If there’s one category of beauty that we’re ultra-passionate about, it’s haircare.
So we gathered a group of testers with thinning hair to try 20 shampoos that strengthen and regrow locks, and there was one that rose to the top. Before our test, Jaclyn Mastropasqua, a PEOPLE staffer and haircare enthusiast in her early 30s, described her strands as dry and thinning — but after over a year of using the Briogeo Destined for Density Peptide Shampoo, Jaclyn’s hair has been restored to its “bombshell glory days.” Her words, not ours.
Ingredients: Caffeine, biotin, copper peptides, zinc | Hair type: All | Size: 8 ounces | Benefits: Stimulates scalp circulation, nourishes, strengthens, encourages regrowth
For our test, Jaclyn used the Briogeo shampoo over the course of eight weeks. However, she continued using the shampoo for the next year to see how the results changed over time. She used the shampoo three times a week when she’d normally wash her hair, massaging it into her wet hair to create a good lather. She said her hair felt “better than ever before” after rinsing the formula out, and she didn’t feel the need to double cleanse.
This shampoo hit all of the criteria that Jaclyn was looking for in a thinning hair shampoo. With an antioxidant-rich energy complex, biotin, and copper peptides, the formula boosts density, stimulates scalp circulation, and targets the roots for fuller, stronger hair. The Briogeo shampoo is said to work with all hair types, but given these qualities, it’s especially great for those with thinning hair.
Experts Say
Dr. Craig Ziering, board-certified dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon, recommends looking for biotin and caffeine in your shampoo — the two main ingredients in this product.
Dr. Sanjay Batra, a hair loss specialist and co-founder of WeThrivv suggests looking for “disinfectant ingredients” such as “carnosic acid from rosemary or terpinen-4-ol from tea tree oil” to control the overgrowth of microbes on the scalp and promote good bacteria. He says it’s like “medicine for your scalp.”
Having tried several density-building products already (as a self-proclaimed Vegamour fan), Jaclyn appreciated that the Briogeo formula created a nice lather and actually made her hair feel clean — a roadblock she’d run into before. She also liked the fragrant scent and ultra-shiny and smooth results.
It’s nourishing enough on its own, but you can complete the set with the correlating caffeine and biotin-boosted conditioner that goes along with it.
“It smells feminine and feels like it’s truly made for women.” —Jaclyn Mastropasqua, PEOPLE Tester
The Results
Did your hair appear thicker and fuller after the testing period?
Yes, it gave me body back in my hair. The few spots that I was worried about have filled in.
Was it smoother, shinier, or less frizzy?
My hair looks smoother and shinier than ever — it gave me my confidence back.
Did your hair feel weighed down after using the product?
No! This product gave me my hair back. It transformed my thinning, dying hair into its bombshell glory days. Just call up Cher and tell her that we found a way to turn back time.
How was the shampoo on your scalp?
I have extremely dry skin all over and usually have a flaky, dry scalp, but this formula was gentle. Before, the days in between my washes would look like I hadn’t bathed in months — now, it always looks freshly washed.
What did you think of the scent?
It smells like I’ve been galloping in a field of daisies. I would have never thought that something that is supposed to be good for your hair would smell this divine.
At the end of the test, were your results comparable to what the product advertised?
Yes! Noticeably. I’m getting compliments on my hair.
How long until you noticed any results?
I saw the results almost immediately. I did cheat and used a cheap shampoo and conditioner when I went away for a day. Just one wash and my hair turned its back on me. Long story short, I can’t ever go back and will have to live off this product for the rest of my life.
Other Products to Consider for Thinning Hair
Per Jaclyn, the Briogeo Destined for Density Peptide Shampoo is worth it because the formula deeply cleanses without over-stripping the hair, has a fabulous scent, and creates visibly fuller results. After a year’s worth of use, Jaclyn still praises it for having “helped break the cycle” of dry, dull hair.
That said, the second bottle hasn’t been as successful. She’s currently using the Zain1 Natural Hair Growth Shampoo With Snail Mucin to assist her hair’s growth, but still recommends the Briogeo shampoo for someone who needs to give their hair a good shock and a step toward more fullness.