We probably don't need to tell you that one of the foundational steps of a strong haircare routine is a good shampoo that's been formulated with the unique needs of your hair in mind. To that end, the best shampoos for curly hair are – broadly speaking, because curly hair is incredibly diverse – those that gently cleanse curls, coils and waves without stripping moisture while preserving the curl patterns.
Due to their structure, curly hair types tend to be more susceptible to breakage than straighter ones; the tighter the curl pattern, the more bends and therefore more weak points there are in a strand. These bends also make it harder for oils from your scalp to make their way down the hair shaft to the ends of your hair. While this means the strands often don't get greasy as quickly, it means that curls tend to be drier and need more moisture from products the best conditioner for curly hair.
This therefore means that, as with the best hair dryers for curly hair there are specific considerations to make before buying your shampoo. Though curly hair still varies massively in terms of strand thickness and porosity, this means haircare products shouldn't be too stripping so as not to exacerbate dryness. To refine a list of some of the very best formulas on the market, our curly-haired testers put a big selection through a rigorous testing process and shared reviews of the top performing shampoos in this guide. Consider this a list of the go-tos – many of which are discounted ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Current deals on the best shampoos for curly hair
The best shampoos for curly hair, reviewed by beauty experts
RRP: £29 for 236ml | Key ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, healthy curl complex | Sulphate free: Yes
Despite being sulphate-free and curly girl method compliant, Living Proof's Curl Shampoo lathers really well and feels like a traditional shampoo formula – though we can attest it's rather advanced. Its "healthy curl complex" creates a shield around curls, coils and waves to strengthen, define and reduce frizz. This technology is a blend of amino acids, which contribute to hair strength and elasticity, while a combination of jojoba oil, shea butter and sunflower seed wax also help enhance curl patterns.
This formula goes some way in justifying the higher price tag of this shampoo; we found you could even begin detangling while shampooing because it has some nourishing slip, rather than yielding that squeaky clean, stripped feel. It's this combination of the great formula and user experience that made it our overall best pick of the best shampoo for curly hair.
Pros
- Cleanses thoroughly without stripping
- Defines curl patterns
Cons
- Quite expensive for the size
RRP: £22.75 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Tomato extract, glycerin | Sulphate free: Yes
Colouring curls isn't necessarily a no-no when it's done with care, but the colouring and/or bleaching processes put an extra strain on already fragile hair types, which can damage your strands and make them more prone to breakage. Nourishment and gentle cleansing are therefore all the more important – and the Davines NOUNOU Nourishing Shampoo wowed us with its deeply nourishing formula, which both smells phenomenal and helps to moisturise strands.
If your hair is particularly frizz-prone, the soothing chestnut milk and tomato extract will work to smooth this somewhat and restore some shine to your head of hair. Other plus points are that the packaging is also recyclable (Davines' sustainability credentials are pretty impressive), while the formula itself is vegan.
Pros
- Gentle on coloured, bleached and/or damaged hair
- Works to preserve colour and hair's moisture content
- Sustainability-focused brand
Cons
- Damaged hair will see the biggest benefit
RRP: £18 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Aloe vera juice, glycerin, argan & lemon tea tree oils | Sulphate free: Yes
This product from excellent curly brand Bread Beauty Supply, who makes products primarily for types 4 and 3 hair, is like a mix between a shampoo and a co-wash. It works wonders on dry or sore scalps with its non-stripping formula. As more of a co-wash (short for "conditioning wash" i.e. a cleansing conditioner), it doesn't lather much, but we found it still lifts away oil and build-up from thick hair with relative ease.
Both this and Bread's Hair-Mask are firm favourites of our contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen, who loves how they work to deeply moisturises with no residue or heaviness post-wash. We also enjoyed the packaging of Hair-Wash; the pouch format allows you to squeeze out every last drop of product. All on it's a nice and moisturising, non-stripping, sulphate-free formula – and works a treat on coloured hair, too.
Pros
- Shampoo–co-wash hybrid
- Lovely creamy consistency
- Smells great
Cons
- Packaging is a bit less convenient than a squeezy bottle (but great for no waste)
RRP: £12.99 for 384ml | Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, hibiscus flower | Sulphate free: Yes
Shea Moisture's entire line is incredible, but we love the Coconut and Hibiscus range for thick and/or damaged hair. This nourishing formula lathers beautifully and while the smell is subtle it has a tropical scent that will make you feel like you're on your holidays. Key ingredients include nourishing coconut oil and shea butter to smooth split ends plus strengthening hibiscus flower, which is packed with amino acids to prevent breakage.
We found that this shampoo kept frizz down and helped bring definition to curls, but those with more fine hair may find that it sits heavy because of its many hydrating properties. For this price, you get nearly 400ml of product, making this one of the best value options we tried.
Pros
- Ideal for thicker and/or drier hair that needs a moisturising shampoo
- Lathers well
- Subtle tropical scent
- Good value for the size
Cons
- Not the most luxe packaging
RRP: £8.99 for 355ml | Key ingredients: Shea butter, ceramides, peach | Sulphate free: Yes
Fully recycled, 92% naturally derived and cruelty-free, the Rhyme & Reason Curl & Quench Shampoo is eco-friendly without costing the earth. While testing this formula, we really thought that it smells more like a high end product, scented with peach and sandalwood. Meanwhile the blend of nut butters and oils makes this shampoo super nourishing, rathe than overly stripping.
All in all, we were seriously impressed by the performance of this product, given that it costs less than £10 for a bottle. It's up there with many of the more expensive shampoos for curly hair that we tested, but coming in at a fraction of the cost, and really impressed us.
Pros
- Great value for the size
- Nice scent
- Super nourishing
Cons
- Not the most luxe-looking design
RRP: £29.60 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Manuka honey, ceramides | Sulphate free: Yes
Curly hair types are more fragile than straight ones and drier, too, which is why this shampoo contains a patented ceramide that was developed after four years of research. It creates a barrier between the hair strand and environmental stressors to lock in moisture, improve strength, elasticity and suppleness. You’ll also find manuka honey in this rich, creamy and hair-bolstering formula – which we found, despite its texture, doesn’t weigh your hair down or need more thorough rinsing off.
Though this shampoo definitely gave our curls a thorough clean, it manages to be somewhat nourishing, too. This is in no small part thanks to the inclusion of glycerin, a gold standard moisturiser, which hydrates from root to tip to help with curl definition and shine. You'll also love the warm fruity, floral scent that envelops your hair and fills your bathroom.
Pros
- Hydrating and strengthening formula
- Moisture-locking technology
Cons
- Strong scent may not appeal to all
RRP: £28 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Oligoquat M, guar and cocoa butter | Sulphate free: No
Designed to restore moisture to dry and fragile hair – and primarily formulated for natural tightly coiled and curly hair – the Philip Kingsley Moisture Extreme Shampoo features a range of ingredients that target nourishment and reduced frizz. This includes guar, an anti-static agent to keep hair looking smooth, and oligoquat M, a superpowered moisturising agent derived from sugar cane.
Suitable for natural, relaxed and synthetic hair, we really enjoyed the application and general user experience of this shampoo, from its calming, fresh scent to the attractive but fully recyclable packaging. This trichologist-founded brand's product is CO2 negative and cruelty-free, too. However, if you definitely want a sulphate-free shampoo formula, this one isn't for you.
Pros
- Nourishing and smoothing
- Works to repair cuticle damage
- Created by trichologists
Cons
- Contains sulphates, which will put off some
RRP: £28 for 250ml | Key ingredients: French pink clay, hibiscus extract, coconut oil extract, zinc PCA | Sulphate free: Yes
Unlike "traditional" formulas, many of the best shampoos for curly hair are very low or no foam. Some people can be thrown off by the lack of lather that forms while massaging in these products, leaving them feeling like their hair isn't quite as clean as they want. But we found that the Trepadora Hibiscus Pink Cleansing Clay-Wash more than hits the mark.
Why? Firstly, we found that it managed to be both moisturising but purifying, with pink clay to protect strands and increase elasticity. The formula also uses 100% natural zinc PCA, which helps to regulate sebaceous gland oil production and, in turn, reduce the build-up of bacteria and friends to help keep itching and irritation at bay.
Pros
- Ideal for oily and/or sensitive scalps
- Helps to reduce irritating scalp bacteria
Cons
- Not very moisturising
RRP: £24 for 275ml | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, polyglutamic acid, plant-derived oils | Sulphate free: Yes
It's hard to argue with Amika's impeccable branding, which admittedly caught our attention from first use, but the Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo's true appeal is the formula inside this lovely-looking bottle. It's packed with natural, curl-loving ingredients such as fermented coconut water, sea buckthorn and blue/green algae, as well as skincare-worthy hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids.
We gave points to this formula because you can also use this shampoo or colour or keratin-treated curls, and we found that despite its intense hydration it left no buildup on our hair. Pair with the matching conditioner for a real moisture surge.
Pros
- Suits dehydrated and/or coarse curls
- Deeply hydrates strands
- Contains skincare-level ingredients
Cons
- Hard to fault, but quite pricey for the size
How we tested the best shampoos for curly hair
Our testers, all of whom have different curly hair types, all tested a variety of shampoos designed for curly hair for consideration. With decades of years of experience between them, they also drew on established favourites as well as testing formulas that were new to them. Every product featured in the final guide was tested at least once , with our testers making their final selections based on all of the following factors.
- Sulphates: Experts disagree on whether sulphates – and other strong surfactants, AKA cleansing agents – are completely off-limits for curly hair, though the general agreement is that they can be worth avoiding as they are quite drying.
- How it felt to use: Did it lather gently and feel nice on our hair, or feel stripping or like it was hard to cleanse our strands?
- How our hair looked post-wash: While other products in the hair wash and styling routine play a big role here too, we took note of how defined and soft our hair was after using all of these shampoos.
- Packaging: Needed to be both functional and easy to use, while bonus points were scored for nice designs.
- Price: A more expensive shampoo isn't always "better", but a formula had to perform well enough that we felt it justified its price tag, however high.
How to pick the best shampoo for curly hair
There are quite a few considerations you can make when picking the best shampoo for curly hair, from budget to ingredients to how it smells, but there are two key factors to bear in mind, according to our experts.
- Sulphate vs sulphate-free: Traditional shampoo formulas often contain sulphates, a surfactant that enables formulas to lather and give a deep cleanse that helps strip away any mineral deposits that are an effect of hard water on hair. However, they are considered harsher and can strip the scalp of too much of the oils, which also keep our hair healthy. “It’s best to use a shampoo that doesn’t contain the likes of sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate," says trichologist Ricardo Vila Nova. "Instead, look for alternatives like coconut, that still remove dirt and excess oil, but don’t totally strip the scalp and leave naturally-dry curly hair even more parched.” As for how often should you wash your hair, it's all down to how your hair feels, but between 1–3 times a week suits most curl types.
- Curl type: Within the curly typing system, type 2 is wavy, type 3 is curly and type 4 is coily, with a subcategory A, B or C indicating the width. “Type 3 curls are akin to springs that come in fine, medium and thick varieties – they can boast major shine but are prone to frizz and tangling," explains Elena Lavagni owner of Neville Hair & Beauty. "This makes hydrating, reparative, and curl-defining shampoos a good shout." At-home keratin treatment type shampoos can also be a great option for this curl type. "Type 4 coils shrink massively once dry and these curls are either tightly coiled or have a compact zigzag pattern," Lavagni continues, recommending nourishing and sulphate-free formulas for these hair types.
What ingredients should I avoid for my curly hair?
"If you have textured hair, that means you naturally have bends and loops which make the natural oils produced by your scalp to not travel easily along your hair shaft" says Keisha.
"For this reason, you need to gravitate towards shampoos which offer the ability to keep your scalp happy but deliver moisture to your strands at the same time. For this reason, most curlies avoid harsh irritating sodium lauryl sulphates and opt for kinder surfactants, such as sodium lauroyl methyl Isethionate, a very gentle cleanser derived from coconuts.
She continues: "For fine curl types, a liquid shampoo works best to avoid weight, while for tighter curl types a cream-based shampoo offers the higher level of moisture that really penetrates your strands beautifully however I still recommend using a liquid shampoo at the scalp level at least once per week."
Our expert panel
Millie Fender was eCommerce Editor at woman&home and was formerly Head of Reviews across some of Future plc's leading Homes titles, including Ideal Home and Homes&Gardens. As our head of all things shopping, Millie is committed to giving readers honest expert advice when it comes to spending their hard-earned cash – and, having curly hair, she knows what to look for in an effective conditioner.
Amerley Ollennu is an award-winning beauty & lifestyle journalist who regularly contributes to some of the UK’s most well-known titles, including Stylist, Women’s Health, Glamour, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, The Telegraph and Metro. As well as her years of experience, she also has curly hair herself, meaning she knows what to look for in a great shampoo.
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With close to a decade of experience in the industry – and with hair as one of her specialisms – she's tested a lot of hair tools on her curly hair during her career. As such, she's also shared her insights on some of the top-rated dryers in this guide.
Keisha Jo Lawler is a curl expert and founder of haircare brand Trepadora. In 2015, she launched both the flagship salon and her own range of vegan-certified products – designed for all curl types, from corkscrews to gentle waves, and suitable for all ages from three upwards. All this makes her a great expert on the subject of shampoo for curly hair.
Ricardo Vila Nova is an experienced trichologist also known as "the hair whisperer" With a degree in Biochemistry and a DSc in BioPhysics, he now has a few clinics around the world, working out of Harrods in the UK. As a hair and scalp expert, he knows what to look for to find the optimum shampoo for various curly hair types.
Elena Lavagni is the co-owner of Neville Hair & Beauty as well as an Amazon Salon service provider. During her career she has worked on fashion weeks around the world and with many leading designers – and, as an experienced expert in the hair industry, has shared insights into shopping for products for curly hair.