This year we went bigger, better and bolder, with new categories and a fantastic array of local products and brands. Here are the coveted winners that have earned a permanent spot on our vanities – and why it’s this year’s holy grail.

ALSO SEE: W&H Beauty Awards 2024 – Best in Skincare (moisturisers)

Beauty Awards 2024 judges

Meet the expert panel of beauty gurus who determined the W&H Beauty Awards 2024 winners:

Leandri Wahl, W&H Beauty Editor
Jade Smith, W&H Beauty & Content Director
Dr Lauren Knight, Specialist Dermatologist
Carishma Basday, Actor, presenter & content creator
Danielle Weakley, Founder of Influence Studio
Candice-Lee Kannemeyer, Specialist Beauty Writer
Zesipho Mncwango, Content creator

W&H Beauty Awards 2024 – Best in Hair

As judged by our expert panel of beauty gurus, meet the coveted winners of W&H Beauty Awards 2024 Best in Hair:

Best texture spray

Umberto Giannini Boho Beach Waves Coconut Oil Texture Spray R180, Clicks

‘I love a bit of tousled texture, but hate the way salt sprays make my hair feel, which is why this one is a game changer. The mermaid hair of your dreams, without the salt.’ – Leandri

Best shampoo & conditioner for dry hair

Huxley Secret Of Sahara Intense Moisture Shampoo Moroccan Gardener R660 and Intense Moisture Treatment Moroccan Gardener R560, Dermastore

Best shampoo & conditioner for damaged hair

Inoar Hair Therapy Shampoo R935, and Conditioner R935, inoar.co.za

‘Expect volume, hydration and bounce with no residue. It’s the best duo for that salon-like clean, voluminous feeling.’ – Danielle

 

 

Best shampoo & conditioner for colour-treated hair

Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo R470 and Conditioner R510, Superbalist

‘I swear by this range for my bleach-blonde hair. It repairs and softens after highlights and I love that it’s clean and vegan.’
– Jade

Best natural hold mousse

Strong & Beautiful Wrap Set Mousse R94, strong-and- beautiful.com

Best scalp treatment

Kérastase K Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum R1 500, Partners

‘Like the wonders of a good night’s rest, this serum intensely nourishes and strengthens your hair while you sleep, protecting against friction and damage.’ – Leandri

Best multi-purpose leave-in treatment

milk_shake Sun & More Incredible Milk R420, cosmetology.co.za

Best strengthening mask

L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Leave-In Mask R480, Partners

Best volumising spray for fine hair

Niomi Volume Boost Volumising Root Lift Spray R270, niomi.co.za

‘If you have fine, thin hair like me, give this a shot. It lifts and provides believable volume without your hair feeling or looking greasy.’ – Leandri

Best shampoo and conditioner for blondes

System Professional LuxeBlond Shampoo R535 and Hair Moisturiser R545, modernhairbeauty.com

 

 

 

Best scalp stimulator

Niomi Bamboo Scalp Massage Brush R149, niomi.co.za

Best blow-dryer

Moyoko Professional E8 UltraBlast Hairdryer R2 199, mycro-keratin.com

Best anti-frizz treatment

Moroccanoil Frizz Shield Spray R645, Partners

‘A classic product for your hair arsenal – smells heavenly, works like a bomb and does what it says with no fuss. It makes hairstylists out of mere mortals.’ – Danielle

Best glossing system

‘Glass skin, but for your hair. One round of this trio leaves your hair impossibly shiny and smooth, like literal glass.‘ – Leandri

Best daily shampoo

Salvation Little Healing Miracles Shampers Conditioning Shampoo R328.97, salvationlittlehealingmiracles.com

‘More than meets the eye, this gentle shampoo cleanses the hair and scalp without stripping natural oils, making it ideal for daily use.‘ – Leandri

Best natural hair oil

Laakhi Luxury Hair Oil R220, laakhihaircare.com

‘Absolutly amazing treatment hair oil. Easy to apply and wash out. Left my hair feeling soft and luscious.‘ – Carishma

Best gel for edges

Crème of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges Black R139.99, Takealot

‘Edges appear fuller thanks to the dye colourant – great for thinning edges.’ – Zesipho

Best smoothing mask

Sebastian Professional Dark Oil Lightweight Mask R505, modernhairbeauty.com

‘Lovely hair mask for normal, wavy hair like mine that’s colour- treated.’ – Candice

Best braid refresher

Ethnogenics Braid Refresher Spray R88, Clicks

‘When you‘re a few weeks into your braids style and not quite ready to let them go, this is the product you reach for to make the style stretch just a little longer. It makes my braids feel lighter, airy and fresher, rather than adding heavy build-up.‘ – Zesipho

Best dry shampoo

Batiste Dry Shampoo Original R87.99, Dis-Chem

Best curl cream

Mizani True Textures Curl Define Pudding R495, Clicks

‘Great curling cream. Works well to activate curls and keeps them moisturised without weighing them down.’ – Carishma

 

Best restoring hair oil

Mycro Keratin Madame Madame Liquid Gold Intensive Smoothing & Repair Oil R480, mycro-keratin.com

‘Lightweight enough to use on all hair types, with an impressive ability to restore strength and shine. Plus, it smells incredible.‘ – Leandri

Best smoothing hair oil

Motherkind Collagen Natural Hair Nurture Oil R700, motherkindco.co.za

Best hair tonic

Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic with Rosemary R375, weleda.co.za

‘It’s really great. It leaves scalp feeling refreshed and helps with hair growth. And I love that it isn’t oily.’ – Carishma

Best curl refresher

Mizani 25 Miracle Milk R395, Dis-Chem

‘This product has moisture and leaves my curls feeling great and refeshed.‘ – Carishma

Best curl jelly

Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly R170, Clicks

Best heat styling spray

Sebastian Professional No Breaker Hybrid Bonding & Styling Spray R740, modernhairbeauty.com

 

 

ALSO SEE:

W&H Beauty Awards 2024 – Best in Skincare (eye creams & care)