The Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly Hair, According to Natural-Hair Experts 

Kinky-Curly Knot Today has been my go-to detangling leave-in treatment for over 10 years now. I use it as a detangler before shampooing, since it's got plenty of slip. For cleansing, Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight Shampoo comes with a perfect nozzle dispenser, making it easy to get a deep clean directly to my scalp. The shampoo changes from water to foam when it makes contact with your hair, so don’t be afraid to start off with a true quarter-size amount of this stuff. Lastly, I love Creme of Nature’s Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment, a conditioner that instantly calms and nourishes my dry hair. —Brionna Jimerson, associate social media manager at Glamour

I mostly use a moisturizing shampoo, but will use a cleansing shampoo like the Mane Choice Do It “Fro” the Culture Powerful Shampoo once a month to clean my scalp thoroughly. I like to focus more on my scalp with the shampoo, and then as it foams up, I let it do its thing for the rest of my hair. After rinsing it out, I apply a deep conditioner to my sectioned hair, put on a plastic bag, and then put my Hot Head microwavable deep-conditioning cap on for 30 minutes to an hour. I detangle with deep conditioner to avoid pulling and breakage. After washing that out, I apply a leave-in conditioner, sometimes a little oil, and let my hair air-dry as an Afro. —Sharmaine Joy-el, beauty blogger

I feel like a lot of people get turned away from natural hair because they feel like they need to use so many different products to do their hair. That's really not true! I only use four products for my whole hair routine. It starts with Creme of Nature Moisture & Shine Shampoo with Argan Oil, which is really easy to detangle with. After I rinse it out, I follow up with Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Recovery Hair Mask, which is thick and buttery and delightful. I detangle again, rinse that out, and once I’m out of the shower, I like to use a hair towel to lightly dry my hair. Then I follow up with a leave-in conditioner. My current favorite is Eco Style Black Castor Oil and Flaxseed Leave-In Conditioner. I’d say it this whole routine takes about 15 minutes tops. —Shanique Buntyn, beauty blogger

Shampoo dries out my curls like crazy, so I really only use it every few months when I’m in need of a super-deep clean. I’ve used lots of cleansing conditioners over the years, and Hair Story Studio’s New Wash is a longtime favorite. The brand has improved its formula over time, and they recently launched it in Rich, which is great for thick, ringlet curls like mine. Bonus: It smells like rose, ylang-ylang, and clove. Another product I can’t not mention is Devacurl’s Wash Day Wonder, the most amazing detangling formula I’ve ever used. It is so slippery, making my stubborn, painful knots easier to manage. Post-shower, I’ll use a cream-based styler and some gel—I’m really loving Amika’s Curl Corps Enhancing Gel at the moment. —Erin Parker, commerce writer at Glamour

After I finally mustered enough courage to do the “big chop,” I felt it was imperative to embrace the natural-hair lifestyle. Silk caps, protective styles, and the most important: natural products. That’s why I love using Apple Cider Vinegar and African Black Soap as a deep cleanser. I feel empowered knowing exactly what ingredients are going into my hair, and it leaves my curls feeling healthy and strong. After the cleanser, I do a hot-oil treatment with Jamaican Black Castor Oil. It gives my hair the perfect shine and locks in moisture. These products are inexpensive, and you can purchase them locally. —Kimber Sprawl, actor

I love wearing my hair in protective styles like braids and twists. But just as with most things, it’s what’s underneath that counts. I love using Girl + Hair’s Shea Butter & Tea Tree Shampoo and Leave-In Conditioner; it’s made with a pointed applicator tip for easy wash days and feels so refreshing! To ease itching and tension when my braids are fresh, I apply SheaMoisture’s Jojoba Oil and Ucuuba Butter Track Tension and Itch Relief Serum all over my scalp. It works wonders! For a perfect finish, I swear by Diamond Edge’s Edge and Braid Control Pomade—it's the only thing that works all day for 4C hair. —Kaylah Burton, social strategist

As someone with natural hair who wears wigs and weaves often, there are two types of wash days for me: Co-washes—or in-between washes—and then an actual wash day once a month that includes shampoo. Lately I’ve been using SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Yogurt Hydrate and Repair Conditioner or Renpure Originals Argan Oil Luxurious Conditioner to co-wash, mainly focusing on my edges, a little bit on the roots, and the ends. And when I actually shampoo, I’ve been loving SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Yogurt Hydrate and Repair Shampoo. I’m blown away by how my hair doesn’t feel stripped bare naked after I wash it. It’s shocking. A little goes a long way too, which is nice. —Mena Adubea, beauty blogger

SheaMoisture’s Kukui Nut & Grapeseed Oil Shampoo and Conditioner are my go-tos when I’m traveling because they’re easily accessible in drugstores. I first work up a lather on dry hair before adding water, which cleanses my hair of all oils and buildup, and I’m left with hydrated, voluptuous, frizz-free curls. —Sai de Silva, beauty and lifestyle blogger

This Herbal Essences line is clean and affordable, which is always important to me. Both products have real botanicals in them, plus they’re sulfate-free and contain no parabens, mineral oils, or colorants. The shampoo leaves my hair feeling clean—not stripped. One of the main things I look for in a good conditioner is the “slip.” This one has a ton of slip, which makes detangling smooth and easy, and it smells great too! I have very thick curly, coily hair, and these two products have been my go-to for the past few months. I use the shampoo once a week and the conditioner up to twice a week. —Aysha Sow, influencer

Mielle Organics’ Babassu Oil Shampoo is great for dry hair, but thanks to its lightweight formula, it won’t weigh curls down. If you’re looking for products that aren’t loaded with sulfates and have organic ingredients, this one is definitely worth a try. To amp up moisture,  Nexxus’s Humectress Mask is a super-hydrating pick. I suggest it to clients during the dry season, and it helps lock in the moisture, which is beneficial to all hair types. —Lacy Redway, celebrity hairstylist

When my hair is blond, I use Winsome & Wisdom #BlondeMoment once a month. It contains sulfates, so I use it sparingly to avoid dryness, but I love how it neutralizes and brightens my blond. For my weekly shampoo, I love SheaMoisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil because it eliminates buildup without compromising my hair color—and I love that it’s easily found and inexpensive. For deep conditioner, I love the Plentiful Deep Conditioning Treatment to restore my hair to its proper pH balance and replenish moisture. I leave it on for 30 minutes under a plastic cap and my Hot Head Deep Conditioning Microwavable Heat Cap. When my blond needs a little shine (which is often) I’ll add Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, which is still my favorite hair oil of choice; I use it almost daily on my ends. Lastly, a deep treatment honorable mention: SheaMoisture's Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque was a lifesaver during the summer when the sun zapped my blond dry. —Britney Watkins, influencer

I’m currently obsessed with Not Your Mother’s Naturals Tahitian Gardenia Flower & Mango Butter Curl Defining Shampoo and Conditioner because it helps with moisture and definition when I style after washing. Not only does it cut down my routine, but it smells amazing and is super affordable! If I have extra styling time on my hands, I also cocktail Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and DevaCurl's Super Stretch, and starting from my roots, brush all products through my hair using the Denman brush. —Tyla-Lauren Gilmore, influencer

Suave Professionals Moisturizing Curl Conditioner for Natural Hair works especially well when used in conjunction with the sulfate-free shampoo. It deeply moisturizes and provides maximum slip, and makes detangling a breeze while taming frizz and enhancing shine. Tresemme’s Curl Hydrate Leave-in Creme is also amazing! It replenishes moisture in your hair's most dry areas, providing optimal curl hydration to detangle hair, tame frizz, and boost shine. —Ursula Stephen, celebrity hairstylist