13 Best Shampoos For Waves To Keep Your Curls Moisturized – 2024
Skip your salon visit and achieve perfect beach waves naturally at home.
Laura Dale is a Hair Expert and licensed Cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience. Laura has worked as a Global Education Director for Beauty Brands specializing in haircare and as a Beauty Editor she is passionate about sharing her love of beauty products and hair tools.
Read full bio of Laura Dale
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Everyone loves a good diva moment with dreamy, wavy tresses, but not every person enjoys sentencing their hair to heated tools that almost fry and sizzle your hair. This is why you need to buy the best shampoo for waves to help you achieve flawless and perf beach waves, regardless of your hair type. Laura Dale, a licensed cosmetologist, says, “People with curls and waves tend to have dry hair. This is because of the curl pattern, which makes it tough for natural oils to travel down the hair strand for moisture balance. These gentle shampoos restore that moisture balance for beautiful waves and curls.” So, shift your attention to shampoos instead for a more hassle-free option and choose between the following list of 13 best shampoos for them tousled and bouncy waves. All these products are selected after a careful and in-depth analysis of their reviews.
In This Article
13 Best Shampoos For Waves
1. Best Gentle Formula:WAVEBUILDER Wave Saving Shampoo
The WAVEBUILDER Wave Saving Shampoo is a gentle formula that cleanses and removes product buildup on textured hair, leaving the waves clean and refreshed. The specially blended formula revitalizes 360 waves. Each application of this revitalizing shampoo will help in the development of the desired trained wave pattern. The product is packed with protein and amino acids that offer a deep moisture treatment and promote healthy waves.
Key Ingredients: Collagen amino acids, Keratin amino acids, Hydrolyzed barley protein, Hydrolyzed royal jelly protein, and Hydrolyzed yeast protein
- Gentle
- Smells good
- Suitable for both established and beginner wavers
- Contains sulfates
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 1,625 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
2. Best Vegan:PACIFICA Salty Waves Texturizing Shampoo
The Pacifica Salty Waves Texturizing Shampoo creates beautiful texture while deeply cleansing the hair.It is formulated with natural ingredients and comes without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or mineral oil. This beach waves shampoo has a fruity fragrance that smells like bananas and coconuts. It volumizes the hair and gives it a beach-like feel. The product is also not tested on animals.
Key Ingredients: Kelp extract, Algae extract, Jojoba seed oil, Banana fruit extract, and Chia seed extract
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Refreshing smell
- Suitable for all hair types
- Makes the hair dry.
Pro TipTo avoid dryness, follow with Pacifica Salty Waves Texturizing Conditioner.
3. Best For Anti-Frizz:ACURE Wave & Curl Color Wellness Shampoo
The ACURE Wave & Curl Color Wellness Shampoo is a performance-driven hair care solution that adds deep moisture to color-treated hair. The color-safe shampoo contains rare, clarifying blue tansy oil, moisturizing argan oil, and sunflower seed extract that help prevent color fading. This detangling shampoo helps manage frizzy hair, boosts shine, and aids a healthy curl pattern.
Key Ingredients: Blue tansy, Sunflower seed extract, Orange peel oil, and Argan kernel oil
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Thin consistency
- Dries out the hair.
WAVEBUILDER Wave Saving Shampoo Best Gentle Formula | PACIFICA Salty Waves Texturizing Shampoo Best Vegan | ACURE Wave & Curl Color Wellness Shampoo Best For Anti-Frizz | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,625 | 1,047 | 312 |
| Price | $8.69 | $9.99 | $7.19 |
4. Best For Color-Treated Hair:sexyhair.Texture Clean Wave
The sexyhair.Texture Clean Wave is a delicately scented, texturizing, and styling shampoo that softens the hair and maintains its natural shine. This animal-test-free shampoo imparts a laid-back, tousled look to the hair and provides humidity resistance for up to 24 hours. This anti-humidity shampoo is free of SLS and SLES and safe for color-treated hair.
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, Honey, Lavender flower/leaf/stem extract, Coconut oil, Jojoba seed oil, and Avocado oil
- Humidity-resistant
- Smells great
- Color-safe
- SLS/SLES-free
- Does not lather easily.
5. Best Nourishing:Lee Stafford Sea Salt Crystal Shampoo
The Lee Stafford Sea Salt Crystal Shampoo is an intense cleansing shampoo that adds volume to thin hair. The formula of this strengthening shampoo contains sea salt crystals that gently exfoliate the scalp and purify the follicles. This dense and luxurious lathering shampoo also contains a blend of seaweed, sea algae, and sea minerals that nurture and condition the hair. The hydrolyzed wheat protein helps strengthen hair while improving shine.
Key Ingredients: Maris sal (sea salt), Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Citrus aurantiumdulcis (orange) peel oil, Seaweed, and Algae extract
- Smells good
- Perfect for fine hair
- No residue
- Value for money
- Less quantity
Pro TipShake the bottle before every use so that the salt crystals mix with the entire shampoo.For best results use twice a week.
6. Best Pleasant Fragrance: Aussie Miracle Waves Shampoo
Get frizz-free, soft, and bouncy curls with Aussie Miracle Waves Shampoo. The hair cleanser cleanses your scalp gently while hydrating it. The softening shampoo contains rich natural ingredients such as kakadu plum and australian hemp seed extract that promote collagen production and improve hair elasticity, reviving the damaged hair and soothes the scalp. It has an aromatic smell of apple, plum, and bergamot that rejuvenate the senses. This curl-enhancing shampoo improves hair texture and is ideal for curly and wavy hair. Many reviewers on Amazon also praise the refreshing scent of the product.
- Anti-frizz
- Strengthens hair
- Makes hair shiny
- Pleasant smell
- Budget friendly
- Lathers well
- Nourishes scalp
- Eliminates itching
None
7. Best Long-Lasting Shine:VIDAL SASSOON Sculpted Waves Texturizing Shampoo
The Vidal Sassoon Sculpted Waves Texturizing Shampoo cleanses the hair and gives you tousled waves. The formulated wave enhancements impart body to your hair and make it look fuller. This product offers optimum wave and curl control to provide smooth and lush tresses. It also imparts long-lasting shine and softness to your waves.
Key Ingredients: Citric acid and Polyquaternium-76
- Pleasant smell
- Moisturizing
- Not suitable for short hair
8. Best Sulfate-Free:MARC ANTHONYDream Waves Full Body Volumizing Shampoo
The MARC ANTHONY Dream Waves Full Body Amplifying Shampoo gently cleanses the hair and scalp and adds texture and volume to limp hair. It locks in humidity for a long-lasting style. The product adds texture to straight, fine strands or pumps up the curls in already wavy hair. This formula adds extra volume to wavy hair layers with salts sourced from the Dead Sea. The hydrolyzed silk has proven efficacy in adding moisture and shine to keep the hair looking refreshed between washes.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed silk, Provitamin B5, and Sea salt
- Sulfate-free
- Smells good
- Protects the hair from sun damage
- A little goes a long way
None
9. Best For Hair Manageability:SUNSILK HAIRAPYWaves Of Envy Shampoo
The SunsilkWaves Of Envy Shampoo is a light moisturizing shampoo with sea botanicals that help control unruly hair, leaving your waves more manageable. This repairing shampoo adds texture and softness to your waves. It also helps to hold the hair down and helps to avoid the use of hairspray.
Key Ingredients: Sea botanicals
- Color-safe
- Value for money
- Adds light moisture
None
10. Best For Defined Curls:Graham Webb Making Waves Curl Defining Shampoo
The Graham Webb Making Waves Curl Defining Shampoo is the best curl enhancing product. This wave defining shampoo is formulated with Thermacore Complex, a patented ingredient that revitalizes naturally curly or permed hair. Achieve soft and flexible curls with this volume-boosting shampoo that aids in eliminating frizz.
Key Ingredients: Thermacore Complex
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting effects
- Good for brittle, dry hair
None
11. Best Natural Formula:SYOSSCurls & Waves Shampoo
The SYOSSCurls & Waves Shampoo is specially made for unruly, wavy, and curly hair. Packed with nourishing ingredients, this formula boosts the moisture level of the hair and disciplines the layers without blow drying. It is made from 90% naturally derived ingredients. The high-performance formula contains amino complex, which is the building block of the hair and helps keep it strong and healthy.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed keratin, Panthenol, and Hydrogenated castor oil
- 90% natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Contains sulfates
12. Best Hydrating:tginRose Water Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo
The Rose Water Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo from Thank God It’s Natural gently cleanses the hair, leaving it moisturized without feeling greasy. It promotes hair growth, repairs dead skin cells on the scalp, and moisturizes and protects the hair. This frizz-control shampoo does not contain sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, lanolin, artificial colors, or involve animal testing. If you want to know more about the benefits of this product, check out this quick review on YouTube.
Key Ingredients: Rose flower extract, Ginger root (ginger) extract, Lavender flower extract, Calendula flower extract, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B3
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Lanolin-free
- Cruelty-free
- No artificial colors
- Can cause tangles.
13. Best Sulfate-Free:jksWave & Curl Shampoo
The jksWave & Curl Shampoo has a vitamin-enriched formula for curly, permed, or wavy hair. The formula helps define curls and is made of acai berry that protects the hair shafts from everyday damage. This sulfate-free shampoo blocks humidity and imparts shine to the hair. Also, this hair care brand never tests the products on animals.
Key Ingredients: Acai berry
- Cruelty-free
- Sulfate-free
None
To maintain the look of your natural curls, it is essential to choose the right shampoo that can retain proper moisture and remove all the excess oil and dirt without ruining natural curls. Even with curls, your hair may have different requirements and you must choose nourishing shampoos while keeping that in mind. Here’s a brief buying guide you can refer to while selecting the best shampoos for your curly hair.
How To Select The Best Shampoo For Curls And Waves
- Ingredients
Curly and wavy hair needs more moisturization, so, opt for shampoos that contain nourishing ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, natural oils, aloe vera, protein, and coconut extracts. Avoid using harsh ingredients such as alcohols, parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, artificial colors, dyes, and phthalates, as they can dry out the hair and cause long-term damage. Also, avoid all the ingredients you may be allergic to, like soy and gluten.
- Hair Type
Although we broadly classify it as curly or wavy, there is a variety of different curls and waves. Keep in mind your hair type while selecting a shampoo. If your hair is extremely frizzy, choose shampoos that contain silicones, for extra slip and silkiness. Otherwise, go for silicone-free shampoos to avoid product buildup. For fine or thin hair, choose volumizing shampoos, and for thick hair, go for clarifying and moisturizing shampoos. For colored hair, select the shampoos that contain apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil and always look for color-safe formulas. Choosing the right shampoo based on your hair porosity is equally crucial, especially when combined with protective styling and occasional keratin treatments.
- Scalp Type
Keep in mind your scalp type when selecting a shampoo for your curly hair. For oily scalps, avoid shampoos that contain essential oils and thick greasy formulas. Instead, choose shampoos which are non-moisturizing and are made for strengthening and volume. For a dry or itchy scalp, select shampoos rich in moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. For extremely dry scalp, choose shampoos that contain tea tree oil and menthol (avoid them if you are allergic).
- pH Balance
For best results, choose shampoos with the right pH level. The pH balance of healthy hair should be between 4.5 and 5.5, or slightly acidic. For oily hair, use pH-balanced shampoo with panthenol while for dry hair or split ends, try a pH-balancing shampoo with fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol.
Infographic: Key Ingredients To Look For In A Shampoo For Wavy Hair
If you want to get healthy, defined, and moisturized locks, choose a shampoo with hydrating ingredients. It will help condition your hair, enhance its smoothness, and leave it feeling soft and shiny. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the ingredients you need to look for.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
We are all fans of bouncy and wavy tresses. But frequent hair styling can damage your hair and make it more prone to breakage. The ACURE Wave & Curl Color Wellness Shampoo is a top pick for its unique blend of wave enhancement and color protection, catering to both hair texture and tones. The PACIFICA Salty Waves Texturizing Shampoo is ideal for achieving carefree beachy waves, offering effortless texture and volume without extra styling. The Aussie Miracle Waves Shampoo is an affordable favorite that delivers bouncy waves through sea kelp extract, making wave enhancement accessible to all. The best shampoos for waves can help you retain your bouncy beach curls. These shampoos help remove excess sebum and product buildup from the scalp and keep the hair soft and hydrated. The shampoos are formulated with natural ingredients that deeply nourish your hair and promote healthy waves. In addition, these products are gentle, color-safe, and are paraben-free. So pick the shampoos of your choice to flaunt your waves.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care and styling enthusiast. After carefully researching the product formulations and browsing online reviews, she has curated this list of the best shampoos for waves. She believes that you should get the best shampoo out there to help you produce beautiful waves regardless of your hair type. The shortlisted products are lightweight, cruelty-free, and long-lasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you wash waves?
Apply a dime-sized amount of the product to damp hair and begin shampooing in the direction of your wave pattern with your fingers and work until the hair is completely lathered. Brush or comb in the direction of your wave pattern while making sure the hair is damp during this process.
How often should you wash your hair for waves?
You should wash your hair at least once or twice a week to keep it soft and clean. Avoid over-cleansing as it causes depletion of natural oils in the hair.
Can you use any shampoo for waves?
Yes. Although it is best to use a curl or wave-friendly shampoo for your waves, you may use regular, protein-rich shampoo for your hair.
Why do my waves go away when I brush?
Brushing your hair causes the hair pattern to separate into single strands and destroys the waves.
Can I use curly shampoo on wavy hair?
Yes, but avoid thick formulations to prevent your waves from being weighed down.
Should I brush my hair wet or dry for waves?
Brush your hair when wet to get the best results for wavy hair.
Why are my waves stringy?
Your hair may look stringy due to a lack of hydration or accumulation of sebum on the hair shaft.
Read full bio of Laura Dale
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.