TL;DR: The right formula for your hair type makes everything easier — your style, your frizz, your wash day. Here's how to find it.
Most of us pick a shampoo based on what's on sale or what smells good in the aisle. And honestly? Same. But if your hair never quite does what you want it to do — if it falls flat, frizzes out, feels dry no matter what you use — there's a good chance your formula isn't matched to your hair type. That's the thing about shampoo and conditioner: the right one doesn't just clean your hair. It sets up everything else.
The secret to a really good hair day? Starting with products that are actually designed for your hair. Here's how to figure out what your hair actually needs, and what to look for in a formula.
Start here: what does your hair need most?
Before reaching for any product, it helps to understand what category your hair falls into — and what that means for how it behaves.
Fine or medium hair tends to go flat quickly, get oily at the roots, and feel weighed down by heavy formulas. What it needs: lightweight moisture, lift, and formulas that cleanse thoroughly without leaving residue. Volumizing and thickening shampoos are typically the best fit here — they're designed to add body and bounce without the heaviness that makes fine hair fall flat.
Medium to coarse hair tends to be drier, frizzier, and more resistant to moisture. What it needs: richer conditioning agents, frizz control, and formulas that replenish hydration without stripping. Smoothing and moisture-focused shampoos do the most work for this hair type.
Dry, damaged, or chemically treated hair — regardless of texture — needs intense hydration above all else. Color-treated, bleached, or heat-styled hair loses moisture faster than untreated hair, so the formula needs to actively help restore it.
Thinning or low-density hair needs a different kind of support: scalp stimulation, strand fortification, and ingredients that help build density over time. This is true across textures — fine straight hair and low-density coily hair can both benefit from a thickening formula.
What the different formula types actually do
Once you know your hair's needs, it's easier to understand what you're actually buying — and why it matters which you choose.
Volumizing formulas use lightweight cleansing and conditioning agents that remove excess oil without leaving any weight behind. The goal is lift and bounce, especially at the root. Odele's Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner are lab tested to deliver 2x more volume and lift*, making them an ideal choice for fine to medium, straight to wavy hair types.
Smoothing formulas prioritize frizz control and shine, using higher levels of conditioning agents to tame texture and improve manageability. They work across straight to curly hair, but shine brightest on medium to coarse strands that need more moisture to stay under control. Odele's Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner are lab tested to deliver 7x smoother* hair when used together as a regimen.
Moisture-repair formulas go deepest — designed for hair that's dry, brittle, or stressed from chemical or heat damage. These are rich, intensely hydrating, and best used on wash days rather than daily. Odele's Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner are lab tested to deliver 3x stronger hair after one use*, leaving strands feeling conditioned, smoother, and more manageable.
Thickening formulas work at the scalp and strand level to help support density and fullness over time. Key ingredients like rosemary, caffeine, and biotin help stimulate the scalp and fortify strands — making this category distinct from volumizing, which is more about immediate lift. Odele's Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner are lab tested to help deliver 3x fuller-looking hair.* For even more benefit, follow with a leave-on scalp treatment, like Odele's Rejuvenating Scalp Serum.
According to lab testing using each respective Shampoo and Conditioner as a regimen. Individual results may vary.
You don't have to pick just one
Here's something that often gets overlooked: your shampoo and conditioner don't have to be from the same line. Most people have more than one need — lift and frizz control, or deep hydration and lightness. And with changing seasons, hair changes too. Mixing across formulas is a great way to address all of it.
Some pairings that work well:
Volumizing Shampoo + Smoothing Conditioner — For hair that wants root lift but deals with frizz or flyaways through the lengths. One of the most popular combos, especially in dry or cold climates.
Volumizing Shampoo + Moisture Repair Conditioner — A lighter cleanse with deeper hydration at the ends. Great for color-treated fine hair, especially if you only shampoo a few times per week.
Thickening Shampoo + Smoothing Conditioner — Density-building at the root with frizz control through the lengths. Solid for medium hair that needs a bit more moisture.
Smoothing Shampoo + Volumizing Conditioner — The smoothing cleanse with a lighter conditioner that won't weigh hair down.
The Drop
Choosing the right combination of Shampoo + Conditioner for your hair type and texture sets the stage for great style on day one hair and beyond. Mixing and matching products can be a great option, especially if the condition of your roots is different from he condition of your mid-lengths and ends. Not sure where to start? Take the Hair Quiz and we'll match you with the right regimen — plus any other products worth adding to your routine.
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