The 26 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Curly Hair

Best for Colored Hair

If you want to keep your color vibrant and your hair healthy, reach for this sulfate-free shampoo. The key ingredient, coconut oil, promises to keep curls soft and moisturized for 48 hours without fading your color. One reviewer said it’s a must for curly gals: “I love L’oreal! But this one is a keeper if you have wavy/curly hair. [It] keeps it moisturized and doesn’t get it greasy after use. Hair is soft and you only have to use [a] small amount every time.”

Best for Definition

It’s a sulfate-free shampoo that’s all about giving your curls that missing bounce. The coconut oil, silk protein and neem oil mix help restore moisture on dull strands while improving shine and definition. Whether you have wavy, curly or coily hair, you ca trust the over 3,000+ 5-star reviews.

Best for Clarifying

The shampoo’s clarifying formula (aka aloe vera, honey and coconut oil) can remove any dirt or oil found on the scalp or strands. And don’t worry about it stripping your natural oils, as the product focuses on keeping curls nourished even before you add conditioner. Plus, the signature scent (jasmine, sweet sandalwood and bergamot) is not overpowering and adds to the whole experience.

Best Foamy Texture

Don’t let the foam texture fool you into thinking this shampoo doesn’t get the job done. Thanks to the aloe ingredient, the gentle lather can remove all signs of dirt, oil or buildup. One wash and you’ll see how soft, detangled and overall healthy your curls can be. Plus, the nozzle applicator makes it ten times easier to apply the product right to the scalp—a major bonus during wash day.

Best for Frizzy Hair

This hydrating shampoo works to reduce any signs of frizz, split ends and breakage. Whether you have color-treated, dry or damaged hair, add this to repair it all. “I have been highlighting my hair for the past 20 years. After using this product for one week my hair is noticeably softer and less frizzy. It's the best shampoo I've ever used, I also use the conditioner. My hair looks and feels completely different,” said one happy customer after trying it for the first time.

Best for Dry Hair

The aloe vera and coconut water mix is a hydrating masterpiece that people with dry, dull hair will especially benefit from. Plus, let’s not forget the shea butter component (aka the secret weapon) for replenishing and softening strands. And many reviewers point out the amazing scent it leaves behind.

Best Budget

The cleanser is ready to tame frizz, nourish curls and improve your hair’s definition. The blend of coconut oil, citrus oils and honey improves shine and brings back volume to dull strands. And come on, you simply can’t beat the $7 price tag. One reviewer gave this shampoo a perfect score and pointed out their favorite feature: “The smell of this shampoo alone is IMMACULATE. I'm a big fan of the coconut smell. [It] leaves your hair feeling clean and moisturized without that greasy feeling on your scalp. 10 out of 10 would definitely recommend.”

Best Clean Formula

While this shampoo is great for all hair types, people with curly hair can benefit from its cleansing features. The key ingredient (coconut) gently cleans, adds nutrients and promotes hair growth. If you like a foamy cleanser, just a dime size can keep your scalp and hair hydrated and healthy.

Best No-Poo

If regular ole shampoo isn’t your cup of tea, this hair rinse is a great option. There are plenty of benefits to using apple cider vinegar in your hair, so it’s no surprise that dpHUE’s ACV can cleanse and remove unwanted buildup. Its lightweight formula (with the aloe vera and argan oil add-on) is not your DIY concoction but more a gentle cleanser to clarify, strengthen and soften curls.

Best Sulfate-Free

Nowadays, you’re searching for a sulfate-free shampoo that doesn’t strip away your natural oils and leave your curls lackluster. This cruelty-free pick can wash out dirt, oil or grease while keeping your pH balance at bay (so no dryness in sight). Thanks to the plant (marigold and white willow bark) and fruit (orange and coconut) extracts, the blend brings back moisture and smells fantastic.

Best for Dull Hair

The shea and murumuru butter combo repairs and smooth pesky flyaways, and the climate control feature assures it doesn’t play around when it comes to locking in moisture (and making sure frizz doesn’t make an appearance) in any weather condition. “[I] have tried every product for curly hair out there and this tops them all. [It] doesn't weigh my curls down, leaves my natural spirals clean, shiny, and almost 100% frizz free,” said one reviewer.

Best for Type 3 Curls

The sulfate and silicone-free shampoo is here to make lathering and rinsing out with ease. The rice, keratin amino acids and enzymes blend protects and conditions your curls. Prepare for some really soft curls even after wash day with this protein-filled number and one customer couldn’t agree more: “I love everything about this shampoo! The color is gorgeous, the scent is delightful (but not overpowering), the lather is enough to make me happy but not so much that I'm drowning in bubbles, and it's got some protein in it! At $8, this is my go-to shampoo. HIGHLY recommend!”

Best for Dandruff

No one enjoys an itchy scalp, and this moisture renewal shampoo is ready to soothe and treat the irritation. The main ingredient, coconut oil, washes away buildup while restoring scalp health, helping you say goodbye to dandruff once and for all. With over 4,800+ 5-star reviews, this shampoo just might be the solution to your dry and itchy scalp.

Best for Damaged Hair

This conditioning treatment uses Moroccan argan oil to revitalize dry and damaged strands, especially for people with relaxed or color-treated hair. Watch your curls get back the moisture they’ve craving while also becoming soft, strong and voluminous. “Best conditioner out there. I have thick, sometimes dry hair, it makes my hair beautiful! You don't have to use a lot of it too. My daughter and I get compliments on how great our hair smells ALL the time,” one reviewer expressed.

Best for Softness

If you love the shampoo, we recommend pairing it with the corresponding conditioner. It holds the same moisturizing blend (aka honey and coconut oil) and works to maintain shine and softness even after you rinse. You can expect less frizz and stronger strands, and again, the scent is a major plus.

Best for Thick Hair

Speaking of a powerful pair, consider complementing the Maui Moisture shampoo with the conditioner to get the most out of the aloe vera and coconut water mix. And let’s not forget the shea butter that infuses up the right amount of moisture to improve dry, brittle hair.

Best Vegan Option

When you’re looking for a natural alternative, look no further than this conditioner. Whether you have 2A or 3C curls, the wheat protein and organic aloe combo is a cleaner option with no harsh chemicals. The vegan, cruelty-free conditioner works to tame frizz, improve shine and boost hydration.

Best Deep Conditioner

A deep conditioner is a great product to really repair and nourish your locks. Enter this deep conditioning hair mask (that has over 2.8k positive reviews) to your weekly wash. After a shampoo, apply this bad boy for ten minutes and step out of the shower with hydrated locks.

Best for Coily Hair

You already know it’s going to smell fantastic when pomegranate and honey are involved, but these two ingredients also have a whole host of benefits for coily hair. This conditioner detangles tight curl patterns, locks in moisture and strengthens strands due to split ends, frizz or breakage.

Best Lightweight Formula

We want our conditioner to have a strong hold, yet not feel heavy on our curls. This pick keeps your strands hydrated without weighing them down and feeling greasy. The proteins and vitamins combo assures tight curls, and fine hair gets the moisture it’s looking for.

Best Hair Mask

Sometimes your curls need a little more TLC in their lives. In this case, grab a hair mask. When honey, mafura oil, African rock fig and baobab oil come together, you can expect moisture, moisture and more moisture. With over 1,000+ positive reviews, curly gals flock for the mask, “[I] love this deep conditioner! I have 4c hair, and not only does it make my coils smell phenomenal, it also hydrates and moisturizes my hair! Strongly recommend [it].”

Best for All Hair Types

Every curl pattern and type can add this hydrating conditioner to their lineup. The star ingredient trio—mango seed butter, shea butter and coconut oil–is enough to bring your curls back to life. While it’s technically a conditioner, many reviewers have used the lightweight cream for styling or a leave-in too. “I’ve been using the same curly girl products for a while and just haven’t been getting results I love. Well this... I love! I used it as a leave in and styling cream. My hair stays moisturized for days and my curls look great. Once they start to look dry, I just add more and boom great curls all over again,” said a happy customer.

Best Detangler

Pattern has three different types of conditioners, but it’s the medium product that curls and coils gravitate towards to give them texture and definition. You’ll find that the jojoba and olive oil found in each bottle is at the center of nourishing and detangling for the next steps in your haircare routine. Prepare for your comb to glide through your hair with ease.

Best Splurge

The hefty price tag is worth it for the ingredients alone. The vegan, silicone-free conditioner has shea butter, pear oil, pumpkin seed oil and a variety of mint oils (peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen) that leave a refreshing finish. It’s great for hair types, but 4A to 4C gals will especially enjoy applying this treatment on their coils.

Best for Low Porosity

If you’re looking to bring back moisture to low porosity hair, this deep conditioner will do the trick. The jojoba, tea tree and castor oil are just a few of the oils that will repair and restore definition to your curls. Apply this on a weekly basis and watch it restore all that moisture loss. One reviewer has made it their staple towards their natural hair journey, “I have been using this deep conditioner since I have went natural and love it! I have 3c/4b hair and it helps keep my curls moisturized and healthy!”

Buy It ($9; $6)

Best for Scalp Care

Finally, this is a rosemary and peppermint conditioner that will soothe the scalp, and yes, give you that tingling, refreshing feel. It’s a moisturizing pick that will calm your irritated scalp while restoring elasticity and softness to your strands.