Since kinky hair is so dry, the majority of the kinky-haired community has a very negative opinion about shampoos. They mostly associate shampoos with dryness and stripped hair. As a result, most people with kinky hair think they need to give up shampoos if they want to keep their hair safe.
This is how the curly girl method where you give up shampoos altogether came to be. While there’s nothing wrong with going the curly girl way, we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to give you shampoos if you don’t want to thanks to shampoos that are specifically designed for kinky-haired people.
These specialized shampoos are different from the usual or mainstream shampoos in two ways. The first is that they’re designed to penetrate deeper towards your scalp because tightly coiled hair can prove to be a strong barrier and the other is that they’re incredibly moisturizing. They’re designed to provide as much hydration as possible because that is the one thing that kinky hair needs most.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo |
| Volume: 13 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $0.54 |
| This is the most hydrating and moisturizing shampoo in the market right now which makes it perfect for even the driest and kinkiest of hair, helps against hair damage and uses aloe vera juice as the base. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo & Hair Conditioner |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Volume: 2 x 16.9 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $0.88 |
| This set presents the perfect blend of benefits since the shampoo clarifies and removes all buildup while conditioner moisturizes hair from the inside out. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Design Essentials Natural Agave & Lavender Moisturizing Shampoo |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Product Type: Shampoo |
| Volume: 8 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $1.00 |
| The most ideal option for people who like to use hot tools and style their Type 4 hair because it moisturizes and protects the hair from heat damage. |
| Check Amazon |
The fact that you’ve arrived at this guide for finding the best shampoos for kinky hair shows us that you’re already well aware of the inherent needs of your kinky hair. More importantly, it shows us that you know or suspect that a certain kind of shampoo can help your hair. Therefore, you’re already ahead of many other kinky-haired individuals.
On this page, we’ll be reviewing the best shampoos for kinky hair spanning multiple price brackets i.e. budget, value, and premium. However, before we get down to the reviews, let’s take a quick primer on kinky hair. If you wish to skip the knowledge section, the following quick-click navigation panel will be your friend.
- What Is Kinky Hair?
- How Should You Take Care of Your Kinky Hair?
- What Kind of Shampoo Is Right for Kinky Hair?
- Top 10 Shampoos for Kinky Hair Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
What Is Kinky Hair?
When it comes to curly hair, kinky is the most extreme variation. The technical term for kinky hair is Type 4 but it is also commonly referred to as coily or afro-textured hair.
The thing with Type 4 hair is that hair strands tend to form very tight curls, kinks, and zigzags. Within the Type 4 category, there are three subcategories of 4A, 4B, and 4C. The three subcategories represent curls in increasing order of curl intensity and tightness of the curls.
Because of the intensely curled form and texture, the biggest problem people with kinky hair face is dryness. Kinky hair, in fact, is the driest type of hair because the natural oils or sebum produced by the scalp is unable to travel down the hair length. The reasoning is as simple as the fact that the effects of gravity are defeated by the curls.
The tight curls can end up trapping things too. This includes everything from dust to the products being used. As a result, the buildup is the second biggest concern amongst people with kinky hair. This is also the reason why most shampoos for kinky hair are either designed as strong clarifying shampoos or intensely hydrating shampoos.
How Should You Take Care of Your Kinky Hair?
There are various techniques and regimes that kinky-haired people use to take care of their hair. However, most of these techniques or regimes revolve around preventing moisture loss. In fact, such is the uniformity of requirements that most of these regimes revolve around three steps.
The first step is usually about adding moisture to the hair. It is often called pre-poo or the step before using a shampoo. In this step, oils or conditioners are applied to the hair. The reasoning for this step is that since shampoos are supposed to remove oils from hair, applying oil before a wash makes sure that the hair isn’t completely stripped dry.
The second step is the washing of the hair. Since shampoos are expected to strip the hair of its oils, most washing techniques don’t rely on shampoos.Instead, these techniques depend on other things like cleansing conditioners, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, or even bentonite clay. However, if the shampoo being used is specifically created for Type 4 hair, it can be used without any worries of the hair being stripped of its oils.
The final step is again about adding moisture to the hair. In this step, strong conditioners specializing in hydration are advised. Sometimes, there’s an extra step after this focusing on even more moisturization through masks and serums.
You can follow these basic steps or modify them in ways that suit your lifestyle and preferences better. We don’t recommend washing your hair every day, though. Depending on your requirements, you can wash your hair once a week, twice a week, or even every two days.
We suggest avoiding a routine where you wash your hair daily. It will not only damage your hair in the long term but also ruin the appearance of your curls in the short term.
What Kind of Shampoo Is Right for Kinky Hair?
As should be obvious by now, the single most important trait of a shampoo meant for kinky hair is hydration. This means that it should contain ingredients that provide intense moisturization such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, avocado oil, honey, shea butter, castor oil, and sweet almond oil amongst other.
While buying a shampoo for your hair, you also need to keep in mind that kinky hair is very susceptible to damage. Since it doesn’t have the protection of natural oils from the scalp, it is very prone to damage from harmful and harsh substances.
Typically, this means synthetic or artificial ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. The most problematic of these ingredients are sulfates. Shampoos are expected to strip the hair of its natural oils because most shampoos contain sulfates. In the shampoo world, it is the go-to ingredient when a product needs to offer heavy-duty cleansing.
While most hair types can handle sulfates, kinky hair cannot because they already lack sufficient natural oils. Therefore, if you want a clarifying shampoo for your kinky hair, you need a shampoo that has great cleansing power but without the inclusion of sulfates.
Top 10 Shampoos for Kinky Hair Comparison Table
Top 4 Budget Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
1. Head and Shoulders Royal Oils Moisture Boost Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Head and Shoulders is one of the most popular mainstream shampoo brands but it is known more for dandruff relief than anything else. It is also a brand that has a reputation for featuring products that tend to dry hair excessively. The brand’s Royal Oils collection takes the best of this brand while trying to remove its primary flaw.
The collection features products that have been specially formulated to offer intense hydration along with the usual benefits of Head and Shoulders shampoos. This Moisture Boost Shampoo is one such product, making it a good option for people with kinky hair.
Like all other products in this range of products, this shampoo also lists coconut oil as one of its primary ingredients. Coconut oil is the reason why this shampoo is so good at hydrating dry hair. However, this doesn’t mean that this shampoo doesn’t offer the benefit that Head and Shoulders is primarily famous for. It does.
This shampoo moisturizes the hair and balances hydration in the scalp while combating dandruff and associated problems. For instance, this shampoo will be a good choice if you have kinky hair and are always struggling with an itchy or excessively dry scalp. The better hydration for the hair, incidentally, means that this shampoo will leave your hair softer than before.
Coconut oil’s presence also means that this shampoo has a distinct coconut smell. While some people may find this smell tropical and reminisce of their vacations, a few may not appreciate it.
Like all Head and Shoulders shampoos, this one is also accomplished at producing a rich lather. However, this comes at the cost of having sulfates in the formula. These sulfates, as is their nature, constantly battle against the coconut oil and its moisturizing ability.
Because of this inherent division, this shampoo cannot claim a 100 percent success rate. There are a few users who say that it leaves their hair dry and their dandruff untouched. Apart from the sulfates, though, this shampoo doesn’t contain other artificial ingredients such as parabens and dyes.
This shampoo, as is the case with all other Head and Shoulders shampoos, is very pocket-friendly. It should be well within the reach of every individual, regardless of their financial status.
We should also add that the bottle doesn’t come with a pump. Even if this leads to wastage, though, it shouldn’t bother your pocket much.
Who’s it for: If, along with kinky hair, you also have a very dry scalp with dandruff, get this shampoo from the Head and Shoulders Royal Oils collection.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 13.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Pyrithione Zinc (1%), sulfates, silicones, zinc carbonate, coconut derived cleansers, and coconut oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at dealing with dandruff |
| Hydrates hair at the same time |
| Smells of coconuts |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Very cheap product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t work for everyone |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| Contains sulfates |
| Everyone may not like the smell |
2. Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
This is easily one of the best shampoos anyone can get for their kinky hair. In fact, the kinkier your hair, the more you’re likely to benefit from this shampoo because it is designed for extremely dry and damaged hair. After all, everyone with curly hair knows that extremely kinky and coily hair tends towards excessive dryness and damage too.
This shampoo is so excellent at moisturizing dry hair because it contains three of the strongest moisturizers found in nature. These are shea butter, coconut oil, and macadamia oil. Each of these three ingredients offers multiple nutrients to nourish the hair along with heavy-duty hydration. The result is softer hair with zero frizz and split ends.
This moisture and nutrition also help heal damaged hair. In fact, this shampoo is so good at moisturizing that many people’s hair may not be able to handle it. For example, if your hair is not very dry then this shampoo can weigh it down or make it greasy.
The best part about this shampoo’s formula is that its ingredients are not suspended in highly-processed compounds, even if they’re usually derived from natural sources. Instead, this shampoo uses 100 percent aloe vera leaf juice as its base. This means that all the lesser ingredients are mixed into pure aloe vera juice.
The aloe vera, by the way, doesn’t make this shampoo acidic because this shampoo has a categorically pH-balanced formula. Naturally, if you’re allergic to aloe vera or react to it in any way then this is something you need to keep in mind before buying this shampoo. It might even be a good idea to do a patch test with a generic aloe vera leaf first.
Even though there’s more aloe vera in this shampoo than other ingredients, it still smells of coconut. While most people like these kinds of tropical smell, a few of you may not. The shampoo is completely free of artificial ingredients including parabens, silicones, and sulfates. It still lathers handsomely, however.
You can get this shampoo in two different sizes and both the bottles are very competitively priced. One bottle contains 13 ounces and is meant to be used at home while the other one is a travel bottle containing only 3.3 ounces of the shampoo.
Neither bottle will come with a dispensing pump.
Who’s it for: If your kinky hair is super dry and you cannot get enough moisture, get this Maui Moisture shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 13 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, coconut water, shea butter, coconut oil, and macadamia seed oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at moisturizing dry hair |
| Helps against hair damage |
| Uses aloe vera juice as the base |
| Smells of coconuts |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Available in two different sizes |
| Very cheap product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| It might be a bit too strong at moisturizing |
| Aloe vera base can irritate some people |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| Everyone may not like the smell |
3. Design Essentials Honey Creme Moisture Retention Super Detangling Conditioning Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Design Essentials is a very famous brand amongst curly-haired men and women. The first reason for this is that their shampoos and other hair products really do well for that hair type. The second and third reasons are that they have a wide variety of products on offer across multiple price brackets.
In fact, all these qualities are so critical that there are multiple Design Essentials shampoos in this guide. The first of these is the Honey crème Moisture Retention Super Detangling Conditioning Shampoo which was earlier known as just Moisture Retention Conditioning Shampoo.
This shampoo specializes in detangling extremely dry and curly hair. It does this by offering extreme levels of moisturization. The main reason for this intense moisturization is honey crème.
The formula of this shampoo includes so much honey crème that its extremely thick and viscous consistency makes it difficult to spread in the hair. In fact, it is so thick that it stops the dispensing pump this bottle comes with from working.
Fortunately, the shampoo’s viscosity also means that you won’t have to use a lot of it in every wash. A little bit will do wonders for your very dry hair. For example, your hair will be very soft and smooth with awesome slip after a wash.
On the other hand, if your hair is not very dry, you can end up with heavily weighed down and greased up hair after a wash. In fact, you can expect your hair to get heavy even if your hair type is normal to dry i.e. slightly dry.
The biggest flaw of this shampoo is also related to its ingredients. Specifically speaking, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding its ingredients. The company claims that this shampoo doesn’t have certain ingredients but the bottle says otherwise. Even their website seems a little confused with information in texts and images contradicting each other.
The primary culprit behind this discrepancy is an ingredient called ammonium lauryl sulfate. Yes, it’s a type of sulfate responsible for creating lather and cleansing the hair. It is one of the primary ingredients in this shampoo, as per the bottle but the companysays that this is a sulfate-free shampoo. However, considering the large amount of lather it produces, we are more inclined to believe the bottle.
The scent of this shampoo is fairly subtle and soft. It smells sweet because of the honey. It also has a freshness to it similar to the smell of citrus fruits.
You can get this shampoo in two differently sized bottles. The standard bottle has eight ounces of the product while the bigger bottle can hold 32 ounces of the stuff. The bigger bottle is the one that makes this shampoo affordable. If you go for the standard bottle, then this shampoo turns out to be quite expensive.
Who’s it for: If you have very dry hair and don’t mind some sulfates in your hair get this shampoo from Design Essentials.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 32 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Sulfates and honey |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at moisturizing dry hair |
| Good at detangling hair too |
| Has a gentle, citrusy, and fresh smell |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with a pump |
| Available in two different sizes |
| Very cheap product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The pump doesn’t work very well |
| Contains sulfates |
| It might be a bit too strong at moisturizing |
4. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Shea Moisture is another go-to name amongst curly-haired people. In fact, this brand’s popularity can be attributed to this particular shampoo. This shampoo is special because it manages to combine two things that no other shampoo has till now – cleansing and moisturizing. Most shampoos can do one or the other but none can do both at the same time.
Named Strengthen & Restore, this shampoo can perform both these tasks simultaneously because it contains Jamaican black castor oil. Jamaican black castor oil is acidic which allows it to cleanse and hydrate at the same time.
When it comes to hydration, the Jamaican black castor oil’s inherent abilitiesare supported by the presence of shea butter in large quantities. This shampoo also makes the scalp tingle which is a property derived from its peppermint oil content.
While this shampoo contains several other ingredients including multiple types of protein, none of the ingredients are synthetic in nature. This means that it doesn’t contain parabens or sulfates. As a result, it doesn’t lather as well as mainstream shampoos.
However, if you use it in large amounts, it does lather sufficiently. You may have to use it in large amounts any way because of this shampoo’s thin and watery in consistency. Further, it doesn’t come with a dispensing pump which means that you’ll have to turn the bottle over to get the shampoo in your hand.
In terms of smell, this shampoo derives its scent from an essential oil blend. The scent is similar to vanilla which means that it is sweet and warm. People who don’t like this smell often say that it smells like play-dough.
Who’s it for: If you want to cleanse your scalp without excessively drying your hair, get this Shea Moisture shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 13 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Essential oil blend, hydrolyzed rice protein, provitamin B5, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, shea butter, castor seed oil, peppermint leaf extract, moriche palm fruit oil, hydrolyzed keratin, vitamin E, aloe vera leaf juice, vinegar, yeast extract, vitamin B3, clover flower extract, and caramel |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at removing buildup and cleansing hair |
| Offers good moisturization and repairs damaged strands |
| Makes the scalp tingle |
| Has a warm vanilla smell |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Only produces lather in huge amounts |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| Everyone may not like the smell |
Top 3 Value Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
5. Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Daily Damage Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
This set was exclusively developed for curly-haired people with damaged or highly-processed hair. This means that it is great for people who are trying to go natural after multiple years of coloring and straightening. The company categorically says that this set is best for “naturally curly hair, from the short-cropped 4c” onwards. There are two reasons for this.
The first is how much moisturization this set offers and the other is how it ensures that the moisturization doesn’t escape. The moisturization comes primarily from the sweet almond oil. Both the shampoo and conditioner contain so much sweet almond oil that they revel in it. In fact, they smell strongly of almonds too. People who don’t like the smell, call it the “old lady smell”.
The moisturization is further enhanced by shea butter and proteins in these products’ formulae. Naturally, the conditioner offers more moisturization than the shampoo, but it is not that far ahead either.
To protect the moisture, both the shampoo and conditioner contain silicones. This is great for people who already have heavily-processed or damaged hair because silicones can help the hair retain moisture while keeping it safe from dust, humidity, and even pollution. On the other hand, they’re not that great for someone whose hair isn’t damaged already.
The only synthetic ingredient this set contains is silicones. Neither the shampoo nor the conditioner contains sulfates. As a result, the shampoo doesn’t really produce a lot of lather unless you wash your hair twice.If you do this, it can leave the hair dry. This isn’t something you need to worry about, though. The conditioner more than makes up for it.
Both bottles come with dispensing pumps ensuring ease of use and little to no waste. The set is fairly priced and is neither expensive nor cheap.
Who’s it for: If you like almonds, don’t care about lather, and prefer the added protection of silicones in your hair, get this Carol’s Daughter shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients (shampoo): Coconut derived cleansers, shea butter, silicones, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, rice bran extract, sunflower extract, rosemary leaf extract, sweet almond fruit extract, aloe vera leaf extract, moringa seed extract, hydrolyzed keratin, corn starch, sweet almond protein, provitamin B5, and vitamin E |
| Active ingredients (conditioner): Silicones, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, jojoba esters, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, rice bran extract, aloe vera leaf extract, sunflower extract, rosemary leaf extract, sweet almond fruit extract, moringa seed extract, sweet almond protein, hydrolyzed keratin, corn starch, provitamin B5, hydrogenated olive oil, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| The set is designed to repair damaged hair |
| Makes good use of almond milk |
| Smells of almonds |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Both bottles come with pumps |
| Fairly affordable |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can leave hair too dry |
| Shampoo and conditioner contain silicones |
| Its smell is very strong |
| Doesn’t produce sufficient lather |
6. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey &Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The thing with curly hair types is that everyone doesn’t have the same type all over their head. Sometimes, people have a mixed hair type i.e. only a part of their hair behaves like Type 4 while the rest qualifies for one or more different categories.
People with mixed hair types may not benefit from shampoos that are designed to offer heavy-duty moisturization suitable for Type 4 hair. The reason for this is that if people with such hair types start using such shampoos, their hair will get weighed down. Therefore, the best-suited shampoo for mixed hair types is one that moisturizes but not excessively.
This set from Shea Moisture is a good option. It comprises a shampoo and conditioner with both being based on manuka honey and mafura oil. Shea Moisture calls it the “renewing and revitalizing” set.
The shampoo in this set is supposed to be clarifying but it isn’t as drying as other more commonly used clarifying shampoos. It contains organic shea butter, honey, and mafura oil to hydrate too. It even contains baobab to nourish the hair while the cleansing takes place. In terms of lather, the shampoo does quite well despite not containing any sulfates. This makes it suitable for colored and chemically-treated hair as well.
The conditioner has similar ingredients but considerably more moisturizing power. Whatever natural oils are removed in the clarification process are replaced by the conditioner ably.
The combined effect of this pair is moisturized hair that exhibits good shine and texture. Further, you only need a little bit of the shampoo and the conditioner to get the desired results.
The pair will also leave your hair smelling sweet, like honey. You should know that the smell is very strong and has a musky note to it. Some people might even think that it is a bit too strong and cloying.
Both the shampoo and conditioner are free of parabens and any other synthetic ingredients such as phthalates and phosphates. It is also worth pointing out that while the conditioner bottle comes with a dispensing pump, the shampoo bottle doesn’t.
The set is competitively priced and most people will find it to be affordable.
Who’s it for: If you barely qualify for Type 4 hair or have a mixed type, then get this set from Shea Moisture.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 13 ounces |
| Active ingredients (shampoo): Hydrolyzed rice protein, provitamin B5, shea butter, essential oil blend, African baobab seed oil, natal mahogany seed butter, fig extract, aloe vera leaf juice, vitamin E, and honey |
| Active ingredients (conditioner): Shea butter, coconut oil, natal mahogany seed butter, provitamin B5, hydrolyzed cellulose, jojoba seed oil, African baobab seed oil, honey, essential oil blend, vitamin E, aloe vera leaf juice, hydrolyzed rice protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and fig extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| The set is very effective at moisturizing dry hair |
| Adds shine and texture to hair |
| Shampoo cleanses scalp and hair well |
| Smells of honey |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| The conditioner comes with a pump |
| Affordably priced |
| The Cons |
|---|
| May not be suitable for extremely kinky and dry hair |
| The shampoo doesn’t come with a pump |
| Its smell is very strong |
7. WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo & Hair Conditioner (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
This shampoo and conditioner set is different from all other products reviewed in this guide. This is mainly because in this set the shampoo and conditioner are exact opposites.
The fact that this shampoo is based on apple cider vinegar means that it offers heavy-duty cleansing of the scalp and hair. For the same reason, it is also very effective against sebum buildup and dandruff. People with kinky hair often use apple cider vinegar for extensive cleansing of their scalps.
In fact, it is so strong that it may not be suitable for everyday use. At the same time, the conditioner in this set counters the drying effects of the shampoo quite well. It is based on coconut oil and avocado oil. Both these ingredients are renowned for their ability to hydrate and moisturize hair.
As a result, the shampoo and conditioner work very well together. They ensure that the scalp is pristine and buildup-free while making the hair healthier, stronger, shinier, and softer.
This pair also offers some benefits for people suffering from hair loss. The shampoo contains saw palmetto extract which is a well-known dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blocker. Since DHT is responsible for triggering hair loss, the shampoo can help counter the problem to a certain extent.
Further, the shampoo contains keratin and various vitamins to strengthen thinning and weakening hair. Similarly, the coconut oil and avocado oil in the conditioner contribute numerous nutrients to the mix too.
On the downside, the shampoo’s reliance on apple cider vinegar means that it smells strongly of apple cider vinegar. This smell is an acquired taste and most people don’t like it. Fortunately, it doesn’t linger and is gone almost as soon as the shampoo is rinsed off. It is definitely gone after the conditioner is applied since the conditioner’s strong coconut smell takes over.
In terms of lathering, the shampoo does fairly well despite not containing sulfates. Its lather isn’t comparable to mainstream shampoos with sulfates but it is still more than most sulfate-free shampoos in the market. Both products are free of other synthetic substances such as parabens and silicones.
Even though this set is highly specialized, it isn’t very expensive. It is in the mid-level price bracket which means that it should be affordable for most people. We should also add that neither bottle comes with a pump. This could lead to wastage if you’re not careful while dispensing the product.
Who’s it for: If you have considerable buildup and are looking for a shampoo for weekly or fortnightly use, get this set from WOW.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo & Conditioner Set |
| Product weight: 2 x 16.9 ounces |
| Active ingredients (shampoo): Coconut derived cleansers, provitamin B5, apple cider vinegar, nettle leaf extract, saw palmetto extract, almond oil, and argan oil |
| Active ingredients (conditioner): Provitamin B5, vitamin E, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at cleansing hair and scalp |
| Helps against hair loss too |
| Can counter dandruff |
| The shampoo smells of apple cider vinegar |
| The conditioner smells of coconuts |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Affordably priced |
| The Cons |
|---|
| The shampoo can be too drying |
| Neither bottle comes with a pump |
| The two smells may not appeal to everyone |
Top 3 Premium Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
8. Design Essentials Natural Agave & Lavender Moisturizing Sulfate-Free Shampoo (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
The majority of shampoos developed for kinky hair are either designed to cleanse the scalp thoroughly or provide the hair with sufficient moisture. Beyond these two specializations, you won’t find many shampoos for kinky hair.
This product from Design Essentials is an exception, as is this entire line of products. The series is called the Blow Dry & Silk Press Collection. As the name of the series shows, these productsare designed for people who like to style their kinky, coily hair after wash regularly.
The shampoo we’re reviewing here also belongs to this series. Its name is Natural Agave and Lavender Moisturizing Sulfate-Free shampoo. Two things make this shampoo ideal for hair that is about to be styled.
The first is that it offers heavy-duty moisturization to hair and the other is that it coats the hair in a way that hot tools can’t damage individual strands. These qualities are a result of its agave extract and lavender oil content.
The two work very well together to moisturize, soften, and strengthen the hair. However, their most important function is to smoothen the hair cuticle making it more receptive of heat from hot tools.
The extra moisturization and coating help the hair glide through the hot tool’s plates. Even when you’re just blow drying your hair, this shampoo helps the hair flow more freely through the comb or brush. The only problem is that for some hair types, the moisturization and coating of the hair can prove to be a bit too much. The result will be very greasy and heavily weighed downhair.
This product behaves like a mix of shampoo and conditioner. It offers the same kind of moisture that you expect from a conditioner and the same kind of lather that you expect from a shampoo. It lathers well despite not having any sulfates in the formula. It is also parabens free.
With lavender highlighted so prominently on the bottle, you would expect this shampoo to smell of lavender. You would be right by a hair’s breadth. The main smell of this shampoo can be best described as plastic. The only saving grace is that the plastic smell has a slight hint of lavender in it.
You can get this shampoo in three differently sized bottles. The smallest has a capacity of four ounces, the standard one holds eight ounces, and the biggest one carries 12 ounces of the shampoo.
Since this shampoo is a little on the pricier side, we recommend getting the biggest one. You can also try the smallest one if you’re looking to test the product first.
Who’s it for: If you have Type 4 hair that you like to style often, then this Design Essentials shampoo is what you need.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut derived cleansers, provitamin B5, vitamin E, hydrolyzed wheat protein, agave leaf extract, and lavender flower extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at protecting hair while styling |
| Good at moisturizing and coating hair |
| Smoothens hair cuticles too |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Available in three different sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| Smells of plastic |
| It might be a bit too strong at moisturizing |
9. Kinky Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
If the manufacture includes the words “kinky curly” in its brand name, then you know that the brand’s products are going to be great for kinky-haired people. We’re referring to the Kinky Curly brand which is a premium name when it comes to hair products for people with Type 3 and Type 4 hair.
The Come Clean Natural Moisturizing Shampoo is one of the best products offered by this company. It is a clarifying shampoo that is incredibly effective in cleaning the scalp of all types of buildup, whether natural or product-centric.
In fact, it is such an effective clarifying shampoo that it will leave your hair dry after use. Therefore, before you use this shampoo, we recommend having a good conditioner for kinky hair available. The best part is that this shampoo provides thorough cleansing without relying on any synthetic substances.
Instead, its formula depends on organic ingredients such as mandarin orange extract. The orange extract is responsible for this shampoo’s scent too, which is distinctly citrus-like. The smell, as a result, is clean, fresh, and reinvigorating. Additionally, the formula also incorporates marigold flower, white willow bark, and sea kelp, all of which are organically obtained.
The shampoo is also free of sulfates, parabens, and other synthetic chemicals or compounds. Instead, it uses coconut-based cleansers to produce lather. The lather produced is also very rich and satisfying. You don’t even have to use a lot to get it because a little of this shampoo goes a long way.
This is good because you would want to use this product in smaller quantities to make it last. It is quite expensive. In fact, you’ll have to be careful about this because the bottle doesn’t come with a dispensing pump, making it very easy to take too much and cause wastage.
Who’s it for: If you like the smell of oranges and are looking for a clarifying shampoo for your kinky hair, get this Kinky Curly shampoo.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Organic mandarin orange fruit, organic marigold flower, organic white willow bark, organic sea kelp, coconut derived cleansers, and sea salt |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at cleansing hair and scalp |
| All its botanical ingredients are organic |
| Has a clean, fresh smell of oranges |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| The Cons |
|---|
| It can be a bit too drying |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| Expensively priced |
10. Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Super Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
This is one of the most expensive shampoos you’ll find when it comes to kinky hair. It is also one of the most moisturizing shampoos you’ll find in the market. The reason why it is one of the most expensive and moisturizing shampoos is that it is based on sweet almond oil and avocado oil.
These are expensive ingredients that are used abundantly in this shampoo’s formula. In fact, the formula is based on these two ingredients. Sweet almond oil is excellent when it comes to moisturizing hair and avocado oil supplements the hydration ably. Avocado oil is also useful because it adds key nutrients into the mix, which the hair uses to become stronger and more resilient.
Further, this shampoo contains proteins derived from wheat, which help compensate for any protein loss that your hair may be going through. Other notable ingredients in this shampoo are provitamin B5 and vitamin E. Both are scientifically proven to be very important to healthy hair.
The result of these ingredients is that this shampoo excels at moisturizing and detangling hair. In fact, the company claims that it will help you save up to 30 minutes of detangling time. The claim holds for most people except for those who have the toughest and kinkiest hair.
All the ingredients are natural, which makes this shampoo suitable for daily use, especially since it doesn’t contain any of the harsh substances usually associated with mainstream shampoos such as parabens and sulfates. Despite not having any sulfates, this shampoo lathers brilliantly because it contains several coconut-derived cleansers.
Further, this shampoo’s smell is a result of its sweet almond oil content. Most people tend to like the smell. Even so, the scent is subjective which means that there may be a few who don’t like this shampoo’s smell.
As mentioned earlier, this shampoo’s ingredients make it very expensive but there’s another factor at play here. This is the fact that this shampoo is manufactured in the USA and not some third-world country where you’re never sure of quality standards.
The cost, though, is still bothersome, especially since the bottle doesn’t even come with a dispensing pump.
Who’s it for: If you like premium products with premium ingredients and want a domestically manufactured shampoo for kinky hair, get this one.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut derived cleansers, hydrolyzed wheat protein, sweet almond oil, avocado leaf extract, provitamin B5, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Very effective at moisturizing dry hair |
| Detangles hair well too |
| Smells of almonds |
| Incorporates nutrient-rich avocado |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can struggle to detangle very kinky hair |
| Doesn’t come with a pump |
| Incredibly expensive product |
Contents
- What Is Kinky Hair?
- How Should You Take Care of Your Kinky Hair?
- What Kind of Shampoo Is Right for Kinky Hair?
- Top 10 Shampoos for Kinky Hair Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Shampoos for Kinky Hair: Detailed Reviews
