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These formulas won’t leave your curls feeling dry.

A collage featuring a tester after using a shampoo for curly hair on the left and a photo of the tester squeezing out the Pattern Hydrating Shampoo on the right

Byrdie

It’s formulated with replenishing ingredients that cleanse but don’t strip your strands.

The number of bonds between the keratin (protein) within the hair shaft affects yourcurl pattern.

This is a fancy way of saying your hair has unique needs.

Amazon amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo

PHOTO: Amazon

This standout from Amika accomplishes all that and more.

Just be sure to thoroughly rinse out the product, as it can weigh down finer hair types.

It locked in moisture and was very gentle on my hair while still providing it with much-needed hydration."

A person’s hair before using amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

PHOTO: Byrdie / Taylor Gilkison

It also smooths flyaways and increases shine.

Yes, as in two full days.

My curls are better defined and stayed that way throughout the day."

A person applies amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

Luckily, this product is worth it due to its high-quality ingredients and bouncy results.

We appreciated how quickly this product lathered up and the ease of rinsing it out.

It left our locks looking sleek and defined, although not overly curled and voluminous.

A person’s hair before using amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

It’s also cruelty-free.

The shampoo left my hair feeling silky."

This pick from Pattern uses a blend of 10 oils to repair your mane.

Bottles of amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

A bonus: This cleanser lathers quickly and easily removes buildup and any flakiness.

No dead ends here!"

The gentle shampoo washes your strands without stripping them of their natural oils.

A person’s hair before using amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

That being said, those who are prone to product buildup may require a deeper cleanse.

The results are resilient, perky-looking curls that feel silky and soft to the touch.

Best for Sensitive Scalp

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!

A person applies amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

Luckily, we found a solution: this pick from Briogeo.

Those with sensitive scalps found relief in this emulsifying shampoo.

It thoroughly cleanses my hair and scalp while still leaving them feeling moisturized and hydrated.

A person’s hair before using amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

My scalp felt so good.

I’ve been able to achieve way more wave definition that lasts into day four hair.

That was a big deal to me!"

Bottles of amika hydro rush intense moisture shampoo

The nondrying ingredients boast a gentle cleanse that will leave your strands feeling strong.

Plus, the inclusion ofkeratin proteinsensures your strands get the support they deserve.

“Anything over two times per week calls for a deeper assessment.”

L’Oréal Paris Evercurl HydraCharge Shampoo

PHOTO: Amazon

When in doubt, ask your stylist what they suggest for your hair’s unique needs.

Amanda Rosenthalis a writer at Byrdie specializing in haircare, skincare, and makeup.

For this story, she researched the top shampoos for curly hair.

A person with wavy blonde hair

PHOTO: Byrdie / Nellah McGough

Some of her favorites include the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!

Super Moisture Shampoo, and the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Shampoo.

2023 Mar 21;28(6):2828. doi: 10.3390/molecules28062828.

L’Oréal Paris Evercurl HydraCharge Shampoo on a person’s hand

PMID: 36985798; PMCID: PMC10056586.

VanBuren CA, Everts HB.Vitamin A in Skin and Hair: An Update.Nutrients.

2022 Jul 19;14(14):2952. doi: 10.3390/nu14142952.

Close-up of a person with wavy blonde hair

PMID: 35889909; PMCID: PMC9324272.

17 Nov. 2015, doi:10.4137/EHI.S31765

A person with wavy blonde hair

L’Oréal Paris Evercurl HydraCharge Shampoo on a person’s hand

Close-up of a person with wavy blonde hair

Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Wash

PHOTO: Kevin Murphy

A person’s damp hair after using shampoo

PHOTO: Byrdie / Dawn Turner

A person’s damp hair after using shampoo

A dollop of shampoo in a person’s palm

A person’s shoulder-length hair

A person’s damp hair after using shampoo

A person’s damp hair after using shampoo

A dollop of shampoo in a person’s palm

A person’s shoulder-length hair

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo

PHOTO: Ulta

Pattern Hydration Shampoo

PHOTO: Amazon

Closeup of a person’s wavy hair

PHOTO: Byrdie / Alyssa Kingham

A person pours Pattern Hydration Shampoo into their hand

Closeup of a person’s long wet wavy hair

The back of a person’s long hair

Closeup of a person’s wavy hair

A person pours Pattern Hydration Shampoo into their hand

Closeup of a person’s long wet wavy hair

The back of a person’s long hair

Bumble & Bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

PHOTO: Sephora

A person’s hair after applying Bumble & bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

PHOTO: Byrdie / Michelle Edelbaum

A person’s hair after applying Bumble & bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

A person’s hair after applying Bumble & bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

A person’s hair after applying Bumble & bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo

PHOTO: Amazon

Amazon OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo

PHOTO: Amazon

A person’s hair before applying OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

PHOTO: Byrdie / Mary Speichinger

The texture of OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

A person’s hair after applying OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

A bottle of OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

A person’s hair before applying OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

The texture of OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

A person’s hair after applying OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

A bottle of OGX Quenching + Coconut Curl-Defining Shampoo

Nordstrom Virtue Curl Shampoo

PHOTO: Nordstrom

A person’s hair before using Virtue Hydrating Curl Shampoo with Jojoba Oil

PHOTO: Byrdie / Chantia Murphy

A person’s hair before using Virtue Hydrating Curl Shampoo with Jojoba Oil

A bottle of Virtue Hydrating Curl Shampoo with Jojoba Oil

A person’s hair before using Virtue Hydrating Curl Shampoo with Jojoba Oil

A person’s hair before using Virtue Hydrating Curl Shampoo with Jojoba Oil

A bottle of Virtue Hydrating Curl Shampoo with Jojoba Oil