If you haven't noticed, the hair care industry has exploded in recent years. Thanks to viral social media trends and new innovative products that tackle woes like hair loss and general thinning, people seem to be more fascinated than ever before with boosting the health of their hair.
But with so many products on the market that promise results, how do you know what will actually work and ultimately be worth the spend? Luckily, Harper's Bazaar just revealed their 2026 Hair Awards winners, and Jenna Rosenstein, Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Director, stopped by the 3rd hour of TODAY to share six of the Harper's Bazaar team's favorite winners that you'll want to add to your hair routine, immediately.
From an innovative foaming dry shampoo to a red light hair brush, keep reading to check out the featured products from the 2026 Hair Awards. And if you want to see the full list, you can view them all on Harper's Bazaar's website.
Harper’s Bazaar Hair Awards 2026 winners seen on TODAY
Shower repair
Rosenstein says this winner is a staple in her current shower routine. If you have fine, thin or damaged hair, the brand says this shampoo and conditioner combo is "clinically proven" to provide 20% more volume and shine after five washes.
Super stylers and serums
Protect your hair from hot tools and the outdoor elements with this all-in-one, leave-in treatment. According to the brand, the product provides a lightweight mist that can be applied to damp or dry strands, defending against heat up to 450 degrees.
Did you know that daily exposure to UV rays can cause protein damage in hair? Rosenstein explains that a UV repair moment is happening, and this Dove serum and oil provides up to 70 hours of protection to help prevent damage, while also repairing and restoring dull hair.
Tools and style extenders
Red light isn't just for skin; it's been making waves in the hair care world, too. According to the brand, this LED brush offers three light options: red for strengthening, blue for balancing and green for circulation. And Rosenstein says this pick was a favorite among the testers for its effortless detangling and smooth finish.
Harper's Bazaar also named this red light headband a Hair Award winner, too.
This new dry shampoo has a fun foaming formula, which Rosenstein says is similar to a mousse. It's easy to use; just dispense into your palm and gently massage into your roots. The foam evenly distributes and lifts oil and buildup, while also providing moisture.
As a working mom, Rosenstein says she colors her hair at home and calls this root touchup "a lifesaver." This mascara-like wand has a flake-proof formula that instantly covers root regrowth and grays, according to the brand. Plus, you can also use it to enhance and fluff your brows.
More Harper’s Bazaar Hair Awards 2026 winners
You can easily go about your nightly routine with this hands-free red light headband. According to the brand, this device helps support scalp circulation and follicle health for healthier looking hair.
Whether you're creating the perfect slick-back bun or looking to tame frizz, this pocket-size styling stick helps smooth flyaways for a sleek look.
For those experiencing oily hair, the brand says this clarifying shampoo helps purify the scalp without leaving your hair feeling overly dry and stripped.
This styling wand is also Shop TODAY-loved and helps tame even the most stubborn flyaways. "My hair stays in place with the help of this styling cream, especially around my ears, where flyaways tend to hang out," says former associate editor Sierra Hoeger.
Dr. Groot's newest launch is a pre-shampoo detox water that lifts excess build-up within 10 seconds. Our Shop TODAY team also loves this winner, production associate Audrey Ekman says she saw impressive results after the first use.
The brand says this styling wand provides loose and voluminous waves and smooth results. Plus, it only reaches 365 degrees to minimize heat damage.
Harper’s Bazaar Hair Awards 2025 winners
“Healthy hair starts in the shower, and everyone should be using a purifying shampoo to help remove product build-up, but especially those with oily hair,” suggests Rosenstein, such as this award-winning pick from L’Oreal. “If you notice your hair looking limp, greasy, or stringy hours or even a day or two after shampooing, you probably need a stronger shampoo.”
According to the brand, the shampoo is recommended for those with oilier strands.
This affordable hair mask from Dove is what Rosenstein calls “a must-have for busy moms or anyone short on time!” The mask “utilizes a range of proteins and peptides the effects of heat damage and chemical treatments in only 60 seconds,” she adds. And, it only needs to be used about once a week.
Rosenstein describes this powerful hair concentrate as "a lightweight serum that penetrates the hair deep with citric acid, polyglutamic acid, and squalane to strengthen broken bonds, reduce frizz, prevent split ends and boost overall health." For best results (and, of course, protection all day and night long), apply the serum twice daily, but the Harper's Bazaar team loves wearing it overnight.
Olapex's No. 10 Curl Defining Gel promises to repair, define and strengthen waves and curls of all shapes without the frizz or crunch. According to the brand, the gel can even help bring back the curl pattern of damaged curls, too.
Looking to add more volume? You're in luck! Nexxus Hy-Volume Cloud Foam treatment claims to leave the hair three times fuller after just one use. The formula even offers heat and humidity protection without the stiffness or crunch for bouncy, full hair.
Ditch the aerosol cans — this innovative dry shampoo from Briogeo dispenses product via its soft puff. It’s also compact for on-the-go use, no matter if you’re needing to revive hair or touch up oily strands.
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Jenna Rosenstein.
- Jenna Rosenstein is the Beauty Director at Harper’s Bazaar.
How we chose
Jenna Rosenstein, Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Director, and her team curated a list if products that earned top ranks for their Hair Awards. Rosenstein then shared a select number of winners with the Shop TODAY team and TODAY, as well as tips for proper usage.
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