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The Best Curly Hair Shampoo

Last updated on August 3, 2024
Categories Beauty Tags

We looked at the top 11 Curly Hair Shampoos and dug through the reviews from 24 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Curly Hair Shampoos.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Our Picks For The Top Curly Hair Shampoos

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curly Hair Shampoo

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SheaMoisture

Coconut & Hibiscus Curly Hair Shampoo

Free of phthalates, parabens and dyes, this shampoo uses natural ingredients to moisturize and replenish hair. The formula is mild enough to use every day but strong enough to wash impurities out of your hair. It's specially designed for thick, curly hair, reducing frizz and breakage and bringing out the hair's natural shine.

Overall Take

Pleasant ScentNatural ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter give this shampoo a clean, light aroma.

Pros
" A rich formulation that strengthens hair, restores shine, and enchances curls with clean ingredients."
Cons
"Some online reviews say it's slightly greasy."
 Runner Up

Ouidad Silicone & Paraben-Free Curly Hair Shampoo

Ouidad

Silicone & Paraben-Free Curly Hair Shampoo

Chamomile flower extract and corn oil moisturize your hair while also making it smell great. You'll get 8.5 fluid ounces, with a small nickel-size amount being enough to clean your entire scalp. The formula does include sulfates, so it won't be the best option for color-treated hair.

Overall Take

Great for FamiliesYou’ll only need to use a nickel-size amount from this 8.5-ounce bottle, making it great for sharing with other family members.

Pros
" It has chamomile flower extract and corn oil to moisturize your strands and keep hair healthy by preventing dryness and split ends."
 We Also Like

Marc Anthony Vitamin E & Shea Butter Curly Hair Shampoo

Marc Anthony

Vitamin E & Shea Butter Curly Hair Shampoo

This shampoo is built to not only hydrate your curls but add volume to keep you looking great. It's made with a blend of Vitamin E, shea butter and hydrolyzed silk for a natural solution. You'll get 12.9 fluid ounces of shampoo to last through weeks of showers.

Overall Take

Strengthens and ProtectsA mixture of Vitamin E, shea butter and hydrolyzed silk will moisturize, strengthen and protect your curls.

 Also Great

Maui Moisture Coconut Oil Vegan Curly Hair Shampoo

Maui Moisture

Coconut Oil Vegan Curly Hair Shampoo

With vegan ingredients and a formula free of silicone and parabens, this curly hair shampoo will reduce frizz and soften your curls. You'll get a formula packed with natural ingredients like coconut oil and aloe that provides a great scent and plenty of cleaning power. You can choose between one 13-ounce bottle or a set of two.

Overall Take

Lightweight but EffectiveThe lightweight build of this shampoo keeps your curls buoyant while still packing plenty of cleaning power.

Pros
" An eco-friendly shampoo that combats frizz and enhances curls."
Cons
"Some may find the scent of coconut overpowering."

Buying Guide

Curly hair has a different follicle structure than straight hair. Asymmetry in the follicle structure causes hair to coil, leading to that head of curly hair you have. There are also varying forms of asymmetry, which is why some people have tight curls while others simply see slight waves.

Caring for curly hair can be tricky, though. The key is to deliver enough moisture to the hair to reduce frizz. Heavier formulas can weigh down those curls, interfering with the buoyancy that makes them so fun and attractive.

The first step is to track down hair products that are specially formulated for your hair type. You can find shampoos, conditioners and styling gels and creams that will deliver the moisture your hair needs while making it squeaky clean. You’ll also want to avoid chemicals that can strip the natural oils from your hair and weigh it down.

You’ll likely find some common elements in the curly hair products you see on the market. Natural ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil and avocado oil can all clean and hydrate. Aloe vera and shea butter are also often found in curly hair shampoos. If your hair can handle going a day or more between shampoos, you’ll likely find the natural oils in your hair are good for it. For curly hair that’s oily, you can use a stronger shampoo once every week or two to get that deep cleaning your hair needs.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
18

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the curly hair shampoos available to purchase.
11

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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24

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Good Mornings Blog, A Mused, BestReviews, Style Craze, Touch Ups Salon.

120,355

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 11 Curly Hair Shampoos and also dug through the reviews from 24 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Curly Hair Shampoos.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Maui Moisture Coconut Oil Vegan Curly Hair Shampoo

Key Takeawy

With vegan ingredients and a formula free of silicone and parabens, this curly hair shampoo will reduce frizz and soften your curls. You'll get a formula packed with natural ingredients like coconut oil and aloe that provides a great scent and plenty of cleaning power. You can choose between one 13-ounce bottle or a set of two.

What other experts liked

An eco-friendly shampoo that combats frizz and enhances curls.
- BestReviews
Provides moisture. Reduces tangles and frizz. Can be used to define curls. No harmful chemicals. Suitable for coarse waves and coils. Suitable for high porosity hair. Safe for colored hair. Vegan.
- Style Craze
Smells SO GOOD. Sulfate and paraben free. Vegan and cruelty free. Unique blend of coconut milk and aloe.
- You Probably Need a Haircut

What other experts didn't like

Some reports of hair loss after use.
- BestReviews
Some may find the scent of coconut overpowering.
- Style Craze
More expensive than normal shampoos. Relatively small bottle. More time needed to rinse the oils from your hair.
- You Probably Need a Haircut

What to Look For

  • Shampoo isn’t the only factor in keeping your curls hydrated. Make sure you find a good moisturizer that will give you lightweight hydration.
  • Brushing curly hair can be tricky. You won’t be able to run a brush through it without disrupting the natural direction of the curls. For best results, use a wide-toothed comb in the shower to get the detangling your hair needs. You can also use a wide-toothed comb on wet hair after conditioning. This will not only keep your curls intact, but it will also help ensure the conditioner coats every strand.
  • You spend hours each night with your head flat against a pillow. This can have the biggest impact on your curls. For best results, wrap your head in a scarf if you’re not a stomach or side sleeper.
  • A leave-in conditioner can be good for your curls. Look for one that’s lightweight but hydrating.
  • You don’t need a product to give your curls the moisture they need. You can create a mask from household ingredients like honey, coconut oil and avocado oil as a weekly treatment.
  • Chemicals like phthalates and parabens have become a concern for many consumers. Both are popular ingredients in haircare products, so if you’re worried about the damage they could cause, look for a formula that’s free of both.
  • The scent produced by your shampoo is probably of concern, particularly if you wash your hair before heading out for the day. You can find plenty that use natural oils to provide a lightweight, refreshing scent without introducing chemicals to the mix.
  • Pay close attention to usage directions with any hair products you buy. The amount you’ll need to use to get the desired results can vary. With some, you only need a dime- or nickel-size amount.
  • If you color your curly hair, you may need more than shampoo and conditioner to keep your curls hydrated. Coloring dries your strands out and can even introduce frizz that wouldn’t be there with your natural color. You’ll also want to avoid hair products with sulfates if your hair is color treated.

More to Explore

Hair is far more complicated than you may realize. Each of your strands goes through four growth phases. The first phase is the anagen phase, which lasts two to five years. Ninety percent of hair is in this phase. Once a strand finishes the growth phase, it enters a three-week regression phase known as the catagen phase. It then rests for three to five months in the telogen phase, then progresses to the miniaturization phase, at which point it falls out.

Each strand has something known as ellipticity, which is the degree to which it deviates from the sphere shape common to all hair strands. The more ellipticity your hair has, the tighter the curl. Unfortunately, those beautiful curls come at a cost. A higher degree of ellipticity makes hair more fragile.

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