If you wish to hear a romantic song about your hair (a la yeh reshmi zulfein), you need to have really lustrous hair. The first and most important part of your hair care regime is the shampooing. Shampoo is meant to remove grime oils, and dirt from your hair. But there are umpteen different brands to choose from, and even more types within those brands. So do you just choose the one with the best ad campaign? Na na kudiye!!!

Here, we run down the best shampoos for 4 different hair types.

Coarse & Curly Strands: Curly hair implies dryness and the reason is the sebum produced in the scalp doesnt travel as easily down the hair shaft as it does with straight hair. Creamy, moisturizing shampoos work best for this hair texture. Look for wheat germ oil, Shea butter and nut oils (macadamia, for example) in your shampoos.

Fine, Thin, Oily Or Limp Hair: Fine hair is most susceptible to looking oily and can get this way after only one day. Opt for clear shampoos and stay away from the creamy ones. You want a gentle shampoo marked for daily or frequent washing. The secret to a fine hair shampoo lies in a bodybuilding ingredient called panthenol. Hair experts swear that panthenol penetrates the hair cuticle, making each strand thicker.

Another Tip: Use a dry shampoo or talcum powder between washes. Not only will the powder soak up oils, but it adds body as well.

Processed Or Treated Hair: Adding moisture is essential for colored, permed and relaxed hair. Unfortunately, overly-processed hair can suffer from oily roots but dry shafts and ends. Therefore, washing processed hair can be tricky business. You want to cleanse the roots while moisturizing the ends. We suggest washing hair every other day with a shampoo made for normal hair. Concentrate on cleaning the scalp. Then use a strong conditioner only mid-shaft to the ends of the hair.

Here are other shampoo tips for the following processed hair types:

Colored: Hair experts swear color-protection shampoos contain gentle cleansers and ingredients that preserve color. Others suggest using a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo works just as well.

Permed Or Relaxed: Any moisturizing shampoo will work for your hair type but apply it only to roots and rub it in well. Then apply a quick burst of water. While the water is running down the hair shaft, massage the hair to remove any dirt and grime. Rinse well. You dont want to skip conditioner. Make sure to apply conditioner from the
roots to the tips.

Dry, Damaged Hair: You need more moisture and oil in your mane, gal. Avoid clear shampoos and go straight for the creamy ones. These shampoos smooth, detangle and diffuse static.