As more and more African American women (and men) choose to go natural, the hair product landscape has exploded with an ever-expanding variety of shampoos to cater to your curls. Almost every shampoo for natural hair offers gentle cleansing, but there can be significant differences in key ingredients, prices, and availability. Luckily, there are options for every preference and budget.
Mainstream Shampoos for Natural Hair
Mainstream products are perfect for consumers who value convenience and price since they are readily available at mass retail outlets like Target and CVS. Make no mistake; these mass marketed brands don't skimp on quality. The lines recommended here each began in the kitchens of women who carefully crafted their own shampoos and used trusted ingredients to cleanse their curly tresses.
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PRODUCT |
QUALITIES |
PRICE |
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Shea Moisture |
Sea Kelp gives mineral-rich nutrition that seals and smoothens hair cuticles, while argan oil restores shine and promotes hair elasticity. Shea butter deeply moisturizes as it conditions the hair and scalp. |
$11 |
|
Carol's Daughter |
Sulfate-free and color-safe, this shampoo cleanses and restores natural moisture without adding weight. Aloe leaf juice hydrates to make hair softer and more manageable, while sweet clover and rose extract give hair a healthy shine. |
$10 |
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Jane Carter |
This shampoo gently cleanses and infuses your hair with restorative essential oils including jojoba and henna. It is especially good for tightly-coiled curl patterns and for transitioning hair. |
$15 |
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Mixed Chicks |
This sulfate-free shampoo cleans hair with avocado, sweet almonds, and aloe without stripping hair's natural oils. |
$15 |
Niche and Salon Natural Hair Shampoo Options
For the more discerning consumer, niche and salon exclusive brands are the way to go. Generally, these shampoos have a higher concentration of more luxurious (and therefore pricey) ingredients. They're also harder to find, as they are either sold through salons, specialized retailers, or online only. These shampoos pamper your locks with the kind of five-star treatment usually reserved only for fine spas and salons.
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PRODUCT |
QUALITIES |
PRICE |
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Terressentials |
This shampoo cleanses hair without any chemical detergents, foam boosters, protein thickeners, coating agents, emulsifiers, preservatives or fragrance, so no residue is left behind. It leaves hair clean, full, soft, and shiny. |
$11 |
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Alikay Naturals |
This sulfate-free shampoo cleans and moisturizes using a natural mix of coco seed powder, plantain skins, and tea tree oil that protects and moisturizes hair from the scalp to the root. It is 100% natural and 100% organic. |
$12 |
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Pureology |
Precious Oil's OLEO® ANTI-FADE COMPLEX uses sunflower, coconut, olive, and jojoba oils to equalize porosity, restore manageability, replenish the protective lipid layer, and enhance color vibrancy. |
$27 |
Shampoos for Children With Natural Hair
The natural movement is not just reserved for the adults because little girls and boys are growing up in a brand new world that embraces their natural curls. From birth, these product lines have shampoos created with even the tiniest tresses in mind.
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PRODUCT |
QUALITIES |
PRICE |
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Original Sprout |
Soothing, organic botanicals moisturize, nourish, and protect baby's hair and skin without harsh chemicals. This extra-moisturizing cleanser gently washes away dryness, cradle cap, and eczema while keeping the hair healthy, easy-to-manage and tangle-free. |
$5 |
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Curls (for babies) |
This tear-free shampoo is pediatrician recommended. It is free from sulfates, paraben, and silicone, and it's formulated with certified organic ingredients. |
$9 |
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Curls (for children) |
This sulfate -free children's shampoo gently cleanses, hydrates, and conditions the hair all in one step. It is infused with carrot seed oil, horse chestnut, sage leaf, and arnica Montana flower extract. |
$12 |
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Shea Moisture (for babies) Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Head-To-Toe Wash & Shampoo |
This shampoo cleanses while calming and comforting baby's delicate skin. It is gentle enough for everyday use. |
$10 |
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Shea Moisture (for children) |
Designed to gently cleanse and detangle children's fine and delicate hair, this shampoo helps nourish and strengthen hair, and it also protects against breakage. | $10 |
Delicate Cleansing for Beautiful Curls
No matter which shampoo you choose, the important thing to remember is that your curls are delicate and require a cleanser that can gently remove impurities from the hair without stripping away all its moisture. This is why most shampoos for natural hair are often sulfate-free and contain natural oils that replenish and nourish simultaneously. The choice is yours, and your options are plenty. Happy shopping!
