How to find the best shampoos for curls

When it comes to caring for your hair, it’s never a one-size-fits-all situation. Every product you use, from shampoo to heat protectant, needs to be carefully curated by you. That's why today we’re focusing on curls and specifically the best shampoos for curls, so you can avoid any, er, curly problems.

We chatted with Global Hairdresser of the Year 2018 Kobi Bokshish about what shampoos you should use on curly hair and what else you can do to keep your curls in peak condition...

Finding your shampoo

For starters, moisture is a must! “Curly hair is about 30% drier than normal hair. However, you have to have the right balance of hydration otherwise the curl will be weighed down and lose its form," Kobi explains. "Therefore, it is important to use professional products that are recommended by your stylist."

When looking for curl-friendly shampoos, there are specific moisturising ingredients that you should seek out. Kobi suggests looking out for jojoba oil, coconut oil and anything high in amino acids.

For a shampoo that will hydrate the heck out of your hair, beautyheaven loves Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Oil Conditioning Shampoo, Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo and LUSH Curly Wurly. Kobi's pick? Total Results Curl Please by Matrix.

You can also try using shampoos that are sulfate-free, like the Redken Curvaceous Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo ($19.99 at Priceline) to avoid stripping any essential oils or moisture from curly locks.

beautyheaven's favourite shampoos for curly hair: Aveda Be Curly Shampoo, OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo and John Frieda Frizz-Ease® Dream Curls® Shampoo.

Supporting your shampoo

Okay, so you've found your holy-grail hydrating shampoo but what else can you do to look after those curls? According to Kobi, leave-in treatments are the way.

“Leave-in treatments are fantastic for curls as they support curl formation without any of the crunch! Total Results Contouring Lotion in the Curl Please range from Matrix is the perfect partner for your curly hair. It provides lightweight moisture while boosting body, bounce and shine. Use it each time you wet or wash your hair to rehydrate curls."

And Kobi advises that a wide tooth comb should also be your hair BFF. “Always use a wide tooth comb – not a brush! Don’t ever comb the hair while dry to prevent hair from frizzing, swelling and breaking – instead, comb it through in the shower with a conditioner or treatment,” says Kobi. "Rinse it out with the coldest water you can handle to lock the moisture in. It's best to let the hair dry naturally or blow-dry with a diffuser.

"One thing to avoid however is heat styling. Allow curls to do their thing! Too much flat ironing makes for very unhappy curls. Not only does it remove moisture from an already dry hair type it also removes elasticity and makes your curls lose their form,” Kobi advises.

beautyheaven loves the Deep muk - Ultra Soft Leave-In Conditioner, KMS TAMEFRIZZ Curl Leave-In Conditioner, Lady Jayne Two-Tone Detangling Comb, Mason Pearson Comb Rake, TONI&GUY Tools Wet/Dry Detangle Comb, ghd air™ diffuser and Parlux Supercompact Ionic & Ceramic Hairdryer Diffuser Attachment ($22 at Adore Beauty).

Do you have curly hair? What shampoo do you use on your curls?

79 Member Comments

Khajiit 15 Jan 2019 2:11 PM

I have some of the LUSH curly wurly, haven't used it yet but hopefully it helps the dryness while maintaining some form

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Petal 21 Dec 2018 4:54 AM

I have wavy hair that is borderline frizzy now that I've grown it long. I have been using sulphate-free shampoos and silicone-free conditioners for a long time.

aoperez 21 Dec 2018 12:25 AM

I had never really thought about using a different shampoo for curly hair - makes sense tho - especially since my dry is so dry normally anyway!

GeeJ 20 Dec 2018 10:32 PM

A wide tooth comb is the only thing that works when I wear my hair curly.

ubd2u 19 Dec 2018 10:16 PM

good article, one extra bit of info, find a hair dresser who has curly hair herself.

I didn't realise that the hair straightener is not good

Lois389 19 Dec 2018 1:41 PM

I don't have curly hair but I have wavy. Have been trying to embrace it more recently, I never used to use conditioner and now I do everytime. The hardest thing to change is not brushing it!

Amdor9 18 Dec 2018 12:11 PM

Great article. I have very thick, wavy, frizzy hair so I find a leave-in conditioner essential. I like the tip about the cold water. Will have to try that.

Paul481 17 Dec 2018 8:38 AM

Great information we are a family of curls always trying new ideas

misfortune8 16 Dec 2018 5:14 AM

My hair is a little wavy, yet I swear by the cold rinse after rinsing out all my shampoo & conditioner. In winter, I carefully avoid my scalp & body, aiming the cold water at my mid-length & ends only. In summer, I do a full-body blast of cold water!

Shop A Everyday 15 Dec 2018 11:36 PM

I have fine hair, and have found a nice styling cream to be better than mousses and gels which just make my hair so sticky

IndieAna 15 Dec 2018 7:14 PM

I have more wavy hair than curly

Sally10 15 Dec 2018 4:58 PM

As someone with fine, curly hair that tends to frizz, this article was really informative, thank you! :)

Snailor 15 Dec 2018 4:25 PM

I have dry, wavy hair and the Shea Moisture line is my saviour!

sootyblack_14 15 Dec 2018 2:23 PM

Great article... Great products to try...

Susmat 15 Dec 2018 9:20 AM

I used to have curls but only have a slight wave now

Queen_Heidi_15 15 Dec 2018 12:21 AM

I've purchased so many curl product shampoos, frizz reductions, moisture intense bottles, it never seems to end, Still looking to find my perfect one

Angage 14 Dec 2018 9:13 PM

Luckily i have not curly hair to maintain. I just love the hair as it is.

Lisa359 14 Dec 2018 4:04 PM

The wide tooth comb from Hairsense is one of the best investments I've ever made for my hair. I tried to find shea moisture hair products in two priceline stores here in Perth yesterday and they are no longer stocking it!, thankfully it's still available online - whew. A silicone free conditioner is a must because a sulphate-free shampoo can't get silicones out of your hair , it's too gentle, I think that is one of the reasons people give up on sulphate-free shampoo. Anyway that's my 2 cents. I'll stop waffling on now....

Peach perfect 14 Dec 2018 5:23 PM

Us curly girls are naturally high maintenance ...isn't it ;)

AndreaJW 14 Dec 2018 3:16 PM

I don't have curls but have wavy hair and I hate it.

Chrystalage 14 Dec 2018 1:04 PM

No curls but have other hair and scalp challenges. Have come to the conclusion that specialty products don't help. It comes down to what I can use and unfortunately it involves trial and error. Fortunately I have found some products that suit but they aren't for specific conditions.

Kelsmorgan 14 Dec 2018 11:16 AM

Curly hair usually likes not shampooing often, and when you do, using a shampoo without sls. Then conditioners without silicone. So most of the products above probably aren't the best to use. Coconut oil in particular can be terrible for curls. I know my curls hate it. Getting a good no silicone conditioner and not combing or brushing curls (wide tooth comb in the shower while conditioner is in), is the best thing.

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abbeyleee12 14 Dec 2018 7:47 AM

the Eleven hair treatment is amazing for my curls! i apply 2 pumps to damp towel dried hair and it has helped my hair so much!

Shop A Everyday 15 Dec 2018 11:29 PM

I ordered one in beautorium too, can't wait to get it

Peach perfect 14 Dec 2018 5:25 PM

Grabbed it from beautorium and just started using it. Hope it helps my curls too

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How to find the best shampoos for curls

Finding your shampoo

Supporting your shampoo

79 Member Comments

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