Curly hair may be exotic, but it is also incredibly difficult to manage. When it is on good behavior, you’ll look like a Greek god or goddess, but when it isn’t, your hair will look like something the cat dragged in out of the rain. This isn’t even the worst aspect of having curly hair.
It is the fact that the curlier your hair, the more unpredictable it is. Even so, you can still get a handle on your curly hair, provided you understand it and use hair products developed particularly to deal with its specific traits. In this guide, we’ll arm you with everything you need to know to keep your curly hair in check.
In fact, if you internalize all the knowledge on this page and choose from the ten best curly hair shampoos we’ve reviewed here, you’ll never need to deal with the trials and tribulations of having a bird’s nest on your head. For your convenience, we’ve even provided an easy-to-use navigation panel below that will allow you to go directly to particular sections with a single click.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Shampoo |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 16 ounces |
| Cost: $0.81 per ounce |
| An amazing, organic shampoo developed specifically for curly-haired people that boasts of excellent hair moisturizing, strengthening, and softening capabilities. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| DevaCurl DUO – One Condition + No-Poo |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Volume: 32 x 2 ounces |
| Cost: $1.09 per ounce |
| A combo of no poo and mild conditioner that is the perfect solution for people relying on the Curly Girl technique or co-washing & economically priced shampoo. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| Aveda Be Curly & combats frizz Shampoo |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 8.5 ounces |
| Cost: $2.7 per ounce |
| The best curly shampoo available in the market with multiple benefits other than intense moisturization, cruelty-free and long-lasting shampoo, produces sufficient lather. |
| Check Amazon |
- How Is Curly Hair Different from Other Hair Types?
- How to Wash Curly Hair?
- Top 10 Curly Hair Shampoos Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Curly Hair Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Curly Hair Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Curly Hair Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
How Is Curly Hair Different from Other Hair Types?
In our scalps, hair follicles are accompanied by sebum glands. The purpose of these glands is to produce oils to keep hair from getting too dry. These oils, once produced, are pushed out of the scalp and are supposed to travel the entire length of the hair.
When the hair is straight, the oils travel down the hair assisted by gravity. However, because curly hair strands twirl and twist, the gravitational pull gets negated. This is why curly hair is so dry. In fact, the curlier your hair is, the drier it’ll be.
In a nutshell, curly hair is different from other hair types because it is prone to dryness and needs significantly more moisture. This simple difference affects all hair care practices.
You not only need shampoos with more moisturizing power but also need to change the way you wash your hair to retain as much moisture as possible. This is why, before we help you choose the best curly hair shampoos with our in-depth reviews, we’ll explain the right way to wash your curly hair.
How to Wash Curly Hair?
Because curly hair needs moisture, the entire washing process gets modified to prevent loss of moisture. In fact, every step of the washing process is changed slightly to maximize moisture retention. Here are the steps.
Pre-Condition Your Hair
Curly hair needs so much moisture that you need to condition it before you can wash it. You can use a specialized pre-conditioner, a normal conditioner, or even oils to do this. You need to leave the conditioner or oil in your hair for about 10 to 15 minutes before washing your hair.
Dilute Your Shampoo
You need to dilute your shampoo to reduce its ability to dry your hair. The ratio of dilution, however, depends on the nature of the shampoo you’re using, i.e. how many drying ingredients it contains and in what quantities.
For instance, all mainstream shampoos contain strong cleansing agents such as sulfates. In fact, many curly hair shampoos contain sulfates as well. Some, however, contain natural replacements for sulfates such as those derived from coconut.
There are even shampoos, called no poos, that contain no cleansing agents. These shampoos are used in a technique known as co-washing. The co-washing technique involves washing your hair with a conditioner.
Other drying ingredients you need to watch out for include silicones and alcohols.
Wash Your Hair Gently
While washing your hair, if you scrub and rub your hair heavily, then you’ll be stripping it of its moisture content. The trick is to gently roll sections of your hair between your palms to lather the shampoo and then rinse them in the same manner.
We’ll even advise using a wide-toothed comb to spread the shampoo and lather. The same comb can then be used to rinse the hair.
Condition After Washing
After you’ve rinsed your curly hair, you need to condition it again. You could use the same conditioner you used to pre-condition your hair or a different one, but make sure that the conditioner doesn’t have drying ingredients.
Before doing this, we suggest removing excess water from your hair with a microfiber towel. Remember, you shouldn’t rub and scrub. Just press sections of your hair or dab the moisture away gently.
Air Dry or Plop Your Hair
After conditioning your hair, you’ll still be left with damp or wet hair. There are two ways you can dry your hair without losing too much moisture. The first is to let it air dry and the other is to plop your hair in a microfiber towel.
We will always recommend the latter because it will allow your hair to absorb more moisture. Moreover, it will also enhance curls to a certain extent. Air drying is a decent option too, especially if you can air-dry your hair in the sun.
Whenever possible, avoid using hot tools such as a hairdryer. Regardless of how good a hairdryer is, the heat it generates will damage the hair. If you have to use a hairdryer, make sure you have a curly hair shampoo that contains silicones or their natural replacements.
Top 10 Curly Hair Shampoos Comparison Table
| Product Name | Volume | Cost per ounce (*Approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo | 12.6 x 4 ounces | $0.32 per ounce | Check Price |
| Shea Moisture Raw Shea Retention Shampoo | 13 ounces | $0.61 per ounce | Check Price |
| Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Shampoo | 12 ounces | $0.71 per ounce | Check Price |
| SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo | 16 ounces | $0.81 per ounce | Check Price |
| L’Oreal Paris EverCurlHydracharge Shampoo | 8.5 ounces | $0.99 per ounce | Check Price |
| DevaCurl DUO – One Condition + No-Poo | 32 x 2 ounces | $1.09 per ounce | Check Price |
| Kinky Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing Shampoo | 8 ounces | $1.39 per ounce | Check Price |
| Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo | 8.5 ounces | $2.11 per ounce | Check Price |
| Aveda Be Curly Shampoo | 8.5 ounces | $2.7 per ounce | Check Price |
| Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo | 8.45 ounces | $3.43 per ounce | Check Price |
Top 4 Budget Curly Hair Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
1. Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
As explained in the information section of this guide, dryness is the biggest problem for curly hair. This is because dryness often results in other problems such as frizz and flyaway hair.
Pantene’s Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo is a curly hair shampoo developed specifically to deal with these derived problems. It contains the company’s proprietary Frizz Calming Complex that effectively seals and smooth cuticles, preventing frizz and flyaway hair from becoming a problem.
The shampoo is equally adept at cleansing and moisturizing curly hair, though. In fact, Pantene even says that the definition this shampoo will give to your curls will last all day long. Between the moisturization and definition, the curls gain more bounce and shine.
This shampoo’s moisturizing capabilities are a result of its pro-vitamin B5 content, but this ingredient also offers many nourishing benefits for the hair. While pro-vitamin B5 offers great benefits, this shampoo’s silica content is even more beneficial. Silica strengthens the hair and prevents protein loss from occurring. As a result, the keratin in the hair doesn’t deteriorate over time.
This shampoo has a typical shampoo smell, i.e. it is light, clean, and gender-neutral. It isn’t too strong or overpowering either. It lathers handsomely too, but that is because it contains sulfates. Apart from sulfates, this shampoo also contains alcohols.
These two ingredients, however, can create problems. Both are incredibly drying and prevent this shampoo from properly moisturizing curly hair. Therefore, you should only use this shampoo if dryness isn’t a big problem for your curls. If it is, we suggest looking at other options.
Cost is this shampoo’s biggest strength. It is amazingly affordable. In addition to a low list price, this shampoo is also very cheap to use because you don’t need to use a lot of it every wash. Because of this, the bottle will last you a long time and you won’t have to go for refills too frequently.
Who’s it for: If you want an amazingly cheap shampoo for curly hair that strengthens them too, then get this on from Pantene.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 12.6 x 4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Sulfates, alcohols, silicones, pro-vitamin B5, and silica |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Cleanses while moisturizing hair |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair with its Frizz Calming Complex |
| Silica content strengthens hair |
| Has a clean, gender-neutral scent |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Long-lasting shampoo |
| Very cheap shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains sulfates |
| Contains silicones |
| Can leave hair a bit too dry without conditioner |
2. Shea Moisture Raw Shea Retention Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Two products from Shea Moisture have made it into our list of ten best curly hair shampoos. If you read our information sections above and know what this brand is all about, this shouldn’t surprise you. After all, the one thing curly hair needs most is moisture and the one thing that Shea Moisture hair products are known most for is moisture.
Even though this shampoo is meant specifically for “transitioning chemically treated hair to natural” state, it is suitable for all hair types. It is gentle enough to be suitable for people with extremely damaged or over-processed hair. Moreover, it will also not strip color or chemical treatment off the hair.
This shampoo’s mildness comes from the fact that it is completely natural and doesn’t contain any sulfates, parabens, silicones, or alcohols. Instead, it contains ingredients that can boost hair health significantly. These ingredients include Sugar beets, shea butter, aloe vera leaf juice, argan oil, pro-vitamin B5, rosemary extract, sea kelp extract, vitamin E, and honeysuckle flower extract.
Shea butter, argan oil, and sea kelp all are conditioning ingredients with huge moisturizing capabilities. The moisture imparting capacity of these ingredients is supplemented by sugar beets and honeysuckle flower extract with their ability to boost moisture retention in the hair.
Therefore, this shampoo will not only moisturize your hair like no other, but it will also ensure that moisture loss doesn’t occur through the day. However, the fact that this shampoo is based on these ingredients means that it isn’t a good choice for people with oily hair. If you have oily hair and insist on using this shampoo, be prepared for very greasy and grimy hair.
All these ingredients, of course, also nourish the hair since they are treasure troves of vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients. The pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin Ealso help in that nourishment while rosemary extract is a great dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blocker. Since DHT causes hair follicular miniaturization and hair loss, rosemary gives this shampoo some anti-hair loss benefits too.
The fact that this shampoo is gentle doesn’t mean that it isn’t good at cleansing the scalp. In fact, this shampoo lathers quite well, even though it doesn’t contain any sulfates and has a runny consistency. This lather helps this shampoo cleanse the hair and scalp gently.
This shampoo even has a unique scent. Its smell is a mix of vanilla and shea butter. While quite pleasant, the smell is not only a little too strong, but it also tends to linger. This is something that may not appeal to many people.
Who’s it for: If you want a multipurpose curly hair shampoo that moisturizes and then protects that moisture, get this product from Shea Moisture.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 13 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Sugar beets, shea butter, aloe vera leaf juice, argan oil, pro-vitamin B5, rosemary extract, sea kelp extract, vitamin E, honeysuckle flower, Japanese honeysuckle flower extract, and avocado oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Completely natural shampoo |
| Developed specifically to transition processed hair to their natural state |
| Excellent at moisturizing extra-dry and deeply damaged curly hair |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair well |
| Has a vanilla and shea butter scent |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Produces sufficient lather |
| An economically priced shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not suitable for oily-haired people |
| Its smell is too strong and lingers |
| Has a thin and runny consistency |
3. Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
A lot of people buy their shampoos with their noses. They pick their shampoos on the basis of whether they like the smell or not. From this perspective, the Coco Crème Curl Quenching Shampoo from Carol’s Daughter should appeal to people who’ve always been attracted to the sun, surf, and sand.
This shampoo has an intoxicating, tropical smell. The most dominant aspect of this shampoo’s scent is coconut, but the scent has notes of multiple other tropical elements. However, we should warn you that this shampoo’s sweet, tropical scent can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to strong smells.
As is obvious, this shampoo’s smell is a result of its coconut oil content. Along with coconut oil, this shampoo also contains mango butter and murumuru seed butter. Each of these three ingredients is recognized for its intense hydrating qualities.
The fact that they’re all present in this shampoo’s formula means that this shampoo has extremely strong hydrating qualities. In fact, this shampoo conditions hair by deeply penetrating every hair strand and even the scalp. The direct result of this intense conditioning is that the hair becomes soft.
This shampoo doesn’t only hydrate intensely, though. It also ensures that the moisture stays in place by coating and sealing off each hair strand. It does this because it contains silicones.
Silicones, unfortunately, have been known to react badly in some people. For instance, when used too much, they can actually end up preventing hair from absorbing moisture, making them dry. Therefore, we suggest that you avoid using this shampoo too much. Alternating with another less hydrating shampoo may be a good idea.
You should note that this shampoo is only good for you if you have dry hair. If you don’t and your hair is normal or oily, then you should steer clear of this shampoo because it will make your hair unbelievably greasy.
The shampoo has a thick and creamy consistency. Don’t worry about any difficulties squeezing it out of the bottle, though. The bottle comes with an excellent pump dispenser that will make your life very easy.
Further, this shampoo lathers well. This is despite the fact that it doesn’t contain any sulfates. In fact, the shampoo is mild enough to be used on colored or chemically treated hair.
Who’s it for: If you like strong tropical scents and have very dry curls, get this shampoo from Carol’s Daughter.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 12 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, mango seed butter, coconut oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru seed butter, coconut milk, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Excellent at moisturizing dry, thick, and curly hair |
| Leaves hair soft after wash |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair well |
| Has a sweet, tropical scent |
| Has a thick and creamy consistency |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Produces sufficient lather |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with an excellent pump dispenser |
| An economically priced shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not suitable for oily-haired people |
| Its smell is too overpowering |
| Contains silicones |
| Can leave hair a bit too dry without conditioner |
4. SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
This is the best curly hair shampoo you’ll find in the budget market segment. It is also the second shampoo on our list offered by Shea Moisture. In case you didn’t know, Shea Moisture is known for hair products with strong moisturizing qualities.
This shampoo is our top pick in this category simply because it offers exceptional moisturization without containing any artificial chemicals and compounds. In fact, its qualities are tailor-made for thick curls thirsty for some attention. This is evident if you look at its ingredients list.
This shampoo is based on coconut oil, hibiscus flower extract, and obviously, shea butter. These three are especially impressive because they offer the perfect balance between moisturization and cleansing.
Coconut oil and shea butter moisturize and soften the curls, giving them bounce and shine. However, this shampoo has such strong hydrating properties that we wouldn’t recommend it to someone who already has oily hair. It will weigh down that type of hair in a single wash.
The hibiscus flower extract in this shampoo is responsible for cleansing the scalp of dust, grime, and other types of buildup. All three ingredients, of course, contain multiple nutrients that strengthen and nourish the hair and the scalp.
Even the secondary ingredients in this shampoo’s formula are highly beneficial such as sugar beets, aloe vera leaf juice, vitamin E, neem seed oil, pro-vitamin B5, rosemary extract, silk protein, and honeysuckle.
The fact that this shampoo only contains certified organic ingredients is an important feature too. It means that this shampoo is pure and doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients such as sulfates. The price you pay for this purity, however, is lather. The absence of sulfates, though, makes this shampoo perfect if you have colored or chemically treated your curly hair.
The smell of this shampoo is distinctly tropical, with coconut being the standout scent. However, other ingredients do contribute and the result is a heady mix of aromas reminiscent of the beach. The smell is quite strong, though. You can be sure that your colleagues will notice it even if you’re sitting across a table.
Who’s it for: If you want an organic shampoo built specifically for curly hair with incredible moisturizing capabilities, buy this one from Shea Moisture.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Sugar beets, coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera leaf juice, vitamin E, neem seed oil, pro-vitamin B5, rosemary extract, silk protein, honeysuckle flower extract, and Japanese honeysuckle flower extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Completely natural shampoo |
| Excellent at moisturizing, strengthening, and softening curly hair |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair well |
| Has a tropical coconut scent |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| An economically priced shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not suitable for oily-haired people |
| Its smell is too strong and lingers |
| Doesn’t lather well at all |
Top 3 Value Curly Hair Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
5. L’Oreal Paris EverCurlHydracharge Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Curly hair shampoos in the budget market segment tend to offer results for 24-hour at most. Similar shampoos in a higher price bracket, however, offer more. The EverCurlHydracharge Shampoo from L’Oreal is a case in point.
The company says that this shampoo can offer 48-hours’ worth of “frizz control and definition”. However, they do say that these results can only be achieved if you use the entire system and not just the shampoo. The system includes a conditioner and a treatment.
Claims and conditions aside, though, this shampoo is effective at what it claims to do. It moisturizes dry curly hair while nourishing the hair too. It contains coconut oil, grapeseed oil, orange peel oil, and okra seed extract.
Coconut oil in this formula is meant to moisturize and nourish the hair strands, while grapeseed oil offers the same benefits with the addition of countering dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Since DHT causes hair loss, grapeseed oil gives this shampoo some ability to counter hair loss.
The purpose of the orange peel oil is to give hair and scalp access to vitamin C, which is a very effective antioxidant and crucial to many core bodily processes. Okra, further, contains numerous vitamins and nutrients that help strengthen the hair.
In addition to all these benefits, this shampoo is very good at softening and smoothing hair strands. This is mainly because it contains silicones that coat the hair. Unfortunately, silicones can also end up sealing the hair off from nutrients and moisture in the long term, causing various problems.
Unlike many other curly hair shampoos, this one doesn’t have a coconut smell. Instead, it has a distinctly floral scent. The scent, however, is quite divisive. It not only feels artificial but is also quite overwhelming.
In terms of lather, this shampoo performs very well despite not containing sulfates. In fact, the absence of sulfates means that this shampoo is suitable for virtually every hair type except very oily. You can even use it, without worry, on your colored or chemically treated hair.
Using this shampoo, unfortunately, is a little difficult since it comes in a very stubborn tube. The tube is made up of a type of plastic that is very tough to squeeze for the normal human being.
Moreover, once you get the shampoo out, the cap of the tube is designed in a way that it is very difficult to shut it. So, you better be prepared for some wrestling matches in your bathroom, if you’re going to buy this shampoo.
Who’s it for: If you think your curly hair needs an infusion of various vitamins and are happy with strong floral smells, get this shampoo from L’Oreal.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Hydrogenated coconut acid, alcohols, silicones, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, orange peel oil, and okra seed extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Cleanses while moisturizing hair |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair |
| Has a floral scent |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Contains alcohols |
| Its smell doesn’t appeal to everyone |
| The packaging is difficult to handle |
6. DevaCurl DUO – No-Poo and One Condition (Original Kit) (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
It is so difficult to manage curly hair that it has its own movement – the Curly Girl. The Curly Girl movement is all about not exposing curly hair to artificial compounds and chemicals.
The philosophy behind the Curly Girl technique is that the body has mechanisms to maintain curly hair without external intervention. As a result, this movement relies on no poos or just oil blends made at home.
When it comes to no poos, nothing is going to beat this combo from DevaCurl. This combo contains a no-poo and a conditioner. The DevaCurl DUO is the best option for someone relying on the Curly Girl Method to maintain their hair.
The no-poo in this combo is completely free of sulfates. In fact, it doesn’t contain any artificial substances whether it is silicones, alcohols, or parabens. It doesn’t even contain natural replacements for sulfates.
The downside of this is that it isn’t the best at cleansing curly hair. If you feel that your curly hair has buildup, then you should use a clarifying shampoo before using this one. You should also not expect this product to produce lather.
This makes this no-poo one of the mildest and gentlest in the market right now. It also makes it downright perfect for thick, tight curls with severe hydration problems. Further, it makes this no-poo an excellent option for people who have colored or chemically treated curly hair.
This no-poo is amazing when it comes to moisturizing curly hair and it isn’t even the strongest offered by the company. If you try this product and find that it isn’t strong enough for you, we suggest giving the DevaCurl Decadencea go. It is an even more powerful moisturizer.
Because this no-poo is so amazing when it comes to conditioning dry, thick, and curly hair, it also solves the persistent problems of flakesand dandruff. At the same time, its moisturizing powers mean that it isn’t ideal for people with normal or oily hair. If it is used on this type of hair, then you can expect grease on your fingers every time you touch your hair.
This no-poo also has a fairly neutral smell. It is clean and fresh, but some people still think that it is a bit on the artificial side. You’ll have to try it to figure out what you feel about it.
Both the no-poo and the conditioner in this pack come with pump dispensers that will make your life easier in the bathroom.
Who’s it for: If you’re trying the curly girl method and don’t want a lathering shampoo, this is the product you should go for.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 32 x 2 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Alcohols, grapeseed oil, peppermint oil, wheat amino acids, lemon balm extract, matricaria extract, rosemary extract, yarrow extract, and menthol |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Excellent at moisturizing dry, thick, and curly hair |
| Counters dandruff too |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair well |
| Has a clean, soapy scent |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Comes with a pump |
| An economically priced shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not suitable for oily-haired people |
| Its smell has an artificial note to it |
| Doesn’t produce any lather |
7. Kinky Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
This shampoo is the anti-thesis of the Curly Girl Method. While the DevaCurl product reviewed above didn’t have any cleansers, this shampoo is all about cleansing the scalp. This shampoo is, in fact, developed to allow curly-haired people the chance to cleanse their scalps.
Since curly hair is so thick, it tends to accumulate buildup very quickly. If you have very thick, curly hair, you’ll have to cope with oil and dust buildup, regardless of whether you use hair products or not. This kind of buildup can fester over time, causing flaky scalp, dandruff, and even infections.
This extremely strong clarifying or cleansing shampoo for curly hair is the solution. The two most important ingredients in this shampoo’s formula are mandarin orange extract and sea kelp.
The orange extract is responsible for this shampoo’s cleansing powers while the sea kelp’s job is to strengthen the hair by balancing moisture in the scalp. As is obvious, this shampoo derives its scent from the mandarin orange extract.
The company says that this shampoo is gentle enough to be used daily and is ideal for dry and damaged hair. However, we don’t agree with this assessment purely on the basis of how strong the shampoo is. The majority of its users, in fact, say that it is too harsh and strong for their hair. Moreover, they say that this shampoo leaves their hair too dry.
While very strong, you should know that this shampoo doesn’t contain any sulfates. Even so, it lathers very well and will please most of you in that regard. In fact, it lathers so well that you won’t have to use a lot of it in every wash. Only a little will do, which means that the bottle will last you a long time.
Looking at its capabilities, we feel that this is the ideal product for people who want to use shampoos in combination. For instance, if you want to alternate between a heavily moisturizing shampoo and a strong clarifying shampoo, then this product is perfect for the latter spot. In fact, this shampoo will be the perfect companion for the DevaCurl DUO.
Who’s it for: If you want a strong, clarifying shampoo developed specifically for curly hair, get this product from Kinky Curly.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Organic mandarin orange fruit, organic marigold flower, organic white willow bark, and organic sea kelp |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A super cleanser for curly hair with buildup |
| Good for dry and damaged hair |
| Has a citrusy orange scent |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Long-lasting shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can be too harsh for some people |
| Can leave hair a bit too dry without conditioner |
Top 3 Premium Curly Hair Shampoos: Detailed Reviews
8. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
Ouidad calls itself “The Original Curl Expert”. To a certain extent, their claim is valid because they’ve been catering to curly-haired people since 1984 when the first Ouidad salon was opened. A good example of their expertise is that they segment their hair products on the basis of different curl types, i.e. loose, classic, tight, and kinky.
The Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo is meant specifically for people with tight curls. Incidentally, tight curls are the most difficult to deal with because they’re the driest and toughest to moisturize.
However, the moisturizing powers of this shampoo are such that it can handle them with ease. In fact, this is one of the most powerful shampoos available in the market when it comes to hydrating hair.
Such is the moisturizing capacity of this shampoo that it cannot be used by people with oily or even normal hair type. It is suited to dry and tight curls only. Even though hydration may be what this shampoo stands out for, it is equally adept at cleansing the scalp and hair.
All its benefits are based on a blend of nutrients highlighted by chamomile, corn oil, multiple vitamins, and wheat protein. These ingredients not only condition hair from the inside out but also ensure that moisture is not lost by coating and sealing the hair strand. With the coating in place, the hair becomes soft, vibrant, and manageable.
This shampoo has a fairly unique and distinct sandalwood smell. The sandalwood scent is different enough that many people don’t like it, however. Moreover, it is quite strong and can be immensely overpowering.
One black mark on this shampoo’s report card is that it contains sulfates. Sulfates can suck out moisture from hair, leaving them dry over time. Many users of this shampoo complain that it has done that to their hair. Sulfates, however, also ensure loads of lather as you’ll see the moment you start using this shampoo.
The biggest problem with this shampoo is its cost. It is expensive enough to be put in the premium shampoo section, regardless of how lenient you try to be. As a result, you either need to have a lot of money to burn or need to be very sure about this shampoo to buy it.
Who’s it for: If you like sandalwood smell, don’t have problems with sulfates, and want an intensely moisturizing shampoo, get this one from Ouidad.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Sulfates, pro-vitamin B5, matricaria flower extract, vitamin E, vitamin A, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed wheat starch, and wheat amino acids |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Excellent at moisturizing dry, thick, and tight curls |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair well |
| Cleanses scalp and hair gently |
| Has a strong sandalwood scent |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Produces a lot of lather |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not suitable for oily-haired people |
| Its smell is too overpowering |
| Contains sulfates |
| Can leave hair a bit too dry without conditioner |
| An expensive shampoo |
9. Aveda Be Curly Shampoo (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
If you have curly hair and you haven’t tried this curly hair shampoo, then you’re missing out on a special experience. It is, by far, the best curly hair shampoo you can get anywhere in the world. You can’t go wrong with this shampoo if you have curly hair, but you’ll have to break the bank to get it.
The fact that this shampoo is very expensive is its only major flaw, but that is expected because it only contains certified organic ingredients. Despite the cost, though, we will still advise you to try this shampoo if you can afford it.
The main reason why we think that this is the best curly hair shampoo in the market right now is its moisturizing power. It is so effective at conditioning hair that it can handle dry, curly hair, regardless of how far gone they’re or how impenetrable they may be.
In fact, Aveda is so confident in its shampoo’s results that it claims that this shampoo will reduce frizz up to 57 percent. This shampoo doesn’t only moisturize, though. It cleanses too.
It’s cleansing action is quite gentle since the shampoo doesn’t contain any sulfates. The absence of sulfates also makes it suitable for people who color their hair or have chosen to treat their hair chemically. Their absence in the formula, further, means that this shampoo doesn’t produce the kind of lather that you may be used to from more mainstream shampoos.
However, that is only a minor flaw because this shampoo isn’t completely without lather. Still, we would describe its lather as average. What helps is that you don’t have to use a lot of the shampoo to get that lather. This makes the bottle last a long time. As a result, you won’t have to replace the bottle very often. Moreover, it contains alcohols which help with the cleansing process.
This shampoo is also good at protecting the hair from adverse external influences without containing any silicones. It contains hydrolyzed wheat protein and corn starch instead. These ingredients coat and seal the hair shaft as well as the manmade silicones.
Between the cleansing, moisturization, and protection from the elements, your curls will get defined and develop bounce and vibrancy. Your conscience will be clean too because this is a cruelty-free shampoo.
You should also note that this shampoo has a lemony or citrusy smell. It is a result of all the citrus ingredients it contains, such as orange, bergamot, lemon, and lime. This smell should appeal to most of you unless you’re unusually averse to citrus smells.
Who’s it for: This is the best curly hair shampoo in the market that should be tried by everyone with curly hair at least once.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, plant collagen, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed corn starch, and alcohols |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Made with certified organic ingredients only |
| Excellent at moisturizing curly hair |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair well |
| Has a lemony and citrusy scent |
| Cleanses hair and scalp gently |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Produces sufficient lather |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Long-lasting shampoo |
| Cruelty-free shampoo |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Very expensive shampoo |
| Lather could be better |
| Contains alcohols |
10. Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Davines may not market this product as a curly hair shampoo, but for all intents and purposes, it is. The one thing curly hair needs most is moisture and this shampoo possesses intense conditioning capabilities.
In fact, its moisturizing powers are such that it can handle even incredibly thick and dry, curly hair. As a result, the Love Smoothing Shampoo is superb at eliminating flyaway and frizzy hair.
It gets its conditioning qualities from olive fruit extract. The olive extracts this shampoo’s formula relies upon so heavily is special too. They’re obtained from olives that are sourced directly from the one place that is most natural for them – Messina, Italy.
In addition to moisturizing curly hair, this shampoo is also known for its smoothing powers. It coats the hair and ensures that no moisture escapes the hair shaft. More importantly, the coating protects the hair from environmental pollutants such as chemicals in water and air.
This shampoo is such a great smoother because it contains silicones. While silicones-based coating can be very handy if you use hot tools, they aren’t very healthy for hair.
They can, sometimes, be too effective at sealing off the hair shaft. This usually happens with overuse, but when it does happen, it can leave the hair dry and crunchy, especially when supported by alcohols as is the case in this shampoo.
Therefore, if you don’t use a lot of this shampoo in every wash and don’t make the wash an everyday thing, you don’t need to worry about the side-effects of silicones.
Used in the right way, this shampoo can be very helpful for curly-haired people. This shampoo’s effectiveness is proven as well since it has won multiple awards. For instance, this shampoo won The Coveter’s Luxury Beauty Awards once and is a two-time winner of the Best of Beauty Award. It won the latter in 2011 and 2014.
This shampoo has a fresh smell with strong floral hints. While the smell is fairly clean, it does have an artificial feel to it. For many users, the artificial note to the scent is a deal-breaker. You could love the floral scent or dislike its artificial nature, but you’ll only know if you try this shampoo.
Luckily, there’s a way you can do that without spending too much. This shampoo comes in two different-sized bottles. The larger one contains 8.45 ounces while the smaller one can hold 2.54 ounces. As is obvious, you can use the smaller bottle as a sampler before committing to it with the bigger bottle.
Even if you don’t want to try the scent, it would be wise to test this shampoo out with the smaller bottle because it is one of the most expensive shampoos in the market.
However, once you’ve bought this shampoo, you don’t have to worry about running out too soon. You’ll only need to use a little bit of this shampoo in every wash, which will make the bottle last a long time.
You won’t even have to compromise on lather because this shampoo has a creamy consistency that lathers up very easily. While you can’t compare this shampoo’s lather to shampoos loaded with sulfates, it is still enough to give your hair and scalp a nice cleansing.
If you do try and like this shampoo, we recommend getting a good pump-equipped bottle before making the big purchase. The bottle this shampoo comes in is very flimsy. You drop it once and it will spill. If you have a bottle ready, you’ll be able to transfer the shampoo into it as soon as you get it.
Who’s it for: If you have curly hair, but like to style them in various ways using hot tools, then you need a curly hair shampoo with smoothing qualities such as this one from Davines.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product Volume: 8.45 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Pro-vitamin B5, silicones, alcohols, and olive fruit extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Multiple award-winning shampoo |
| Excellent at moisturizing dry, thick, and curly hair |
| Counters frizz and flyaway hair well |
| Has a very likable floral scent |
| Produces sufficient lather |
| Doesn’t contain sulfates |
| Long-lasting shampoo |
| Available in two different sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Unbelievably expensive |
| Its smell has an artificial note to it |
| Can leave hair a bit too dry without conditioner |
| The bottle could’ve been sturdier |
