13 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair 2025, Tested on Different Curls
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
If you have curls, you know theyâre feisty and funâbut also drier and more fragile than other textures. Thatâs why you should consider the best shampoos for curly hair. âWhile all hair needs cleansing, curly hair has its own set of needs,â says Queen Adrienne Monroe, a professional hairstylist in New York City. Because natural oils donât travel easily down the spiral shape, curls are more prone to frizz, split ends, and breakage. The right shampoo is a crucial first step in your curly routine come wash day, with sulfate-free formulas and ingredients like aloe vera, hydrolyzed proteins, shea butter, and lightweight oils that boost moisture without weighing strands down. Weâll help you unpack which shampoos for your curly type rise above the rest, based on expert advice and our own editor testing of 21 formulas. TL;DR: Our favorite is the Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo for hydrating and volumizing.
Our top picks for curly hair shampoos, at a glanceFeatured in this articleBest Overall
Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo (12 oz.)
Jump to review
Best for Hair Growth
NĂ©cessaire Rosemary Shampoo (8.4 oz.)
Jump to review
Best for Coily Hair
Sheamoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Shampoo (13 fl. oz.)
Jump to review
Best Clarifying
Olapex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Shampoo (8.5 oz.)
Jump to review
Best for Dry, Damaged Hair
Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Silicone-Free Shampoo (10.14 fl. oz.)
Jump to review
Best Overall: Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo
Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo (12 oz.)
Original photo from Shanna Shipin testing Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo
What we love: Packed with natural oils and aloe vera for hydration; affordable and widely availableWorth noting: May feel heavy on very fine curlsWe named this one of the best curly hair products for its affordability and results. Itâs packed with expert-recommended natural oils that promote hair growth without weighing down your wavesâincluding sunflower, coconut, rosemary, and avocado oils as well as super-hydrating aloe vera. Our reviewers with different curl types praised the shampoo for how gentle it is and how soft their hair felt after use.
Our review: Like many curly girls, I have trust issues with products that claim to add moisture, definition, and bounceâbut in reality do nothing more than cause unnecessary buildup on your hair and scalp. Itâs why I avoided trying Curlsmith for so long, butâto no oneâs surpriseâthe University of TikTok finally handed me my diploma in curl care with this shampoo and conditioner set. The combo leaves your hair clean, soft, and with the perfect amount of slip to detangle before styling. âShanna Shipin, Allure shopping director
Best for Hair Growth: NĂ©cessaire Rosemary Shampoo
NĂ©cessaire Rosemary Shampoo (8.4 oz.)
Original photo from Jade Brito testing Necessaire Rosemary Shampoo
What we love: Rosemary promotes scalp health and volumizing; fresh scentWorth noting: Not marketed specifically for curly hairRosemary oil is known as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that supports scalp health and hair growth (some studies suggest itâs as effective as minoxidil). The primary ingredients in NĂ©cessaireâs shampoo for thinning hair is this oil, extract, and waterâas well as five strengthening plant proteins and five ceramides that protect your scalp barrier. One of our testers, Maura Benton, who has medium-textured waves, noticed fewer hairs coming out in the shower after using it regularly: âIt left my scalp feeling really clean without drying it out, and it performed as well as my usual salon shampoos.â
Our review: This rosemary shampoo has really enhanced the volume and texture of my curls. Its refreshing gel-like consistency with pure rosemary oil tingles the scalp in the best way, providing a thorough cleanse without stripping it. The mix of rosemary, mandarin, jasmine, and cedarwood creates a spa-like experience as Iâm in the shower. This shampoo addresses anti-aging, thinning, and color safety concerns; strengthens hair; and minimizes breakage with ceramides and plant proteins. My curls feel clean, hydrated, and bouncier, with a healthier scalp free from dryness and irritation (since itâs noncomedogenic, it also doesnât clog my pores). âJade Brito, Glamour contributor
Best for Coily Hair: Sheamoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Stretch Shampoo
Sheamoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Curl Shampoo (13 fl. oz.)
Original photo from Aimee Simeon testing Sheamoisture Kalahari Melon Oil Infused Curl Stretch Shampoo with Hyaluronic Serum
What we love: Helps reduce shrinkage; rich, moisturizing ingredients; lush scentWorth noting: Gentle cleanse may feel too mild if you need a deep resetTighter curl patterns take on a spiral or âZâ shape which can cause them to look shorter when your hair is dried versus when itâs wet or stretched (so the curl looks longer). While you can manipulate natural curls to âstretchâ with braids or twists, products that help define and moisturize can also assist in this department. This formula is packed with moisturizing ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, marula oil, and kalahari melon) that help coily hair feel soft to the touch, even after itâs completely dried, which helps reduce shrinkage. While this will foam up, it still provides a gentle cleanse that wonât strip your hair of its moisture. Bonus? If you love a fruity, tropical fragrance, this one will make your bathroom smell like you just left a dreamy beach vacation.
Our review: Iâve recently added this to my regular shampoo lineup and I like that my curls donât feel like wire once I rinse it out. Instead, I get instant slip and ultra-defined coils that drink up conditioner treatments and curl creams thereafter (I love following up with a rinse-out and a leave-in conditioner after using this). Iâve also used this on type-4 hair extensions and found that it got product residue off while keeping the curl pattern defined and frizz-free. âAimee Simeon, Glamour contributor
Best Clarifying: Olaplex No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
Olapex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Shampoo (8.5 oz.)
Original photo from Francesca Simmons testing Olapex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Shampoo
What we love: Deep-cleans product buildup and chemical deposits; strengthens curls with patented bond-building technologyWorth noting: Can feel a bit strong for daily useClarifying shampoo should be an essential once-a-week step in your routine. It combats chemical deposits (from the swimming pool, say), product buildup, an itchy scalp, and oily hair. This stylist-favorite Olaplex shampoo works to rebuild broken bonds most often seen on split, curly ends, says Paul Labrecque, creative director and master stylist and colorist for Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa. âIt also has the Olaplex patented bond-building technology, so while youâre removing minerals, you are also building a stronger structure inside the hair,” says celebrity hair colorist Bianca Hillier.
Our review: Whenever a shampoo is âsuitable for all hair types,â I kind of give them a side-eye, but Olaplexâs bonding shampoo really does work wonders on my 4A curls. As all curly girls know, we need shampoos that address everything, including dryness, damage, split ends, breakage, and lack of shineâand this does exactly that. It lathers easily, I donât have to use a ton to get that super-clean feeling, and it doesnât strip my hair or leave my scalp tight. Overall, Iâve noticed less frizz, nearly no flyaways, and softer, shinier curls. âFrancesca Simmons, Glamour reviewer
Best for Thick Hair: Ouai Thick Hair Shampoo
Ouai Thick Hair Shampoo (10 oz.)
Original photo from Andrea Navarro testing Ouai Thick Hair Shampoo
What we love: Deeply moisturizing without weighing down thick strands; strengthens with keratin; luxe scentWorth noting: Heavy for fine or looser curl typesâThis shampoo will ruin all others for you,â says Allureâs Shipin, who has coarse, curly hair with medium-to-low porosity and reaches for Ouai for nourishment and frizz-taming. Itâs an excellent choice for coarse curls and/or low-porosity hair (meaning, it has trouble absorbing moisture). The formula features hydrolyzed keratin, a protein that strengthens hair and improves its elasticity, as well as avocado and shea butter. The latter is a heavier hydrator thatâs best suited for thick hair, which it wonât weigh down in the same way as fine hair, thought it will do a hell of a job moisturizing.
Our review: These days, there are so many great options for curls of all kinds, and Iâve found one that truly stands out for thick hair. This color-safe shampoo not only cleanses but also deeply moisturizes, strengthens, and fights frizz. It tackles dryness, color damage, split ends, and breakageâmy hair feels stronger, looks shinier, and is less tangled. Marshmallow root helps soften and detangle, shea butter locks in moisture, and avocado oil prevents future breakage. And just like all Ouai products, this smells amazing, with the brandâs Mercer Street scent of Italian lemon, jasmine, and white musk. âAndrea Navarro, Glamour contributor
Best for Dry, Damaged Hair: Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Silicone-Free Shampoo
Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Silicone-Free Shampoo (10.14 fl. oz.)
Original photo from Aimee Simeon testing Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Silicone-Free Shampoo
What we love: Rebuilds broken bonds from within hair shaft, not just on the surface; leaves curls soft and definedWorth noting: Rich formula may feel heavy on fine hairThis repairing shampoo is excellent for anyone who likes to rotate between curly and straight styles (or who dabbles in color treatments). It’s formulated with strengthening citric acid and glycine to rebuild those broken bonds deep within the hair shaft (versus just on the surface like most shampoos). The avocado oil, coconut oil, and shea butter in this powerful formula also keeps your curls feeling soft, stronger, and more defined.
Our review: Iâve used my fair share of bond-repair shampoos and some of them can make my curly type 3C hair feel pretty dry. This does the opposite, leaving my coils feeling super smooth and defined before conditioner even touches it. The formula is sulfate-free, but if youâre like me and still love suds, this one foams up really nicely and makes my scalp and lengths feel squeaky clean. I love reaching for this after a silk press or after a long-term hairstyle (like braids or a sew-in) to help revive my curls when they look or feel limp. âA.S.
Best for Fine Curls: Aveda Be Curly Advanced Shampoo
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Shampoo (8.3 fl. oz.)
Original photo from Sarah Holden testing Aveda Be Curly Shampoo
What we love: Lightweight, slip-enhancing lather; defines curls; refreshing scentWorth noting: Doesnât cover product buildup as deeply as clarifying or scalp-focused washesThis sulfate- and silicone-free formula uses a pea-protein peptide to reinforce curl structure, while kokum seed butter provides slip to smooth frizz and boost definition. Its bright, citrusy scent makes wash day feel refreshing, especially for morning showers, and itâs crafted to suit all curl types, including fine and coarse textures.
Our review: âFirst thing to note is the scent, which is very distinctive of Aveda productsâitâs bright and sharp and kind of smells like incense at church, but in a good way. Refreshing in a morning shower. My 3B curls felt cleaner and held their formations better throughout the day than usual, though it didnât deliver a full reset. I still had some scalp itch, which I expected since this isnât marketed as clarifying. Itâs not a miracle worker, but Iâd add it to my rotation, mostly for the scent.â âSarah Holden, Glamour contributor
Best Drugstore: L’OrĂ©al Paris Ever Pure Bond Repair Shampoo
