After 11 hours of research evaluating 63 products, we picked DevaCurl Low Poo Mild Lather Cleanser as our top choice.
Those with curly hair understand the struggle of maintaining defined, smooth, and natural curls. You want a shampoo that will help give your curls a natural glow while taming frizz. You want a shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals (say goodbye to sulfates!). You want a shampoo that moisturizes your hair without leaving it greasy. You want your natural bounce back!
Yes! Tell Me More!
Well, you can stop searching for the perfect shampoo, because we’ve found it. Whether you have thin curls, thick curls, ultra frizzy curls, damaged curls, or even color treated curls, we’ve got you covered.
Below we have a compiled a list of the best shampoo for curly hair on the market. Once you’re finished finding a shampoo that’s best for you, be sure to check out our Best Conditioner for Curly Hair and Best Products for Curly Hair!
#1 Best Shampoo For Thin/ Fine Curls
DevaCurl Low Poo Mild Lather Cleanser
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Moisturizes without stripping hair
- Helps to bring natural curls back to life
Pros
Get those thin curls into shape with this DevaCurl Low Poo Mild Lather Cleanser! The mild lather this shampoo provides is ideal for fine curls that need a gentle cleanse.
Product Ratings
Formula
9.7/10
Let’s start with what this shampoo does NOT have. The formula is sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, wheat-free (gluten allergies rejoice!), contains no animal by-products (vegan), and is cruelty-free!
Enriched with gentle hops and soothing chamomile to help gently cleanse without stripping and hydrate hair. The fragrance is starfruit and mango – super refreshing.
Application
9.4/10
Apply cleanser to the scalp and gently massage onto the head. Let the water wash shampoo throughout your curls and then rinse thoroughly by massaging the scalp again. Follow up with a moisturizing conditioner to see the ultimate results.
Features
9.6/10
This shampoo is great for all curls, but ideal for thin or fine curls. The mild lather provides a very gentle cleanse that hydrates but also doesn’t strip hair of its natural oils or weigh your curls down. You’ll notice your curls becoming softer with an added bounce. This formula is gentle enough to use daily.
There are a few different sizes on Amazon available, but right now you can buy a 32oz bottle for only $24.00.
#2 Best Shampoo For Thick Curls
Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo
- A little goes a long way
- Moisturizes while protecting from frizz
- Olive extract for soft, smooth hair
Pros
This product is perfect for those with super thick hair. All you need is a quarter-sized amount to notice smoother, soft to the touch hair. This Olive extract infused shampoo works to gently clean hair (without stripping) while providing moisture and giving a natural soft glow.
Product Ratings
Formula
9.4/10
What’s the secret behind this incredible nourishing formula? Minuta Olive (Olive extract). Harvested from a farm in Messina, Italy by Mr. Caremlo Messina, this Minuta Olive extract has vitamin E and a ton of fatty acids which is precisely what your hair needs to create a soft, moisturized texture. This shampoo is paraben and sulfate free.
Application
9.3/10
A little will go a long way for this product, even for users with extremely thick hair. Trust us. Start with a quarter-sized amount and massage into scalp for about a minute. Run shampoo with fingers from root to tip and thoroughly rinse. If needed, apply 2 or 3 times.
Features
9.4/10
You’re getting an 8.45oz bottle for $28.47 on Amazon. While it’s a little pricier than some of the other shampoos on our list, take into consideration that its infused with Olive Extract from Italy.
This product is best for thick, frizzy, or unruly curls. Did we mention that this shampoo has won a few awards? Winner of Allure’s 2011 and 2014 Best of Beauty Awards and the Coveter’s Luxury Beauty Awards: Best in Hair.
#3 Best Drugstore Shampoo For Curls
Pantene Pro-V Gold Series Moisture Boost Shampoo
- Softens and moisturizes hair
- Infused with Argan oil
- Sulfate-free
Pros
Pantene’s sulfate-free shampoo nourishes and moisturizes curly hair. The shampoo is infused with Argan oil and works instantly to create softer, smoother hair. There are no parabens, sulfates, or silicones in the formula so you can say hello to healthy curls!
Product Ratings
Formula
8.9/10
The formula is sulfate, paraben, and silicone free. Infused with Argan oil, this shampoo softens hair while removing build-up without stripping hair of its natural oils.
Application
8.8/10
The stylist tips on Pantene’s website recommend pumping a quarter size amount into hands and rubbing together to emulsify. Then gently massage into scalp with fingertips, not with your nails, and finger-comb through hair from roots to tips. Use several applications if needed, and make sure to rinse the product out thoroughly. Expect luxurious, soft to the touch hair!
Features
9.3/10
The most affordable shampoo on our list, you can get an 8.5oz bottle for $8.54 on Amazon. The Pro-V formula by Pantene works to create stronger and healthier looking hair. You’ll notice damaged hair becoming soft and smooth (make sure to check out Pantene’s conditioner and de-tangling milk as well)!
#4 Best Shampoo for Damaged Curls
VIRTUE Recovery Shampoo
- Repairs and rebuilds damaged hair
- Paraben, sulfate, and cruelty-free
- Nourishes and revitalizes hair
Pros
The Virtue Recovery shampoo should be your go-to shampoo for damaged curls. Voted Best of Beauty by Allure in 2017, this revitalizing shampoo uses a formula of natural ingredients including hydrolyzed quinoa and Baobab oil to bring your damaged hair back to life.
Product Ratings
Formula
8.8/10
This formula is packed with natural ingredients that rebuild and nourish hair. The brand itself is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic colors, dyes, and is cruelty-free and gluten-free!
The formula consists of ingredients like hydrolyzed quinoa, baobab seed oil, and grapefruit extract. The Hydrolyzed quinoa is protein packed and moisturizes hair while adding a natural shine. The Baobab Seed Oil is incredibly rich and silky, perfect for dry or damaged hair. With the grapefruit extract, your hair gets a much-needed Vitamin C Boost!
Application
8.7/10
This shampoo gently dissolves the daily build up in hair and leaves damaged hair revitalized. Gently rub the shampoo in hands into a lather, then massage into scalp and through the ends of the hair.
Features
8.8/10
This shampoo is color safe and ideal for damaged hair. The formula is cruelty-free. Right now on Amazon, you can buy an 8 oz bottle for $38.00. There is also a 2oz option available for $15.00 if you are interested in testing the product first before making a full commitment.
#5 Best Shampoo For Color Treated Curls
Alterna CAVIAR Anti Aging Infinite Color Hold Shampoo & Conditioner
- Protects color-treated curls
- Replenishes moisture to hair
- Provides natural shine
Pros
The Alterna CAVIAR Anti Aging Infinite Color Hold Shampoo & Conditioner is a 2 in 1 set! This shampoo is paraben, sulfate, and phthalates free, plus it protects and preserves color treated hair.
Product Ratings
Formula
8.8/10
The sulfate-free rich formula will leave your curls shiny and your color vibrant. With ingredients including red raspberry leaf oil and sunflower seed oil, your hair will hold its color pigment longer than with a regular shampoo.
The formula also includes Vitamin A, C, and E – for reducing exposure to free radicals, caviar extract – which helps to smooth hair and increase shine, and age-control complex – which helps fight natural, chemical, and environmental aging.
Application
8.7/10
Apply a small amount to hands or directly to the scalp. Massage thoroughly throughout wet hair and then rinse.
Features
8.9/10
This shampoo minimizes color fade and replenishes moisture while protecting hair. Right now on Amazon, you can get an 8.5oz bottle of this color-safe shampoo and an 8oz bottle of the color-safe conditioner for $49.99. You’re getting two in one, set at a great value.
#6 Best Shampoo For Frizzy Curls
Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo
- Tames unruly and frizzy hair
- Sulfate-free and paraben free
- Safe for color-treated hair
Pros
Using advanced anti-frizz technology, this Ouidad shampoo cleanses hair leaving defined, frizz-free curls. This shampoo protects your curls and prepares them for any climate.
Product Ratings
Formula
8.4/10
The sulfate-free formula contains nourishing ingredients like shea butter, murumuru butter, and ceramides, which help to repair the cuticle and smooth its surface. Your hair will feel silky smooth, and your curls will remain intact, thanks to the Anti-Frizz nanotechnology. There is a UV filter in this formula as well which helps to protect hair against damage from harsh environmental factors.
Application
8.3/10
Application is easy and effective. Gently massage about a quarter size of shampoo into the scalp and rinse thoroughly throughout hair. For the most effective frizz-free curls, make sure to follow up with an ultra nourishing, sulfate-free, hydrating conditioner.
Features
8.4/10
If you want genuinely frizz-free curls, this should be your go-to shampoo. This shampoo leaves hair defined, shiny, and controlled in any temperature or climate. Right now you can buy an 8.5 oz bottle for $22 on Amazon, or try out the shampoo first with a smaller bottle (2.5 oz) for only $10!
#7 Best Shampoo For Keratin-Treated Curls
Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo
- Tames frizz & fights humidity
- Soft fragrance
- Leaves hair soft and full
Pros
The Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo is excellent for taming those unruly and frizzy curls. It’s sulfate free and gives curls a healthy bounce, without the unruliness. This formula is suitable for chemically treated hair (keratin treatment) and is safe on dyed hair.
Product Ratings
Formula
8.3/10
The formula is sulfate-free and contains Morpho-Keratine technology which restores natural flexibility to hair. This formula leaves hair soft and restored while helping to retain a smooth texture in humidity. For a full list of ingredients, check out the Kerastase website.
Application
8.1/10
Apply about a quarter size of shampoo to the scalp and work into a rich lather. Massage thoroughly throughout the hair, then rinse.
Features
8.2/10
This sulfate-free shampoo cleanses hair and helps to get rid of frizz. It leaves your curls or waves naturally smooth and nourished. Right now a 250ml bottle sells for $33.00 on the Kerastase website.
