Finding a shampoo that works for wavy hair type can be somewhat of a balancing act. Not only do you need to choose a shampoo for wavy hair that’s hydrating enough for your hair to hold its smooth S-shape wave, but you’ve also got to find something lightweight enough that your waves don’t become heavy and too weighed down. Oh, and it’s got to do a good job of thoroughly cleansing away any grime, dirt, or build-up hidden away in your scalp without causing too much dryness.
If you have curly hair, your shampoo has a big job. You not only want it to cleanse and moisturize your hair, you want it to do so without disrupting your springy curl pattern or drying into a shapeless frizz ball.
8 Best Shampoos for Wavy Hair Types in 2023
| Best Overall: | OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo |
| Best Budget: | Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition |
| Best for Detangling: | Design Essentials |
| Best for Dry Hair: | John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo |
| Best for Colored Hair: | SheaMoisture |
| Best for Volume: | OUAI Thick Shampoo |
| Best Splurge: | DevaCurl No-Poo® Original |
| Best Splurge, Runner-Up: | Marc Anthony Grow Long Biotin Shampoo |
Why does curly hair need special treatment? For a few reasons:
- The curl pattern makes it harder for scalp oils to make their way to the ends, so dryness is a problem.
- Rough handling can turn all those little kinks into a tangled mess, leading to damage and breaking.
- Excessive brushing and grooming can weaken curly hair, so products that allow for more hands-off styling will protect from damage.
- Curly hair is more prone to surface damage which compromises shine and smoothness.
Your shampoo should work with your curly hair, not against it. Here are the best shampoo for your curls.
1.Best Overall:OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo
What We Like
- Fights frizz
- Hydrating formula
- Provides UV protection
What We Don’t Like
- May be heavy for finer hair
Humidity is to curls what Kryptonite is to Superman—the arch-nemesis of all arch-nemeses—which is why we’re giving this sudser top honors. First, it touts unique anti-frizz nanotechnology infused with silk protein that helps lock out humidity and lock in your hair’s natural moisture. Couple that with plenty of hydrating ingredients—shea butter, murumuru butter, ceramides—to keep the cuticle smooth, and you’ve got a surefire way to ensure smooth curls, no matter how humid it gets. Even better, this shampoo also has a UV filter to protect your hair from sun damage.
Byrdie contributor Ashley Rubell took this pick for a spin, giving it five stars for giving her loose curls newfound buoyancy and pizzazz. “This shampoo may be the product that completely shifts my relationship with my hair and gets me out of my lazy rut,” she says.
2.Best Budget:Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition
What We Like
- Affordable
- Strengthening
- Nourishing
What We Don’t Like
- Dry hair types may need more hydration
At just a few bucks, the price tag on this drugstore standout can’t be beaten. But despite the wallet-friendly price, you still get all of the same benefits as many other pricier shampoos. It’s a sulfate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free formula that has conditioning coconut, macadamia, and jojoba oils plus strengthening proteins and B vitamins to keep your curls looking healthy.
3.Best for Detangling:Design Essentials
What We Like
- Hydrating formula
- Boosts shine
- Gently cleanses without stripping hair
What We Don’t Like
- May be heavy for finer hair
Even the healthiest curly hair needs to be detangled from time to time, and this ultra-nourishing, sulfate-free shampoo makes it a breeze. The almond and avocado oil formula penetrates hair to leave it softer, more manageable, and noticeably hydrated. Natural hair blogger Courtney Danielle Bryant cites this shampoo as one of her favorites of all time. She highly recommends it, saying, “It’s extremely moisturizing, and you can finger detangle with it in your hair. It leaves my hair feeling very soft.”
4.Best for Dry Hair:John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo
The key to lush curls is hydration. This product cleans gently while giving your hair a big dose of moisture with what they call “curl enhancing technology”. It must work because more than 6,300 Amazon users give it an average rating of 4.3 / 5 stars.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls is free of parabens and sulfates. It contains rosehip oil which is rich in fatty acids and vitamins that may improve scalp and hair health. At less than $10 it’s also one of the most affordable options on our list.
5.Best for Colored Hair:SheaMoisture
This refreshing peppermint-scented shampoo clarifies with apple cider vinegar while moisturizing with organic shea butter. All hair products by Shea Moisture are cruelty free and free of sulfates, parabens, silicone, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum.
More than 15,000 Amazon users give Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo an average rating of 4.6 / 5 stars. They rate it highly for leaving hair soft and moisturized, its scent and ingredient quality, and its value for the cost.
6.Best for Volume:OUAI Thick Shampoo
Your thick mane may be the envy of Instagram, but we know you need a special shampoo to penetrate your crown. OUAI (“way”) shampoo is cruelty free and has no parabens or sulfates. It detangles (a big job for thick hair) and leaves your curls shiny.
It also has a fancy fragrance that combines rose, lemon, jasmine, and white musk. Amazon reviewers rate it 4.4 / 5 stars, saying the scent is great and it’s a good value.
7.Best Splurge:DevaCurl No-Poo® Original
If you’ve tried a cleansing conditioner before, you probably know what to expect: this “no-poo” will not lather up like your regular shampoo. Instead you scrub the cream onto your scalp and then scrub as you rinse. This method is supposed to preserve moisture in the hair, making tangles and frizz less likely.
It’s also free of sulfates, parabens, silicone, and gluten. Ingredients like coconut oil help moisturize the scalp and hair.
8.Best Splurge, Runner-Up:Marc Anthony Grow Long Biotin Shampoo
Grow Long is aptly named, since it nourishes hair with ingredients like caffeine, ginseng, and vitamin E to discourage breakage so your hair can grow longer. More than 10,000 Amazon users give it an average rating of 4.5 / 5 stars. Reviews like the scent, the price, and the softness it gives their hair. Many reviewers confirmed they saw noticeable growth while using it.
What to Look for in a Shampoo for Curly Hair
Hydrating Ingredients
Because curly hair is innately drier than straight hair, it’s important to pick a formula that contains hydrators such as natural oils, butters, and glycerin. One ingredient that might be worth avoiding, however? Silicones. While these are often used as a conditioning ingredient to help add slip and shine to the hair, they tend to build up on the hair strands over time, says Burns. This can be particularly problematic for curls since it can cause them to become heavy and lose their shape.
No Sulfates or Harsh Detergents
In regards to dryness, it’s best to avoid shampoos that contain harsh surfactants or detergents, sulfates being the most common, explains Burns. They can be very drying and stripping, which is the last thing your curls need.
How to avoid damage while shampooing
Since damaging curly hair leads to tangling, breakage, and frizz, consider following these shampooing tips from the American Academy of Dermatology Association for avoiding hair damage:
- Concentrate shampoo on your scalp, there’s no need to lather up the ends of hair.
- Use conditioner every time you shampoo.
- Don’t rub hair with a towel, gently blot and let hair air dry.
- Comb with a wide-toothed comb while hair is damp.
- Limit heat styling and chemical treatments like coloring, perming, or relaxing.
Are sulfate-free shampoos better for curly hair?
Sulfates can be stripping for any hair type, including curly hair, so it’s best to go sulfate-free if you can. Devachan stylist Taylor Tugman explains that curly hair already skews toward the dry side, so you don’t want to further dry your hair with a harsh product. Look for a “no-poo” cleanser with a gentle formula, and don’t forget to spend the same amount of time massaging your scalp as you would with a foaming lather.
Is dry shampoo bad for curly hair?
Dry shampoo is safe to use as long as you are properly cleansing your hair on a daily basis. Anabel Kingsley, president and head trichologist of Philip Kingsley, explains that dry shampoos don’t actually remove the dirt and oils that accumulate on the scalp, so while it’s fine to use as a styling aid or for a day or two between shampoos, those who wash their hair less frequently should consider double cleansing and/or adding a scalp toner or mask to their weekly routine. This way, you’ll protect your hair from the damage that excess buildup can cause while still enjoying the benefits of dry shampoo.
How do you deal with frizzy wavy hair?
How often should you wash wavy hair?
about 2 to 3 days a week
Wavy hair can typically be washed about 2 to 3 days a week. Loose curly hair. Loose curls can look flat if they don’t get enough moisture. Wash those locks 2 to 3 times a week.
How do you take care of wavy hair for beginners?
To care for wavy hair, wash it only every few days with a sulfate-free shampoo to keep it from becoming dry and frizzy. After shampooing, apply a conditioner to the tips to moisturize the ends without weighing down the roots. Next, rinse your hair with cold water to seal the cuticles and keep in moisture.
Should you brush wavy hair?
In general, you should never brush wavy hair. Pulling a hairbrush through wavy hair will damage your curl structure and lead to a frizzy mess. Instead, you should detangle your hair with your fingers or a wide tooth comb and only use a hair brush right before you wash your hair.
Should I comb wavy hair after shower?
No matter your texture, you should always comb your hair when it’s wet. After a shower, curly-wavy girls should use a wide-tooth comb to rake through strands without snagging. Those with finer textures can use a fine-tooth comb. If you have straight hair: When your hair is straight, a brush will actually reduce frizz.
Takeaway
Curly hair needs a gentle touch to keep it bouncy and happy. Look for a shampoo that gently cleanses without harsh ingredients, helps you avoid tangles and frizz, and leaves your curls soft and shiny. Find the price tag and scent that suits you, and you have the perfect match for wash day.
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