All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
As glorious as having wavy, curly hair can be, caring for it is another story. That’s where the best shampoos for curly hair can help. Curls are naturally frizzier and less absorbent—and many hair-care products include ingredients (like sulfates and silicones) that strip them of moisture. Curly hair products like curly hair oils and shampoos, however, are full of ingredients that ensure your strands are nourished, strengthened, and truly cleansed of all the gunk that weighs them down—leaving light, bouncy curls in their wake. Below, find the best shampoos for curly hair of all types and patterns, as reviewed and recommended by Glamour editors and hair-care experts.
Our top picks for curly hair shampoos, at a glance
- Best Overall: Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo (12 oz.), $26
- Best Value: Cantu TXTR Apple Cider Vinegar + Tea Tree Soothing Shampoo (16 oz.), $10
- Best Clarifying: Olaplex No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo (8.5 oz.), $30
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Fekkai Technician Color Shampoo (8.5 oz.), $25
- Best for Thick Hair: Ouai Thick Hair Shampoo (10 oz.), $32
- Best for Hair Growth: Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo (8.4 oz.), $28
- Best for Damaged Hair: L'Oréal Paris Ever Pure Bond Repair Shampoo (6.8 oz.), $9
- Best for Cleansing: Hårklinikken Stabilizing Scalp Shampoo (9.81 oz.), $43
- Best for Everyday: Unite Hair Boing Shampoo (8 oz.), $31
- Best Drugstore: John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo (8.45 oz.) (2-Pack), $16
FAQs: What are the best ingredients in shampoo for curly hair? | How should you incorporate shampoo into your curly hair routine? | How long should it take for you to see results from a shampoo for curly hair? | Meet our experts
Best Overall: Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo
.png)
.png)
What we love: We named this one of the best curly hair products of last year for its affordability and results. It’s packed with expert-recommended natural oils that promote hair growth without weighing down your waves—including sunflower, coconut, and avocado oils as well as super-hydrating aloe vera. Our reviewers with different curl types praised the shampoo for how gentle it is and how soft their hair felt after use.
Our review: Like many curly girls, I have trust issues with products that claim to add moisture, definition, and bounce—but in reality do nothing more than cause unnecessary buildup on your hair and scalp. It’s why I avoided trying Curlsmith for so long, but—to no one’s surprise—the University of TikTok finally handed me my diploma in curl care with this shampoo and conditioner set. The combo leaves your hair clean, soft, and with the perfect amount of slip to detangle before styling. —Shanna Shipin, Allure shopping director
Key ingredients: Rosemary, sunflower oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, aloe vera, shea better | Scent: Fresh | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 12 oz. | Best for: All curl types
Best Value: Cantu TXTR Apple Cider Vinegar + Tea Tree Soothing Shampoo
.png)
What we love: The main ingredient in this simple curl shampoo is apple cider vinegar, which experts (and Tia Mowry) say cuts down on scalp irritation and product buildup—and leaves your hair healthy and shiny. “ACV removes buildup and closes the hair cuticles, which makes hair more light reflective and shiny,” celebrity hairstylist and Pura D’Or partner Clyde Haygood previously explained to Glamour. It’s rich in hydrating aloe and shea butter, and tea tree oil reduces scalp irritation. Also worth applauding is its squeeze bottle, which makes it easy to apply the thin, watery solution to your scalp (it doesn’t lather).
Our review: When I decided to stop relaxing my hair and grew out my “big chop,” I knew my next mission was finding the right shampoo to keep my natural curls healthy. After trying a handful of different formulas, I was introduced to Cantu’s TXTR line, and I was pretty much sold after one wash. I almost immediately noticed my curls felt more hydrated and bouncy. The creamy texture of this shampoo feels so rich as it lathers up, and after rinsing it out, I don’t have to worry about my hair feeling heavy. The best part? It’s free of sulfates, so it doesn’t strip away my natural hair oils. As for the scent, it’s light and pleasant, with a little bit of sweetness like coconut, and not overpowering at all. I used it consistently for about four months, and saw a lot less frizz and way more definition in my curls. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour contributor
Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, aloe, shea butter | Scent: Apple cider vinegar | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 16 oz. | Best for: All curl types
Best Clarifying Shampoo: Olaplex No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
.png)
What we love: Clarifying shampoo is an essential curly tool to swap into your hair-care routine once a week. It combats chemical deposits (from the swimming pool, say), product buildup, an itchy scalp, and oily hair. This stylist-favorite Olaplex shampoo works to rebuild broken bonds most often seen on split, curly ends, says Paul Labrecque, creative director and master stylist and colorist for Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa. “It also has the Olaplex patented bond-building technology, so while you’re removing minerals, you are also building a stronger structure inside the hair," says says celebrity hair colorist Bianca Hillier.
Our review: Whenever a shampoo is “suitable for all hair types,” I kind of give them a side-eye, but Olaplex’s bonding shampoo really does work wonders on my 4a curls. As all curly girls know, we need shampoos that address everything, including dryness, damage, split ends, breakage, and lack of shine—and this bad boy does exactly that. It lathers easily, and I don’t have to use a ton of product to get that superclean feeling, and it doesn’t strip my hair or leave my scalp feeling tight and dry. Overall, I’ve noticed less frizz, nearly no flyaways, and softer, shinier curls. —Francesca Simmons, Glamour contributor
Key ingredients: Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (a surfactant) | Scent: Lightly citrus | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 8.5 oz. | Best for: All curl types
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Fekkai Technician Color Shampoo
.png)
What we love: Cleansers with sulfates and silicones can strip curly hair of its natural oils—a real issue especially if your curls are color-treated (and doubly dried out). Fekkai’s sulfate-free shampoo is especially formulated to slow the fade of hair dye and actually increase its vibrancy, no matter the shade. Its formula is full of hydrating fatty acids from the mirabelle plum seed oil and plant extracts (like sunflower seed) that create a protective barrier against the sun’s UV rays, while nurturing split ends. Our reviewer appreciated how soft, shiny, and clean her curls felt after application.
Our review: I’ve dyed my hair a lot over the past two years, and my curls have paid for it. After trying a few different shampoos that were safe for both curly textures and color-treated hair, I landed on loving Fekkai’s Technician Color the most. It not only protects and extends the vibrancy of my color but also keeps my curls looking fresh and bouncy. It’s packed with plant-based moisturizing ingredients and other goodness that shield my hair from UV rays, color fade, and brassiness. From the very first wash, I noticed my hair felt softer and less prone to tangling. The shampoo generates less friction between hair strands, further reducing color fade and preserving the richness of my golden hue. I’m an ingredient nerd, and seeing that this shampoo has a pH level of 5.9-6.3, it’s also great for purifying my scalp without being too harsh. —Mia Nunez, Glamour contributor
Key ingredients: Mirabelle plum seed oil, sunflower sprout extract, rosemary extract | Scent: Peach, red fruit, tropical | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 2–33.8 oz. | Best for: All curl types
Best for Thick Hair: Ouai Thick Hair Shampoo
.png)
What we love: “This shampoo will ruin all others for you,” says Allure’s Shipin, who has coarse, curly hair with medium-to-low porosity and reaches for Ouai for nourishment and frizz-taming. It’s an excellent choice for coarse curls and/or low-porosity hair (meaning, it has trouble absorbing moisture). The formula features hydrolyzed keratin, a protein that strengthens hair and improves its elasticity, as well as avocado and shea butter. The latter is a heavier hydrator that’s best suited for thick hair, which it won’t weigh down in the same way as fine hair, thought it will do a hell of a job moisturizing.
Our review: These days, there are so many great options for curls of all kinds, and I’ve found one that truly stands out for thick hair. This color-safe shampoo not only cleanses but also deeply moisturizes, strengthens, and fights frizz. The gel texture lathers beautifully, making it easy to work through my scalp and hair all the way down to my ends. It tackles common hair issues, but mine were specifically dryness and color damage, plus a few split ends and breakage. My hair feels stronger, looks shinier, and is less tangled (a true struggle for me since I was a kid). And, I like this list of ingredients for curly hair. Marshmallow root extract helps soften and detangle, shea butter locks in moisture, and avocado oil prevents future breakage. And just like all Ouai products, you bet this shampoo smells amazing (it uses the brand’s Mercer Street scent, which has top notes of Italian lemon, jasmine, and white musk). —A.N.
Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed keratin, marshmallow root, shea butter, avocado oil | Scent: Citrus, floral | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 10–32 oz. | Best for: Dry, thick curls
Best for Hair Growth: Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo
.png)
What we love: Rosemary oil is known as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that supports scalp health and hair growth (some studies suggest it’s as effective as minoxidil). The primary ingredients in Nécessaire’s shampoo are rosemary oil, extract, and water—as well as five strengthening plant proteins and five ceramides that protect your scalp barrier. Our reviewer says she saw a marked increase in the volume and texture of her thinning hair (and the shampoo smells lovely too).
Our review: Though not specifically marketed for curly hair, this shampoo has really, REALLY enhanced the volume and texture of my curls. Its refreshing gel-like consistency with pure rosemary oil tingles the scalp in the best way, providing a thorough cleanse without stripping it and leaving it feeling dry and stale. The mix of rosemary, mandarin, jasmine, and cedarwood almost creates a spa-like experience as I’m in the shower, which I’m definitely not mad at. This shampoo addresses antiaging, thinning, and color safety concerns, strengthening hair and minimizing breakage with ceramides and plant proteins. My curls feel clean, hydrated, and bouncier, with a healthier scalp free from dryness and irritation (since it’s noncomedogenic, it also doesn’t clog my pores). —Jade Brito, Glamour contributor
Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, peptide, plant proteins, ceramides | Scent: Rosemary, mandarin, jasmine, cedar | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 8.4 oz. | Best for: All curl types, especially thinning
Best for Damaged Hair: L'Oréal Paris Ever Pure Bond Repair Shampoo
.png)
What we love: One of the best shampoos for curly hair can be found in the aisles of your local CVS—and is far cheaper than some of its competitors. Its key bonding ingredient includes citric acid, which works to repair and prevent split ends and breakage (a problem many curly-haired people face). It also lowers the pH balance in the overall formula, ensuring the cuticle stays closed and doesn’t frizz.
Our review: This shampoo is proof that you can find great options for curly hair at the drugstore. My hairdresser noticed some weakening in my strands over time, due to heat styling, and this bonding shampoo was recommended. The gentle cleansing formula repairs each strand, leaving my hair soft, smooth, and protected from future damage. My curls feel noticeably healthier, more defined, and bouncier, with reduced frizz and improved manageability. It’s also gentle on color, making it a reliable choice for color-treated hair. —Breanna Davis, Glamour contributor
Key ingredients: Citric acid | Scent: Citrus | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 6.8 oz. | Best for: Dry, damaged curls
Best for Cleansing: Hårklinikken Stabilizing Scalp Shampoo
.png)
What we love: For truly detoxified hair, we like this one from Hårklinikken, which is part of a larger natural system that prioritizes the scalp and its role in hair growth. The shampoo balances out the distribution of the hair’s natural oils, cutting down on grease and ensuring your strands are moisturized evenly. It cleans with a sulfate derived from palm oil, a a gentle surfactant that has a higher oil content than others. Experts generally advise against sulfates as they’re often too drying, but our reviewer says she only experienced increased shine, hydration, and volume in her curls (without any buildup).
Our review: I’ve tested the Hårklinikken scalp system for over two months now (which includes an exfoliating hair extract, shampoo, daily conditioner, and styling products). Prior to use, my fine, wavy hair had dandruff and my curls often felt weighted down by my various hair-care products. Now, after using the system (and spending a lot more time massaging and stimulating my scalp), my hair is no longer flaky and feels more voluminous. I’m getting more compliments than I have in years. My hair feels so clean and bouncy in a way it hasn’t in a very long time. I particularly like this shampoo, which the system recommends I use every time I wash at the roots. It doesn’t lather as much as other shampoos, nor does it have any particular fragrance, but my roots feel clean and almost feathery. —Malia Griggs, Glamour commerce editor
Key ingredients: Burdock root, glycosides, citric acid | Scent: Unscented | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: No | Size: 2.54–9.8 oz. | Best for: All curl types
Best for Everyday: Unite Hair Boing Shampoo
.png)
What we love: Unite Hair’s hydrating shampoo is a cream-to-foam formula that gently cleanses curls. Infused with a blend of softening coconut fatty acids and strengthening chamomile and oat, this shampoo restores elasticity and shine, leaving curls healthy, hydrated, and frizz-free. It’s gentle enough for everyday use, no matter your curl type.
Our review: I exclusively wear my hair curly, so I don’t mess around when it comes to the right products. I tried Unite’s detangling spray and loved it, so I went ahead and decided to buy its curl shampoo too. I love it! What stands out is that it adds a ton of moisture without weighing down my curls or even changing the shape. It’s made to be used daily, but I only wash my hair on average three times a week. And, I’m big on not having any harsh chemicals on my hair, so it was important to me that this shampoo was free of parabens, and sulfates (plus it’s vegan and so am I). It has a fruity scent that I couldn’t originally put my nose on, but according to the packaging, it’s coco-pear. Either way, it’s delicious. —Samantha Vargas, Glamour contributor
Key ingredients: Coconut fatty acids, oat, chamomile | Scent: Fruity | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 8 oz. | Best for: All curl types, especially frizzy and dry hair
Best Drugstore: John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo
.png)
.png)
What we love: It’s tough to beat a two-pack for under $20 of sulphate-free shampoo that detangles and adds shine to your curls. Rose-hip oil is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that hydrate and add shine, says celebrity hairstylist and Prose spokesperson Glen “Coco” Oropeza. It may also help with scalp inflammation from conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Our review: John Frieda products have been my drugstore go-to for years. After using its Frizz Ease Curl Reviver Mousse for (literally) a decade, I figured I’d test out its shampoo and conditioner—and have been sold on them since. My hair isn’t super coarse, but it is on the thicker side—I’ve got a lot of it. Its shampoo and conditioner keep my naturally 3A/3B curls moisturized, consistently controls frizz in hot and humid weather, and keep my strands looking shiny and defined. The cost for value is a no-brainer for me. It doesn’t make sense to spend money on a pricier product that would probably only do half the job that this one does! —Alexandra Folino, Glamour art director
Key ingredients: Rose-hip oil | Scent: Woody | Color-safe: Yes | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 8.45 oz. | Best for: Curl types 2A—3C (wavy, curly)
What are the best ingredients in shampoo for curly hair?
Since curly hair is naturally drier and frizz-prone, it’s important to choose a shampoo that will not strip your curls of moisture. To add shine and nourishment, look out for lightweight ingredients like jojoba oil, argan oil, rosemary oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and aloe vera. Shea butter, cocoa butter, and and castor oil are deeply hydrating and can help define your curl pattern (but may not be the best choices for fine hair, as they’re heavier and can weigh it down). Hydrolyzed proteins (like keratin, collagen, and silk protein) can strengthen your hair and help it retain moisture. Avoid curly hair products that have a high pH balance and that contain sulfates, parabens, and certain types of alcohol—ingredients that dry out curls and cause frizz.
How should you incorporate curly hair shampoo into your routine?
The best shampoo routine for curly hair is dependent on your curl type and preference. If you have wavy, curly hair, wash it every two to three days. Celebrity hairstylist Derek Yuen recommends sudsing your shampoo in your hands first before applying it to your roots for a more evenly distributed cleanse. You could even consider a double or triple wash. “Shampooing twice can ensure that your hair and scalp are thoroughly cleansed,” says celebrity hairstylist Matilde Campos. “The first wash removes dirt, oil, and product buildup, while the second wash allows the shampoo to work more effectively and deeply cleanse the scalp and hair follicle.”
If you have textured hair, it’s generally recommended to wash it once a week or even less frequently, Min Kim, a celebrity hairstylist, colorist, and L’Oréal Professionnel global ambassador, previously told Glamour. “Overwashing can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to frizz and dryness.”
Queen Adrienne Monroe, a hairstylist and cosmetologist based in New York City, advises fully soaking your hair before shampoo application. “Let the water run through your hair for about a minute to help the shampoo spread more easily and work effectively,” she says. “This initial step not only ensures thorough cleansing of your hair but also readies it to absorb moisture properly.”
If you’re active or use a lot of hair products like dry shampoo, you might consider adding a deep-cleansing clarifying shampoo into your routine no more than once a week. This can combat product buildup and grease.
How long should it take for you to see results from a shampoo for curly hair?
Give your scalp and hair at least two weeks (or three to four washes) to adjust to a new product. After the first couple of washes, you should begin to see improvements in your curl definition and hydration, says Monroe.
Meet our experts
- Matilde Campos, celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles
- Derek Yuen, celebrity hairstylist
- Kim Kimble, celebrity hairstylist and creator of Kim Kimble Hair Collection by HairUWear
- Queen Adrienne Monroe, hairstylist and cosmetologist at Curls on 5th in New York City, and founder of Red Carpet Curls
- Min Kim, a celebrity hairstylist, colorist, and L’Oréal Professionnel global ambassador
- Paul Labrecque, creative director and master stylist and colorist for Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa
- Clyde Haygood, celebrity hairstylist and Pura D’Or partner
- Bianca Hillier, celebrity hair colorist
- Glen “Coco” Oropeza, celebrity hairstylist and Prose spokesperson