There's something truly glamorous about curly hair. The only downside is that, as effortless as curls look, they do take quite a bit of effort to maintain. In order to keep your curls moisturized and full of elasticity, you need to take proper care of you hair, which, of course, starts with sorting your way through the best shampoos for curly hair.
To help your keep you hair healthy and soft, there are steps you can take before you hop in the shower. Because curly hair tends to be thicker, you don't need to shampoo it every day. Yes, cleansing your hair regularly is important when it comes to maintaining scalp health, but if you wash curly hair every day, it risks becoming dry and more susceptible to frizz. Instead, try washing it every other day if your curls are on the finer side, and every three to four days if your hair is thicker.
You'll also want to comb through your curls pre-shower. Using a wide-tooth comb (or even your fingers) to comb through tangles starting at the ends and working your way up is a much gentler method than using a brush. Plus, your hair is more fragile when it's wet, so combing through your hair when it's dry will help prevent breakage.
When it comes to choosing a shampoo, you'll want to look for a formula that meets your own specific needs, but the one thing all curly hair types have in common is that they require plenty of moisturizing ingredients. Since it's harder for the scalp's natural oils to travel down curls than it is for straight hair, it's important to choose a shampoo that's hydrating without being too harsh. That means, in general, curly haired folks will want to stay away from sulfates, which are known to strip your hair of the natural oils it produces. If your shampoo of choice does have sulfates, make sure it contains plenty of moisturizing ingredients to balance things out.
Scroll on for five of the best shampoos for curly hair, whether you're looking for a frizz-fighting formula, a clarifying shampoo, or a powerhouse detangler.