No more bad hair days—find the Best Shampoos and Conditioner for curls, coils, and waves that hydrate, define, and detangle.”
Curly, coily, and wavy hair types are gorgeous and fun to style, but they can also come with some drawbacks that can make hair care feel like a job on your list of responsibilities. Some of these challenges include frizz, dryness, tangling, and shrinkage. Curls, coils, and waves need specially formulated products to help them stay.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll take a look at all of the best shampoos and conditioners for curls, coils, and waves and say goodbye to bad hair days forever!
Learning about Curly, Coily, and Wavy Hair
Before we jump into product recommendations and reviews, it’s important to have an understanding of the different curl shapes and patterns:
- Wavy Hair (Type 2)- loose S-shaped strands that show signs of frizz and the loss of definition with humidity
- Curly Hair (Type 3)- ringlets or corkscrew texture that can range anywhere from loose to tight
- Coily Hair (Type 4)- tight kinks or zigzags that are usually the driest and show the most shrinkage
Each hair type needs certain ingredients and formulation to help with moisture retention, definition, and breakage reduction.
What Should You Look for in a Shampoo & Conditioner for Curly Hair
- Because curly hair is inherently drier than straight hair, things to be aware of are that, due to the shape of the curly hair’s strand, oils from your scalp have a much harder time moving down the shaft of the hair. Here are some ingredients and characteristics to look for:
- Sulfate Free: Sulfates will strip your natural oils and cause unnatural dryness and frizz.
- Moisturizing Ingredients: Moisturizing ingredients include coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, and glycerin.
- Protein: Hydrolyzed proteins will help strengthen the hair and reduce breakage.
- pH Balanced: This will help maintain a healthy scalp and protect the cuticle where moisture is stored.
- Slip: Look for a conditioner with slip (which helps to detangle the curls without as much tugging or yanking).
- What Should You Look for in a Shampoo & Conditioner for Curly Hair
Best Shampoos for Curly, Coily, and Wavy Hair
Best Type 3 Curl Shampoo
Living Proof Curl Shampoo
Living Proof Curl Shampoo is a sulfate- and silicone-free cleanser designed to hydrate and define curls for wavy, curly, and coily hair types.
Pros:
Strengthens curls while reducing frizz, without stripping natural oils.
Contains Healthy Curl Complex for better curl elasticity and manageability.
Cons:
The price may be too premium for some budgets.
Some people with fine curls experienced heaviness or buildup over time.
Best Curl Shampoo for a Wash-and-Go
CurlMix CurlMix Wash and Go Shampoo
CurlMix Wash and Go Shampoo is a sulfate-free, mild cleanser made to cleanse curly hair without stripping natural oils, while providing curls with hydration and shaping.
Pros:
Contains nourishing ingredients such as organic jojoba oil and aloe vera, and cleanses while preserving hair moisture.
Free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates it is suitable for sensitive scalps.
Cons:
Some users have claimed that its effects can depend on humidity, which can lead to frizziness.
It is relatively expensive, which may be unaffordable for some users.
Best Customizable Shampoo for Curly Hair
Function of Beauty Pro Bond Repair Custom Shampoo for Curly, Damaged Hair
Function of Beauty Pro Bond Repair Custom Shampoo for Curly, Damaged Hair is a pro-quality customizable shampoo developed to reinforce and rebuild damaged hair, while also catering specifically to curly textures.
Pros:
Has bond-building technology that strengthens and repairs hair.
Customizable to meet individual hair goals.
Cons:
It can be more expensive than most average shampoos.
The result can vary depending on customization and hair type.
Best Co-Wash for Curly Hair
Salwa Petersen Chébé Cleansing Conditioner
Salwa Petersen Chébé Cleansing Conditioner is a gentle, sulfate-free co-wash with Chébé, designed to purify and moisturize textured and curly hair. It draws inspiration from traditional beauty routines in Chad. Chébé is designed to create healthier and stronger hair without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Pros:
Cleans while nourishing and strengthening the hair.
Free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens.
Cons:
It may not cleanse enough if there is a heavy buildup.
Higher price point compared to standard conditioners.
Best Shampoo for Loose Curls
Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Shampoo
Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo with almond and avocado oil that is designed to cleanse the hair while moisturizing and also purify hair without stripping oils. It is the right formula for wavy curly and coily textured hair and aims to make detangling easier and hair softer.
Pros:
Cleans well but maintains moisture, and makes hair soft and easy to manage.
Cons:
If not rinsed out properly can leave a little residue behind, especially on fine or straight hair.
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Twist Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo
Twist Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo is an ultra-gentle clarifying shampoo that will help lift product build-up while still being able to remove it without stripping natural oils, great for curly and textured hair.
Pros:
It’s lightweight and non-drying, great for everyday use.
Removes build-up while refreshing your scalp.
Cons:
It may not effectively remove very heavy build-up.
The scent may be too subtle for some.
Best Shampoo for Color-Treated, Curly Hair
Sienna Naturals HAPI Shampoo
Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo is plant-based and dermatologically tested to hydrate, cleanse, and restore your natural curl pattern – it is perfect for textured, dry, and sensitive scalps.
Pros:
Contains aloe vera, glycerin, and baobab oil to hydrate and detangle hair.
Free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Cons:
Contains lavender and geranium essential oils that may cause some sensitivity.
Best Shampoo for Damaged, Curly Hair
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Bond Building Shampoo
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Bond Building Shampoo is a sulfate- and silicone-free shampoo that helps strengthen and repair damaged bonds in the hair that allowing for better curl definition and manageability.
Pros:
Contains Dual Action Curl Power Complex with rice amino acids and a bond multiplier to repair damaged bonds in the hair.
Cons:
It may be too moisturizing for fine hair or low-porosity hair.
Tips for Healthy, Defined Curls
Do Not Wash Your Hair Too Much: Overwashing can strip moisture – stick to 1 or 2 washes a week.
Deep Condition Weekly: Placing intensive hydration will keep curls soft and workable.
Microfiber Towel: Dry your hair with a microfiber towel or use a cotton t-shirt. These materials create less frizz and breakage.
Avoid Heat: Embrace the air dry, or use the low heat setting on a diffuser.
Protect at Night: Sleep in a satin bonnet or on a satin pillowcase to help curls maintain their integrity.
FAQs
1: How often should I wash curly or coily hair?
Curly and coily hair is drier by nature, meaning 1-2 times per week (or less) is probably enough. If you wash too often, you will strip the natural oils, which can lead to dryness and frizz. You can co-wash (use only conditioner) in between shampooing to help add some moisture.
2: What is the difference between a sulfate and sulfate-free shampoo?
A sulfate shampoo contains detergents that create a lot of lather; however, it also strips the natural oils from the hair. This can cause dryness and frizz and could damage curls. A sulfate-free shampoo is a gentler formulation that can cleanse without harsh detergents and will help the moisture remain in your hair; it is also going to protect the integrity of your curls.
3: Is it okay to use a regular conditioner as a leave-in conditioner?
A regular rinse-out conditioner has not been formulated to sit in your hair; if you leave it as a leave-in, it may cause product buildup. It is best to use a product that is designed for leave-in so you get the best results in terms of moisture and manageability.
4: How do I know if my hair needs protein or moisture?
If your hair is limp, too soft, or stretches too much, then your curls may need some protein in order to give them more strength. If your curls feel dry, brittle, or rough, your curls are probably in need of some moisture. The key is to keep a balance between the two for healthy curls.
