Top 10 Shampoos For Curly Hair
10 Shampoos That Make Caring For Your Curls Super Easy
Any good curly hair care regimen starts with the right cleanser. While co-washes have long been a favorite method of cleansing and caring for curly hair, deeply cleansing your scalp and strands with a shampoo specifically formulated for textured hair can work wonders to remove product build up from all the creams, gels, and leave-in conditioners often used to style and protect natural curls. A shampoo made for curly hair can also work to moisturize and repair damage, which is of the utmost importance considering how prone curly hair is to dryness and endless knots and tangles. Plus, these formulas can add volume and body without weighing down strands, leaving behind soft, full, bouncy curls.
When shopping for a shampoo for curly hair, it's important to understand what your curls need at the moment. Curls on the dryer side should look to ultra-moisturizing formulas, and curls with signs of visible damage like split ends and thinning should opt for shampoo with strengthening ingredients like biotin or protein to help strengthen and repair weak strands.
Whether you have loose waves or tightly coiled hair, we’re here to help you find the best shampoos for curly hair of all types and textures. Loved for their ability to provide body and volume and improve overall manageability, these formulas have the power to completely transform your locks into a full head of hydrated curls with loads of bounce and shine. We know there are endless options out there to care for your curly hair, but we thought it best to show you our data-backed list below, which features only the top-tier shampoos that serve different curly texture needs at a variety of different price points. So, whatever your budget or texture may be, you’re certain to find the best one for you down below.
How We Found The Best Shampoos For Curly Hair
In search of the best curly hair shampoos the internet has to offer, we turned to our handy data-driven algorithm that factors in reviews, best-seller lists, social media buzz, and more. From ultra-moisturizing formulas to protein-infused options, keep scrolling for the best shampoos for curly hair from brands like SheaMoisture, Aveda, and Bumble and Bumble.
Next up, check out the 10 Best Oil Sheen Sprays. Opening image: sephora.com
April 26, 2022
Written By:Naomi Venerable
Product Expert:Georgia Jones
Top 10 Lists serve as unbiased shopping guides to the most trusted product recommendations on the internet. Products are scored and ranked using an algorithm backed by data consumers find most valuable when making a purchase. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
The Rankings
Virtue Curl Shampoo
Overall Score
4.4
10
Virtue Curl Shampoo
4.49
74 User Reviews
2.5
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO IT'S FOR: Have natural curls that are prone to breakage? One of the key ingredients in this rich, non-drying shampoo is Alpha Keratin 60ku, a healing protein identical to the keratin in our hair, which works to repave and refill the keratin in damaged tresses. Plus, it contains jojoba oil and sunflower oil to keep curls moisturized and easy to manage.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: This premium curl shampoo is vegan, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. A win-win for you and the environment.
Cruelty Free
Bumble And Bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo
Overall Score
4.4
09
Bumble And Bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo
4.52
278 User Reviews
2.7
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT: A deeply hydrating shampoo, this non-stripping cleanser will moisturize your hair thanks to a blend of rich oils and butters (think avocado oil and shea butter) which work together to combat dryness, reduce frizz, and enhance shine.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: This shampoo is free of sulfates, which means you won’t see a sudsy lather, but you can be sure that you’re still getting all of the cleansing benefits.
Cruelty Free
L'Oréal Paris EverCurl Hydracharge Sulfate Free Shampoo
Overall Score
4.45
08
L'Oréal Paris EverCurl Hydracharge Sulfate Free Shampoo
4.46
13698 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
0
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO ITS FOR: If your frizzy hair also happens to be dry, this lightweight shampoo is for you. Infused with coconut oil, this shampoo quenches hair for soft, hydrated, and manageable curls sans the frizz.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: Those with color-treated hair will find this shampoo to be exceptionally gentle and non-stripping, thanks to L'Oréal's sulfate-free formula.
Cruelty Free
OGX Quenching+ Coconut Curls Shampoo
Overall Score
4.45
07
OGX Quenching+ Coconut Curls Shampoo
4.49
4717 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
0
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Praised for its moisturizing power and affordability, it’s no surprise this $8 curl-defining shampoo has racked up more than 900 5-star reviews on Ulta. Formulated with a nourishing blend of coconut oil to add luster and sweet honey to moisturize, your curls are sure to feel smooth, bouncy, and shiny.
USER REVIEW: “The coconut curls line has been a blessing. My wallet is happy with the price, and my hair is healthier than it has ever been. I have tried lots of other products, but most disappointed me. My hair is never crunchy, never too oily, never weighed down, and my frizz has never been this tamed before. My hair is naturally curly, and these products make me love my natural curls for the first time.”
Cruelty Free
Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo
Overall Score
4.45
06
Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo
4.5
6493 User Reviews
3.3
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO ITS FOR: A rich blend of aloe vera, coconut oil, and papaya extract create a super hydrating formula to help de-frizz curls while enhancing softness and body, making it ideal for those with thick, tightly coiled hair.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: Aloe vera is the first ingredient listed in this paraben-free, vegan shampoo, which means the gel-like formula will give you the right amount of slip to easily aid in protecting and defining your hair’s natural curl pattern.
Davines Love Curl Shampoo
Overall Score
4.45
05
Davines Love Curl Shampoo
4.59
1343 User Reviews
3.1
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT: This curl-enhancing shampoo is loved by professional hair stylists and textured users alike. The creamy formula is praised for giving curls volume, shine, and definition, bringing life to even the thinnest, most shapeless curls. Plus, its foamy lather is non-stripping and gentle, so your natural curls are unharmed during the cleansing process.
USER REVIEW: “I have wavy but shapeless, thin hair and therefore have volume problems. Torture. Then I discovered Davines's curly line, and my life changed. My hair is full-bodied, shiny, and has volume and structure. I dry my curls naturally or with the diffuser, and they are perfect. I tried not using the curly shampoo for a few weeks, just to see, and the usual disaster resumed exactly as before. After two Davines shampoos, peace is back. What can I say? Never again without it.”
Cruelty Free
MoroccanOil Curl Enhancing Shampoo
Overall Score
4.45
04
MoroccanOil Curl Enhancing Shampoo
4.6
1630 User Reviews
3.2
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHAT IT DOES: Packed with hydrolyzed vegetable protein to build strength from within the hair to reinforce and protect the surface of the hair, this shampoo is designed for any curl type looking to boost shine, softness, and manageability.. It’s also formulated with argan oil and abyssinian oil to nourish and easily detangle strands.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: This strengthening formula is also gentle enough to use on color-treated hair.
Cruelty Free
Aveda Be Curly Shampoo
Overall Score
4.55
03
Aveda Be Curly Shampoo
4.6
1479 User Reviews
3.1
Best Seller
4
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO IT’s FOR: This gentle cleansing shampoo is made with organic aloe and what protein, so it expands when wet and retracts when dry to enhance waves for those with 2A, 2B, or 2C hair types or those with tighter curls: 3A, 3B or 3C hair types. Bonus: pure plant and flower essences give this shampoo a fresh-smelling aroma.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: Interested in more curl-defining power? Pick up Aveda’s 4-step curl enhancing system to define curls up to 57%.
Cruelty Free
Carol's Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Shampoo
Overall Score
4.6
02
Carol's Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Shampoo
4.51
11925 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
3
Industry Recognition
3
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO IT’S FOR: Formulated with glycerin, mango seed butter, coconut oil, and murumuru seed butter, this creamy shampoo gives extra-dry hair an extreme moisture experience one can truly see and feel.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: For intense moisture, you can snag the shampoo, conditioner, and curl butter set all for under $30.
Cruelty Free
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Overall Score
4.8
01
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
4.54
21269 User Reviews
5
Best Seller
4
Industry Recognition
4
Social Buzz
About Our Scoring System
In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.
WHO IT’S FOR: Dry, brittle hair is no match for this super-hydrating formula. Made with silk protein which strengthens and protects hair and coconut and neem oils which restore moisture and add shine, this shampoo was formulated to make cleansing and detangling your dry, thick, curly hair a breeze.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW: SheaMoisture sources their shea butter in direct partnership with vulnerable women living in Ghana. When you purchase a SheaMoisture product, it helps disadvantaged Ghanaian women make an ethical wage—one that is two or three times more than the price at which their shea is traded in their local market.
Cruelty Free
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