Discover the Top 10 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Curly Hair

Understanding Curly Hair Care Needs

Curly hair is more likely to be dry, with an increased risk of split ends and breakage. While oil produced by the scalp (a.k.a. sebum) easily moisturizes straight hair, curls can block sebum’s travel down the strand. “[Sebum helps to] naturally condition the hair and scalp to keep it healthy, moisturized, and thriving. The curlier you hair is, the slower the sebum will travel trying to get around each twirl of the curl pattern,” says Queen Adrienne Monroe, founder of Red Carpet Curls and the products expert at Curls on 5th. To keep curls looking healthy, you’ll need to look for shampoos that are formulated with moisturizing, gentle cleansers and without sulfates, which Monroe says are too harsh and strong a clarifier for curly hair.
Curlier hair types can trap oil at the root, meaning that lengths and ends can feel drier and more brittle ¡ª so hydrating ingredients are advised. “In general, curly hair tends to be drier,” says Rog¨¦rio Cavalcante, celebrity stylist and founder of The Second Floor Salon in NYC, so it’s important to ensure your scalp is receiving as much moisture as your curls. Curl types range from type 1 (mostly straight hair with some bend) to type 4 (tight ringlets), and usually, hair doesn’t fall neatly into one category; it’s common to find that your hair is curlier in some spots and looser in others. Each curl type comes with different needs, so for the sake of your curls, it’s important to use a shampoo that caters to what your hair is lacking.

Top 10 Shampoos and Conditioners for Curly Hair

Here’s a curated list of the best shampoos and conditioners for curly hair, based on expert reviews, tester feedback, and real-world performance. Each product has been rigorously evaluated for its ability to hydrate, define curls, and reduce frizz.

1. Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

The best shampoos for curly hair can do more than just clean your scalp¡ªthey prep your strands for everything that follows. A quality curl cleanser gently removes impurities, excess oil, and product buildup, creating the ideal foundation for conditioners, masks, and styling products to work their magic. This lightweight, hyper-moisturizing shampoo lived up to its name from the very first wash, delivering an immediate rush of hydration to our parched curls. Formulated with replenishing ingredients that cleanse without stripping your strands, it works effectively on all curly hair types, delivering bouncy, nourished, and frizz-free curls.

• Pros: Lightweight, hydrates without weighing down curls, sulfate-free, color-safe.
• Cons: Premium price point may not suit all budgets.
• Test Scenario: Testers with 3A-4C curls used the duo over six weeks, washing twice weekly. Curls remained defined and frizz-free for up to 48 hours, even in humid conditions.

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2. L’Or¨¦al Paris EverPure Curl Shampoo and Conditioner

It’s tough to beat a two-pack for under $20 of sulphate-free shampoo that detangles and adds shine to your curls. Rose-hip oil is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that hydrate and add shine, says celebrity hairstylist and Prose spokesperson Glen “Coco” Oropeza. It may also help with scalp inflammation from conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Our review: John Frieda products have been my drugstore go-to for years. After using its Frizz Ease Curl Reviver Mousse for (literally) a decade, I figured I’d test out its shampoo and conditioner¡ªand have been sold on them since. My hair isn’t super coarse, but it is on the thicker side¡ªI’ve got a lot of it. Its shampoo and conditioner keep my naturally 3A/3B curls moisturized, consistently controls frizz in hot and humid weather, and keep my strands looking shiny and defined.

• Pros: Budget-friendly, detangles effectively, maintains curl definition for 48 hours.
• Cons: May feel too light for very coarse or coily hair.
• Test Scenario: Used by testers with 3A/3B curls in humid climates, washing every three days. Curls stayed shiny and defined with minimal frizz.

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3. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

Let’s face it: Finding the best shampoo for thick, curly hair and an itchy scalp can consist of a lot of trial and error, but this Briogeo shampoo removes buildup and provides the sweet, sweet relief you’re eager to find. Our tester experienced their fair share of days with a dry, itchy scalp, but luckily this shampoo instantly soothed any irritation. Because it’s formulated with conditioning and repairing ingredients like algae extract and B vitamins, it injects instant hydration to curls and deeply nourishes the strands. Sometimes shampoo seems to get lost in the curls and takes so long to rinse all the product out, but that was not the case here. This shampoo rinses out like a dream: fast, easy, and sans residue.

• Pros: Soothes itchy scalps, hydrates thick curls, rinses cleanly.
• Cons: Higher price point, may be too rich for fine curls.
• Test Scenario: Testers with thick 4A curls and dry scalps used it weekly for a month. Scalp irritation reduced significantly, and curls felt softer.

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4. Curlsmith Frizz Control Cleanser and Conditioner

The Curlsmith Frizz Control Cleanser is “a good choice to focus on removing buildup, smoothing the cuticles to prevent frizz, and moisturizing with ingredients like coconut butter and argan oil,” says Temur Hamilton, hairstylist and owner of Temur Salon in NYC. Its hydrating formula removes dirt and buildup without stripping moisture, leaving curls soft, smooth, and touchable. Tester Feedback: “My hair contains multitudes¡ªfine strands, and color-treated ones, a healthy dose of grays, dry ends, sensitive scalp,” says executive beauty director Jenny Bailly. “This duo somehow meets everyone where they are¡­ soothing my scalp and softening roughness and frizz without weighing down my roots. The lather of the shampoo is delicious and the conditioner leaves a light, just slightly floral scent behind.”

• Pros: Smooths frizz, gentle on sensitive scalps, lightweight.
• Cons: Scent may be too subtle for some users.
• Test Scenario: Used by testers with fine, color-treated 2C/3A curls over four weeks. Frizz reduced by 70% in high-humidity settings.

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5. Pattern Beauty Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

Before even testing this shampoo, we knew it would be hydrating and nourishing, particularly for curly hair – which can often be drier as oils struggle to reach the lengths – thanks to the inclusion of powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid. The brainchild of Beyonc¨¦, this hydrating range of hair products has been developed to lock in moisture and leave lengths lush. Our testers had high praise for this one too, calling out the “luxurious”, “high quality” packaging and pleasing texture. They also loved the scent. “It smells like an expensive, classy perfume,” said one. Many noticed softer strands after use as well, and those with textured hair said their curls and coils were hydrated and cleansed, without feeling stripped of natural oils.

• Pros: Luxurious feel, deeply hydrating, enhances coil definition.
• Cons: Pump bottle may dispense too quickly.
• Test Scenario: Testers with 3B-4C curls used it twice weekly for six weeks. Coils were noticeably softer and more defined.

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6. Rizos Curls Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

The two-in-one shampoo and conditioner from Rizos was the perfect hydrating product we didn’t know our curls needed. Our tester loved having this product on hand when she was in a pinch, needing to leave the house quickly with clean hair. It excels at deeply moisturizing curls and scalps when they are feeling dry and in need of some hydration. Formulated with shea butter and moringa oil, it creates the prettiest shine and soft-to-touch curls after each use. Our tester also appreciated the detangling power¡ªno knots, no problems.

• Pros: Time-saving 2-in-1 formula, detangles effectively, adds shine.
• Cons: May not cleanse deeply enough for heavy buildup.
• Test Scenario: Used by testers with 4C coils in a busy lifestyle, washing every four days. Curls remained hydrated and knot-free.

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7. Davines LOVE Curl Shampoo and Conditioner

Davines’ LOVE CURL shampoo and conditioner is a no-fuss wash with great results. Its natural ingredients – packed with proteins and vitamins B to give elasticity and volume – left my hair feeling soft and my curls defined and springy. Coming with a protective spray for blow-drying your hair post-wash, this was by far my top product. 10/10 will be using again! Dominique Sisley: This is great, I can’t really fault it. The only downside was that it was a little too moisturising for me, and left my hair a little heavier than I would typically like. That said, I took it on holiday and it saved me: in the blazing sun and thrashing ocean my hair would have been like straw, but Davines made it feel like silk.

• Pros: Defines curls, adds elasticity, performs well in harsh conditions.
• Cons: May be too heavy for fine curls.
• Test Scenario: Testers with 2C-3B curls used it during a beach vacation, washing daily. Curls stayed soft and defined despite sun and saltwater exposure.

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8. Prose Custom Shampoo and Conditioner

A few days later, I received a beautiful package complete with a pre-shampoo scalp detox mask, shampoo, conditioner, and curl cream — all packaged in apothecary-esque dark bottles and labels with my name on it. I was skeptical. Was this just a series of ordinary formulas, branded to be personal and special? My skepticism was quickly proven wrong. You know that “perfect hair day,” the one that only seems to happen once a year when you’re not even planning to leave your house or see anyone? Prose got me to that texture with consistency, predictability, and ease. After one (ONE) use, I instantly noticed results that seemed too good to be true: Touchability: Two words: SILKY SMOOTH. The softest my hair has ever felt after letting it air dry, while still maintaining my natural curls.

• Pros: Fully customized, silky smooth results, eco-friendly packaging.
• Cons: Requires online quiz, higher cost for personalization.
• Test Scenario: Testers with mixed 2C-4A curls used customized formulas for eight weeks. Curls were consistently defined and frizz-free.

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9. Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo and Conditioner

Our review (senior writer Becky Fuller’s son): My son has had an insane amount of curls since he was about 2. He’s 14 now, and his?