Trust Me—These Are the 20 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Every Curl Type
From one curly-haired girl to another, I know how difficult it can be to find the right products for your hair as it changes over time. Environmental aggressors, harsh chemical treatments, excessive heat, and other factors can ultimately lead to damage, and it takes the best routines and products to breathe life into your strands once again. As one of Who What Wear's resident curly-haired editors, I love learning new ways to give my hair TLC before sharing my findings. If that captures your curiosity, keep reading to discover 20 of the shampoos and conditioners I've used over the past three years to restore my curls to their healthiest state post–chemical straightening. Fingers crossed you'll find a few to add to your haircare routine!
What Should You Look For?
When on the hunt for curl- and coil-friendly shampoo and conditioner, one sentiment should be kept in mind above all else: No one routine will work for everyone. What's more, products that may have worked for you for months at a time may no longer have their desired effect and lead to you having to switch up your entire routine. It's best to go into your search for shampoo and conditioner taking note of what your hair needs at the moment, whether that's a frizz fighter or a moisture quencher.
I also pay attention to the weight and consistency of the formulas I come across, taking the time to consider how certain products impact the look and feel of my strands after use. My 4c curls, for example, are low-porosity, so they benefit the most from shampoos and conditioners that help draw in and retain moisture. My hair also works best with products that are lightweight and possess detangling properties that can save me time in the morning.
Most, if not all, of the shampoo and conditioners included in this product roundup are also sulfate-free, meaning they forgo the popular ingredient so that your hair is not stripped of its nourishing natural oils, and for those of you who have color-treated hair, there'll be no fading. While I prefer products that are gentle on my curls and tough on my scalp by removing impurities, I've also made sure to include a few of my top picks for shampoos and conditioners that deliver deep cleansing and curl definition.
Overall Best: TGIN Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner Duo
This sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner set uses formulas enriched with five types of nourishing oils and shea butter to seal in moisture and defend your strands against breakage. I also love these products because they don't strip the hair of the natural nutrients it needs to be at its healthiest.
"I've been using these products for years now. I used to have dry hair. However, once I stopped using oils and started using these products, I've noticed more moisturized hair and better curl definition." — Amazon customer
Pro: Reduces breakage and increases moisture retention
Con: None
Best for Dry Curls: SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Hydration Set
Designed to repair hair damaged by chemicals or overprocessing, this SheaMoisture shampoo and conditioner set uses moisturizing Manuka honey and fig extract as well as baobab and mafura oil to promote healthy hair. They work in tandem to infuse moisture into your tresses, reduce hair breakage, and soothe a dry scalp.
"My hair is very dry and damaged and overprocessed. This shampoo and conditioner is fabulous, and my hair is so much smoother and hydrated." — Amazon customer
Pro: Delivers shiny, bouncy curls that stay moisturized
Con: Conditioner leaves a slight film that can be removed with a thorough rinse
Best for Damaged Curls: Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle
This highly moisturizing, reparative shampoo and conditioner bundle addresses split ends, frizz, and damage by relinking broken bonds. Formulated for daily use, your hair will be much softer, stronger, and shinier.
"Nothing else is touching my hair! It washes my hair so well, and my hair is so soft and smells amazing after! I always follow with the Olaplex conditioner as well." — Amazon customer
Pro: Repairs and maintains broken bonds
Con: High price point
Best for Combination Curl Types: SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Set
This was one of the first shampoo and conditioner sets I invested in after transitioning my hair from its chemically treated state back to 4c curls. It's formulated with coconut oil, vitamin E, iron, fatty acids, and hibiscus-flower extract to deliver soft, bouncy curls every time.
"It's the first time I tried the curl products of this brand, and I'm very happy with them. My hair feels great, and my curls don't tangle with this product. Not to mention, it smells amazing, and it doesn't feel heavy." — Amazon customer
Pro: Can be used on color- and/or chemical-treated curls
Con: Conditioner is challenging to coax from bottle
Best Luxury Option: Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle
Ideal for hair types, Oribe's Gold Lust Repair and Restore bundle blends the brand's high-tech, bio-restorative complex and oils to bring your hair back to its healthiest state by smoothing each cuticle. This is on constant rotation during my more luxurious "everything" showers.
"I love this Oribe bundle. I truly love all of Oribe's products. They actually do what they say the products should do. Shampoo and conditioner smell great. Leaves my hair feeling clean and silky." — Dermstore customer
Pro: Leaves hair clean, moisturized, and shiny
Con: Offered at a high luxury price point
Best for Curl Definition: Briogeo Curl Charisma Hydrating Shampoo and Curl Defining Conditioner
To say I'm obsessed with this Briogeo shampoo would be an understatement. Part of the brand's best-selling Curl Charisma line, this hydrating shampoo uses a mix of rice amino acids, shea butter, tomato-fruit ferment, and avocado extract to cleanse the hair without stripping it of nourishing natural oils.
"Love how my hair looks and feels after using this! They are more bouncy and do not feel dried out. Usually, my hair needs an adjustment period, but it seems to be thriving. My hair looks nourished and healthy." — Sephora customer
Pro: Minimizes frizz to enhance curl definition
Con: May not address heavy scalp buildup
Here's a nourishing conditioner formulated to seal in moisture and boost hydration, minimizing frizz and enhancing the definition of waves, curls, and coils. Like its shampoo counterpart, the conditioner is sulfate-free and crafted using a 96% naturally derived formula.
"I have thin wavy/curly hair, and this was perfect. I thought it was going to be too heavy at first, but it's so hydrating and curl enhancing." — Sephora customer
Pro: Enhances the definition of all curl types
Con: Difficult to squeeze conditioner from its container
Best Drugstore Option: L'Oréal EverCurl Hypercharge Shampoo and Conditioner
Ideal for curly hair that needs lightweight hydration, L'Oréal's EverCurl Shampoo is at the top of my list. Delivering intense moisture for up to 48 hours, its formula is packed with nourishing ingredients (including coconut oil) for soft, manageable, hydrated curls. It's also free of sulfates, salts, and surfactants.
"I have curly hair and, with the high humidity, frizzy hair. I've used this shampoo and conditioner for a month, and it has really helped with the dryness and frizz. [I] will continue using it." — Amazon customer
Pro: Hydrates the curls without weighing them down
Con: Does not promote juicy curl definition
Need an extra burst of moisture? Follow L'Oréal's EverCurl Hypercharge Shampoo with this quenching conditioner. It comes in the same gorgeous fragrance, a combination of juicy mango, soothing sandalwood, and tropical coconut for a luxurious, aromatic fragrance that lasts all day.
"This product really helped my hair! My curls were more defined, and my hair didn't go flat after a day. All other products I used made my hair fall out, dry out, or would over moisturize it. I was really impressed with my results and will definitely be purchasing again." — Amazon customer
Pro: Won't strip or dull color-treated curls
Con: Does not soften tight textures enough for easy comb-through
Best for Loose Curls: Kérastase Curl Manifesto Shampoo and Lightweight Conditioner
Kérastase's sulfate-free shampoo gently cleanses the scalp and hair while also removing buildup and boosting radiance without removing all the good stuff (i.e. natural oils) for soft and defined curls. Its key ingredient is Manuka honey, which is rich in minerals and nutrients.
"I absolutely love this shampoo! The smell is wonderful. The shampoo itself is thick and creamy and lathers perfectly in my hair. My hair has never looked better since I started using this product. I definitely recommend!" — Sephora customer
Pro: Boosts radiance and preserves natural oils
Con: Offered at a high price point
This is a lightweight, moisture-replenishing conditioner that offers hydration while easily detangling and reducing the frizz of your curls and coils without weighing them down. It also increases hair volume while enhancing the bounce and elasticity of your strands.
"My hair is naturally wavy/curly, and although it is thinner than most, I have a lot of hair. Most shampoos and conditioners weigh down my hair. This conditioner and its shampoo counterpart did not. Definitely recommend!" — Sephora customer
Pro: Seals in moisture to restore natural body
Con: Offered at a high price point
Best for Tangled Curls: Design Essentials Almond and Avocado Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner
Anyone who has curly or coily hair has experienced the pain of waking up with tangled curls. When you're over throwing your hair up in a bun and going on with your day, give this Almond and Avocado Shampoo a try. In addition to being extremely gentle and cleansing, it saves up to 30 minutes of detangling time.
"Best shampoo ever. I have 4c hair, and this not only cleanses my scalp, [but I can also] detangle my hair with this shampoo. That's how amazing the slip is. A little goes a long way. This is definitely my go-to on my wash days." — Target customer
Pro: Cleanses without stripping hair of natural oils
Con: None
Design Essentials' Almond and Avocado Leave-In Conditioner is enriched with almond, avocado, and jojoba oils and nutrient-rich botanicals. It penetrates your strands to quickly soften and smooth the cuticle for easy detangling for frizz control.
"Effectiveness and smell win my approval after one use! Great slip, smell, and consistency. Exactly what you'd expect for a leave-in conditioner." — Target customer
Pro: Softens, defines, and detangles curls
Con: None
Best for Tight Curls: Pattern Cleansing Shampoo and Intensive Conditioner
Pattern's deep-cleansing shampoo clarifies, removes buildup, and nourishes the scalp to promote hair strength without stripping away healthy oils. It also helps low-porosity hair types keep the cuticle open to receiving moisture. How great is that?
"This cleansing shampoo is amazing! I have thick and coily hair. This shampoo left my hair feeling so clean, soft, and hydrated It's very effective and smells amazing. Perfect cleansing shampoo for curly hair!" — Sephora customer
Pro: Designed specifically for low-porosity hair types
Con: Not ideal for those sensitive to fragrances
This conditioner uses an ultra-rich, hydrating formula packed with safflower-seed, jojoba, and avocado oils to soften, hydrate, and define curls. It also doubles as a deep conditioner so you can keep your hair healthy and hydrated for even longer.
"Helped my 4a/4b hair so much. My hair was damaged from dye, curl pattern was fried. Now since using this my curls are back, hydrated and my hair feels soft." — Sephora customer
Pro: Replenishes and locks in hydration
Con: May be heavy on certain hair types
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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