Having curly hair is a gift, but finding the right products can feel a bit overwhelming. We've all been there because every time you reach for a new product, it either gives you frizz or you get dryness. That's why we have curated a list of shampoos dedicated to your curly locks that will transform your wash day routine well.
Be it to cleanse, hydrate, or enhance your natural bounce, you'll find a perfect match for healthy and happy curls.
1. Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight Aloe Vera Shampoo
$15.00 ($2.21 / Fl Oz) at Amazon
Best Gentle Cleansing Shampoo
Pros | Cons |
effective in hydrating and defining curls. | a bit more pricier than other drugstore brands |
Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight Aloe Vera Shampoo is the best shampoo for curly hair types 3A-4C. Made with natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera, it has proven benefits for textured hair.
According to her decade-long users, this shampoo can help hydrate and nourish the hair without weighing it down. It is hands down one of the best shampoos for curly hair.
Key Ingredients: Aloe or Rose Water
2. SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo
$12.49 for 13 fl oz at Ulta
Best Drugstore Shampoo
Pros | Cons |
it is sulfate free and reduces frizz | may not be suitable for other hair types |
SheaMoisture has created an excellent product that is rich in natural emollients such as coconut oil and shea butter. The best shampoo for curly hair, it also contains hibiscus extract that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which aid in the overall health of your hair.
Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Hibiscus Extract
3. Aunt Jackie's Oh So Groovy Curling Lather Shampoo
$6.97 (58.1 ¢/fl oz) at Walmart
Best for Definition
Pros | Cons |
it is moisturizing | missing ingredient list |
Just like its name, Aunt Jackie's Oh So Groovy Curling Lather Shampoo looks golden and fabulous. In comparison to other hair shampoo for curly hair, this one is rich in lather and gives users a satisfactory wash.
Plus, it's gentle enough for everyday use and can be your best product, even for color-treated hair.
Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Extra virgin Olive Oil
4. Ouidad Curl Clarifying Shampoo
$24 for 8.5 Fl Oz at Ulta
Best For Removing Build Up
Pros | Cons |
safe for color treated ahir | not made for everyday use |
Best shampoo for curling hair, Ouidad Curl Clarifying Shampoo uses citrus extracts from lemon, grapefruit, and orange to break down and remove buildup without being harsh on your curls.
Made to retain essential moisture in your hair, it leaves your hair feeling hydrated and manageable.
Key Ingredients:
5. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
$96 for 33.81 fl oz at OLAPLEX.COM
Best for Repair
Pros | Cons |
safe for all hair type | pricey |
Are you wondering what makes Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo unique from other hair curly shampoo? It is sulfate-free and contains ingredients like glycerin or panthenol that attract and retain moisture in hair.
Yes, it is pricier than other drugstore ones but if you compare their formula and results, this shampoo is worth the investment.
Key Ingredients: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
6. Virtue Curl Shampoo
$42 for 8 fl oz at Sephora
Best for Anti-Breakage
Pros | Cons |
they don't test on animals | might not be available at all retail stores |
Unlike many shampoos found in every supermart, Virtue Curl Shampoo has earned its name as a gentle formula because it has ditched ingredients like sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) that are used to create extra lather.
This soothing blend is, loved by all because it works wonders on wavy, curly, and coily hair.
Per reviews on Amazon, you won't be disappointed.
Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku, Water-Soluble Jojoba Oil
7. Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Moisturizing Shampoo
$14.69 for 8 fl oz at Walmart
Best For Maintaining Moisture
Pros | Cons |
has a lightweight formula | mint scent might not be for everyone |
Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Moisturizing Shampoo is a shampoo for curling hair that boasts babassu oil, a lightweight oil derived from the Amazonian palm fruit.
What does the oil do, you ask? It deeply moisturizes the hair without leaving a greasy residue.
Key Ingredients: Almond Protein, Babassu Oil
8. Pattern Beauty Wash Day Shampoo
$25 at Sephora
Best For Coily Hair
Pros | Cons |
works wonders even for dry, damaged, color-treated hair | consumers wish it had a easier application tip |
For coily hair people who use various styling products, Pattern Beauty curly hair shampoo is a blessing. Made with vegan ingredients, this shampoo claims to remove product buildup without leaving your locks dry and frizzy.
Plus, it uses natural ingredients such as honey, biotin, coconut oil, aloe vera, and tea tree leaf oil, which cleanse the scalp and reduce dandruff.
Key Ingredients: Murumuru seed butter, jojoba seed oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein
9. MopTop Salon Gentle Shampoo
$25 for 12 fl oz at MOPTOPHAIR.COM
Best For Sensitive Scalp
Pros | Cons |
best for type 2 curls | limited ingredient information |
This shampoo cleanses your locks gently while also restoring moisture and manageability with carefully concocted sea botanicals, aloe, and honey.
Yes, it's best for type 2 curly hair but it also works fine for other curly hair as well.
Key Ingredients: Aloe, sea botanicals & honey
10. OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo
$7 for 13 fl oz at Amazon
Best for Softening
Pros | Cons |
despite its thick consistency, it doesn’t weigh down even fine-textured hair | it isn’t vegan or cruelty-free |
Per reviews on the internet, this drugstore shampoo fulfills your dream of achieving bouncy curls on a budget. It has a thick consistency which works well for wavy hair and soft curls.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, honey, citrus oil
11. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo
$24 for 8.5 fl oz at Ulta
Best For Deep Hydration
Pros | Cons |
it may help enhance natural curl and fight frizz | limited ingredient information |
For curly hair people battling frizz and tangled hair, shampoo from Ouidad is here to save the day. Best of all, this shampoo is great for all kinds of curls and can also be suitable for hair that has been colored or chemically treated.
Key Ingredients: Corn Oil, Chamomile Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Proteins, Vitamins A and E
12. DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence Coconut Cream Cleanser
$32 for 12 fl oz at DEVACURL.COM
Best for Frizz Control
Pros | Cons |
enhances curl definition | limited lather |
For defined curls, use DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence Coconut Cream Cleanser. This soothing blend nourishes your hair and smoothes out the little flyways.
It might not be as affordable as the drugstore ones, but it does a better job by giving your curls more definition.
Key Ingredients: Rice Protein, Coconut Cream Blend
13. Aveda Be Curly Shampoo
$32 for 8.5 fl oz at AVEDA
Best for Wavy Hair
Pros | Cons |
has ph balancing agents | some consumers aren't satisfied with the smell |
Reach for this moisturizing shampoo formulated with wheat protein and an organic aloe blend. This healthy concoction expands when hair is wet and retracts when dry, aiming to enhance and define curls.
Key Ingredients: Citrus Pure-Fume Aroma, Wheat Protein
14. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!
$39 for 8 fl oz
Best for Moisture
Pros | Cons |
deep conditioning | limited clarity on information |
Yes, Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! is on the pricier side, but its label claims it is designed to target dry, damaged, or color-treated hair, aiming to strengthen and repair strands while adding moisture and shine.
Key Ingredients: Algae extract, panthenol, biotin, rose oil
15. Kerastase Curl Manifesto Sulfate-Free Shampoo
$42 for 8.5 fl oz at Sephora
Best Salon-Level Results
Pros | Cons |
also fights dandruff | pricey |
We have seen people with curly hair struggle to find best shampoo curly hair deserves. Their dry and lost curls is answered right by Kerastase Symbiose Bain Creme Antipelliculaire Antidandruff Shampoo.
The product is specifically targeted for dandruff-prone curly hair and is one of the most sought-after products over the years.
Key Ingredients: Manuka Honey, Glycerin, Ceramides
16. Boucleme Curl Cleanser
$33 for 1 fl oz at Amazon
Best for Nourishment
Pros | Cons |
vegan and cruelty free | on the pricier side |
Filled with natural ingredients like chamomile extract, corn oil, and vitamins A and E, this luxury co wash is better than many sulfate-based shampoos.
Opt for this co wash if you have a sensitive scalp that reacts poorly to harsh sulfates in traditional shampoos.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Wheat Proteins, Vitamins A and E
17. Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing Shampoo
$12.99 for 12 fl oz at DESIGNESSENTIALS
Best Deep Hydration Shampoo For Coily Hair
Pros | Cons |
affordable detangling shampoo | fine hair users might find it heavy |
Want to combat your dry and frizzy hair? Try the avocado and almond infused moisturizing shampoo from Design Essentials that gives your curl a new life.
This shampoo is made to cleanse your hair without stripping off your natural oils, potentially saving time and reducing breakage during detangling.
Key Ingredients: Almond Oil, Avocado Oil
18. KEVIN.MURPHY Hydrate-Me.Wash
$28.63 for 8.4 fl Oz at Amazon
Best for Hydration
Pros | Cons |
revives natural glow | nothing users dislikes about this shampoo |
Per tests done by users from People.com, this shampoo made their hair look healthy and vibrant just after a few uses. Their team praised the gentle cleansing effect of this shampoo, which creates a satisfying lather that spreads easily across the scalp and hair.
It also removes dirt without stripping any healthy oils.
Key Ingredients: Kakadu plum, vitamin A, vitamin C, shea butter, evening primrose oil
19. Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo
$28 for 14 fl oz at Sephora
Best for Scalp
Pros | Cons |
It leaves hair feeling refreshed and salon-quality clean without stripping strands of their moisture | users wish the formula was more nourishing for curly hair |
Users raved on Amazon's comment section about how clean and refreshed their hair felt after every wash with this moisturizing shampoo.
It is because the product utilizes mild cleansing agents that aim to cleanse the scalp and hair without stripping away natural oils, promoting a gentle cleansing experience.
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, baobab oil, wintergreen oil, spearmint oil, peppermint oil