The best shampoos for curly hair: for types 2A to 4C

If you want a high-quality shampoo you have to go with Only Curls All Curl Cleanser. After we were bombarded with recommendations for the brand, our resident writer Samantha Price conducted an Only Curls product review, and here were her findings...

Our review by heat writer Samantha Price: "This All Curl Cleanser is made with a kind of hair formula that gently foams and cleanses without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Bringing the hydration back to hair, this shampoo leaves your hair feeling moisturised. It smells gorgeous, with a coconut scent and a blend of hydrating natural ingredients. This shampoo has definitely brought back my bouncy waves without stripping colour or drying out my hair...

......I finally managed to achieve fully defined waves that were free from frizz. Not only has Only Curls given me the confidence to ditch the curlers, but I've also been able to cut back on the heat damage from all of the straightening and drying. The range is free from harsh ingredients like parabens that strip the hair of that much-needed moisture. Hands down, they've been my ultimate hair saviour."

Read the full Only Curls review here

For afro hair, the formula of a shampoo needs to be thicker to coat the strands, as well as remove build-up effectively at the scalp. The HASK Curl Care has all these elements and more, with coconut oil, argan oil & vitamin E hydrating and protecting your texture from damage and frizz.

Our review by contributing writer Tayo Andoh: "There's nothing worse than shampoos having a stripping effect on hair and leaving it dry. This shampoo did not have that effect which is probably down to the fact that it's sulphate-free. This shampoo left my hair feeling soft and nourished - plus, it lathered up really well."

Tayo also reviews the HASK Curl Care Conditioner, stating: "I was very excited to give this a go the minute I heard that it would provide enough slip to detangle hair. I always dread my wash day as I know it will consist of piling on conditioner and attempting to make my way through all my tangles. This conditioner made this so much easier. I was able to get through all the tangles with ease. It also left my hair super soft and moisturised. This definitely will have a firm place in my wash routine going forward."

Having thick and curly hair is a double challenge - how can you get hydration for your curls, without building up product in your roots? The Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo comes in clutch with its ability to cleanse impurities while using its many oils and butter to add sheen and definition.

Our review by heat writer Ruby Barry: "This is by far the best shampoo I've tried for bringing out my natural type 3A hair, and I'm impressed. It smelled lovely and lathered up nicely, even after just one round of application (I usually do a double cleanse for my scalp). My hair is incredibly thick so a shampoo has to extra work hard to get the job done, and for Shea Moisture, it succeeded. I only applied one product afterwards (The Original Sprout Curl Calmer) and just by airdrying, my curls sprung up within twenty minutes and dried perfectly coiled. Stunned."

Another issue those with type four hair may face is how to detangle one's coils without it being extremely painful and time-consuming. The Millie Organics Pomegranate & Honey Shampoo is your answer. Its extremely lightweight formula provides superior slip and conditions as well as cleansing, making your hair silky and easy to style or braid. We also love Mielle for its hair growth shampoos and other hair growth products.

Customer review: "My hair is 4c and natural and this is my go-to wash-day product. I LOVE the smell. It doesn't leave my hair feeling like Barbie hair, and it keeps my curls bouncy. It's not heavy so you can wash, condition it, and then layer it with other products. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the pump dispenser it helps make sure you don't use too much, but can be a pain."

Read our full guide to how to detangle curly hair here.

Using Kérastase always makes one feel a bit giddy because it's so darn fancy. With a luxurious creamy texture, the Curl Manifesto Shampoo penetrates deep within the fibres, enabling optimum definition and bounce without weighing hair down. What's more, the beautiful subtle fragrance of frangipani, tuberose and musk will have heads turning.

Customer review: "After I had a perm done by a hairdresser, I was looking for a product that optimally nourishes and tames my curly hair. And this shampoo exceeded my expectations! The scent is simply wonderful and lasts all day. The consistency of the shampoo is pleasant and easy to spread. Even after the first use, my hair felt noticeably softer and smoother. The combination of manuka honey and ceramides seems to work wonders! My curls are now defined and less frizzy. The shampoo gives my head of hair the much-needed moisture without weighing it down. I've also noticed that my hair is less susceptible to frizz and stays in shape longer.

Although the price is slightly higher, any investment in this shampoo is worthwhile. It is definitely worth the money! I highly recommend it to anyone with curly or frizzy hair. Kérastase has won me over as a customer and I will definitely try out more products from this series!"

How do you care for your curls, without greasing up your scalp? Enter the Davines Love Curl Shampoo. For our girlies with fine hair, this lightweight clarifying shampoo leaves your mane soft and light yet volumised, allowing your curls to bounce with ease. Bonus points for its refreshing yet indulgent note of green citrus scent. This is an example of a shampoo for oily greasy hair, when curls need lightweight formulas, not heavy hitters.

Customer review: "My hair’s got very loose curls/waves, quite fine, a bit dry and extremely long. A lot of shampoos designed for my hair type seem to weigh my hair down a lot, but this shampoo is both adequately clarifying and moisturising. It defines my curls nicely without costing them in oil. I’ve knocked a star off because I’m not a huge fan of the smell and it’s extremely strong - I can smell it on my hair days later."

Sometimes, ya'll, we just wanna save some cash. With the OGX Coconut Curls Shampoo, you can do just that. At under £5 on Notino (an unheard-of price in this cost-of-living crisis), this shampoo will help enhance natural softness whilst defining curls and taming frizz. OGX also has great purple shampoos that are great for curly gals.

Customer review: "I've never liked my natural hair - I've always been put off by how much of a frizzy mess it is, but this shampoo tamed it wonderfully and made my curls actually look nice and spirally/wavy, rather than frizzy and messy! People have been asking me in disbelief if it's my natural hair and I've been getting oodles of compliments on how nice my curls look. Absolutely amazing! I am a complete convert. I use this product with the matching conditioner and then styling milk afterwards, which I would recommend as a trio."

Those of us curly girls who have messed around with bleaching and colouring in the past know the heartbreak of your curls never being as bouncy as they were before. Never fear - the Coco and Eve Super Hydrating Shampoo is a perfect shampoo for coloured hair that has rave reviews on its ability to revitalise lost curls and bring them back to life.

Customer review: "Love it!! My curls aren’t nearly as frizzy, and I can tell the spiral shape is more defined after using this. I’ve only had it 2 weeks but I’m excited to see how my hair progresses after using it for a longer period of time!"

Used by Love Island winner and all-around icon Amber Gill, the Matrix Total Results A Curl Can Dream Manuka Honey Infused Shampoo is a perfect dandruff shampoo for those who have scalp build-up and can't stop itching. Formulated with softening manuka honey extract, the nourishing treatment reveals glossy hair that retains your curl pattern.

Customer review: "Most of the shampoos leave my scalp either dry and flaky, or oily. This shampoo cleanses hair after even a week without shampooing, without leaving my scalp flaky. The smell is so warm and comforting."