The Top Shampoos for Black Hair

This article lists the top five shampoos to use if you have African-style hair that is dry and extremely curly.

There are numerous shampoos geared towards women of color. Some of them work; some of them don’t. Here are some shampoos that meet the requirements to look for when choosing a shampoo for relaxed and/or natural black hair. Again, there are a lot of shampoos out there, but here are the five shampoos that have proven to be a step above the rest:

Crème of Nature Regular Shampoo

• The claim: “This formula effectively cleanses, richly conditions and gently detangles, all in one shampoo.”
• Why it works: It detangles extremely well and leaves your hair soft and super conditioned. This shampoo has been around since the 1970s and for good reason – it works. It's a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, so no conditioner is needed at all. It’s inexpensive, too. You can find Crème of Nature Shampoo at your local beauty supply retailer.

Mizani BotaniFying Conditioning Shampoo

• The claim: “Gentle enough to use everyday, it cleanses the hair and scalp while restoring a natural moisture balance. The aromatic blend of botanicals nourishes, soothes and massages the scalp. The lubricating emollients of the shampoo linger in the hair long after the rich lather is gone.”
• Why it works: This shampoo smells amazing, and while that obviously isn’t a good enough reason to use a shampoo, it definitely adds to the experience. Mizani products are great for women of color and the focus of this line, as their tagline proclaims, “beauty and innovation in balance.” The products makes your hair more manageable, softer, and shinier. This shampoo is slightly more expensive than drug store brands and can be found at select Mizani salons.

Pantene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural Shampoo

• The claim: “This rich Pantene Pro-vitamin shampoo has moisturizing conditioners that hydrate hair and help relieve the scalp's dryness with every wash. It can help dry, brittle hair look healthy and irresistibly shiny.”
• Why it works: This ultra-creamy shampoo is amazing because it really cleans your hair without drying it. Your hair will feel remarkably softer after just one wash. It works just as great on relaxed or natural hair. You can find Pantene Pro-V products at your local drug store.

Nexxus Therapee Shampoo

• The claim: “This luxuriously lathering, beautifully scented, and lavishly opalescent formula was created to help restore and maintain hair’s vital moisture balance. Intensely moisturizing and nourishing, you will notice the difference in just one shampoo.”
• Why it works: This shampoo detangles hair wonderfully and is also extremely hydrating. This shampoo uses scientific technology to make your hair noticeably more pliable. It includes such naturally moisturizing ingredients such as Avocado Oil and Wheat Flour. You can find Nexxus products at your local salon.

Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo

• The claim: “This hair-quenching shampoo provides gentle cleansing while restoring hair's moisture level. Moisture Recovery's exclusive Hydramine Sea Complex, combined with Joico's Quadramine Complex repairs and reconstructs, restores vital fluids and provides intense moisturization.”
• Why it works: The Hydramine Sea Complex, which is a blend of “moisture-loving ingredients from the sea that quenches overly dry hair attributed to the environment, chemical services or genetics,” really does do something to repair the hair. It’s a little pricier than the other shampoos, but it’s definitely worth it. You can purchase Joico products at your local salon or beauty supply retailer.

So many shampoos, so little time.

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