There is no question about it – curly hair is gorgeous, enviable, and a LOT of work. While you might think those spirals are effortless in nature, this type of hair is a lot more time consuming than one would assume. Curly hair follicles are asymmetrical, therefore an entire strategy around washing and styling is required, than that of straight hair.
The best place to start a successful curly hair day is in the sink or shower. Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner will be vital for getting the ultimate bounce, taming the frizz, and keeping those curls in top-notch shape.
If you were blessed with a gorgeous head of corkscrew locks (lucky us!), you know. If you have a curly-haired friend, you may be able to empathize with the struggle – after all, you know how long it takes us to get ready!
Hydration Is Key
But back to shampoo and conditioner – the key is hydration. When you start out with fully moisturized tresses, you need far less styling products and styling time. But can you still get those gorgeous curls on a drugstore budget? You bet! While there are tons of amazing luxury brand shampoos and conditioners for curly hair, there are also quite a few great ones that will cost you far less. It’s all about essential oils and natural butter. If you see the words clarifying, chelating or deep cleansing – these are not friends of your curls.
No more frizz factor, no more bad hair days, buckle down my spiral sisters, here is a guide to the best drugstore shampoos and conditioners for curly hair.
Top 5 Drugstore Shampoos & Conditioners:
Sulfate-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free, this highly-rated curl shampoo provides you with 24 hours of perfect swirls. Ultra-hydrating coconut oil, jojoba oil, and macadamia nut oil work in tandem with strengthening proteins and B vitamins for healthy hair and intense nourishment. All for just $2.82!
It’s almost unbelievable and hard to beat, yet this shampoo performs almost as well as the heavy-hitting, higher-cost curl shampoos. This shampoo is superb for high-humidity and protects against heat styling. It’s weightless, provides thicker-looking volume and it controls frizz like no other.
Colloidal oat extract, almond oil, and avocado oil all harmonize in this scalp-soothing, farm-fresh shampoo. You will experience soft, frizz-free strands from root to tip and feel a dramatic difference in the way your scalp feels.
It’s intensely hydrating, fights dandruff, and works for any thickness of curly hair. You can even use it on color-treated hair. This has become a fast favorite among the curly-haired crowd and at $6.99, it is quite the steal.
It just feels so amazing! Aveeno is known for using the highest in quality, natural ingredients and they certainly didn’t skimp here.
Are you ready for this? When you use the Evercurl HydraCharge Shampoo and Conditioner, you will get 48 hours of perfect curls! That’s right, 48 hours. This line is famous for being sulfate-free and vegan, but it also doesn’t contain any salts or surfactants that will dull, damage, or strip your hair.
Coconut oil is highly concentrated in this formula and will quench your corkscrew curl dryness. It won’t weigh you down or make your spirals feel too rigid. You get a natural bounce and a smooth, silky shine.
Many reviewers love using the shampoo, conditioner, and treatment trio for the best results. It gives you the va-va-voom without the vogue cost. Just $6.79, you can join the masses who adore this line.
If you’ve picked up on the coconut trend so far, know that Herbal Essences was one of the drugstore brand pioneers in harnessing this ingredient for full hydration and revitalization.
An actual 100 percent of users agree that this is the shampoo they rely on for the reduction of coarseness and frizz. Herbal Essences is also known for its heavenly-scented products and this coconut dream falls right in line. It leaves your hair ever so soft and only costs $5.99. It’s a legacy duo for a reason!
Full disclosure, I have been rotating this drugstore twin pack into my curl routine for years. While some of us do like to splurge on the high-end brands, this product line never fails as my go-to backup.
The creamy formula melts into curls and if you comb through after conditioning to let it sit for a few, you will leave the shower feeling like you just got a deep moisturizing treatment from the salon. True words! It truly is professional quality at a drugstore price. Shelling out $4.89 will feel like you are underpaying.
There is a powerful dose of vitamin e and truly it can be used on any hair type, but my curly-haired crew will especially love it. The wizards at Tresemme should be applauded for developing this fabulous haircare set.
Conclusion:
If you have been frustrated and exhausted trying to treat your curly hair and feel like you can’t get a good result without breaking the bank – you have now been reassured. These drugstore products work and will have your swirly tresses looking their finest. Go find your favorite!
