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If you have naturally wavy hair that falls flat by midday—or just fails to hold any shape whatsoever—you might need to rethink how you’re washing. The best shampoos for wavy hair can be crucial when it comes to bringing life back into your strands. And while many shampoos these days are finally easing up on the harsh, oil-stripping cleansing agents (bye, sulfates!) and replacing them with more nourishing ingredients, the ratio isn't always quite right for waves.
Unlike curls and coils, wavy hair typically benefits from lightweight hydration—emphasis on “lightweight”—to maintain its pattern. In this case, "more moisture isn’t always better,” says Joseph Chase, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles. “The right amount of moisture is what gives you softness and definition.” In other words, wavy hair is like the Goldilocks of hair types: It needs just enough moisture to reduce frizz and add shine, but not so much that it weighs down, flattens, or stretches out waves.
Our Top Shampoos for Wavy Hair
- Best Overall: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo, $36
- Best for Fine Hair: Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo, $24
- Best for Frizz: Amika Forget Frizz Anti-Frizz Shampoo, $28
- Best for Dry Hair: Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo, $56
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What ingredients should people look for in a shampoo for wavy hair?
- How can I hydrate wavy hair?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
The right shampoo for wavy hair sets you up for an effective and low-maintenance hair-care routine that’s tailored to your texture. Whether you’re in need of a deep cleanse or hoping to add more volume, scroll ahead for tried-and-true shampoos for wavy hair that will keep your pattern defined and full of bounce.
Best Overall: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo
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Living Proof
Perfect Hair Day Shampoo
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Wavy hair requires a shampoo that meets it in the middle—namely, a formula that balances cleansing oily roots and lightly hydrating lengths without affecting its natural pattern. That’s where Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo shines. The formula (which has taken home both Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice Awards, no big deal) mimics the key benefits of silicone—like softness, shine, to name a few—without actually using any silicone.
That leaves strands noticeably fresher and fuller, adding more movement without the heavy feel and buildup that can accompany silicones. “This gives you that balance: hair feels clean and light while staying soft and moving,” Chase says. Bonus: Its rich, satisfying lather has a light citrus scent to make wash days feel just a little more elevated.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: propylene glycol, sunflower and coconut derivatives
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Fine Hair: Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo
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Joico
HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Lightweight hydration might be the name of the game, but if your waves are especially fine or thin, you might need to skip some of the more moisturizing ingredients. The Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo swaps the usual suspects for keratin (a protective protein) and natural hydrators like coconut water and sea kelp to replenish dry hair while thoroughly cleansing it.
In other words, it's a happy medium: “It's less rich than a shampoo for coarser hair, but it still adds all the moisture the hair needs so the finer waves stay light, defined, and bouncy,” says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Rikke Gajda. The formula also relies on a liposome delivery system (which encapsulates some of the active ingredients) to continuously release rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin throughout the day, locking in shine and smoothness long after you rinse.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: coconut water, sea kelp, keratin
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Mixed Wave Patterns: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
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Briogeo
Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why we love it: IYKYK: Frizz control starts with your shampoo, which acts as the first step to resolving drynessBriogeo's Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Avocado Hydrating Shampoo is packed with amino acids, tomato fruit extract, and vitamin E to smooth dry cuticles and improve your natural texture, while shea butter and avocado oil leave waves soft and moisturized. “This is going to be great for a wavy-haired person who doesn't necessarily need more volume, but wants their waves to look healthier and more defined,” says New York City-based colorist Tiffanie Richards.
Translation: It defines and enhances the pattern you already have, so your waves (and curls) look smoother and more polished. For even bouncier curl definition, our editors love pairing the shampoo with the Curl Charisma Rice Amino & Shea Curl Defining Conditioner.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: amino acids, tomato fruit extract, shea butter, avocado oil, vitamin E
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Frizz: Amika Forget Frizz Anti-Frizz Shampoo
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Amika
Forget Frizz Anti-Frizz Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why we love it: Just as with curly hair, wavy hair is prone to frizz—though usually to a lesser extent. To stop it before it starts, lather with Amika’s Forget Frizz Anti-Frizz Shampoo. Its texture is "slightly on the richer side, so it's amazing for thicker hair because it locks in moisture," Connecticut-based hairstylist Taylor Murphy previously explained to Allure. The sulfate-free shampoo starts with a satisfying trio of sea buckthorn, coconut oil, and water lily extract that nourish from scalp-to-ends, helping to restore shine and make hair easier to style. It’ll keep you covered even on rainy days, with a ‘humidity shield’ technology that blocks humidity and creates a silky barrier over strands.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: water lily extract, silicone, sea buckthorn oil
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best Clarifying Shampoo: Ouai Detox Shampoo
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Ouai
Detox Shampoo
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why we love it: If greasy strands or buildup-laden roots are weighing your hair down, Ouai’s Detox Shampoo is a go-to for bringing the bounce back to waves that have fallen. It breaks down dirt, product buildup, and grime with apple cider vinegar, which acts as an astringent. For those living in an area with hard water, the formula also consists of chelating agents—ingredients that latch onto hard-water minerals so you can rinse them out—to remove impurities that might be “preventing your waves from absorbing hydration,” Richards says.
Hydrolyzed keratin, meanwhile, fills in the gaps in the cuticle by improving elasticity and damage caused by daily styling, heat, and environmental stressors. Because it’s a deep-cleaning formula, Richards recommends washing with the shampoo just a few times a month—just be sure to follow with a moisturizing treatment after to keep waves soft.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: apple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed keratin, chelating agents
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Thinning Hair: Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo
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Kérastase
Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo
Amazon
Sephora
Why we love it: When waves start to thin out—whether due to age, postpartum hair loss, or genetic hair loss—they can lose their natural pattern and definition, causing roots to go flat fast. Kérastase’s Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo can help, balancing a deep cleanse with density-boosting (and hydrating) ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and gluco-peptides, to plump the cuticle and reduce breakage from root-to-tip.
The gel texture lightly clarifies the scalp and volumizes the roots with the help of salicylic and glutamic acids. The result? Hair appears “fuller and stronger without coating it or weighing it down,” says Chase, so strands appear fuller and thicker. The notes of bergamot, pink mint, cedar, and musk turn this thinning hair treatment into a luxury form of self-care.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and gluco-peptides
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Dry Hair: Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo
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Shu Uemura
Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo
Amazon
Sephora
Why we love it: Dry waves need moisture to thrive, but too much can make them go limp. If that sounds familiar, Michelle Hong, a New York City-based colorist, calls Shu Uemura’s Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo her go-to for dry, frizz-prone waves. Think of it as an instant hydration boost with protective benefits: The formula relies on humectants (like glycerin and propylene glycol) to help attract and retain moisture levels, as well as antioxidants (such as moringa oil) to protect against environmental stressors, including heat and pollution, that can cause incidental dryness. Another plus: If your hair is dry from color processing, this shampoo is also color-safe.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, propylene glycol, Japanese moringa oil extract, Japanese red micro-algae extract
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
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Wella Professionals
Ultimate Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
Amazon
Ulta Beauty (Shampoo)
Ulta Beauty (Conditioner)
Why we love it: For color-treated waves, the Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Shampoo targets damage—both from heat and chemical processes—without disrupting your color. The formula leaves a clean slate with clarifying acids— a BHA (salicylic acid) and an AHA (malic acid)—to clear away any build up on the scalp, and strengthens with omega-9 (oleic acid) to support healthier waves from root-to-tip. It also includes the brand’s Metal Purifier technology to detox hard water buildup and harmful impurities (metal deposits, pollution, and grime) contributing to dull and damaged hair. And when paired with its matching conditioner, this moisturizing shampoo and conditioner duo leaves color-treated waves softer and more manageable.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I'm always on the lookout for shampoos and conditioners that intensely hydrate my dry, brittle, and partially color-treated hair without stripping too much of said color—emphasis on the last part! So I was pleasantly surprised when my pale pink stayed intact. (I have a color-depositing shampoo that I use occasionally, but I'm trying to rely on it less.) This Wella duo initially stood out because of its AHAs, which I suspected would be a great clarifying treatment for my scalp, especially as someone who sometimes only washes her hair once a week. (Time flies, ok!) The conditioner also has AHAs, which help repair strands from within the shaft. My hair feels extra soft—softer than it does with other shampoos and conditioners, or even hair masks, I swear—the next morning, so consider me impressed. Thank you, AHAs!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: malic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, glycerin, oleic acid, squalane
- Sulfate-free: no
- Best for: damaged or color-treated wavy hair
Best Drugstore: Eva NYC Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo
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Eva NYC
Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: If you’re a diehard daily hair-washer (we exist!), good news: Eva NYC’s Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo is gentle enough for everyday use. Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands. The formula is also packed with moisture-binding ingredients, including sodium lactate, PCA, and sodium PCA, alongside conditioning polymers that boost shine, softness, and manageability. Dryness? Never heard of her.
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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"With curly hair, it's often recommended to wash your hair less frequently to preserve moisture and prevent drying out your already fragile strands. I try my best to adhere to an every two- or three-day schedule, but when life calls for frequent washing, I reach for Eva NYC's Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo. It's a no-frills formula in the best way—just a solid, gentle cleanse. My hair is pretty fine and easily weighed down, so I can't use hydrating or bonding formulas too often, and clarifying shampoos are too harsh for everyday use. This shampoo is an effective cleanser and adds a touch of softness and shine, a true Goldilocks product." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: amino acids, lactic acid, sodium PCA
- Sulfate-free: yes
- Best for: wavy hair prone to oiliness and damage
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should people look for in a shampoo for wavy hair?
Wavy hair might not seem hard to care for, but it comes with its challenges: frizz, dryness, and lack of definition. Light hydrators and gentle cleansers are important components to consider in a shampoo for wavy hair because they gently cleanse and moisturize without weighing waves down. Humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid), ceramides, amino acids, proteins, and conditioning ingredients are universally supportive for all wave types, “helping waves feel soft (not crunchy) and also look more polished without sacrificing movement or volume,” says Nashville-based hairstylist Eric Marshall.
Also, choose ingredients based on your wave type. “Someone with very fine, loose waves probably doesn’t need the same rich formula as someone with thick, coarse waves,” notes Chase. Finer waves will want to opt for lightweight hydrators over rich formulas that can flatten waves. “If it’s coarse or dry, look for more nourishing oils and conditioning ingredients,” says Hong.
How can I hydrate wavy hair?
Our experts all agree: The goal for all wavy hair is to hydrate without the weight, starting with your shampoo. As you cleanse, focus on the scalp over the lengths, and apply conditioners from the mid-length down where it matters most for wavy hair. Post-shower, Hong emphasizes that “less is more” for styling products. Specifically, Marshall recommends a styling product “that can help with elasticity, control, and hydrate at the same time,” such as curl creams, hair oils, and texturizing sprays. Simply put: An effective wavy hair routine is equal parts hydrating, defining, and strengthening for bouncier waves.
Plus, don’t be afraid to wash your hair more frequently: According to Chase, “You don’t need to stretch out wash days just because you have textured hair.” Washing your hair when waves need it the most encourages a healthy scalp and wave pattern.
Meet the experts
- Joseph Chase is a hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
- Michelle Hong is a hairstylist and the founder and creative director of NYC The Team in New York City.
- Rikke Gajda is a hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
- Eric Marshall Wright is a hairstylist and owner of Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville.
- Tiffanie Richards is a master colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon in New York City.
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn't want to pick up a purple shampoo that's only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that's never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best shampoos for wavy hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists to find formulas that effectively cleanse and hydrate without the buildup. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
