5 best shampoo for curly hair to tame the frizz
I have access to Ulta Beauty, Fred Meyer, and the internet (although I’m a little hesitant to buy shampoo over the internet because (1) I’ve heard there’s a bunch of counterfeits on Amazon and (2) it might freeze sitting in my mailbox and that would be annoying). Pretty much, $24/bottle is the very high end of what I can deal with paying. (And how much does it matter? I know that some shampoos make my hair feel gross, but I’m not sure which ones or what the magic ingredients are that are good for curls.)
Best shampoo for curly hair?
December 30, 2018 10:44 AM Subscribe
What’s your favorite shampoo for curly hair? I’ve been using DevaCurl low-poo shampoo and the matching conditioner, which work pretty well, but I’m out. My salon uses Aveda, which is *so* expensive, but. they’re $24 for 8.5 oz, and the DevaCurl is $24 for 12 oz. so also not cheap. Are there other shampoos I should be considering?
I have access to Ulta Beauty, Fred Meyer, and the internet (although I’m a little hesitant to buy shampoo over the internet because (1) I’ve heard there’s a bunch of counterfeits on Amazon and (2) it might freeze sitting in my mailbox and that would be annoying). Pretty much, $24/bottle is the very high end of what I can deal with paying. (And how much does it matter? I know that some shampoos make my hair feel gross, but I’m not sure which ones or what the magic ingredients are that are good for curls.)
I tried no-poo and that doesn’t work for me; my hair ends up feeling all buildup-y and nasty. I use Aveda Style Prep after I wash it and that has been working well to keep the curls looking nice (and resurrectable on day 2).
I’ve had good luck with L’Oreal’s EverCurl HydraCharge Shampoo and Conditioner. It generally runs about $7-8 per 8.5 ounces.
I would not say it’s the absolute best (and I tend to alternate between those and Nature’s Gate’s Daily shampoo and conditioner) but the EverCurl is a good balance of price and quality for something that’s specifically for curly hair (I tend to dislike spending too much money on things like this so my budget is more like . $12 at most per bottle, though).
(I also liked the one-step EverCurl Cleansing Balm, but I found it wasn’t the best for regular use. I still need to add use shampoo every few washings.)
posted by darksong at 11:34 AM on December 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
I always recommend Loma shampoos. They have a good moisturizing shampoo, and a good daily shampoo. The internet will sell you 12 oz for $18 or thereabouts, but it is one of those products you are only supposed to get through a salon. I buy the big bottles of the shampoo and conditioner with the pumps from my hairdresser.
I like how it maintains my color (I dye my hair), has a light scent, and keeps my curly hair shiny and healthy.
posted by Squeak Attack at 11:43 AM on December 30, 2018
Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle shampoo is the best budget low-poo I’ve found – and it’s cheap (I don’t know off the top of my head but it’s less than $5 for a pretty big bottle.) At that price, definitely worth a try at least.
posted by mosst at 11:44 AM on December 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Is your hair pretty dry? If so, Shea Moisture is my go to brand. If your hair isn’t super dry it might be a bit overkill. Their curl cream is really nice too, and you can thin it out with water or a bit of argon oil.
posted by ananci at 12:05 PM on December 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Came to suggest the Shea Moisture line. It’s available in most drugstores/grocery stores, but you might need to look for it in the ridiculous “ethnic haircare” area/shelf.
(The fact that they’re separated is ridiculous, not the products)
posted by Weeping_angel at 12:15 PM on December 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
I have very curly, very fine hair, and I’ve found Kristin Ess Extra Gentle Shampoo to be an excellent low-poo. Ten ounces for $10, it has a subtle scent and no sulfates; in the U.S., it’s available at Target. (Canadians can buy it on well.ca.)
posted by virago at 12:28 PM on December 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
I’ve been using Bounce Curl clarifying shampoo (pricey, best bought directly from their website), and Tresemme sulfate-free conditioner (cheap, which is good cause us curlies use a lot of it). Every other wash I use As I Am co-wash, so it’s not every time, and seems to be a good balance.
posted by reksb at 12:30 PM on December 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: (For what it’s worth, I have no access to either Target or Trader Joe’s, although others might. and I guess that Target.com is an option. I don’t think there’s a Trader Joe’s in the state.)
posted by leahwrenn at 12:38 PM on December 30, 2018
reksb makes a good point — I, too, rotate my shampoos. I do the full wash-condtion-curl defining cream-air dry routine only once a week.
So I use Kristin Ess for my weekly shampoo once a month. Most often, I co-wash with John Masters Organics Citrus Neroli Detangler (I’m not sure if it’s available at Ulta or Fred Meyer ) or As I Am co-wash if my hair has been particularly dry.
posted by virago at 12:48 PM on December 30, 2018
I am also a former Deva product user–the expense eventually got to be too much for me.
These days I use L’Oreal’s EverCurl Cleansing Balm as both a cleanser and a conditioner. I wash my hair as soon as I step into the shower and then don’t rinse it out until the last minute, so it stays on my hair for a while. I then use a teeny dollop (like, the size of a pencil eraser) as a leave-in conditioner /detangler. I wash my hair every three or four days and it doesn’t seem to build up.
(The only Deva product I can’t quit is B’Leave In, which my hair thinks is magic; I scrunch it in and diffuse and I get these lovely, frizz-free, non-crunchy ringlets that just stay where they’re supposed to stay. It’s the only styling product I use, and I’ve never found a substitute that my hair likes as much.)
posted by jesourie at 1:00 PM on December 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
Just checked and discovered that Ulta no longer sells the John Masters detangler — which is just as well, because it’s not cheap, at $18 for 8 oz. (I stocked up when there was a 30% off sale this summer at the only Whole Foods in my state, which happens to be a couple of miles from me.)
Apologies for the multiple comments! I’ve done a lot of experimenting, and I like to help steer my fellow curly-haired humans toward products that will benefit them if at all possible.
posted by virago at 1:27 PM on December 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
I get Deva cuts but abandoned the Deva products because I’ve been on a tight budget. I’m a 3a/b curl and I alternate between the Shea Moisture lines (I particularly like the Peace Rose shampoo and conditioner) and the Maui Moisture brand (especially the vanilla one). I get both at my local CVS/Walgreens. I’ve also had good luck going low poo (shampooing 2x a week) with these brands and just co-washing on the other days. And my hair definitely started feeling much better when I went no silicone/no sulfate for all products.
posted by TwoStride at 1:41 PM on December 30, 2018
A lot will depend on what kind of curly hair you have and how you style it. I think if the DevaCurl stuff works for you, it’s worth it to keep using it. I used to have great results with the Low Poo and One Condition, but I moved a couple years ago and in my new location the Low Poo was leaving my hair looking dirty. Maybe something with the water?
I have very fine combination curly/wavy hair. What’s working for me lately is to use shampoo only, with no conditioner most of the time. Once out of the shower, I comb through a leave-in product that detangles and keeps the curls nice and relatively neat. That product is Oribe Curl Gloss. It’s very expensive, but a bottle of it lasts for months because a little goes a long way. I comb maybe a dime-sized amount of it through my hair and then let it air dry without touching it. Once it’s dry, I just run my fingers through to separate the curls and poof it up a little bit. This works for my hair.
The bonus is that I’ve found I can be less picky about what shampoo I use most of the time when I follow it with an application of the Curl Gloss. The most important quality of a shampoo for me nowadays is that it leaves no buildup and doesn’t irritate my scalp. Recently I’ve been trying out a couple different bottles of Suave Salon Professionals shampoos, which have been working well enough and are dirt cheap.
If you’re interested in trying the Curl Gloss, you’d probably have to find a local salon that sells it or buy direct from Oribe.
posted by bananana at 2:55 PM on December 30, 2018
I love Shea moisture which I’ve found at local grocery stores, target, CVS and other drugstores. The Maui moisture was kind to my hair but made me break out at the scalp line and my back
posted by raccoon409 at 2:57 PM on December 30, 2018
I’ve been cowashing with Tresemme Botanique Nourish and Replenish Conditioner. $8 for 25oz. Note that I believe this is the only Curly Girl friendly Tresemme conditioner, so don’t substitute.
I tried Devacurl and I’m pleased to report (because it saves me a lot of money) that Devacurl really weighed my hair down.
posted by If only I had a penguin. at 3:25 PM on December 30, 2018
Nthing Shea Moisture; also the OGX line’s keratin focused shampoo is great. Both can be found at CVS (near me, at least.) You might also be able to find the Alba Hawaiian shampoo at Fred’s or a health food coop (not sure what’s by you), maybe at Ulta also.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 3:26 PM on December 30, 2018
If getting any Oribe products in your area is unreasonable, you could try the shampoo + leave-in conditioner technique with a different leave-in conditioner. I’ve used a few over the years with varying results. The trick (for me, anyway) is finding one that manages frizz without looking greasy or feeling crunchy. Bumble and Bumble’s styling creme works well for me, and maybe Ulta sells it?
posted by bananana at 5:50 PM on December 30, 2018
I am a white lady with 2C/3A curls, and I’m currently using Shea Moisture’s Strengthen and Restore shampoo (I don’t have heat damaged hair, but I like the idea of something that supposedly helps with breakage) and I also use a dab of Miss Jessie’s Creme de la Creme on the ends of my hair. Both are much more affordable than DevaCurl.
posted by mostly vowels at 6:07 PM on December 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Do you have access to the new Costco? I have 2c/3a curls and I like the Orlando Pita Argan Gloss shampoo and conditioner sold at my Costco (used with a tiny bit of Aveda Be Curly or Bumble and Bumble Curl Conditioning Creme). My curls are shiny, soft and resurrectable via water spritzing on day 2. The price point is definitely acceptable. If you don’t like it, though, it’s a pretty big commitment sizewise.
posted by charmedimsure at 11:22 PM on December 30, 2018
I am happy with my Paul Mitchell Moisture shampoo and conditioner (blue lid), I also use the mousse (red lid). Lush makes an organic product I love called Curly Wurly but that’s a splurge. I find it’s best to rotate using different kinds so your hair doesn’t grow tired of the same thing. Good luck!
posted by oklahomie at 12:38 AM on December 31, 2018
My wonderfully frugal SO is quite happy with Herbal Essences’
She has a head full of curly hair that generally acts as she wants. 🙂
n.b. – I assumed European hair; my sincere apologies if that is not the case
posted by iStranger at 7:01 AM on December 31, 2018
I have 2b/c hair that is fine, long, and high density. I use a ton of conditioner so I can recommend a conditioner that comes in bulk on Amazon. Ginger Lily Farms Botanicals Green Tea and Lemongrass conditioner comes in a gallon bottle and has worked fine for my hair.
They also make a well rated shampoo but I can’t personally vouch for it because I haven’t used it. Both the shampoo and conditioner are paraben free and sulfate free.
posted by donut_princess at 10:00 AM on December 31, 2018
I like the Kirkland Signature (Costco line) shampoo in the purple bottle, and the Suave Aveda-rip-off conditioner. Significantly cheaper than salon stuff, which I used to use, and just as good.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:37 PM on December 31, 2018 [1 favorite]
I like the Cantu line, available at the drug store in the “ethnic” (really, drugstores?) section. There are both clarifying and moisturizing shampoos available. I alternate the clarifying one (sulfate and silicone free) with Shea Moisture conditioner.
posted by Red Desk at 9:10 PM on January 1, 2019
I use Renpure products. I shampoo / wash with Renpure Coconut Creme Cowash Cleansing Conditioner, currently about $9.50 on Amazon .. and I condition with Renpure Coconut Milk Nourishing Conditioner, currently $7.50 on Amazon (thru Prime).
posted by dwbrant at 11:55 AM on January 2, 2019
5 best shampoo for curly hair to tame the frizz
Are you struggling to tame your frizzy and wavy tresses? Here are some of the best shampoos for curly hair that will help you hydrate and moisturise your strands.
Managing curls can be a real struggle that no one talks about! You’re stuck in a situation where your hair has a mind of its own, and they are not on the same page as you. Do you also have a love-hate relationship with your curls? Fret not, we have the perfect shampoos for you for the times when your curls seem to have their mood swings. The right way is to choose the right shampoo for curls if you want to enhance the beauty of your hair.
From sulphate-free wonders to moisture-rich elixirs, these shampoos are curated to cater to the needs of curly hair. Without further ado, let’s check out some of the best shampoos for curly hair that can help you tame the unique waves.
5 best shampoos for curly hair
If you are not able to tame your curls, you can try these shampoos for curly hair:
1. Curl Up Hair Wash
The Curl Up Shampoo offers a specialised solution to your dry, frizzy, and curly hair. It is enriched with the goodness of nature’s best ingredients like coconut, chia seeds, argan oil, flax seeds, and shea butter. This shampoo comes in a combo with a conditioner to address the unique needs of curly hair. It claims to be a sulphate, paraben, and silicone-free combo tailored for curly hair. It promises to give you a gentle yet effective cleansing and conditioning experience. Grab this one now if you want to revatilise your bouncy and beautiful curls.
2. Fix My Curls Cleansing Shampoo
The Fix My Curls Cleansing Shampoo can be a game changer for people with curly, wavy, and frizzy hair. It contains apple cider vinegar that balances the pH of your scalp, tea tree oil that helps you get rid of irritation, and sugar cane to detoxify the scalp. Not only does it help you tame your curly hair, but it also helps tackle impurities and address dandruff and itchy scalp problems. This sulphate-free formula claims to give you a gentle yet deep cleanse that helps detoxify your hair without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
3. TRue FRoG Shampoo
The TRue FRoG Shampoo and Everyday Hair Conditioner combo is a dynamic duo tailored for curly, dry, and frizzy hair. Specially formulated to hydrate and tame curly hair, this shampoo helps cleanse and nourish your hair. It contains several sources of nutrients including beetroot, corn starch extract, flaxseed, chia seed extract, avocado butter, tamanu oil, white lotus flower, and tender coconut water. The brand claims to give you a clean scalp in just one wash. It also claims to be sulphate and paraben-free, which will help promote healthier and more beautiful curls.
4. Bare Anatomy’s Curl Defining Shampoo
Bare Anatomy’s Curl Defining Shampoo is considered an effective treatment for curly hair. Infused with the goodness of coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, and castor oil, this sulfate and paraben-free formula is an effective solution for your hair. The coconut oil in the shampoo hydrates and nourishes the scalp, hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, and castor oil adds strength, resulting in defined, resilient curls. With an innovative blend, this shampoo transforms curly hair care, leaving you with beautifully defined, frizz-free, and healthy hair.
5. OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Curl-Defining Shampoo
OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Curl-Defining Shampoo is a curly hair essential enriched with a natural blend of coconut oil, citrus oil, and honey. This paraben and sulphate-free formula nourishes and hydrates your curls. This shampoo caters to the unique needs of curly hair, promoting natural bounce and shine. Elevate your hair care routine with OGX’s commitment to quality ingredients, leaving your curls refreshed, and defined.
How to shampoo your hair properly?
If you think choosing the right shampoo is the only thing you need to tame tangled tresses, think again! Apart from picking the right product, you need to know the correct way to shampoo your hair properly. Worry not, it is not a tiring task. Just make sure you’re doing it properly to reap all the benefits of the shampoo you’re using.
All you need to do is apply the shampoo to wet hair, and massage for a few minutes into your scalp. Keep in mind that you should give your scalp a vigorous rub and not your hair. Make sure you are gently massaging the shampoo into your strands. Rinse and repeat if you think one wash didn’t help. Make sure you are rinsing the shampoo thoroughly to make sure that there is no residue left. Once it’s all clear, you can apply a conditioner to moisturise your hair.
About the Author
Arushi Bidhuri
Arushi Bidhuri is a journalist with 6 years of experience in writing, editing, and conceptualizing story ideas in different genres, including health and wellness, lifestyle, politics, beauty, fashion, etc. Arushi has a strong connection in the industry that helps her write concise and original stories as she believes in working towards writing pieces that can enlighten people. . Read More