The Best Smelling Shampoos For 2023 Will Make Washing Your Hair Less Of A Chore

Nothing feels better than freshly washed hair when you’ve gone one too many days sweat, hairspray, and dry shampoo pile up. Unfortunately, washing your hair can feel like a chore, especially if you’re not blessed with a mane that dries perfectly naturally. However, having products that smell incredible does make the prospect of washing your hair a little less painful. With that in mind, here are some of the best smelling shampoos of 2023 that you may want to add to your shopping list.

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo

I don’t know about you, but Herbal Essences was peak luxury when I was a kid. Whenever I slept over at my best friend’s house in middle school, they always had this brand in their shower and I loved washing my hair there for that reason. Herbal Essences has gotten much more creative over the years when it comes to the specifications and the smells of their products, and their Hello Hydration line is one of my favorite. It smells like intense coconut, which makes you feel like you’ve just spent the day on the beach on a tropical island. It’s definitely one of the best smelling shampoos on the market, plus it’s friendly on the wallet, which is always a plus.

TeaTree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo 

If you have finer hair and appreciate herby, fresh smells, TeaTree’s Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo is for you. Not only does it actually do what it promises on the bottle – my super fine hair has much more oomph after using it – but it smells incredible. The fresh, light scent feels very clean without being overbearing or getting too medicinal. Plus, you don’t need much to get a good lather going.

Ichikami Smooth and Sleek Shampoo

If you’ve never tried Ichikami before, you’re in for a treat. The Japanese haircare brand is now pretty widely available in the U.S. (and even in Canada and Europe), and it’s well worth the investment. The bottles are massive and last a long time, making them a total bargain for the price. Plus, the Smooth and Sleek shampoo and conditioner line is one of the best smelling ever. It’s lightly floral in a way that feels subtle but elegantly perfumed. Plus, the pump bottles are easy to refill (and you’ll definitely want a refill).

Bedhead Urban Antidotes Recovery Shampoo

I was first introduced Bedhead’s Urban Antidotes at the salon where I get my hair cut. My stylist used it on my hair and I was like, “What is this stuff?!” because it was so good. He told me and I immediately came home and ordered this set from Amazon. The smell is somewhat fruity but it’s hard to describe exactly what notes are in there. It just smells delicious and makes you want to keep sniffing your hair constantly.

Tsubaki Premium Moist Shampoo 

Another Japanese brand that just had to be included on the list. If you have dry hair that needs a bit extra moisture, Tsubaki Premium Moist is a must try. It includes tsubaki oil (hence the name), which adds hydration without weighing your hair down or making it feel greasy. The smell isn’t super strong and doesn’t stay in your hair long, but you can’t help but feel super posh when you’re using the sweely floral shampoo.

Native Moisturizing Shampoo

When it comes to the best smelling shampoos of 2023 (and pretty much ever), Native’s Coconut & Vanilla Moisturizing Shampoo tops many people’s lists. Not only is it great for those of us with dry hair from over-styling or coloring, but the mix of coconut and vanilla is downright scrumptious. You might know the Native brand for its all-natural deodorants, but I couldn’t be happier that they’re branching out into haircare and bodycare products.

Aveda Shampure Shampoo 

Aveda’s Shampure Shampoo is a cult favorite for a reason. The brand advertises Shampure’s “calming aroma,” and they’re not joking around about that. When I use this, I tend to let it sit on my scalp for a few minutes just for the aromatherapy experience it offers. It includes notes of eucalyptus, neroli, ylang ylang, and amber patchouli, making it one of the most relaxing shampoos (and best smelling) available. This one is slightly pricier, but feeling like you just left the spa after washing your hair is worth it.

Aveeno Scalp Soothing Rose Water & Chamomile Shampoo

Listen, if Aveeno is good enough for Jennifer Aniston to promote it, it’s good enough for me. A little less expensive than Aveda but similarly therapeutic, the rose water and chamomile blend of Aveeno’s “sensitive and soft” shampoo feels like a gentle hug, if that makes sense. It’s a shampoo that will literally make your hair feel baby soft and the scent tends to stay around for a few days, as well. It’s not so strong that it’s overwhelming, though, so no worries if you’re sensitive!

The Honest Company 2-in-1 Cleansing Shampoo and Body Wash

I’m a big fan of vanilla, and if you are too, you’ll want to try Honest’s 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash. The citrus vanilla fragrance combines to make this not just one of the best smelling shampoos but one of the best smelling body products in general. Not only that, but it’s hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and not tested on animals. (And for the record, both the lavender and sweet almond scents are just as yummy!)

R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo 

If you’ve never tried R+Co’s Atlantis Moisturizing Shampoo, you’re missing out. Admittedly, my fine hair lacks serious volume and just seems really dull a lot of the time. To that end, I’ve found the ingredients in this shampoo to be super effective in giving it some life back. Not only that, but it smells incredible. Lightly floral with a combination of lotus flower, wild fig, and bergamot, among other smells, it’s a heady smell that’s super inviting.

Davines MINU Color-Retention Shampoo

Davines is luxury haircare, without a doubt. And while all of its shampoos are worthy of being the best smelling of 2023 and every other year, MINU is one of the best. This one works wonders for colored hair like mine, and the fresh orange scent is ridiculously refreshing. It’s a very summery shampoo, to me, and one that I find myself wanting to keep a bottle of around when my hair is suffering the most.

Matrix Mega Sleek Shampoo

Matrix Mega Sleek Shampoo is probably a product you’ve seen at your local salon but never considered buying yourself. Big mistake! It has a super clean scent, which makes you really feel like your hair is, well, clean. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to wash your hair too often, this stuff will leave it feeling much fresher for longer, which is always a good thing, in our books.

Jennifer Still is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. The managing editor of Bolde, she has bylines in Vanity Fair, Business Insider, The New York Times, Glamour, Bon Appetit, and many more. You can follow her on Twitter @jenniferlstill
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