I know I'm not supposed to wash my hair every day, but it's hard not to when some of the shampoos I have smell so incredible. And since aromatherapy is basically a tenant of self-care, I asked PureWow editors to share the most scent-worthy hair cleansers that they currently have in their showers. From floral-scented formulas (ahem, Kristin Ess Signature One) to fresh and fruity fragrances (such as the surprisingly amazing Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Shampoo) to the best overall pick that works for all hair types, here are the best-smelling shampoos of 2025, vetted by PureWow editors.
The 14 Best-Smelling Shampoos That'll Make You Never Want to Leave the Shower, Vetted by PureWow Editors
Including Kristin Ess, Pattern and more
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Updated Aug 7, 2025
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Dasha Burobina/PureWow
The Best-Smelling Shampoos at a Glance
1
Best Overall
Kristin Ess One Signature Shampoo
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2
Best Citrus Scent
Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo
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3
Best Woodsy Scent
Ranavat Regenerative Bond Repair Shampoo
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4
Best Shampoo Bar
Viori Shampoo Bar
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5
Best for Dry Hair
Lush Honey Shampoo
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How I Chose the Best-Smelling Shampoos
Aside from my own favorites, I asked PureWow editors to share their best-smelling shampoos—no gatekeeping here—and why their picks go beyond the delicious scent. I also did further research and went through countless reviews from retailers like Dermstore, Ulta Beauty and Sephora to confirm these picks were solid. I focused on featuring the top-reviewed fragrance from a range of scents (fruity, floral, woody, herbaceous—you name it), but I didn’t stop there: I also considered the ingredients panel and how each shampoo performed on different hair types. (Because yes, you want it to smell good, but the shampoo better be effective too, right?)
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Best Overall
1. Kristin Ess One Signature Shampoo
What We Like
- contains avocado oil
- rich lather
- safe for color-treated hair
What We Don't Like
- may be drying for some hair types
Kristin Ess Hair
With more than 2,000 five-star reviews on Ulta, customers enjoy the pleasant fragrance of this shampoo every time wash day comes along. Featuring avocado and castor oil, the formula adds shine and moisture back to dull strands without weighing down finer strands. And if you can't get enough of the scent, the brand also sells it in perfume form. Win-win. "The shampoo isn't too heavy for my fine hair, and the scent is elevated. It's floral and lightly fruity—more like a fragrance than your typical shampoo—but it doesn't linger once your hair has dried," says Candace Davison, VP of Editorial at PureWow.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: fruity
- Best for: fine, brittle and/or damaged hair
- Benefits: moisturizing, lightweight
- Key Ingredients: avocado, castor oil
- Sizes: 10 oz to 33.8 oz
Best Citrus Scent
2. Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo
What We Like
- clean ingredients
- great for thin hair
- contains protein
What We Don't Like
- not suitable for sensitive scalps
- mild lather
Vegamour
If you're looking for a protein-based shampoo that also smells like calming aromatherapy, look no further than this shampoo. The formula features B-silk protein, which aims to improve shine and protect strands. It also includes phytoactives that enhance thickness and reduce shedding—plus, karmatin, which has been proven to strengthen and restore damaged cuticles. "OMG, the natural bergamot scent of the Vegamour GRO Shampoo is so light and botanical. It’s not at all the [typical] overwhelming (sometimes nauseating) scented shampoo experience. It’s so uplifting, clean-smelling and thickening, which is great, says PureWow Senior Editor Dana Dickey.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: bergamot
- Best for: thinning
- Benefits: strengthening, restoring
- Key Ingredients: karamatin, bioactives, biotin
- Sizes: 1.7 oz to 16.9 oz
Best Woodsy Scent
3. Ranavat Regenerative Bond Repair Shampoo
What We Like
- great for dry scalps
- contains hyaluronic acid
- creamy formula
What We Don't Like
- not suitable for oily scalps
Ranavat
Any hair type will appreciate having this shampoo in their rotation. The creamy formula includes hyaluronic acid and ashwagandha to hydrate and soothe the scalp—so no flakes, itchiness *or* dryness here. It also contains pink lotus, hibiscus and amla to soften, condition and strengthen strands. "The woodsy fragrance adds a nice touch," notes Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: warm, woodsy
- Best for: dryness, itchy scalp, flakes
- Benefits: hydrating, softening
- Key Ingredients: pink lotus, hibiscus, ashwagandha, amla
- Sizes 8 oz
Best Shampoo Bar
What We Like
- plastic-free
- ethically sourced
- vegan formula
What We Don't Like
- may be drying for some hair types
Viori
Shampoo bars are a great sustainable option and this bar has rave reviews for cleansing and restoring the scalp and hair, including a stellar one from SEO Editor Marissa Wu. “It’s been roughly a month, and I haven’t even made my way through a quarter of the bar. It’s almost scandalous how little product I need for a good lather. And my hair feels just as clean and soft (if not softer),” she wrote in a review. The main ingredient, longsheng rice, has a history of renewing and repairing hair. The formula also features cocoa butter, shea butter and aloe vera that aims to condition and strengthen strands. Plus, customers enjoy having the fresh-smelling bar in their routine.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: grapefruit, orange, lemon, vanilla
- Best for: dryness, brittle strands, low density
- Benefits: restoring, conditioning
- Key Ingredients: longsheng rice water, cocoa butter, hydrolyzed rice protein
- Sizes: 2.8 oz
Best for Dry Hair
What We Like
- moisturizing
- improves shine
- adds softness
What We Don't Like
- may feel drying for some hair types
Lush
Lush is no stranger to wonderful scents, and this shampoo is no different. Made of 50 percent honey and 20 percent linseed mucilage, expect a boost of hydration and softer locks. As Associate Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera shares, “Since honey's the first ingredient, it really does smell like it and lingers in my hair even after washing it out (which I love!). This shampoo is also *so* moisturizing and it's available in a bunch of sizes, from travel to jumbo. I always follow it up with the Candy Rain conditioner, and my hair just smells amazing.”
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: honey
- Best for: dryness, dullness
- Benefits: moisturizing, soothing
- Key Ingredients: honey, rose, linseed
- Sizes: 1.8 oz to 33.8 oz
Great for Fine Hair
6. R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo
What We Like
- great for thin and/or fine hair
- helps balance oil production
- improves shien
What We Don't Like
- some reviewers noticed drier ends
R and Co
Another favorite of Wu’s? The R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo, which she says lives up to hype. It’s formulated with juniper berry extract that aims to balance oil production and add moisture without weighing down the hair. It also has glycerin to maintain moisture, babassu seed oil for deep conditioning and marigold flower extract to hydrate strands and remove flakes. But don’t take my word for it: “The formula is so decadent, but not heavy on my fine/thin hair. The fragrance has cardamom, pineapple, tangerine, lavender, bamboo and blonde woods. The pineapple and tangerine are the strongest without being nauseatingly tropical, and the lavender is a ghost note that comes after everything's been washed away,” Wu says.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: cardamon, pineapple, tangerine, lavender, bamboo, blonde woods
- Best for: oiliness, dryness
- Benefits: detoxifying, balancing
- Key Ingredients: juniper berry extract, glycerin, babassu seed oil
- Sizes: 1.7 oz to 33.8 oz
Most Calming Scent
What We Like
- strengthens strands
- improves shine
- rich lather
What We Don't Like
- finicky bottle
Cecred
I’ve tried hundreds of shampoos, and I still can’t stop thinking about Cecréd. With notes of oud, Australian sandalwood, warm musk, jasmine, violet leaves *and* Haitian vetiver, I have my very own spa right in my bathroom (and the scent comes in candle form, too!). Fragrance aside, it has done wonders for my curls since the formula has a signature mixture that features hydrolyzed keratin and honey to reduce breakage, repair strands and balance scalp. It also has hyaluronic acid and African oil blend (baobab, moringa and black seed oil) to improve shine and lock in moisture.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: oud, Australian sandalwood, warm musk, jasmine, violet leaves, Haitian vetiver
- Best for: breakage, dryness, oiliness
- Benefits: balancing, strengthening
- Key Ingredients: keratin, honey, hyaluronic acid, baobab oil
- Sizes: 8.0 oz
Great for Curly Hair
What We Like
- hydrating
- great for all curl types
- rich lather
What We Don't Like
- may feel drying for some hair types
Pattern
As a curly gal, I rely on shampoos that cleanses the scalp and locks in moisture. This hydration shampoo has been a staple in my routine for years. It’s formulated with aloe, honey and coconut oil to remove any build up and clear the scalp without stripping away my natural oils. The texture is so creamy and gentle on my hair, and I feel squeaky clean afterwards. As for the fragrance, it’s the right amount without being too overwhelming. You’ll find key notes of jasmine, sandalwood and bergamot that’s pleasing to all noses.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: jasmine, sandalwood, bergamot
- Best for: dryness, dullness
- Benefits: balancing, moisturizing
- Key Ingredients: aloe, honey, coconut oil
- Sizes: 9.8 oz to 25 oz
Best Earthy Scent
9. Flamingo Estate Rosemary & Ionian Bergamot Shampoo
What We Like
- gentle formula
- great for scalp health
- improves shine
What We Don't Like
- expensive
Flamingo Estate
This shampoo prides itself on offering the best in hair health. It’s packed with nourishing oils (like babassu, jojoba and avocado), as well as aloe, biotin, vitamin B5 and barley seed extract. While the formula is impressive, it’s also known as one of the best-smelling shampoos out there. “Do you remember those '90s shampoo commercials where the showers transformed into rainforests? That's what it feels like every time I wash my hair with Flamingo Estate's shampoo, except instead of a tropical jungle, I'm transported to an idyllic herb garden,” says Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida. “The blend of botanicals like rosemary and bergamot in this formula result in an earthy and calming scent that I can't help but take a deep sniff of whenever I use it. Plus, it's super gentle on my hair and leaves it feeling light and clean.”
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: clary sage, Australian eucalptus, rosemary, lavender
- Best for: dryness, flatness
- Benefits: balancing, moisturizing
- Key Ingredients: babassu seed oil, pracaxi seed oil, barley seed, olive oil
- Sizes: 16.9 oz
Most Volumizing Shampoo
10. Fable & Mane Volumizing Shampoo
What We Like
- rich lather
- lightweight formula
- great for fine to medium hair
What We Don't Like
- expensive
Fable & Mane
If you’re searching for a shampoo that adds fullness and smells wonderful, look no further than this editor-approved cleanser. Formulated with fenugreek seed, onion juice and amla extract, it encourages healthy hair growth, improves volume and conditions strands. "I love Fable & Mane's products not just for their intensely nourishing formulas, but also for their rich, evocative aromas. This volumizing shampoo in particular fills my shower with a warm, smoky and somewhat spicy scent by way of Indian saffron, nutmeg, rose Damascena and jasmine sambac, with a touch of incense and sandalwood. It's a fittingly luxurious fragrance for a product that feels just as fancy," raves Maida.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: Indian saffron, nutmeg, rose Damascena, Indian jamine, sandalwood
- Best for: flat/limp hair, thinning, breakage
- Benefits: strengthening, volumizing
- Key Ingredients: fenugreek seed, onion juice, amla extract
- Sizes: 8.5 oz
Most Hydrating
11. Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo
What We Like
- great for dry hair
- contains avocado and jojoba oil
- creamy formula
What We Don't Like
- not great for fine or coarse hair
Aussie
This drugstore shampoo is a true classic—and has over 5,000 five-star reviews that attest to its greatness. Former editor Olivia Dubyak told me, "It may not be luxurious or trendy, but Aussie always smells incredible. I switched over to drugstore shampoos after spending so much money on brands that weren't doing anything for my highlighted hair. Not only is Aussie giving me volume, shine [and] softness to my locks, it smells like a summer vacation with a splash of nostalgia (since I also used this when I was a kid)." Infused with avocado and jojoba oil, it offers intense hydration to super dry strands and leaves a light citrus scent in its wake. The budget-friendly price tag is a nice bonus too.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: citrus
- Best for: dryness, dullness, color-treated hair
- Benefits: hydrating, affordable
- Key Ingredients: avocado, jojoba oil
- Sizes: 26. 2 oz
Best Fruity Scent
12. Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Shampoo
What We Like
- clean ingredients
- great for oily scalps
What We Don't Like
- watery formula
Briogeo
Who knew mango and cherry would smell so good together? Our editors, of course. "It smells like Fruit Stripe gum in the best way—very nostalgic and sweet but not cloying at all," shared former Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen. The nutrient-rich blend includes mango extract, papaya enzymes and cherry extract to support scalp and hair health, balance oil production and improve dullness. Former Assistant Editor Delia Curtis added, "The scent is divine! The pairing is so unexpected, but fun. It smells tropical and brings me back to the shampoos I used as a kid. But it has an elevated flair that's not overpowering."
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: papaya, mango
- Best for: oiliness, dullness, color-treated hair
- Benefits: nourishing
- Key Ingredients: papaya enzymes, mango extract, cherry extract
- Sizes: 12.5 oz
Most Calming Scent
13. Aveeno Rose Water & Chamomile Shampoo
What We Like
- great for sensitive scalps
- safe for color-treated hair
- contains colloidal oat
What We Don't Like
- doesn't lather well
Aveeno
This gentle shampoo is loved by reviewers and editors alike, thanks to its main ingredient: colloidal oat, which is known to soothe and cleanse the scalp. Add rose water and chamomile to the mix, and you have yourself a spa in a bottle. "It's very light and fresh and doesn’t smell like fake roses,” says Rachel Gulmi, former Operations Director of Branded Content. “[This shampoo] leaves my hair feeling so soft and honestly, it makes me smile whenever I use it because of how good it smells.” Plus, it's safe for all hair types but works especially well on fine hair and for those with sensitive scalps, as it cleanses and nourishes without causing irritation or dryness.
Fast Facts
- Scent Notes: bergamot, rose, blackberry musk
- Best for: sensitive scalps
- Benefits: soothing, nourishing
- Key Ingredients: colloidal oat, rose water, chamomile
- Size: 12 oz
Best Fresh Scent
14. Aēsop Shampoo
What We Like
- gentle formula
- contains panthenol
- adds softness
What We Don't Like
- pricey
Aēsop
You deserve the fancy hotel treatment, and this shampoo by Aēsop would look great on your shower shelves. The clarifying formula promises to remove build-up, condition hair and smooth down flyaways. Infused with an earthy scent of frankincense, cedar and bergamot, it adds a crisp freshness to your locks. "I find all Aēsop products irresistible despite their high price, but their classic shampoo is a really nice woody-citrusy scent that's gender neutral but not overly cologne-y—call it a "quiet luxury" shampoo. I have been nursing a tiny travel-size bottle that I snuck from a hotel, but I just might splurge when that runs out," wrote Gillen.
Fast Facts
- Scent notes: frankincense, cedar, bergamot
- Best for: oily scalp, dryness, brittle strands
- Benefits: clarifying, smoothing
- Key Ingredients: frankincense, panthenol
- Size: 17.6 oz
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