When you’ve been a beauty editor for roughly 247 years, people assume you can pull out some serious hair tricks. But despite having written a lot about hair and styling, I have the actual hair skills of a sea urchin and can’t manage to create anything even remotely close to a hairdo. Not like it would matter, since I have the kind of hair that does nothing. No frizz, no tangles, no flyaways—but also zero bounce, absolutely no texture, and not a whiff of volume either. It’s flat, slippery, and straight; happily washes-and-goes, yet refuses to hold a damn thing—not curls, not roughed-up beachy waves, not even a friggin’ hair elastic. After years of trying to coax it into something it’s not, I’ve learned to wholeheartedly embrace it.

Now, unexciting hair that just behaves is my thing. And mostly because I’ve figured out two non-negotiables that make it look good straight out of the shower: a really solid cut with strategically-placed layers and the right shampoo that removes every trace of dirt, oil, and build-up, all of which makes fine hair look even sadder.

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The shampoo that I always come back to and will never stop buying is a shocker to most, especially considering I have access to pretty much everything out there. It’s Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo and it’s the best—even if you’re not the lucky beneficiary of pesky dandruff. There’s nothing particularly sexy about it, but I have no issues with that. It’s just excellent at deep cleaning without stripping, makes my scalp feel fresh, and has a really pleasant, not-too-flowery scent that’s good for ladies and dudes. Plus, it makes my hair insanely shiny and obliterates flakiness, so you don’t have to go around being all self-conscious. I start to panic when I run out. That’s how much I love it.

I’ve tried the $60 shampoos and can honestly say they worked no better than this stuff that’s $8 and change. In fact, this underrated formula has out-performed countless fancy/Instagram-worthy shampoos that I’ve tried, which are usually way too “nourishing” and heavy. It isn’t particularly hydrating, but for me that’s a good thing: It helps provide a boost for my droopy little locks, especially when I wash my hair twice and don’t use conditioner. If your hair is curly, thick, dry, color-treated, or in-any-way work to style, I get if you’d rather invest. There is, after all, a reason why hair type-specific formulas exist. But when you’re looking for something basic—in the best possible way—that gives good hair on the reg, this affordable gem does not disappoint.

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo, $8.81, amazon.com

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