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10 Top Shampoo Options for Curly Hair

Long curly hair on a brunette woman.

Curly locks follow a different hair regimen than that needed by sleek, straight locks and other hair type. For curly hair, it’s best not to shampoo frequently. You can cleanse your locks every other day or even go three or more days without a wash depending on how fine your hair is.

The most important thing to consider is the shampoo you’ll be using. Most traditional shampoos have harsh ingredients that can leave your hair dry and frizzy. If you want to know the best shampoo options for your curly hair, check out our list below.

1. L’Oreal Shampoo EverCurl Sulfate-Free Hydracharge

L'Oréal Paris evercurl hydracharge shampoo sulfate free.

This shampoo is based on coconut oil and lacks sulfates, parabens, and dyes. It is gentle enough to use every day without drying the scalp while controlling the frizz many curly haired people suffer from. Shampoos containing sulfates may be appropriate for individuals with naturally oily hair, but they tend to strip the natural oils out of hair, which can leave naturally dry hair feeling and looking like straw. This particular offering from L’Oreal seems to be the overall top shampoo preferred by the majority of people with naturally curly hair, which is not surprising since L’Oreal was founded in 1905 and has demonstrated time and again its expertise in beauty.

Pros:

  • Nice light scent
  • Leaves hair feeling soft but not weighed down
  • Only need a small amount
  • Sulfate, parabens, and dye free

Cons:

  • Can strip out hair dyes
  • Needs to be used with the paired conditioner or it can cause frizzing
  • May not be appropriate for people with naturally oily hair

2. Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Moisturizing Shampoo

Not your mother's beach babe moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.

This shampoo is produced by the Not Your Mother’s hair products company, which strives to provide affordable hair products that manage today’s hairstyles while also supporting ethically sourced products and materials. This shampoo is intended to create an impression of a naturally wind-tossed curly mass of hair, complete with a scent that reminds users of their last trip to the beach.

Pros:

  • Contains sea kelp and coconut oil
  • The fragrance that reminds you of the beach
  • Will not strip out hair dyes
  • Sulfate free

Cons:

  • Tends to relax curls
  • May dry some users’ hair
  • Very thick and difficult to get out of the bottle

3. Kinky Curly Come Clean Natural Moisturizing Shampoo

Kinky curly come clean natural moisturizing shampoo sulfate free.

Kinky Curly is a company that specializes products for kinky and curly hair, primarily aimed at women of color. This shampoo is possibly the best shampoo for curly hair on the market today for women of color with beautifully kinky and curly hair. It is primarily intended to remove the build-up left behind by other products; some users report it is fine for everyday use, but others recommend using it only once a week or so to strip out the products and clarify the hair, while also supporting lovely kinks and curls.

Pros:

  • Removes product build-up to leave your hair clean
  • Mandarin orange and sea kelp extract
  • Leaves kinks and curls soft yet defined

Cons:

  • Maybe too harsh for everyday use
  • Not much lather

4. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Shampoo

Herbal essences totally twisted curl shampoo.

This offering from Herbal Essences specializes in controlling frizz, even on a very humid day. It can control frizz for up to 20 hours, even in very humid and hot climates. It has a fairly strong fruity/floral scent that some users report liking but others feel it is overwhelming and “artificial.” This is surprising since Herbal Essences was founded by Clairol in 1971 as an offshoot to promote products made from all-natural products; the company was later acquired by Proctor & Gamble to target young women who desired all-natural hair care products.

Pros:

  • 20 hours of frizz control
  • Lovely fruity scent
  • Adds body and bounce to curls while leaving them manageable

Cons:

  • Some people find the fragrance overwhelming
  • The paired conditioner product is not well liked by users

5. TRESemmé Curl Hydration Botanique Shampoo

TRESemmé botanique shampoo, curl hydration.

Many people are surprised to learn that TRESemme is not French at all; the brand originated in St. Louis, Missouri. This shampoo promises to moisturize curly hair without weighing it down, a difficult feat. Many people with naturally curly hair have very dry hair, and this product uses shea butter to moisturize the hair and scalp. It is recommended by many professional hairstylists, but some users may feel it has too many “unnatural” ingredients, although it is parabens and dye-free.

Pros:

  • Moisturizes with shea butter
  • Lovely delicate scent
  • Leaves hair soft and bouncy

Cons:

  • May irritate some users’ scalp
  • May not work well with artificially curly hair (perms)

6. Bumble and Bumble

Bumble and Bumble hairdresser's invisible oil sulfate free shampoo.

This shampoo is perfect for the days when you don’t have enough time! This is a pret-a-porter shampoo, which does not leave any traces on your hair and makes it look amazing. It absorbs oil and your hair won’t look greasy anymore.

It is perfect for curly hair because it simply enhances volume and curly hair goes absolutely great with curly hair. It won’t damage the curls and it will make it shiny and glow in the light. This is a shampoo that has excellent reviews from customers and those who have complained mentioned that it can feel too thick. However, all in all, this invisible dry shampoo goes very well with curly hair.

The Bumble and Bumble company is great, because it is a cruelty-free brand, meaning that they don’t test on animals. Moreover, this product does not use parabens or other toxic chemicals.

7. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

Amika perk up dry shampoo.

This dry shampoo is held in high esteem by owners of curly hair especially because its key ingredients help boost volume and volume is the key about curly hair.

It refreshes hair, it odorizes it and it feels very cool. This shampoo does not contain artificial colors or other damaging chemicals for the scalp or the hair itself. It contains sea buckborn berry, which has important active compounds, such as vitamin A and vitamin E, which revitalize hair and actually nourish it.

Many customers have claimed that this is the Best Dry Shampoo for Curly Hair they have ever had and most of them keep using this type of shampoo when in need for a quick fix of their hair. This shampoo is also distinguishable through the fact that it has an excellent smell!

8. Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

Living proof perfect hair day dry shampoo.

Like its name suggests, this shampoo is for a perfect hair day! It can also come with a conditioner and it has been highly appreciated by customers. This shampoo actually cleans hair and it basically eliminates oil, greasiness in the hair and it simply caresses your curls if you happen to have a lot of hair!

This shampoo has been very good for women with curly hair, because of its active ingredients. It contains mild ingredients, which do not destroy the structure of the hair and do not do any damage to it. It also makes curls look finer when used on them and it basically “tames” them.

9. Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

Drybar detox dry shampoo.

This shampoo is great for when you want a simple solution for oily hair! You apply it and it cleans all the impurities in your hair, without making your hair look bad.

How to use this shampoo: as the name suggests, this shampoo also acts as a detox for your hair, because it does more than refresh it when you are having a busy day. It also detoxifies it and it clears all the bad things that might be found in it! It comes in scents of vanilla, sandalwood, and Madagascar vanilla. This shampoo does not contain parabens or other dangerous chemicals and it is dermatologically testified.

If you are someone who does not really come to terms with their curls, this shampoo also smoothes your curls without making them look unnatural. It works at the root of the hair and it simply does wonders!

10. Tarte. Hair Goals Dry Shampoo

Tarte hair goals dry shampoo.

This shampoo is not for the weak hearted! It simply transforms your hair, so it goes very well with curly hair because it acts the root of the hair!

It cleans dirt, odor and everything that could feel damaging to hair. Its application is very easy and it is not messy at all. More than this, it refreshes hair and it leaves it feeling very cool.

Is this shampoo particularly good for curly hair?

Because those of you who have curly hair cannot go during the day without refreshing and applying a product to make it look more vibrant and with more volume! The Tarte shampoo is very good for this because it leaves no traces in the hair, you just apply it and it does its effect as long as needed!

This is why this shampoo is not the type to be easily used, but it simply transforms your hair, by making it more voluminous and more interesting on your when you are waving it around!

Having curls is not easy, but you have to go easy on your curls! By using Tarte, you will use a product that is soft with your curls.




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