Best professional shampoo and conditioner for curly hair

Girls with curls know one underlying fact: All shampoos are not created equal. Personally, I have short natural hair (read: tightly coiled) and have learned the hard way that certain formulas literally suck the life out of my hair, leaving me with a headache and tangles. Rule number one? Curls crave moisture, making it imperative to select the right product designed to deliver hydration, hydration, hydration.

You might question whether or not you need to use a sulfate-free formula, and the answer is a resounding YES. “There is no downside to using a sulfate-free shampoo on curly hair. The concept of sulfate-free shampoo is most beneficial to curly hair types,” explains Naeemah LaFond, global artistic director for amika. “You can cleanse hair without stripping it of its natural oils.”For those worries about the lack of lather, it’s all in your head (literally). “Friction, water, and a proper cleanser that won’t leave behind any residue are all you need,” LaFond adds.

But, before we dive into the best shampoos for curly hair, we wanted to share a brief masterclass on washing curly hair the right way according to Nelson Vercher, lead stylist at Rita Hazan Salon, who counts Kelly Rowland, Chloe Moretz, and Carmen Ejogo as clients. First, start by holding your head under water and add shampoo. “One thing you must be careful not to do while shampooing the hair is piling your hair on top of your head with shampoo in it—always keep your hair loose and hanging downwards,” he explains. Next, using the palms of your hands, slide hands down hair shaft, keeping the hair loose and work up towards the scalp, using the balls of your fingers. Use circular movements on the scalp to cleanse. “This method of shampooing will help prevent hair from getting frizzy,” he adds.

For those who like to wash their hair twice like Chuck Amos, celebrity hair stylist who works with Alicia, Keys, Erykah Badu, and Tracee Ellis Ross does, here’s a pro hack: “During the second wash, add in a little conditioner onto the ends of your hair during the process. This helps moisten your hair even more when rinsing out your shampoo.” And finally, without further ado: here are 17 expert-approved shampoos for curly hair of all kinds.

Virtue Recovery Shampoo

For Curls That Need Reinforcement

Rene Furterer Sublime Curl Activating Shampoo

For Fine or Thin Curls

Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath

For Eco-Conscious Curls

Shu Uemura Shusu Sleek Smoothing Shampoo

For Smooth, Shiny Curls

Pantene Gold Series Moisture Boost Shampoo

For Curls On A Budget

Amika Nice Cream Cleansing Conditioner

For Dehydrated Curls

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo

For Thick Curls

DevaCurl No-Poo Original Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser

For The Curl Connoisseur

MIZANI True Textures Cream Cleansing Conditioner

For Curls That Need to Be Cleansed

Creme of Nature With Argan Oil Sulfate-Free Shampoo

For Heat-Damaged Curls

Milbon Restorative Shampoo (Salon Only)

For Shedding Curls

Hair Rules Aloe Grapefruit Shampoo

For Curls That Need Clarifying

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo

For Frizz-Free Curls

Mizani Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo

For Curls That Just Wanna Have Fun

Mizani Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo

For Curls That Just Wanna Have Fun

Biolage Cleansing Conditioner For Curly Hair

For Super Defined Curls

Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Moisture Boost Shampoo

For Curls That Need Scalp Relief

Alodia Nourish & Heal Organic Soap Wash

For Curls That Need A Deep Cleanse

Edward BerthelotGetty Images

Life would be far easier—and our pockets much happier—if we could all use one shampoo for all our hair woes and types. Unfortunately, every hair type—fine, straight, thick, curly—requires specific formulas to give our strands the love they rightfully deserve. Most curly-haired folks can agree: We've had some horrible experiences with shampoo, from sulfate-heavy formulas that leave our hair stripped of everything good to ingredients that weigh down our curls and coils. Plenty of us gave up on traditional shampoos altogether. But while co-washes work great for some people, curly hair still needs a deeper cleaning from time to time.

• 

  Best for Hydration

  Hydrate-Me.Wash KEVIN.MURPHY

  Read More

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  Best Drugstore

  Curl & Shine Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo SheaMoisture

  Read More

• 

  Best for Scalp

  Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo Adwoa Beauty

  Read More

• 

  Best for Subtle sheen

  Curl Shampoo Living Proof

  Read More

• 

  Best for Softening

  Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo OGX

  Read More

Products we need to keep our texture defined and frizz-free, like creams, gels, and leave-in conditioners, can drown our hair in gunk and build-up. Thankfully, we found some life vests for those limp spirals. Ahead, the 15 best shampoos for curls.

Best for Hydration

KEVIN.MURPHY

Hydrate-Me.Wash

Best Drugstore

SheaMoisture

Curl & Shine Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo

Best for Scalp

Adwoa Beauty

Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo

Best for Subtle sheen

Living Proof

Curl Shampoo

Best for Softening

OGX

Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo

Best for Salon-Level Results

Kérastase

Curl Manifesto Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Best for Anti-Breakage

Virtue

Curl Shampoo

Best for Nourishment

Bouclème

Curl Cleanser

Best for Repair

Olaplex

No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Best for Moisture

Briogeo

Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo

Best for Body

Bounce Curl

Gentle Clarifying Shampoo

Best for Wavy Hair

Aveda

Be Curly Shampoo

Best for Thick Hair

PATTERN

Hydration Shampoo

Best for Dryness

Rizos Curls

Hydrating Shampoo

Best

L'Oréal Paris

Ever Curl Sulfate-Free Coconut Oil Hydracharge Shampoo

Sarah Lund, professional hairstylist and Style Master at Kevin Murphy

What kind of shampoo should someone with curly hair use?

Not all shampoos are created equal, nor is every formula suitable for curly hair. Lund explains that every head of hair has different needs and to get the healthiest, best-looking hair possible, it's important to fulfill or replenish curls based on what it's craving at the moment. "Curly hair tends to be on the dryer side due to the shape of the strands so making sure your curls are properly moisturized is vital for healthy, bouncy curls." For curls that are damaged, a shampoo with protein can help strengthen and repair them. Additionally, "over time, ingredients, hard water, and pollution can build up on the hair creating a barrier that doesn’t allow ingredients to absorb," says Lund, which is why a detoxing shampoo is also an essential product to have in your lineup.

Will shampoo make my curls frizzy?

We often think of shampoos as drying and stripping, therefore leading to more frizz. But there are plenty of hydrating cleansers on the market that both combat the fuzz and hydrate hair. "Frizz is best alleviated by the use of moisturizing products like shea butter, murumuru butter, and thicker oils like baobab seed oil. I also look for products with lotus extract as it acts as an emollient, leaving hair silky and soft," says Lund. To find the best shampoo for curly hair that meets your texture needs, here are 15 options that can get you the healthiest, cleanest curls ever.

Tatjana Freund Beauty Commerce Writer Tatjana Freund is a Beauty Commerce Writer, covering makeup, skincare, and haircare products and trends.

Nerisha Penrose Beauty Commerce Editor Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music).

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