The 18 Best Shampoos for Wavy Hair

The Aveda be curly line has been a staple for so long–and there’s an excellent reason why. While many products designed for curly or wavy hair tend to fall either on the hydrating or volumizing side, this shampoo lands somewhere in the middle, offering hydration without weighing down finer textures.

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “So many shampoos I’ve tried are very moisturizing but don’t cleanse well or the other way around, but this does both perfectly. I don’t feel like I need a lot, but I still shampoo twice and it leaves my hair so soft and clean. Very reliable product!”

As opposed to slathering on lotions and potions once you’re out of the shower, LUS believes in allowing wash-out products to do some of the hard work, too. Packed with hydrating oils and butters, this shampoo gently cleanses the hair without leaving it feeling dry or too squeaky clean. The end result is hair that requires fewer leave-in treatments to add definition and texture.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “My hair is both wavy and gets greasy. I use the shampoo and conditioner to help keep my waves bouncy and fresh, moisturized without being weighed down. Love it!”

A drugstore favorite, this shampoo is great for people who have fine waves and curls. Rather than piling on butters than might weigh down finer textures, this shampoo uses milder ingredients to instead encourage definition and volume.

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This shampoo is great if you have thin, fine, curly or wavy hair. It gives moisture without adding weight to the hair. My thin, fine, curly hair feels clean, and isn’t flattened by too much moisture.”

For dehydrated waves, no brand packs on the hydration like SheaMoisture. While their viral leave-in products have created a community online, their shampoo deserves just as much credit. With neem oil and shea butter, this shampoo never strips healthy oils from the hair, instead replenishing them, so you encounter less frizz and more definition. “This is a staple in my bathroom. It’s super hydrating and quickly revives my curls,” says our Digital Beauty Director, Danielle James.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

“Ceremonia just launched their new Weightless Hydration Shampoo for Fine/Thin Hair,” says hairstylist Rene Villalta. “This cocktail is sulfate-free and contains natural ingredients, including yucca extract and witch hazel, which make this an effective cleanser without stripping your scalp’s natural oils. Since wavy hair tends to have a finer texture, this product is perfect.”

Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars

“I love the new Rhyme & Reason Wave Revival Range,” says trichologist Angela Onuoha. “Three simple steps to not only give you bouncy waves, but also nourish the hair and soothe the scalp. It contains jojoba oil, which is a lightweight oil that helps to smooth the strands and give it shine without weighing the hair down. Hibiscus flower, which is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect both hair and scalp against free radicals. And sea minerals that help to restore the scalp. To prevent the hair from being too heavy, they’ve formulated a 2-in-1 gel serum product to do it all: moisturize and smooth the hair while also enhancing your waves with a good hold but without the crunch!”

Target rating: 4.7/5 stars

The newest launch from scalp-focused hair brand Act+Acre is their Soft Curl collection. “I love our Curl Cleanse for anyone with wavy hair,” says trichologist and Act+Acre founder Helen Reavey. “It’s packed with glycerin for added hydration and formulated with fulvic acid, which acts as a probiotic for the scalp to remove product buildup and balance the scalp microbiome.”

Act+Acre rating: 5/5 stars

Olaplex has made a name for itself as the brand for damaged hair. Whether your wavy hair is highlighted or you’ve used a flat iron one too many times, this bond-building cleanser repairs damage in the long run and helps your strands appear healthier, less frizzy, and more hydrated immediately.

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Not getting this for your hair is doing a disservice for yourself. This revived my hair after just one use. I can feel a difference. My hair is so soft and the ends have been brought back to life. My hair feels and smells amazing. Clean and really soft and ALIVE!”

Sachajuan is one of those underrated Scandinavian brands that’s all about helping your hair look its best with minimal interference. This shampoo uses strengthening ingredients to make your waves and curls less prone to breakage, making them appear healthier and bouncier.

Dermstore rating: 5/5 stars

A Dermstore reviewer says: “Love this and how it made my curls smooth and bouncy! I am so happy I decided to try this curl shampoo. Worked well for me and I will buy again!”

Not only is Davines packaging ultra-chic, but they have a less-is-more policy regarding their ingredients. With hydrating ingredients and gentle cleansers, this shampoo allows your natural texture to flourish, rather than taming it into the status quo.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have fine, curly hair and this product is a rockstar. It doesn’t dry out my hair like other shampoos. I’ve tried a bunch of products and this is by far the best. Worth the $$ and never going back.”

Achieving optimal scalp health is the first step to having your hair look its best. This shampoo uses ingredients commonly found in skincare, like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, to reduce unwanted oiliness while still giving your hair and scalp the hydration they need. It will provide a very deep clean, so if your hair is on the dryer side, use this as a detox once a week, and use a more hydrating formula on alternate wash days.

Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I tried this shampoo on a whim and I was not expecting to love it as much as I do! It doesn’t irritate my scalp and my hair doesn’t get greasy as quick as it used to.”

Wavy hair can be prone to frizziness, so if that bothers you, a smoothing shampoo is a low-effort way to reduce flyaways without affecting the overall texture of your hair. Using prickly pear oil, this shampoo cleanses without stripping, leaving the hair feeling–and looking–healthier than before.

Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Gently foaming and with a lovely aroma. This shampoo detangles gently and leaves hair sleeker and shinier. It definitely helps my dry, damaged-colored hair. I really liked the shampoo and will be buying it again. I also recommend this to other customers.”

If you’ve been blessed with thick hair, this shampoo was made for you. This product uses strengthening and hydrating ingredients like keratin and avocado oil to reduce frizziness and add shine, without leaving a residue on the scalp.

Ulta rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I wash my hair 2-3 times a week, give or take, depending on how greasy it gets through my daily activities. This shampoo has saved me from an itchy, dry, flaky scalp! I love it! The cost is honestly SO worth it. I have never been able to find a shampoo that works for my hair to treat my scalp and also get rid of the greasiness until now!”

Wavy-haired people with fine hair know the struggle with balancing definition and volume. This shampoo, created by Jonathan Van Ness, uses skin-loving ingredients like squalane and aloe to gently cleanse, removing residue that can weigh down the hair.

Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “Loving this. My hair is thin and curly. Added a lot of volume and has a nice fragrance.”

Wavy and curlier hair types are prone to dryness because of the shape of each hair strand, and oftentimes shampoos are the cause exacerbating this issue. But Briogeo is here to change all that with this ultra-hydrating cleanser that uses shea butter and coconut oil to add strength and moisture to even extremely brittle, damaged hair.

Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “Amazing. I’ve been looking for an everyday shampoo like this for a while. It is so simple and light. It cleans the hair really well and doesn’t leave a gross residue. I use a clarifying shampoo once a week and this every other day! I love this shampoo.”

Nature lovers, meet your new favorite cleanser. This everyday shampoo uses natural ingredients and extracts to give a gentle shampoo that’s no-muss, no-fuss. An extra bonus? It smells incredible.

Dermstore rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Dermstore reviewer says: “Above and beyond everything else. Super smooth, clean, shiny hair without stripping all the moisture. Plus, the smell is fantastic. Very natural and invigorating.”

While I’m all for embracing frizz, it can feel frustrating to feel like your styling never lasts. This shampoo changes all that, using gentle oils to increase hydration in and out of the shower.

Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I’ve used just about every anti frizz shampoo on the market, and nothing works quite like this. You don’t need a lot, so the bottle lasts a long time. It leaves my hair fresh and clean, without stripping moisture, or fading color. I highly recommend!”

This nozzle for this ultra-hydrating shampoo makes it easy to get the product directly onto your scalp. With shea butter and castor oil, this cleanser adds a healthy shine to dull, damaged strands that crave extra hydration.

Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “Love this product! My first time switching to a cleaner brand and I’m so happy I made the switch! Definitely never going back to cheap, stripping shampoos ever again. It smells and feels just like you left the salon! The bottle design is fabulous as well! 10/10!!”