The Best Smelling Shampoos in 2023
Shampoos are made to do a job, but keeping your hair healthy and shiny doesn’t mean you have to go without a luxurious scent. There is a wide range of fragrances available, and some of the brands we’ve come across have created some great combinations.
We’ve done our research and come up with a list of some of the best smelling shampoos in 2023, while of course still getting the job done of restoring hair health. Here are the best-smelling shampoos available in 2023.
1. Blu Atlas Shampoo
Saw palmetto and vegan biotin form the basis for Blu Atlas’ premium, invigorating, and hair-strengthening shampoo. Jojoba protein repairs damaged or overworked hair from strand to scalp, with added aloe vera helping moisturize and soothe.
Blu Atlas Shampoo uses surfactants created from natural coconuts, meaning you can clean your hair, smell great, and be kind to the environment all in one go. The shampoo is gentle on your scalp, can be used daily, and is best paired with their premium conditioner for the healthiest and happiest hair possible.
Blu Atlas Shampoo is paraben-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, and uses premium natural ingredients from plants and fruits. The refreshingly clean scent and top-notch performance of Blu Atlas Classic Shampoo makes it an easy choice for the best-smelling shampoo in 2023. Blu Atlas also has a “coconut apricot” scent – which resembles their award-winning fragrance – for anyone who wants a more sweet and fruity scent!
2. Maple Holistics Degrease Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Degrease Shampoo by Maple Holistics is going to not only tidy up your hair, cleaning it of any oil buildup, but is going to smell amazing while doing it. Jojoba oil and peach kernel give this luxurious shampoo its scent base, the fruitiness coming alive in the hot water of the shower.
Lemon and rosemary will lift the senses, giving you the feeling of being at an at-home spa as the scents wash over you. Degrease Shampoo by Maple Holistics is one of the best-smelling shampoos you can get, and that it works a treat is an excellent bonus.
3. BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo
BIOLAGE Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo is a vegan, cruelty-free scent bomb. Extract from the cooling mint leaf will revitalize and invigorate you as your hair is cleaned, hydrated, and restored.
Biolage’s Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo helps to cleanse away excess oils from your hair without stripping it entirely, leaving just the right amount for healthy, and great-smelling hair.
The cooling effect is provided by mint, peppermint, and extracts from the pine Camelia sinensis and this mixture of cooling ingredients will awaken your scalp and senses, with the scent bringing a bit of freshness to your morning or evening routine.
4. Oribe Signature Shampoo
Signature Shampoo by Oribe, described as a ‘daily indulgence’, is one of the nicest-looking products, coming in an elegant black flask-shaped bottle. The shampoo inside is just as premium as the packaging, the scent filling the room the second you open the bottle.
This exquisite shampoo has a scent called Cote d’Azur which is bergamot-forward, accented beautifully by the floral notes of butterfly jasmine and sandalwood. The warm and bright notes of Oribe’s Signature Shampoo will be one of the best parts of your day, especially as a morning ritual. This shampoo lathers well despite it being a thicker formulation, the suds coating your hair and removing excess oils with ease.
Hydration is locked-in by added hydrolyzed vegetable protein and vegetable-derived humectants, keeping your hair happily hydrated without causing frizz. Ginger root extract is the finishing touch, strengthening your hair while smelling great.
5. Duke Cannon News Anchor Cedarwood Hair Wash
The cedarwood version of Duke Cannon News Anchor Hair Wash is one of the best shampoos you can get for thick hair and a great scent. Formulated from premium ingredients for the rough and tough man, this shampoo will take care of your hair, gently restoring moisture and shine.
The unique scent of cedarwood, sandalwood, and a range of spices will turn each shower into a scent-filled experience. This shampoo has added vitamin B5 to give your scalp and hair a boost of health, revitalizing your follicles and hair alike.
A portion of each Duke Cannon sale goes towards benefiting US veterans, and the product is cruelty-free, so you can smell amazing and feel good about your purchase at the same time.
6. Molton Brown Balancing Shampoo with Coriander
Molton Brown Balancing Shampoo with Coriander may sound a bit odd, especially if you aren’t a fan of the taste of coriander, but you won’t go wrong with this choice.
Interestingly, this shampoo is made with coriander hydroponically grown in the underground tunnels of London, the subtle scent of this leafy plant lending a sense of freshness to the shampoo.
Molton Brown’s Balancing Shampoo is especially great for those with oily hair, the rich lather removing excess oils that your scalp produces throughout the day, while simultaneously hydrating your hair down to the roots.
Packaged in a bottle made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, Molton Brown Balancing Shampoo with Coriander will keep your hair happy and your heart too, knowing you’re doing your part to support the environment.
7. R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo
If you have hair that tends to dry out easily, R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo may be your great-smelling answer.
Sun, dying, bleaching, and blow-drying your hair can dry it out, leaving it brittle and frizzy. R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo is specially formulated to smell amazing while restoring the health and moisture of your hair.
The addition of vitamin B5 helps this amazing shampoo to penetrate your hair, providing intense hydration and locking it in for the day. Rice bran oil helps to strengthen each and every strand, giving you a natural shine that is sure to turn heads.
In addition to being great for your hair, R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo smells divine. Bergamot, wild fig, and lotus flower are but a few of the bright scents you’ll notice, with a rich and hearty base of cedarwood and roasted tonka bean. Described as a spirited and unpredictable scent, R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo is a winner in our books.
8. V76 by Vaughn Hydrating Shampoo
If you’re needing a great-smelling shampoo that will help hydrate your scalp and hair, look no further than V76 Hydrating Shampoo by Vaughn.
Packaged in a premium-looking brown bottle, this top-shelf shampoo will restore overworked or over-dried hair, delivering hydration to the scalp and each strand of hair, locking in moisture to the core. V76 Hydrating Shampoo smells brilliant too.
Formulated with almond butter, sage leaf extract, and chamomile, every shower will be a blissful experience. With the addition of vitamin E for hair strength and shine, and blue cedar fragrance for an even more luxurious hair-washing experience, V76 by Hydrating Shampoo by Vaughn is not one to miss out on.
The woody scent of cedar combines beautifully with coconut milk, violet, moss, and nutmeg, leaving you calm and relaxed, and your hair happy.
9. Native Full & Thick 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner
You’re standing by the ocean, the salty wind tousling your hair as it whips in over the water, carrying with it a marine freshness that you wish you could bottle. That’s exactly what Native have done with their Full & Thick 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner.
The luxurious scent of the fresh ocean has been expertly-combined with cedarwood, giving this amazing shampoo an amazing scent. The salty freshness plays with the cedar as you clean your hair, your entire shower feeling like it’s been transported to the seaside on the edge of a cedarwood forest.
Free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, and silicones, Native Full & Thick 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner will clean, condition, and restore your hair, and smell divine while doing so.
10. R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo
Thin hair isn’t something anyone wants, and thanks to R+Co there is something you can do about it. R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo is a carefully thought out shampoo made using no mineral oils, parabens, or sulfates.
R+Co have cleverly added biotin and pro vitamin B5 to help repair your hair, smoothing any fraying cuticles while thickening as well. The scent of R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo is provided by natural saw palmetto berry extract and coconut oil, each ingredient working together to keep your hair happy and your nose overjoyed.
Try this one with a hot shower as the steam will carry the delicate and manly scent ever so beautifully.
11. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo
While you may know what honey smells like, Manuka honey is in a category of its own. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo uses Manuka honey to not only moisturize and repair your hair, but to smell amazing while doing so.
Organic shea butter and mafura oil help lift your senses as you clean your hair, the bright scent of mafura intermingling with the floral and sweet manuka honey in the best way possible, accented beautifully by fig extract.
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo is ideal for dry or damaged hair, but can be used by anyone wanting a great shampoo that smells even better.
12. ACURE Curiously Clarifying Shampoo with Lemongrass & Argan
ACURE Curiously Clarifying Shampoo with Lemongrass & Argan is one of the best smelling shampoos in 2023 and you’re not going to want to miss out on this one.
ACURE have used carefully-selected ingredients to formulate this great-smelling shampoo, balancing functionality with scent perfectly.
This foaming shampoo is infused with a double-dose of lemongrass oil to hydrate and restore hair that is worn-out from sun, sea, or drying. Created with no parabens, sulfates, or mineral oils, ACURE Curiously Clarifying Shampoo with Lemongrass & Argan is strong enough to tackle damaged hair but gentle enough for everyday use.
The scent of lemongrass will refresh both you and your hair, bringing some brightness to your day or evening. The argan oil in this luxurious shampoo will also help keep your hair healthy and strong.
13. Floyd’s 99 Barbershop Classic Shampoo
The folks at Floyd’s Grooming have come up with a brilliantly-balanced shampoo, managing to clean effectively while not stripping your hair of its natural and essential oils. Suitable for all types of hair, Floyd’s 99 Barbershop Classic Shampoo is gentle enough to be used daily and will moisturize your hair, hair follicles, and scalp all at once.
Their classic shampoo smells of black walnut and cedar, a rare but extremely successful combination of nuttiness and woodiness. Moringa oil has been added to give your hair a healthy shine while protecting it from the sun, along with a complex mixture of vitamins to restore your volume and remove environmental pollutants.
The final ingredient, jojoba oil, will help keep your scalp happy, healthy, and hydrated naturally.
14. Tru Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo
Tru Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo is a gentle and natural shampoo that will help you expertly battle oily, greasy hair, or an itchy scalp. Paired with a premium scent, this shampoo will restore hair health by removing excess oils without stripping your hair’s natural defense against damage.
Tru Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo will bring balance to your scalp, allowing your hair follicles to perform optimally, growing a thick and healthy head of hair. Made with natural ingredients, no parabens or harmful chemicals, and with added natural oils, Tru Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo is good for you and your hair.
The fresh citrus scent of Tru Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo comes with a clear conscience as they don’t test on animals or use any animal products in their range. They also produce everything in the US.
15. Kick Active Tea Tree Shampoo for Men
Tea tree and peppermint are a combination as old as time, and for a reason, their complementary scents mingling in the most delicious way. Kick Active Tea Tree Shampoo for Men has followed in the steps of those before us, employing this lovely pairing to make a powerful but gentle shampoo for men to use every day.
Optimal scalp balance is restored by added tea tree oil, rosemary, aloe vera, and peppermint, the minty and herbaceous scents working wonders on your head.
Kick Active Tea Tree Shampoo for Men comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, meaning if you’re not happy with what you’re getting, you can return it. They can do this because they know you’ll love this shampoo and its spa-like scent.
16. AG Hair Care Natural Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
If you’ve ever struggled with greasy or oily hair you may want to try AG Hair Natural Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo. The addition of apple cider vinegar helps balance the pH of your scalp, carefully removing excess oils or built-up hair product residue, leaving you with shiny and healthy hair without any dehydrating effect.
This sulfate-free shampoo smells amazing too, the natural essential oils coming to life in the hot water. AG Hair Natural Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo lathers up nicely, allowing you to work the carefully-chosen formulation deep into the roots of your hair. Calming lavender, rosemary and sage are a pleasure to the senses.
This shampoo is suitable for all types of hair, so you can give it a go knowing it’s made just for you.
17. Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo
Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo may not be a brand you know, but it should be. This soothing shampoo will give your hair a shine while strengthening it and providing a barrier against heat and moisture-loss.
Sacha inchi seed extract, marula, and argan oil all help restore hydration to damaged or dry hair, improving its look and feel in a natural way. Drunk Elephant Cocomino Glossing Shampoo uses a special blend of amino acids to help restore hair health and balance the pH of your scalp. This means happy hair follicles and happy hair.
The folks at Drunk Elephant have also cleverly included panthenol and sodium PCA to prevent unwanted dehydration of your hair.
18. Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo
Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo with certified-organic peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus botanicals was created in partnership with an upscale boutique to bring you a shampoo that is undeniably salon-quality.
Tea tree is one of the most popular essential oils to use in shampoos; it smells amazing and works wonders on your hair. Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo has no sulfates as many others do, a small but important detail if your hair tends to dry out a bit too easily.
The tea tree oil and peppermint will help revitalize your dry scalp and moisturize your hair, locking in moisture for the whole day. Suitable for all types of hair, Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo is a must-try.
19. Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Two
Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Two will help reduce unwanted and excessive oils from your hair, leaving it with the perfect amount of shine.
The color-safe formulation used by Paul Mitchell is gentle enough for everyday use without having to worry about affecting the color of your hair, and moisture-boosting extracts from wheat will help keep it looking full of life.
Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Two is also vegan and paraben-free, so no worries there either. The fresh and clean scent of Clarifying Shampoo Two will help wake you up in the morning, giving you energy for the upcoming day.
20. Klorane Soothing Sensitive Scalp Shampoo with Organic Peony
Many of us suffer from a sensitive scalp, our head getting irritated and dry from rough shampoos or conditioners, but that won’t be the case with Klorane Soothing Sensitive Scalp Shampoo with Organic Peony.
This shampoo is made specifically for those with sensitive scalps and is formulated to be balanced, calming, and soothing, and to cleanse gently with no residue.
This pH-balanced shampoo is easy on the scalp, the delicate and delicious scent of peony wafting throughout the room. With 85% of the ingredients being of natural origin, Klorane Soothing Sensitive Scalp Shampoo with Organic Peony is dermatologist-tested and vegan.
The peony extract will give you immediate relief from a dry or itchy scalp, and will tantalize your senses as it does so.
21. Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo
Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is one of the best smelling shampoos in 2023 and it’s not hard to know why. Vegan-approved ingredients like Passiflora edulis fruit juice and extracts of aloe vera give this premium shampoo a luxurious scent that is sure to please both your nose and your hair.
Made using a 100% cruelty-free process, Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo will help repair dry hair, reduce frizz and split ends significantly and restore natural shine. The paraben-free formula means Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is suitable for both color-treated and natural hair, so you can wash without worries.
22. Juice Organics Rose Fig Color Protect Shampoo
You can tell by the name that Juice Organics Rose Fig Color Protect Shampoo is going to smell amazing, and you’d be right. Made with at least 70% organic ingredients, this shampoo has a wonderful scent and is good for the environment too.
Juice Organics Rose Fig Color Protect Shampoo will help your hair retain its color thanks to antioxidant-rich fig extract and organic sunflower seed oil, nourishing your hair from tip to root, and locking in the moisture. Blueberry extract adds to the luscious scent, partnering up with organic rosehip oil to restore damaged hair while smelling great.
If you’ve dyed your hair, then Juice Organics Rose Fig Color Protect Shampoo may well be the one for you.
23. Malin + Goetz Moisturizing Shampoo
A moisturizing shampoo can work well and smell great at the same time, and that is what Malin + Goetz have achieved with their moisturizing shampoo. This creamy shampoo uses surfactants made from coconuts, keeping things nice and natural. Amino acids are added to nourish your hair as it is gently cleansed and restored.
The addition of citrus-like citronellol and limonene will revive your hair and mind alike, the naturally-occurring terpenes bringing fresh and bright scents to your shower.
24. Davines Oi Shampoo
Davines Oi Shampoo is infused with roucou oil to make the perfect shampoo for daily-use.
Davines have included antioxidants to help remove impurities from your hair, restoring its former shine and strength without the use of harsh chemicals. The roucou oil can help stimulate melanin synthesis in your hair follicles to maintain your natural hair color, as well as protecting it against damage caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun.
Free of sulfates, Davines Oi Shampoo will give you shiny, soft, and full-bodied hair with a fresh and clean fragrance that will last all day.
25. Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo
Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo is anything but normal. Perfect for all hair types, Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo is gentle enough to be used every day without drying out your hair or stripping it of its natural oils. Not only that, it smells absolutely divine and a little goes a long way.
Linalool and limonene, two naturally-occurring terpenes produced by plants, lend their delicious and citrus-like scent to Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo, giving it a fresh and bright smell that will fill your morning routine..
Extract of red algae has been added to help lock moisture into your hair, enriching it and giving it a healthy shine with great volume. Vegan and cruelty-free, Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo is a top pick.
26. Davines Volu Shampoo
Davines Volu Shampoo has been specially formulated to smell amazing while taking good care of fine or limp hair. The light and foamy formula works into a luxurious lather, ready to be worked into your hair and scalp.
The natural and active ingredients in Davines Volu Shampoo will help give your locks some body and shine, without needing any synthetic or harsh additives. Brassica and turnip root extract will help restore moisture to your hair while boosting body and improving texture, with a delicious citrus-like scent to energize you too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shampoo gives the best smell?
Personal preference is going to play a large role here, but the above list is full of amazing-smelling shampoos for you to choose from. Some shampoos will be floral and herbaceous, while others will be more woody or minty, but each and every one smells great. Have a browse and see what you think sounds best to you!
Can I have good-smelling hair all the time?
Definitely! Scented shampoos are the easiest way to have good-smelling hair all the time, and there is a wide range of scents to choose from. It’s also a good idea to shower regularly as scented shampoos will only smell good for a day or so. Changing your pillowcase regularly may also help keep your hair smelling fresh in between washes.
What is the best scent for a shampoo in 2023?
The best-smelling shampoo in 2023 is going to depend partially on personal preference, but also on how well-formulated the shampoo is. Some commonly enjoyed combinations include tea tree oil and peppermint, peony and citrus, and clean scents like fresh linen.
To know what you enjoy the most it’s a good idea to try out a few different shampoos, you may be surprised by what you find!
