We Tested the Best Shampoos for Curly Hair — Here Are the Bouncy, Frizz-Free Winners

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. After the first shampoo, our tester immediately noticed a difference in how moisturized her hair was. The formula kept her hair feeling bouncy and never weighed down her strands.

Packed with frizz-fighting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and reparative squalane, a little of this shampoo goes a long way. We found that it lathers up nicely, and leaves a lightly floral scent that’s addictive. It washes out easily, and our tester loved that it never left a residue. Overall, our tester found that it worked so well that she could even cut down on the amount of leave-in product she applied after washing. 

At the end of the testing period, her curls looked a lot smoother and less frizzy. Best of all, this shampoo is great for all types of curls and is suitable to use on hair that’s been treated with keratin, chemicals, and color. 

Size: 9.2 ounces, 16.9 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  5/5

• Cleansing Ability

  5/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

Our tester found that this affordable shampoo made a difference in her fine, medium-tight curls after just one wash, noticing immediately softer curls. Hydrating coconut oil helped to lock in moisture without weighing down hair or stripping any natural oils, making this an excellent choice for our tester’s fine hair. She remarked that the shampoo’s scent was very pleasant and that it lingered lightly but was very subtle and fresh. The formula’s positive effects lasted for days after shampooing, and by the end of the testing period, her curls were noticeably more defined.

Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  5/5

• Cleansing Ability

  5/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

For soft and supple curls, our tester loved this hydrating shampoo from renowned celebrity hairstylist Kevin Murphy. After just a few washes, her locks looked healthy and vibrant. She praised the gentle cleansing effect of this shampoo, which creates a satisfying lather that spreads easily across the scalp and hair and removes dirt without stripping any healthy oils. Ingredients like kakadu plum, vitamin A, and shea butter smooth hair, boost elasticity, and hydrate damaged strands.

Our tester said it even boosted the efficacy of her styling products, making it easier to create defined curls from her naturally wavy hair with just a small amount of product.

Size: 1.4 ounces, 8.4 ounces, 15.5 ounces, 33.6 ounces | Key Ingredients: Kakadu plum, vitamin A, vitamin C, shea butter, evening primrose oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.6/5

• Cleansing Ability

  5/5

• Overall Results

  4.6/5

Our tester raved about how clean and refreshed her hair felt after every wash with this moisturizing shampoo made for curly and coily natural hair. The lightweight formula goes on almost like a curl cream, spreading easily along the scalp and strands without working into a lather. A trio of minty essential oils — wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint  — create a cooling sensation.

When it came to cleansing, this shampoo really got the job done. Our tester uses a variety of styling products including a curl cream, mousse, gel, and serum, and the lightweight formula of this shampoo left her hair feeling clean and soft without ever drying it out. While the cleansing formula works wonders for tackling buildup, we wish that it was a bit more nourishing — our tester found that her hair wasn’t noticeably any shinier or less frizzy at the end of the testing period. 

Size: 3.3 ounces, 14 ounces | Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, baobab oil, wintergreen oil, spearmint oil, peppermint oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.4/5

• Cleansing Ability

  5/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

Designed to target damage, split ends, and breakage, this reparative shampoo had our tester hooked for life by the end of the testing period. Her dense, thick mixture of curls and coils are more springy and maintain their definition longer since using this shampoo. The strengthening formula helps keep frizz, tangles, and damage at bay, making it perfect for anyone with dry, brittle hair or hair that is susceptible to breakage.

When it comes to applying the product, we loved the subtle floral scent and how easily the formula spreads throughout the hair. Our tester praised how well it rinsed out, noting that it never left her hair feeling sticky or soapy. While it’s a bit of a splurge, it’s worth every penny given how well it works.

Size: 16 ounces, 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Algae extract, panthenol, biotin, rose oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  5/5

• Cleansing Ability

  4.7/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

Whatever your curl pattern, definition is always desirable — and this magic bottle from Bumble & Bumble delivers time and again. We tested this formula on thick, curly hair that’s prone to frizz and noticed immediate results (which continued to improve over the testing period). Our tester said her curls were more defined after the first wash, and that her hair felt clean but not squeaky clean, noting that the hydrating formula left her natural oils intact. 

This nourishing formula, which is enhanced with a blend of deeply hydrating avocado, coconut, and jojoba oils, as well as shea and cocoa butters, earned an almost perfect score across the board, thanks to its shine-boosting and frizz-reducing abilities. We also loved how well it lathered up and how quick and easy it was to rinse out. We only wish the standard size was larger — given our impressive results, we’d rather spring for the value size.

Size: 2 ounces, 8.5 ounces, 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Avocado, coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa butter | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.6/5

• Cleansing Ability

  5/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

This decadently hydrating drugstore shampoo makes luxurious locks affordable for everyone. We tested this coconut oil-infused formula on fine, wavy hair, and found that it infused a healthy dose of moisture without weighing down strands. It revitalized and softened our tester’s tired locks and made it so that she could easily run her fingers through her newly defined curls. Our tester noticed an immediate difference in how well the rich formula tamed her frizz when air-drying, saying it was much better than using her regular shampoo. 

The coconut honey scent lingers slightly, and fans of this shampoo either love or could live without the fragrance — our tester found it slightly off-putting but loved the shampoo so much that she felt it was easy to look past in favor of its efficacy. 

Size: 13 ounces | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, honey, citrus oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.6/5

• Cleansing Ability

  4.4/5

• Overall Results

  4.7/5

We tested this Curlsmith formula on wavy, frizz-prone hair, and found that our locks were immediately more silky and smoother after one wash. The effects only got more noticeable with time: Our tester said her hair looked healthier, more shiny, and more voluminous after the testing period and that her frizz was noticeably calmed. 

We loved the tropical mango and papaya scent, which was soft enough not to linger or overpower our other products. Our only frustration was that the formula didn’t lather easily, and we had to use a fair amount of product to spread it across our entire scalp. Ultimately, it was worth it, as our tester said her scalp felt more nourished after every wash and that it effectively removed dirt and product buildup. 

Size: 12 ounces | Key Ingredients: Coconut butter, sunflower seed oil, squalane, argan oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.4/5

• Cleansing Ability

  4.7/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

The Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo gave our tester so many good hair days. The formula left her hair soft and moisturized, and her curls felt bouncier after the first few washes. What really stood out was the drastic impact the shampoo had on her split ends, which looked more pliable and less damaged after use. 

The formula is packed with moisturizing sea kelp and jojoba oil, which instantly improve hair’s natural shine and boost elasticity. SmartRelease Technology injects a major dose of healing ingredients, like rosehip oil and keratin, to help repair and strengthen damaged hair while restoring the hydrolipidic barrier. Our tester loved how the formula saturated her hair with intensely replenishing moisture, but wished it was a bit more lightweight — she felt that it weighed down her curls slightly, so this would be too heavy for anyone with thin hair.

Size: 12 ounces | Key Ingredients: Sea kelp, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, arginine, keratin | Sulfate-Free: No

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.4/5

• Cleansing Ability

  4.7/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

This budget-friendly shampoo packs a serious punch when it comes to removing gunk and buildup from hair while still protecting the scalp’s natural oils. It’s formulated with phytic acid, which helps to soften and remove hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium from strands while preventing further buildup.

We love that our hair feels properly cleansed after every wash: Our tester raved that this shampoo lives up to its name, adding that it really cleansed her scalp and ends. There was no residue left over after rinsing out the shampoo, but our tester’s hair still felt hydrated and healthy. We loved the energizing mandarin-infused scent, which was subtle and never felt overpowering. 

Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Phytic acid, mandarin orange extract, sea kelp | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.6/5

• Cleansing Ability

  4/5

• Overall Results

  4.7/5

While our tester usually avoids scented products, she said she adored the vibrant tropical vibes of this peachy pineapple-scented shampoo, which felt refreshing rather than overwhelming. The mango butter-backed formula is designed to lock in moisture along the strands and the scalp, helping to boost the hair’s natural luster and prevent hair from breaking. 

Our tester noticed that her locks were bouncier after the first wash, and after several weeks her hair felt shinier and softer. Her curl definition was notably improved, which was a major win for a shampoo that comes at such a budget-friendly price. While it didn’t necessarily boost hydration along our tester’s dry, flaky scalp, she found that it still enhanced the texture and softness of her curls.

Size: 15.2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Mango butter, coconut oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.6/5

• Cleansing Ability

  4.6/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

If you’re looking to turn your wash day routine into a self-care ritual, this luscious and creamy formula from Oribe is a dream. It’s incredibly moisturizing, delivering deep and instant hydration to parched locks. After testing the shampoo twice a week for several weeks, several people commented on how lustrous and shiny our tester’s hair looked. We tested this product on fine hair, and our tester found that she only needed a small amount of product to cleanse and hydrate her locks — anything more tended to leave her hair looking greasy by the next day.

The shampoo itself is formulated for thick and curly or coily hair, so those with thicker strands can likely get away with using a bit more, which our tester said was tempting, given the glorious scent. Oribe created its signature Côte d’Azur scent with one of the oldest French fragrance houses, and it features a glamorous, intoxicating blend of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood. 

Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Amino acid complex, microemulsion smoothing system, Oribe signature complex | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.6/5

• Cleansing Ability

  5/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

After using Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern shampoo for six weeks, our tester found that her hair was markedly shinier, more hydrated, and less frizzy. The intensely nourishing formula is packed with softening jojoba and coconut oil, plus aloe leaf juice for an added boost of hydration. We were impressed with how luxurious the creamy lather was, and our tester noted that it washed out quickly and without leaving any residue. The bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood scent mimics that of the Oribe shampoo, but for nearly half the price.

Those who have buildup from styling products will be glad to know this shampoo thoroughly strips it away, cleansing the scalp and hair while also depositing extra moisture. The product’s full effect came after several weeks of testing, leaving curls looking exceptionally bouncy. Even our tester’s brittle and split ends got a much-needed dose of hydration. This product acts as a regular shampoo, clarifying shampoo, and scalp oil all in one; it’s basically a one-stop-shop.

Size: 3 ounces, 9.8 ounces, 25 ounces | Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, biotin, jojoba oil, coconut oil, honey | Sulfate-Free: No, but free of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate

Our Ratings

• Performance

  3.9/5

• Cleansing Ability

  5/5

• Overall Results

  4.6/5

Our tester loved the light citrus and floral scent of this shine-boosting shampoo. After just a few washes, she noticed that her curls were softer, smoother, and much easier to detangle — and the results only got better over the testing period. Her only lament was that the formula didn’t help tame her frizz.

We found that the formula was incredibly gentle and didn’t cause any irritation — it felt very cooling and soothing. While we wish that the standard 9.8-ounce size was larger, our tester found that the formula is incredibly generous, creating a rich lather with just a small amount of product every time. It’s enhanced with super-softening ingredients like aloe leaf juice, biotin, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, while honey helps to bring out hair’s natural radiance and shine. 

Size: 3 ounces, 9.8 ounces, 25 ounces | Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, biotin, jojoba oil, coconut oil, honey | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Our Ratings

• Performance

  5/5

• Cleansing Ability

  4.7/5

• Overall Results

  5/5

Color-treated hair is more susceptible to breaking, dryness, and damage, so it’s crucial to look for shampoo and other hair products that improve moisture and hydration. This rice protein-packed formula from Virtue is ideal for building back up damaged tresses while also softening them and locking in moisture. Our tester found that her curls looked more defined and that they were also more manageable to style after using this shampoo.

During the testing period, our tester dyed her hair red and orange and said the shampoo kept her strands smooth, shiny, and never brittle. The formula helped keep frizz in check, thanks to softening jojoba oil, and made her scalp feel lighter and free of buildup. Our tester also noted that her dyed hair loved how gently this formula cleansed her scalp and strands, as it made it easy to mix in her hair treatments and styling products after washing. 

Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, vegetable-derived polymer, rice protein, sunflower seed oil | Sulfate-Free: Yes