Our Best Shampoo and Conditioner For Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, you’ve probably heard countless people tell you that they wish they had your hair type. But, while curly hair is extremely coveted, you’re likely well aware that it can also be difficult to determine exactly how to care for it. The thing is, caring for your strands starts with a solid shampoo for curly hair and a conditioner to match. Healthy hair needs proper nourishment, after all. Lucky for you, we’ve set our sights on finding the best shampoo for curly hair, along with a coordinating conditioner, so you can start building a proper, curly girl-approved hair-care routine. Keep reading to learn about our pick for the best shampoo and conditioner for curly hair, along with five easy hair-styling tips for curly hair. Now, go ahead and get ready to show off those spirals!

OUR BEST SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR

First things first: When you have curly hair, it’s essential to find the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. Give the L’Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverCurl HydraCharge Conditioner a try. This sulfate-free system of curly hair products quenches, softens, and perfects each curl’s shape. It also infuses hair with hydrating nourishment without weighing it down. Start by applying the shampoo to wet hair, gently massaging it into a thick lather before rinsing. Follow up by applying the conditioner. Leave it on for one to three minutes, and rinse again.

If your curly strands are on the super-dry and dehydrated side, you need a curl shampoo that can deeply nourish and infuse your mane with moisture. This is where the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Curls Shampoo comes in. It helps to eliminate dryness, re-nourish, and redefine curls in just one wash session. Pair it with the coordinating conditioner for curly hair, the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Curls Conditioner, to achieve bouncy, defined and lustrous strands. Complete your routine with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Curl Re-Nourish Mask to keep your spirals in tip-top shape.

Editor’s tip: If you’ve been using hot water to wash your strands, consider this your sign to switch to lukewarm H2O. Super-hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving you with drier locks that can take a toll on your curls.

5 STYLING TIPS FOR CURLY HAIR

It’s wise to find a curly girl-approved shampoo and conditioner, and having a few styling tips up your sleeve can also be useful. Follow these curly hair tips to keep your spirals in mint condition.

CURLY HAIR TIP #1: BE GENTLE WHEN YOU BRUSH

Brushing your hair when it’s wet is a no-no. You should only brush your hair with the proper tools, as your hair is more fragile when wet and can cause breakage to occur. If you’re looking to detangle curly hair post-shower, start by spritzing on a detangling spray. Then, reach for a wide-tooth comb instead, working it slowly and steadily through your strands.

CURLY HAIR TIP #2: PICK DOUBLE-DUTY STYLING PRODUCTS

When you have curly hair, look for styling products that work double duty, such as the L’Oréal Paris EverCurl Sculpt & Hold Cream-Gel. It combines the care of a rich hydrating cream that conditions and a styling gel that shapes without weighing your hair down. After washing your curls, distribute one to two pumps evenly through clean, towel-dried hair. Let your hair air dry or blow-dry it with a diffuser for smooth and hydrated curls.

CURLY HAIR TIP #3: KEEP HEAT PROTECTANT ON HAND

If you’re going to blow-dry or straighten your curly hair, make sure to apply a heat protectant before picking up your heat tools. This tip can be applied to any hair type—no one likes heat damage, after all. Try the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray, which helps to calm frizz, seal in shine and provide 450-degree heat protection.

CURLY HAIR TIP #4: AIR DRY YOUR CURLS

Instead of relying on heat-styling, put your hot tools on ice and embrace your natural texture. You can air dry your curly hair to perfection as long as you have the right styling product. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse to damp hair, scrunch, and go.

Editor’s tip: Take your curls up a notch by braiding your hair after applying your curl mousse and allow it to air dry. When you remove your braid, you’ll have curls that are even more defined.

CURLY HAIR TIP #5: ROCK A MESSY BUN

One of the most stylish looks of the moment happens to be the messy bun. It works to keep your strands away from your face while accentuating your features, since there are no loose strands in the way. Start by applying hair gel to damp hair, then scrunch to help define the shape of your curls. Next, put your hair into a ponytail and wrap your length around the base. Secure with a hair elastic and bobby pins. Don’t get too hung up on how smooth your bun looks—it’s supposed to be messy! If you’re a bit rusty on the styling front, here’s a tutorial on How To Create a Messy Bun.

Next up: Speaking of hairstyles for curly hair, you have a number of options beyond a messy bun. If you want to add a few new hairstyles to your repertoire, check out our article, 9 Easy Curly Natural Hairstyles For Natural Hair.