5 Drugstore Shampoos for Curly Hair to Shop at Amazon

Oftentimes, we mistakenly believe that the higher the price, the better the product, but after many experiences testing countless beauty products over the years, I can honestly say that isn’t always true. I’ve found plenty of high-quality and incredibly effective formulas at the drugstore. In fact, thanks to TikTok, drugstore shampoos have recently regained their rightful spotlight.

As someone with curly, hard-to-manage hair, I trust my haircare routine to just a few options, and these five shampoo formulas are the ones I always go back to. I’ve been using most of these products for years, putting in a lot of time to test them with my hair, and have repurchased all of them multiple times. They help tame my hair, add shine, and define my curls—and prices start at just $4 at Amazon. 

5 Best Beauty Writer-Approved Drugstore Shampoos

Herbal Essences Bio Renew Mango + Potent Aloe Shampoo

When it comes to delicious scents, Herbal Essences takes the cake. The brand’s Bio line is infused with natural and plant-based ingredients like aloe and mango juice. The potent combination provides lightweight nourishment to define curls and leaves behind silky tresses. My hair never feels overly dry after using this shampoo, and it leaves behind such a yummy scent. Who needs an additional hair fragrance spray when you have this stuff right from the start?

Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Moisturizing Shampoo

Garnier Fructis is another brand I’ve been devoted to since I was a teen. A bottle of this formula lives under my sink, and I like to whip it out from time to time when my tresses are feeling extra dull. I especially like to use it when I plan to air dry my hair because it not only helps define my curls, but it’s also super moisturizing without making my scalp feel greasy.

Ogx Quenching + Coconut, Curl-Defining Shampoo

When my hair is fried from tons of heat styling, this gentle formula comes to the rescue. It contains a variety of oils, like coconut and citrus, as well as honey to nourish the hair. My curls drink this up, but it’s also great if your hair feels frizzy, fried, and frazzled. (Say that three times fast.) It strengthens while detangling and softening my mane.

Monday Haircare Moisture Shampoo

My Monday Moisture Shampoo is a must-have when I travel. It’s one of the few shampoos that have managed to help my scalp feel squeaky clean by eliminating buildup but still keeps it feeling soft thanks to the coconut oil, shea butter, vitamin E, and rice protein. I keep a large bottle on hand to refill my travel-size bottles for every trip in the last year.

L’Oreal Paris Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Curly Hair

The L’Oreal Everpure line has always felt like the drugstore’s version of a high-end formula. I love that it’s vegan friendly, too,, and it feels so hydrating and cleansing at the same time. If you have color-treated hair, you may want to stick to this concoction since it’s formulated to help preserve your color.