The shampoos for curly hair that we’ve tested have been trialled by members of the Yours team who have curly hair (and in some cases, their families), for several months. We were looking for how well the shampoos cleaned, moisturised and defined curls, ensuring they maintained their bounce and shape. After extensive testing, we’ve only selected the top-performing shampoos that continue to be our personal favourites.
From waves to coils, if you have curly hair, you’ll know it takes real effort to keep your curls soft, shiny, and manageable. All hair types need different things to look their best, but sometimes it is natural to feel that curly hair demands even more upkeep. When it comes to putting in the extra effort to make your curls look gorgeous, it is important to understand that different types of curly hair requires different kinds of haircare routines and products.
When our team tried and tested the best products for curly hair, we found that your curls will appreciate products that focus on adding moisture, hydrating, providing long-lasting conditioning while also reducing frizz. The best shampoo for curly hair that works for your hair type should also be ensuring these results.
My own hair is wavy, and I have a daughter with very wavy hair too. But it’s my son (who is pictured below) who has a real shock of wild curls. His hair is his pride and joy, but it does tend to go dry. Using a hairbrush takes the tightness out of the curls too, so we avoid that, and he keeps it long in order to keep the coils (we’re both fearful they won’t return if he cuts them off!). There are several routines to clean, condition and style curly hair, but finding a good shampoo is the first step.
Best shampoo for curly hair at a glance:
Expert advice on how to care for curly hair
When it comes to curly hair there are different approaches to care for it. Some people swear by washing and conditioning every day, while others prefer to follow the Curly Girl Method, which involves only washing two to three times a week to prevent excessive dryness.
We spoke to hairstylist Sam Ashcroft from Josh Wood Atelier for more insights on how to care for curly hair as well as Kameese Davis, who is the CEO and founder of Nylah’s Naturals, a brand that creates hair care products specifically designed for textured hair.
Does curly hair need a special shampoo?
Curly hair doesn't need a special 'curly' shampoo but will always need a moisture based shampoo and conditioner because curly hair is naturally dryer, Sam says. This is because it's harder for the natural oils from our scalp to travel down to the ends of curly hair. “I'd recommend Josh Wood Colour Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner, as well as the Josh Wood Colour Miracle Mask as they are deep conditioning,” says Sam.
Throughout our testing, moisturisation came up time and again. Like my son, our other curly haired testers are all prone to dryness if they don’t use the right products. In this article, we’re focusing on just shampoo, but don’t forget to condition your hair, either with a regular conditioner, a leave-in one, or a deep cleansing treatment. Protecting hair when styling is also very important.
What is the best way to wash and dry curly or wavy hair?
“Just make sure you thoroughly shampoo and then condition, just like other hair types,” Sam says. “I would always comb the hair through when conditioner is on. Just make sure you use moisture-based shampoos and conditioners.”
Kameese Davis also recommends washing curly hair weekly once at least to maintain a healthy scalp. “The scalp produces natural oils and can accumulate dead skin, so regular washing is essential to cleanse and refresh it properly,” she says.
How often should I shampoo curly hair?
Shampooing curly hair weekly helps to cleanse both the scalp and hair effectively. Regular washing helps remove product buildup, excess oils, and environmental debris, keeping your hair and scalp healthy and refreshed, says Kameese Davis.
If you are using styling products or leave-in conditioners, product build-up is another issue that might crop up and Davis suggests: "To tackle product build-up, use a clarifying shampoo regularly and opt for lightweight products. Heavy products can clog the scalp and weigh down your hair, while regular cleansing keeps your scalp healthy and your curls defined."
Finding the best shampoo for curly hair can be a difficult task because there are so many on offer, and what suits you will depend on what type of curl you have. Do you have very tight coils or looser waves? Are you prone to frizz, or dry ends? Do you need a shampoo for dry and damaged hair? A lot of us (or our children) here at Yours have trawled the market in search of the best shampoo for curly hair, and we’re happy to recommend our favourites.
How we tested the best shampoo for curly hair
While compiling this list, we put some of the best shampoos for curly hair on the market to the test and we looked at factors like how well it cleans the scalp, how easily it lathers, if it strips off natural oils, makes hair feel dry or frizz, how well it hydrates curls and aspects like affordability. Our reviewers also looked the ingredients of each shampoo and considered if it is vegan, cruelty-free, natural and free from sulphates and parabens (which are common cleaning agents found in most shampoos but lead to dryness and frizz). Every shampoo listed here has been reviewed by a tester after using it for at least 4 hair washes and they have provided their honest reviews, including the best things they liked, what they didn’t like and how each product helped to improve the texture and health of their curls.
Best shampoo for curly hair
Our review (senior writer Becky Fuller's son): My son has had an insane amount of curls since he was about 2. He's 14 now, and his hair is still long and very thick. Because of the amount of sport he plays, and being a teenage boy, he has to wash his hair quite often. I noticed his usual shampoo was drying out the ends of his hair quite a bit, so gave Cantu a try.
He uses it in conjunction with the Cantu conditioner, and there are other products in the range too, such as curl activator cream and leave in conditioner. The shampoo smells lovely, and it doesn't leave a build-up of residue.
The main thing we've noticed, though, is how bouncy his curls are again. So many people have commented and asked what I've done differently to get it so curly again, but the answer is just that I changed his shampoo (and conditioner). It does a really good job of moisturising his hair as well - the dry crispy ends are a thing of the past.
The one thing I would say is he never brushes his hair - just uses an afro comb once in the morning to gently detangle at the back. So I'd recommend leaving your hair to dry naturally and letting those curls bounce!
Pros
- Gently cleanses and softens hair
- Replaces lost moisture
- Really helps define curls
Cons
- We found it worked better by leaving hair to dry naturally to let the curls bounce
Our review (senior writer Becky Fuller's daughter): My daughter has very long, thick, wavy hair. If she uses normal shampoo, it goes very frizzy and she looks like Crystal Tips (you'll get that reference if you're of a certain age!).
Hydration is key when it comes to choosing a shampoo for her. I had my doubts about this one because of its price - I wasn't sure that a £5 bottle of shampoo would be that great, but it's really worked well at smoothing her frizz and adding shine.
It leaves her hair with lovely soft waves, but it doesn't work as well on the tight curls my son has (see my Cantu review for the one he uses). She uses this in conjunction with the Monday Smooth conditioner, which helps moisturise dry ends. She also uses a heat protection spray when styling her hair.
One minor point is that the pump action bottle is tricky when your hands are wet in the shower! It's also frustrating as the pump stops working when there's still product in the bottom of the bottle, so make sure to unscrew it and tip that last bit out!
Pros
- Good value for money
- Works well on frizz
- Adds shine to hair
Cons
- The pump action bottle is tricky to use when your hands are wet in the shower
Best shampoo for taming frizz
Credit: Becky Fuller/Yours.co.ukOur review (senior writer Becky Fuller's daughter): Although the Vita Coco shampoo isn't specifically formulated for curls, it does do an excellent job of combating frizz, which is why we like it so much.
It moisturises hair nicely without causing build-up, and also leaves a soft shine to hair. Be careful not to use too much though, as my daughter did find it made her hair look greasy otherwise.
However, the right amount of shampoo does the job perfectly. She suffers with frizz and flyaways around her hairline, and the Vita Coco tames these brilliantly. She felt (and I agreed) it softened her waves a little so they weren't as noticeable, but the trade-off was that she could wear her hair in a ponytail without a halo of frizz. So we would recommend using this if you know you're going to be wearing your hair up.
Pros
- Does a great job of taming frizz and flyaways
- Delivers a nice shine
- Moisturises and softens hair
Cons
- Can make hair look greasy if you use too much
Best shampoo for the curly girl method
Credit: Ella Croft/Yours.co.ukOur review (SEO strategist Ella Croft): This shampoo was one of the first products I tried when I first started trying the curly girl method and I still continue to use it. From the first use, it made such a difference to my hair.
It is cleansing but also gentle, it doesn't give my hair that awful squeaky, stripped-away feeling, and it leaves my curls feeling moisturised, defined and frizzy-free! I love to use this as my regular shampoo, but once every two weeks or so I do like to use a more clarifying shampoo that does a bit more of a deep clean.
Pros
- Great for regular use
- Leaves curls moisturised
- Cleansing but also gentle on hair
Cons
- May need to give hair a deeper clean every so often
Best shampoo for coloured curly hair
Josh Woodwww.lookfantastic.com
Our review (senior writer Becky Fuller): My own hair is wavy, like my daughter's, but not as long. It is also coloured, and I'm very keen on protecting that as I spend a lot of money on it! I've not used the Josh Wood Colour Miracle shampoo for very long, but it has definitely given my hair a noticeable shine. The blonde doesn't look brassy either, which can often happen with hydrating shampoos.
It smells lovely and leaves hair really soft. My waves are more wavy! I'm also using the conditioner, and a little goes a long way. Overall, I'm really happy with both products and feel they're worth the money.
Pros
- Revives colour as well as hydrating dry hair
- Very pleasant, lasting fragrance
Cons
- More expensive than others we've tested
Best shampoo bar for curly hair
EthiqueOur review (SEO strategist Ella Croft): This is my favourite shampoo bar out of all the shampoo bars I've tried, after use my hair feels clean and not weighed down, leaving my curls defined and smooth.
I took this bar on a five month trip and it was still going by the end! You really don't need much product to get a really good lather. The only downside is when it gets very small it breaks apart easily which makes it hard to use - but this is the same for all shampoo bars!
Pros
- Defines and smoothes curls
- Lasts a long time
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Breaks apart when it gets very small - but this is true of all shampoo bars
Best moisturising shampoo for curly hair
Faith In NatureOur review (Commercial Content Writer, Piper Huxley): I have type 2C hair, which can get a little dry and screams out for moisture. I love Faith in Nature's Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner - as it is full of organic, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.
This shampoo helps my hair feel truly nourished and my curls to activate. My hair has never looked better. It smells great - and hydrates (as well as cleanses) my natural curls, and tames the pesky frizzy bits, too. I have found it to be slightly thinner than other shampoos I've tried but it doesn't affect the quality of the shampoo. The bottles are 100% recyclable, but, I like to head to my local refill store for refillable shampoo if I'm running low to reduce plastic waste. Paired with the Leave-In Moisture Milk and Curl Maker Jelly from Camille Rose, my hair routine is a dream.
Pros
- Helps activate curls
- Organic, vegan, cruelty-free ingredients
- 100 per cent recyclable bottle
Cons
- Slightly thinner than other shampoos - doesn't affect quality but be aware when pouring
Best shampoo for promoting growth in curly hair
Credit: Akhila Thomas/Yours.co.uk
Our review (Digital Writer Akhila Thomas): I have been using the Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo for almost 4 months now and as someone with long curls, I have seen visible improvements. The rate of my hair growth has always been slow and with curls, it takes even longer for the difference to show.
Since using this shampoo paired with the conditioner from the same brand as well, I can see that my hair has grown by a couple of inches. The texture of my hair is usually dry and I feel the moisturising effect of the shampoo could be better. But it does lather quite well and does the job of cleaning your scalp quite well. It also comes with a pleasant smell and the fragrance stays until the next day at times
Pros
- Promotes hair growth
- Lasting fragrance
- Lathers quite well
Cons
- Moisturising effect could be better
Our review (Commercial Content Writer Natalie Knowles): Clean Curls Super Softening Shampoo is perfect for my dry, brittle curls. It’s a clear shampoo with a small, easy-to-use dispenser. The non-toxic formula and nourishing ingredients make it ideal for all curl types, including colour-treated hair. A little goes a long way, and the coconut scent is heavenly. After rinsing, my hair feels clean and refreshed. This is an effective shampoo for removing product build-up, pollution and minerals caused by hard water. Overall, hair feels softer and cleansed. That said, being a sulphate-free shampoo, certain hair types, such as thick oily hair, may need a shampoo with stronger cleansing ingredients.
I followed it with the Clean Curls Super Slip Detangling Conditioner, packed with argan, coconut and grapeseed oils. After drying, it left my hair soft, detangled, and silky smooth.
This shampoo is vegan, cruelty-free made in the UK, and free from parabens, sulphates, SLS, and phenoxyethanol.
Pros
- Perfect for dry, brittle, or colour-treated curls
- Non-toxic formula with nourishing 98.7% natural ingredients
- A little goes a long way, so it's good value for money
- Heavenly coconut scent
- Effectively removes product build-up, pollution, and hard water minerals
- Leaves hair clean, soft and refreshed
Cons
- Note that thicker, oilier hair may need a stronger formulation
| Amount per bottle: | 250ml |
| Hair types: | Curly |
| Ingredients: | Aqua, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Parfum, Caprylyl/ Capryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Glycerin, Sodium Surfactin, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract |
| Directions for use: | Squeeze a small amount of the shampoo into your hands and apply to wet hair. Gently massage into your scalp and a lather forms. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. |
What to keep in mind while choosing the best shampoo for curly hair
1. Curl type and hair treatments
There are different types of curly hair ranging from 3A, B C to 4 A, B, C and the higher the number and alphabet, the tighter the curl pattern. As a general rule, the more textured your hair is, the most moisture and hydration it requires on a regular basis. So, if your hair is kinky or falls in quite dense curls, it would be wise to choose a hydrating shampoo or the best menopause shampoo, if you are struggling with dry or brittle hair.
On the other hand if you’ve got coloured hair, it would be beneficial to choose a shampoo for coloured hair that protects the dye and keeps your hair looking vibrant and healthy.
2. Scalp health
If you’re facing issues like dry scalp or itchiness, there are targeted shampoos for dry scalp to soothe irritation and prevent flaking. On the other hand, if oil control is what you are struggling with, there are several shampoos for greasy hair and scalp that will refresh your hair and make it look shiny and bouncy. So take conditions like dandruff, dryness, grease and oiliness into consideration when you are picking out your shampoo.
3. Moisturisation
When it comes to curly hair, it is a general rule of thumb to opt for moisturising shampoos that lock in hydration for a long time to keep your hair frizz-free. We have listed several good ones in the article. It is also important to always follow your hair wash with a good conditioner for dry hair with nourishing ingredients like Argan oil, aloe vera, shea butter and more. To lock in more moisture, you can also invest in the best leave-in conditioners that will keep your curls smooth, shiny and hydrated for a long time.
4. Sulphates and parabens
Sulphates and parabens are common cleansing agents found is shampoos, body washes and other bath and body products that lather up. However, it has been found that sulphates are detrimental to skin and hair health, although it cleanses well. It can increase dryness, irritate your scalp and strip your hair of its natural oils. This is why it would be beneficial to opt for the best sulphate-free shampoos if you have curly hair that is already prone to dryness.
Parabens have been found responsible for disrupting hormones and even identified in breast cancer tumors. So if you are concerned about the long-term effects of these products, there are several shampoos, that are free from SLS and parabens that are gentle and effective, to choose from.
Best shampoo for curly hair FAQs
How do I bring out my natural curls?
Sam says: “The best way to define and lift curls is with a moisture based shampoo, conditioner and leave in mask. Also get a good curl defining gel or mousse, whichever works for you.”
What’s the best way to combat frizz?
Sam shares the following top tips: “The best way to combat frizz is to put product into your hair when it is dripping wet. I always recommend my clients to leave their hair products in the bathroom so the minute you come out of the shower after washing your hair, you should put the products in straight away.
"The hair is instantly drying and if you are prone to frizz, it can frizz up very quickly. Putting the products in straight away will limit this.”
What are the different hair types and how do I find out which one I am?
“Rather than focus on types, I recommend clients focus on texture,” Sam tells us. “This is because there are many different types of curls, and one person can have more than one curl type on their hair. For texture, if you have afro hair, then your curls aren't as defined naturally, so you would need more tailored products for that hair type. If you have other curl types, I'd opt for lightweight products as your hair doesn't need as much hydration.”
Meet the experts
This article contains expert advice from Sam Ashcroft, a hairstylist at Josh Wood Atelier. Sam has fashion and editorial experience from his time at Paris, Milan and London fashion weeks and believes that the best hairstyles should look effortless and enhance your natural hair texture.
Kameese Davis is a textured hair expert and the CEO and founder of Nylah’s Naturals, a brand that creates hair care products specifically designed for textured hair. She is also focused on revolutionising the textured hair care industry for black women and working towards holistic hair wellness.
Becky Fuller is a senior digital writer for Yours.co.uk. She is also a fully qualified personal trainer and strength coach, specialising in fitness and wellbeing for over 50s. Prior to joining Yours, Becky was a fitness writer for Saga, and a freelance entertainment and theatre journalist. Becky is passionate about helping people to move well and discover the many benefits of strength training.