Top 10 Shampoos For Curly Hair

WHO IT'S FOR: Have natural curls that are prone to breakage? One of the key ingredients in this rich, non-drying shampoo is Alpha Keratin 60ku, a healing protein identical to the keratin in our hair, which works to repave and refill the keratin in damaged tresses. Plus, it contains jojoba oil and sunflower oil to keep curls moisturized and easy to manage.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: This premium curl shampoo is vegan, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. A win-win for you and the environment. 

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT: A deeply hydrating shampoo, this non-stripping cleanser will moisturize your hair thanks to a blend of rich oils and butters (think avocado oil and shea butter) which work together to combat dryness, reduce frizz, and enhance shine.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: This shampoo is free of sulfates, which means you won’t see a sudsy lather, but you can be sure that you’re still getting all of the cleansing benefits.

WHO ITS FOR: If your frizzy hair also happens to be dry, this lightweight shampoo is for you. Infused with coconut oil, this shampoo quenches hair for soft, hydrated, and manageable curls sans the frizz.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: Those with color-treated hair will find this shampoo to be exceptionally gentle and non-stripping, thanks to L'Oréal's sulfate-free formula.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Praised for its moisturizing power and affordability, it’s no surprise this $8 curl-defining shampoo has racked up more than 900 5-star reviews on Ulta. Formulated with a nourishing blend of coconut oil to add luster and sweet honey to moisturize, your curls are sure to feel smooth, bouncy, and shiny.

USER REVIEW: “The coconut curls line has been a blessing. My wallet is happy with the price, and my hair is healthier than it has ever been. I have tried lots of other products, but most disappointed me. My hair is never crunchy, never too oily, never weighed down, and my frizz has never been this tamed before. My hair is naturally curly, and these products make me love my natural curls for the first time.”

WHO ITS FOR: A rich blend of aloe vera, coconut oil, and papaya extract create a super hydrating formula to help de-frizz curls while enhancing softness and body, making it ideal for those with thick, tightly coiled hair.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: Aloe vera is the first ingredient listed in this paraben-free, vegan shampoo, which means the gel-like formula will give you the right amount of slip to easily aid in protecting and defining your hair’s natural curl pattern.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT: This curl-enhancing shampoo is loved by professional hair stylists and textured users alike. The creamy formula is praised for giving curls volume, shine, and definition, bringing life to even the thinnest, most shapeless curls. Plus, its foamy lather is non-stripping and gentle, so your natural curls are unharmed during the cleansing process.

USER REVIEW: “I have wavy but shapeless, thin hair and therefore have volume problems. Torture. Then I discovered Davines's curly line, and my life changed. My hair is full-bodied, shiny, and has volume and structure. I dry my curls naturally or with the diffuser, and they are perfect. I tried not using the curly shampoo for a few weeks, just to see, and the usual disaster resumed exactly as before. After two Davines shampoos, peace is back. What can I say? Never again without it.”

WHAT IT DOES: Packed with hydrolyzed vegetable protein to build strength from within the hair to reinforce and protect the surface of the hair, this shampoo is designed for any curl type looking to boost shine, softness, and manageability.. It’s also formulated with argan oil and abyssinian oil to nourish and easily detangle strands.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: This strengthening formula is also gentle enough to use on color-treated hair.

WHO IT’s FOR: This gentle cleansing shampoo is made with organic aloe and what protein, so it expands when wet and retracts when dry to enhance waves for those with 2A, 2B, or 2C hair types or those with tighter curls: 3A, 3B or 3C hair types. Bonus: pure plant and flower essences give this shampoo a fresh-smelling aroma.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: Interested in more curl-defining power? Pick up Aveda’s 4-step curl enhancing system to define curls up to 57%.

WHO IT’S FOR: Formulated with glycerin, mango seed butter, coconut oil, and murumuru seed butter, this creamy shampoo gives extra-dry hair an extreme moisture experience one can truly see and feel.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: For intense moisture, you can snag the shampoo, conditioner, and curl butter set all for under $30. 

WHO IT’S FOR: Dry, brittle hair is no match for this super-hydrating formula. Made with silk protein which strengthens and protects hair and coconut and neem oils which restore moisture and add shine, this shampoo was formulated to make cleansing and detangling your dry, thick, curly hair a breeze.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: SheaMoisture sources their shea butter in direct partnership with vulnerable women living in Ghana. When you purchase a SheaMoisture product, it helps disadvantaged Ghanaian women make an ethical wage—one that is two or three times more than the price at which their shea is traded in their local market.