Showing your curls the love they deserve means using gentle tools, styling your hair with care, and of course, finding the best shampoo for curly hair. It’s easier said than done, given the wide range of curly-hair products on the market, not to mention your personal preferences, hair needs, and curl type. It’s enough to make you feel both spoiled for choice and totally stuck as to which hair care product is worth trying, especially if you’ve only recently embraced your hair’s naturally curly texture.
Everyone’s individual curly-hair journey is bound to involve a lot of trial and error, so a little expert insight into which shampoos and curly hair products might be a cut above the rest is always welcome. With that in mind, we curated a list of curly-hair expert approved shampoos. SELF spoke with salon owners and stylists specializing in treating and styling curly hair and chose winning options from our dermatologist-approved Healthy Beauty Awards to bring you the best curly-hair shampoos out there right now.
What to Look for In Curly Hair Products
When you have curls, you can’t buy just any shampoo in the aisle. From waves to coils, the range of curly hair types is wide—and there are products to match. Because of the shape of the strands, curly hair dries out faster than straight hair, so you’ll want to look for moisturizing agents and humectants (like oils). Generally, stylists encourage sulfate-free shampoos, plus ones that are silicone-free and free of parabens.
“You want to look for sulfate- and paraben-free products and shampoos, because they’re drying to the hair,” says Robyn Stanley, stylist at Noordwyck Salon in Brooklyn. “It also adds to the issue of frizziness if it’s not counteracted with styling products.”
Read on to discover 25 of the best shampoos for curly hair, whether you prefer something nourishing, lathering, or clarifying. These picks will make your hair feel happier, healthier, and more hydrated on your next wash day.
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