If you are part of the curly hair club, you know not just any shampoo will do. As opposed to straight hair, curly hair needs an entirely different approach when it comes to products, starting with shampoo. Do you want your shampoo to not be tested on animals and without any animal-derived ingredients? Read on to find the 10 best vegan + cruelty-free shampoos for curly hair.
Shampoo for Curls
Due to its shape, most curly hair types naturally lack moisture. For this reason, curly hair needs a hydrating, gentle, non-stripping shampoo. One that retains and adds moisture, yet doesn’t weigh curls down, but instead enhances them. Especially for curls, it is best to go for a sulfate-free shampoo as it contains gentle detergents to dissolve build-up and oils without fully stripping the life out of your curls.
That being said, no curl types are alike, which is why it is important to find the shampoo that fits your curl type and needs. Whether your curls are loose, tight, wavy or coily, to help you find the formula your curls need, we searched for the best shampoos for all curly hair types. From low-poo cleansers to ultra-moisturizing shampoos, enter the 10 best vegan + cruelty-free shampoos for curly hair.
Index
- Best Gentle: Ouidad – Vitalcurl+ Clear & Gentle
- Best Natural: Aveda – Be Curly Shampoo
- Low-Poo: Devacurl – Curlbond Re-Coiling Mild Lather Shampoo
- Best Volumizing Curl Shampoo: Briogeo – Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
- Best for Color-Treated or Highlighted Curls: Olaplex – No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
- Best Co-Wash/Cleanser: Bread Beauty Supply – Hair Wash Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser
- Best Allround: R+Co – Cassette Curl Vegan Shampoo + Superseed Oil Complex
- For Very Dry Curls and Coils: Adwoa – Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo
- Best Budget: Kristin Ess – Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo
- Clarifying Shampoo for Curls and Coils: Kinky-Curly – Come Clean Shampoo
The 10 Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Shampoos for Curly Hair
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1/10
Best Gentle Vegan + Cruelty-Free Shampoo for Curls:
OUIDAD
Vitalcurl+ Clear & Gentle
Shop at Amazon | $$
This sulfate-free formula made with chia seed and sunflower oils cleanses while keeping moisture in and frizz out. Curls are left healthy and bouncy. It has a light clean fragrance.
Pair with Ouidad Vitalcurl Balancing Rinse Conditioner for best results.
Hair Type: curly/coily | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, silicones, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however not all of Ouidad’s products are vegan | Packaging: plastic
2/10
Best Natural Vegan + Cruelty-Free Shampoo for Curls:
Aveda
Be Curly Shampoo
Shop at Amazon | $$$
One of Aveda’s bestselling products, is their curly shampoo. Why? The zesty-scented formula, packed with natural ingredients, is just the perfect balance between being moisturizing and leaving your curls clean, defined and frizz-free.
Pair with Aveda Be Curly Conditioner for best results.
Hair Type: curls and waves | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, Aveda is cruelty-free, however AVEDA is owned by Estée Lauder, a company that does test on animals | Vegan: yes, Aveda is a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: 100% post-consumer recycled plastic
3/10
Best Low-Poo:
Devacurl
Curlbond Re-Coiling Mild Lather Cleanser
Shop at Amazon | $$
Low-lathering cleansing conditioner that works from the inside out to repair and strengthen damaged curls and coils. Curls are left defined, free of frizz and smelling like coconuts.
Pair with DevaCurl CurlBond Conditioner for best results.
Hair Type: curls/coils | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, silicones, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, DevaCurl is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free company, however it is owned by parent company Henkel, which is not cruelty-free | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however DevaCurl is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: the bottles are made of 50% recycled ocean-bound plastic
4/10
Best for Volume:
Briogeo
Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Shop at Amazon | $$$
This 98% naturally derived shampoo leaves hair clean, yet unstripped. At work are rice amino acids and shea butter to bring some light moisture and avocado oil to leave curls soft and volumized. It has a clean salon scent.
For best results pair with Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Shea Curl Defining Conditioner.
Curl Type: waves/curls/coils | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates sls and sles, silicones, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, Briogeo is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this product is vegan, however Briogeo is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: Briogeo’s containers are made of at least 25% post consumer recycled plastic
5/10
Best for Color-Treated or Highlighted Curls:
Olaplex
No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Shop at Amazon | $$$
Although not a shampoo specifically designed for curls, if your overly processed or dyed strands are beyond repair, it is time for some bond-building Olaplex. With each use it repairs and restores damaged hair, making your curls look as good as new by the time you finish the bottle. Although it’s very gentle, this sulfate-free shampoo still manages to be satisfyingly foamy.
For even better results pair with Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner.
Hair Type: all, including curls/coils | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, gluten, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, Olaplex is a 100% vegan brand, which means none of their products are formulated with animal ingredients | Packaging: plastic
Related: The Best Cruelty-Free Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair
6/10
Ultra-Moisturizing:
Bread Beauty Supply
Hair Wash Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser
Shop at Bread Beauty Supply | $$
This gentle co-wash/cleanser hybrid is so moisturizing, it almost feel like a conditioner. The milky formula, infused with aloe vera, argan oil and lemon tea tree leaves thick textured hair feeling clean, airy and hydrated. Plus, it smells sweet like candy in a non-overpowering way.
Pair with Bread Hair Mask for even better results.
Hair Type: curls/coils, medium to thick | Free of: paraben, sulfates, silicones, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes | Packaging: plastic
7/10
Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free Shampoo for Curls: Allround
R+Co
Cassette Curl Shampoo + Superseed Oil Complex
Shop at Amazon | $$$
R+Co’s curl-enhancing shampoo has a faint lather, but leaves hair 100% clean. The superseed oil complex moisturizes without leaving hair greasy or weighing your curls down. Plus, the scent of this shampoo is addictive.
For even softer hair pair it up with the Cassette Conditioner.
Hair Type: curls/coils | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, mineral oil, gluten, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, R+Co is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, R+Co is a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic
8/10
Best for Very Dry Strands:
Adwoa
Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo
Shop at Adwoa Beauty | $$
The aloe leaf juice and baobab oil formula penetrates hair to leave it ultra-hydrated, making this a perfect fit for the driest of curls. The thick and creamy shampoo is so moisturizing, you can actually finger detangle while it’s working its magic. It has the freshest mint scent that is soothing for your scalp and senses.
For even better results pair with Adwoa Baomint Deep Conditioning Treatment.
Hair Type: curls/coils | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates sls and sles, mineral oil, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, Adwoa is a Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free brand| Vegan: yes this is a vegan product, however Adwoa is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: plastic
9/10
Best Budget:
Kristin Ess
Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo
Shop at Amazon | $
Sulfate-free yet lather-rich shampoo that eliminates dirt and product buildup while leaving curls curly. The affordable formula has a soft clean scent and the pointed tip makes for the easiest application.
Pair with Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Conditioner for best results.
Hair Type: curls/coils | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates sls and sles, silicones, animal derived ingredients | Cruelty-Free: yes, Kristin Ess is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Kristin Ess is not a 100% vegan brand, meaning they also sell products that are not vegan | Packaging: plastic
10/10
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curls and Coils:
Kinky-Curly
Come Clean Shampoo
Shop at Amazon | $
Sometimes curls need a reset too. Enter Kinky-Curly’s Come Clean Shampoo. This natural shampoo removes all build-up, making hair and scalp squeaky-clean without leaving it feeling thirsty or stripped from its natural oils. Note that it isn’t moisturizing either, so don’t use more than needed. It has a soft citrus smell.
To detangle pair with Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner.
Hair Type: curls/coils | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, mineral oil, silicones, animal (by)products | Cruelty-Free: yes, Kinky-Curly is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however Kinky-Curly is not a vegan brand | Packaging: plastic
FAQ
What Is The Right Way to Wash My Curls?
- Before applying shampoo make sure your hair is completely wet
- Start shampooing at your scalp and give yourself a gentle head massage for a few minutes to thoroughly cleanse and remove all product build-up. As curly hair is more prone to breakage, it is important to be gentle when doing this
- Work your way down by finger combing the shampoo to your lengths
- Rinse your hair thoroughly
- Gently squeeze excess water out of your hair
- Finish with conditioner. Apply only to the lower half of your hair, finger-comb and let it sit for a few minutes
- Rinse your hair thoroughly
- Gently squeeze the water out of your hair
- Air, towel or blow-dry your hair. When towel drying it is best to use a microfiber towel as traditional cotton towels can damage your strands. When blow drying it is best to use a diffuser.
How Often Should I Wash My Curly Hair?
As curly hair is typically on the dryer side, it is best to keep shampooing to a minimum. How often that is depends on your hair and scalp type. When it is time to wash your hair, it is recommended to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo like one of the shampoos in this article and always finish with conditioner.
What Is The Difference Between Vegan And Cruelty-Free?
Cruelty-free means a product and its ingredients haven’t been tested on animals. Vegan means a product does not contain animal derived ingredients. A product can be cruelty-free and not vegan as well a product can be vegan and not cruelty-free. The products in this article are all cruelty-free and vegan.
