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10 best shampoos and conditioners for curly hair, tested on 160 women
Keep your curls soft and bouncy with these curl-specific sets
Tested by Maria KumarBeauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Curly hair is beautiful, and often envied by those in the straight-haired camp. But, like so many things in life, it can be a blessing and a curse. Curly-haired folk often find that traditional shampoos and conditioners leave their tresses dry, dull and frizzy. That's why you need to use one of the best shampoos for curly hair — products that have been specially designed for your hair type.
The GHI put a range of curly hair shampoos and conditioners to the test in a bid to find the best — the formulas that actually live up to their lofty promises! Here are our favourites but scroll on for our detailed reviews.
Best shampoos for curly hair
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Best shampoo for curly hair
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Wash Shampoo and Curl Jelly Care De-Frizz Conditioner
Read review - 2
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Best for defining curls
Bumble and Bumble Curl Sulphate-Free Shampoo and Curl Custom Conditioner
Read review - 4
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How often should curly hair be washed?
Dryness is a common problem for those with tight curls, as the natural oil secreted by your scalp (known as sebum) struggles to travel through them. Try adding moisture by "co-washing" your hair (using conditioner only and massaging it into your scalp) every three days. Sprays, gels, oils and mousses can help, too. Shampoo at least once a fortnight to remove any product and sebum build-up and reduce the risk of dandruff and itchiness.
If you have looser curls, aim to wash your hair every three days, or every other day if your scalp gets greasy. This should ensure the oils and butters in your hair products do not build up and drag your curls down, making your locks look limp and lacklustre. If you're sporty, or simply too busy for frequent shampooing, try co-washing in-between full washes to freshen up your mane.
Fine curls are prone to looking oily, especially if you use hair products regularly. Give co-washing a go or try water-only washing (using nothing but water) in between shampooing every three days or so.
What shampoo should I use for curly hair?
Commandment number one in the curly-haired world is to use a 100% sulphate-free shampoo, unless you need to ramp up the definition of your curls and remove any buildup (known as "clarifying").
In general, steer clear of products containing sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh salt and detergent that can strip hair of its oils and increase frizz by lifting the hair cuticles. Shun alcohol, too — it leaves curly hair looking and feeling crispy. Instead, look for hydrating shampoos that are packed full of natural butters and essential oils, and any that claim to detangle.
Consider trying a cleansing conditioner — essentially a gentle shampoo/conditioner — if your curls need more moisture.
Don't expect curly hair shampoo or conditioner to lather up much, if at all (boring, we know!), but do expect your curls to look a lot shinier and healthier than they would if you had used traditional "all hair types" products.
What is the best way to dry curly hair?
Regardless of your curly hair type, remember to blot and gently squeeze out any excess water using a gentle microfibre towel – this will help your hair dry faster and minimise frizz. Do not rub and ruffle! If you must use a hair dryer, use a diffuser to dry curls evenly and leave the more fragile ends to air dry.
How we test
We asked over 160 curly-haired women of all curl types, from 2A (light waves) to 4C (strong kinks or coils), to put 12 shampoo and conditioner duos to the test. They trialled them for a two-week period, giving us feedback on curl enhancement, hydration, lather and product texture, where applicable.
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Wash Shampoo and Curl Jelly Care De-Frizz Conditioner
Score: 88/100
This bright pink range (the packaging, not the formula!) has been formulated for all curls to help add definition and bounce. The sulphate-free shampoo has been injected with moisturising vitamin B5 and the conditioner de-frizzes, detangles and adds shine.
Our testers found a little shampoo went a long way, but the tube needed a firm squeeze to dispense. The jelly-like texture felt odd at first, but it lathered up and left hair feeling softer. The conditioner helped aid styling and everybody loved the fresh floral fragrance.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo and Conditioner
Score: 85/100
This grease-fighting Dream Curls shampoo makes use of nourishing crambe seed oil to bring wavy, looser curls back to life, while its conditioner softens, smoothes and moisturises.
Both products come in attractive purple squeezy tubes and have an uplifting citrus fragrance. They offer decent colour protection but aren't sulphate or silicone-free, so may be too drying for coily hair. They foam up a treat and rinse out easily, leaving curls looking fuller and most of our panel pleased with the results.
Bumble and Bumble Curl Sulphate-Free Shampoo and Curl Custom Conditioner
Score: 84/100
Bumble and Bumble's curl range is all about hydration, aiming to leave hair de-frizzed, smooth and bouncy. Designed for all curl types, both the shampoo and conditioner are brimming with oils and humectants — a group of actives that draw moisture from the air to keep hair hydrated and healthy.
The conditioner can be used in three ways — either for moisturising daily use, as an intensive leave-in treatment, or as a co-wash without shampoo. Both products produce a creamy lather, despite being sulphate-free and are easy to rinse out. The packaging feels a bit cheap for the price, but our hair was left tangle-free and shiny.
Grow Gorgeous Curl Defining Shampoo and Conditioner Duo
Score: 83/100
This duo helps to de-frizz and enhance all curly hair, including Afro, and stimulate hair growth with the help of caffeine. At the same time, oat lipids take care of your scalp, putting an end to pesky flaking. The subtly floral fragrance reminded our testers of a professional salon and the shampoo's lightweight texture got a big thumbs up.
Our testers said the conditioner detangled their hair ("my fingers literally slipped through") and left it feeling softer, but a few said their locks felt a little greasy after use.
Score: 81/100
This cheery shampoo and conditioner duo certainly wins the clever name game! Luckily, it's not all style and no substance. Free from all the major drying ingredients (sulphates, alcohols, etc), the shampoo contains shea butter and cacao, while the conditioner includes aloe vera leaf and jojoba.
Both products left our panel's hair feeling soft, shiny, less tangled and full of bounce. Their waves lasted longer than usual, too. Rinse out under the cold tap to seal in moisture for extra glossy curls – if you're brave enough, that is!
Phil Smith Curly Locks Shampoo and Conditioner
Score: 80/100
This budget-friendly rich shampoo contains grapeseed oil to smooth hair and perfect silky curls, while the matching conditioner claims to control frizz and add sleekness.
Our hair felt more manageable after use and we didn't need to add any oil for extra moisture. The consistency of the conditioner was too thin for some people's liking, and left a slight coating for one tester, but it made combing and styling notably easier. The purple and orange design of both packs scored highly.
Score: 78/100
This trendy brand's missive is clear: ditch the chemicals and heat styling tools and embrace your natural curls! That can be easier said than done, but these sulphate-free products can help. They're full of hydrating oils and have a tropical coconut and citrus fragrance.
Our panel raved about the lightweight texture of both the shampoo and conditioner, commenting that their hair looked smoother and shinier after use. Neither left our testers' curls crispy or greasy – the texture was just right. Bigger bottles wouldn't go amiss, but they're 100% recyclable.
Twisted Sista Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo and Intensive Leave-In Conditioner
Score: 74/100
We love the bold, modern packaging of this affordable shampoo and conditioner. They're sulphate-free, gentle on the scalp and packed with coconut, avocado and almond oils for a moisturising boost.
The leave-in conditioner detangles instantly and blocks frizz, without weighing down your curls. The consistency of both is thin – too thin for some testers – and it could have left our hair feeling softer. On the plus side, locks felt moisturised and easier to style.
Score: 73/100
The TRESemmé Pro Pure curl range has been developed for those who want to give their curls some care and attention, without irritating sensitive scalps. It doesn’t contain any sulphates, silicones or dyes, helping to repair damage caused by ultra-stripping shampoos.
Formulated with a blend of plant-based cleansers, this hydrating shampoo aims to nourish naturally bouncy curls and enhance waves, while also cleansing your scalp. Panellists said it left their curls in good condition and they enjoyed the pleasant smell and texture.
It was easy to lather up, helping to soften hair, without being heavy or too thick. The texture was a little divisive, however, as some said it was so gel-like that it kept sliding off their hand during application, but they enjoyed the super clean feeling it gave them.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner
Score: 72/100
Thick curls feeling unruly? Try taming them with this lightweight formula that replenishes and detangles. It contains organic ingredients, including silk protein and coconut oil, that help control frizz, define curls and prevent breakage.
Sulphate-free and colour-safe, both the shampoo and conditioner have an appealing coconut scent and rinse out quickly. Our hair felt cleaner and looked shinier after washing, and it proved easier to comb through too.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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