I like to think of having curly hair as an adventure—as someone with type 4 hair (more specifically, a 4b/4c mix), I know that curly hair truly has a mind of its own, so you never really know if any given wash day is going to leave you with perfectly moisturized, springy curls or a head full of frizz. But the good news is that the outcome will always depend on the products you use, especially your shampoo and conditioner.
Shampoos and conditioners are the like foundation of any good haircare routine, and finding the right ones to cleanse and nourish your curls can often take a lot of time, effort, and money. Luckily, my career as a beauty editor has afforded me the ability to spend my free time testing out dozens of shampoos and conditioners for curly hair, and if you're having trouble sifting through the hundreds of options currently sitting on the market, hopefully this short list will offer you some guidance.
Read ahead to see some of my current favorites to moisturize, cleanse, and treat curly hair.
The Best Shampoos for Curly Hair
Curly hair is already pretty prone to dryness, so when shampooing, it's best to use a product that cleanses without being too harsh or drying. Focus on formulas that are either sulfate-free or contain hydrating ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
No Redken product has ever disappointed me, but if you want a curl-specific product from the brand's lineup, this is the perfect one to invest in. It cleanses curly and coily hair without the use of sulfates that can often be harsh and drying. Use it if you've found that your curls are suffering and have become a little brittle due to the current freezing temperatures.
This is a gentle shampoo that's great for cleansing fine or thin hair. It uses shea butter and avocado oil to add moisture back to dry, parched strands.
This is about as close to a salon-quality shampoo as it gets, which isn't shocking given founder Tina Knowles's background as a hairstylist. It's infused with moisturizing hyaluronic acid and keratin to keep the hair hydrated while also reducing the possibility of breakage.
This formula uses a blend of multiple oils (avocado, coconut, and jojoba) and butters (shea and cocoa) to moisturize dry curls while giving them a gentle cleanse.
Hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient of this shampoo (because it's not just beneficial for your skin), and it works in tandem with squalane to keep the hair from drying out due to cleansing agents. A small amount also goes a long way, so one bottle could potentially last you several months.
The Best Conditioners for Curly Hair
Picking a reliable conditioner is arguably the most important part of maintaining curly hair. Personally, I like to go for formulas that can make my hair feel soft and smooth while also getting rid of frizz.
My colorist used this conditioner on my hair during a recent appointment, and I've been obsessed with it ever since. Frizz tends to be a huge problem for me, but leaving this conditioner on for a few minutes eliminates flyaways and leaves my hair feeling softer and smoother than ever.
Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair! line includes one of my all-time favorite deep conditioners, but when I'm pressed for time and want to give my hair a quick hit of moisture, this also comes in handy. It has incredible slip and is great for detangling, plus it's made with an incredible scent that lingers without being overpowering.
Any conditioner that can hydrate while making it much easier to detangle and brush through fairy knots is good in my book. This one also includes skincare superstars like avocado oil and hyaluronic acid to hydrate severely dry, brittle hair.
Bond maintenance conditioners aren't necessary for everyone, but if you frequently use hot tools, or if you're regularly manipulating your hair with color and chemicals, a reparative conditioner is a good product to have on hand. This one, specifically, uses a special technology to moisturize the hair and reduce breakage.
This conditioner comes in a variety of formulas (from lightweight to intensive), and the key ingredients vary based on how thick, tight, or coarse your curls are. This one deeply moisturizes textures that are tighter or more coily, and it's meant to be used only once a week. That said, if you wash your hair more frequently and want something less intensive that you can use every wash day, you can try one of the lighter formulas.
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