editor
TRESemme? Botanique Color Vibrance & Shine Shampoo
$18, amazon.com
“I have platinum hair, which requires the most gentle shampoo out there. So this sulfate-free version cleared a high bar.” —CCV, beauty director
SheaMoisture Coconut Custard Make It Last Wash N’ Go Shampoo and Conditioner
$12 each, and Curl Primer, $14, sheamoisture.com
“This shampoo, conditioner, and primer left my curls moisturized and soft—shout-out to vitamin E and virgin coconut oil.” —Chloe Metzger, senior beauty editor
Your strands and scalp are gonna thank you later for these.
Pantene Pro-V Intense Rescue Shots
$5, amazon.com
“Masks can be annoying to apply and often leave my fine hair greasy. But this single-use vial, packed with panthenol, is the total opposite. It fully rinses out a minute later. Seriously, there’s zero residue. My hair was noticeably softer, smoother and healthier.” —LB, senior beauty editor
Aussie Miracle Moist Intense Hydrating Oil
$5, walmart.com
“Nothing hydrates like a hair oil, IMO, and this one lived up to my high expectations. I applied a few drops to my ends and couldn’t stop touching my hair all day. The blend of avocado and jojoba oils is legit.” —Ama Kwarteng, beauty assistant
Head & Shoulders Scalp Detoxifying Pre-Wash Mask
$2, walmart.com
“I wash my hair twice a week tops, so shampoo—especially the gentle kind—doesn’t always cut it. This pre-wash cleared my scalp of dirt and oil so my shampoo was more effective. And who doesn’t love a portable pouch?” —Leah Wyar Romito, chief beauty director
Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Miracle Nectar 10-in-1 Leave-In
$8, garnierusa.com
“Post-shower, I applied this repairing treatment all over, focusing the application on my fragile bleached ends. It offered serious smoothness without feeling silicone-y and even made my hair look a bit thicker than normal.” —LWR, chief beauty director
Everything you need to up your style game.
Glamsquad The Iconic Blowout Lotion
$27, glamsquad.com
“It really makes a blowout last thanks to the beeswax, which creates what the brand calls ‘shape memory.’ Two days later, my hair still had body and volume.” —LWR, chief beauty director
Garnier Fructis Sleek Shot In-Shower Styler
$4.50, garnierusa.com
“It made my hair feel like actual silk thanks to the blend of cranberry and argan oils. But the real magic? It helped me blow out my curls in under 10 minutes.” —CM, senior beauty editor
Nexxus Frizz Defy Anti-Frizz Sheets
$8 for eight sheets, walmart.com
“I pat one of these little sheets on my hair when frizz or static strike. Each one is infused with argan and coconut oils to smooth rogue flyaways quickly.” —LB, senior beauty editor
Dyson Airwrap Complete
$550, ulta.com
“This ventilated wand uses the force of air to wrap hair around the barrel before heating it. The result: the perfect non-fried curl.” —CCV, beauty director
John Frieda Day 2 Revival Dry Shampoo
$9.50, amazon.com
“This lightweight spray made my curls look freshly washed, even though I was serving day-three greasiness.” —CM, senior beauty editor
L’Ore?al Paris Colorista Hair Makeup
$10, lorealparisusa.com
“Most spray-on shades make hair feel shellacked and stiff as hell. But this 24-hour formula is so soft and flexible that you can easily brush right through it.” —CCV, beauty director
OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Decadent Creamy Mousse
$9, ulta.com
“I hate feeling like I have anything in my hair, so I’m always a little iffy when it comes to mousse. But this part-foam, part-cream feels light as air and doesn’t flake.” —AK, beauty assistant
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