Shampoo for Thick Hair – Top 10 Pro Picks

Are you struggling with thick, unruly hair? Being so prone to tangles, frizz, and dehydration, it’s no secret that coarse hair can be difficult to style. But don’t fret! Whether you have Shirley Temple ringlets or poker-straight hair, we’ve got you covered. In the complete guide below, our pros have picked the top 10 shampoos for thick hair and reviewed them for you. Have a look!

1. Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo – Best Overall

This botanical-infused smoothing shampoo is our first pick because it’s designed specifically with coarse hair in mind. Davines does an amazing job of delivering everything that coarse hair needs from shampoo, from smoothing away frizz to deeply nourishing each strand.

Plus, it’s sulfate-free, so it’s gentle on sensitive scalps, safe on color-treated hair, and it won’t strip hair of its natural moisture.

Specs:

• Brand: Davines
• Hair type: Thick
• Liquid volume: 8.45 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 0.53 pounds

Pros:

• Deeply hydrates and softens hair to reverse dryness
• Increases elasticity to fight against breakage and split ends
• Protects your strands from future damage
• Designed with only high-quality natural ingredients from Italy
• Keeps frizzy hair under control all day long on humid days

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly
• Some users report that it smells like a natural shampoo

 

2. TRESemmé Moisturizing Shampoo For Hydrated Hair – Runner Up/Best Budget Option

This ultra-moisturizing shampoo made it to the top of the list as a runner-up because of its incredible value. It’s loaded with beneficial ingredients like Vitamin E and biotin – all the good stuff to hydrate and repair coarse damaged hair. So, if you’re looking for salon results at a fraction of the cost, then do yourself a huge favor and snag a bottle.

Specs:

• Brand: TRESemmé
• Hair type: Damaged, dry
• Liquid volume: 28 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 1.95 pounds

Pros:

• Gentle enough on sensitive scalps and for everyday use
• 7x more moisturizing than non-conditioning shampoo
• The large bottle comes at a very affordable price
• Anti-fade technology is safe on color-treated hair
• Leaves hair feeling conditioned, silky, and strong

Cons:

• Not suitable for fragrance-free lovers

• Not sulfate-free

 

3. Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo – Best Splurge

This award-winning shampoo is wildly popular among the pros, and for good reason. It’s designed with argan oil, red algae, and Vitamin A to deliver intense hydration and antioxidants to each strand on a cellular level. Enjoy a luxurious shampoo daily to watch your thick hair go from dull and dry to healthy and full of life.

Specs:

• Brand: Moroccanoil
• Hair type: Dry
• Liquid volume: 33.8 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 1 pound

Pros:

• Makes thick, tangled hair easier to manage
• Boosts hair health and shine by balancing natural oils
• Natural formula is free of sulfates, phosphates, and parabens
• Spicy amber and floral notes invigorate your senses
• Lathers well – a little shampoo goes a long way

Cons:

• Not suitable for shoppers who prefer a fragrance-free formula
• Expensive price tag

 

4. BIOLAGE 3Butter Control System Shampoo – Best for Unruly, Frizzy Hair

Transform your unruly hair with this frizz-fighting game changer. Biolage’s conditioning shampoo makes your hair so silky and soft that it feels like the butter blend it’s formulated with. This formula is an absolute must-have for anyone wanting serious control over a voluminous mane.

Specs:

• Brand: Biolage
• Hair type: Thick, dry
• Liquid volume: 33.8 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 2.11 pounds

Pros:

• Shea, cupuacu, and murumuru butter smooths frizz and softens strands
• Makes coarse and curly hair more manageable
• Free of sulfates and parabens
• Lathers very well compared to other sulfate-free shampoos
• Doesn’t leave any buildup behind

Cons:

• Not budget-friendly
• Not suitable as a neutralizing shampoo for relaxed hair

 

5. Carol’s Daughter – Best for Defining Thick Curls

Revive your dull, thick hair with a sulfate-free shampoo that’s created specifically for curly-headed beauties. Designed in a Brooklyn kitchen, this formula uses all-natural ingredients like aloe leaf, sweet clover, and rose extract to smooth and soften even the most unruly coils and kinkiest hair. We give this shampoo a 10/10 for restoring shine and luster.

Specs:

• Brand: Carol’s Daughter
• Hair type: Curly, dry
• Liquid volume: 12 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 0.75 pounds

Pros:

• Makes curls more manageable and frizz-free
• Seals moisture for bouncy, hydrated curls
• Free of sulfates, parabens, and artificial colors
• The formula helps prevent dandruff on sensitive, dry scalps
• Users rave about the soothing black vanilla scent

Cons:

• A stronger scent is not ideal for people sensitive to fragrance
• Some users report the shampoo alone doesn’t work well for detangling

 

6. Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo – Best Take-Home Spa Experience

Awaken your senses with this soothing spa-like shampoo, blended with lavender, mint, and tea tree oil. Packed with amino acids to strengthen strands and restore hair health, this formula doesn’t disappoint. Gentle enough on sensitive scalps and safe for beauty lovers who are vegan or gluten-free.

Specs:

• Brand: Tea Tree
• Hair type: Coarse, dry
• Liquid volume: 10.4 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 0.74 pounds

Pros:

• Calms coarse, hard-to-manage hair
• Leaves your locks feeling clean, shiny, and moisturized
• The scent is soothing and smells subtly of essential oils
• Free of parabens and gluten
• Vegan-friendly formula

Cons:

• Some users report there’s not enough tea tree oil in the formula to fight dandruff
• Not suitable for shoppers on a budget

 

7. SheaMoisture Retention Shampoo – Best for Damaged Hair

This shampoo makes it onto our top-10 lists time and time again because of how deeply nourishing it is for damaged hair. If you have thick, overprocessed hair, then be sure to stock up on this shampoo. Raw shea butter is a miracle worker when it comes to restoring hair health and locking in natural moisture.

Specs:

• Brand: SheaMoisture
• Hair type: Damaged, curly
• Liquid volume: 13 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 0.81 pounds

Pros:

• Revitalizes dry, damaged hair
• Effective for hair types ranging from 3A to 4C
• Free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, and mineral oil
• Cruelty-free and sustainable
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• The formula is not sulfate-free
• Not recommended for people who prefer fragrance-free shampoo

 

8. Acure Simply Smoothing Shampoo – Best Vegan Formula

This vegan shampoo is perfect for taming wild, frizzy locks thanks to coconut water and marula oil. Whether you have curly or straight hair, this intensely hydrating formula works wonders on thick strands. Plus, it has a delicious coconut fragrance that reminds us of vacationing in the tropics.

Specs:

• Brand: Acure
• Hair type: Frizzy
• Liquid volume: 8 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 0.5 pounds

Pros:

• The ultra-moisturizing formula boosts shine and fights frizz
• Natural and deeply cleansing, and gentle enough to use daily
• Free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, and formaldehyde
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Doesn’t lather as well as shampoos with chemicals
• Some users report it weighs thin hair down

 

9. MATRIX Total Results Mega Sleek Shampoo – Best Humidity Control

Whether you live in a muggy climate or just want some extra humidity protection on those damp days, this clarifying shampoo has got you covered. Recommended by stylists around the world, it delivers shea butter to tame even the most unruly curls and wild waves.

Enjoy long-lasting, silky-smooth hair that can withstand the weather. One user even raved, “I have super frizzy hair and I swear by this product! The best product ever!”

Specs:

• Brand: Matrix
• Hair type: Frizzy, thick
• Liquid volume: 10.1 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 0.62 pounds

Pros:

• Keeps hair 5x smoother in humid environments
• Seals hair cuticle to lock in moisture and fight frizz
• Loaded with shea butter, which is a powerful anti-humectant
• Works well on colored-treated, damaged, and natural hair
• Clarifies to removes residue and keeps hair feeling fresh for days

Cons:

• Not sulfate-free
• Some users report shampoo doesn’t lather very well

 

10. Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Shampoo – Best Drugstore Pick

The entire Maui Moisture product line is intensely hydrating, and the company continues to knock it out of the park with this shampoo. Coconut, papaya, and plumeria extract enhance your curl’s natural pattern while aloe smooths away frizz. Plus, it smells heavenly. What more could you ask for in a shampoo?

Specs:

• Brand: Maui Moisture
• Hair type: Coarse, curly
• Liquid volume: 13 fluid ounces
• Item weight: 0.81 pounds

Pros:

• Delivers sculpted, bouncy curls that are free from tangles
• Vegan-friendly
• Sulfate, silicone, and paraben-free
• Smooths away frizz and split ends all day long
• Affordable price for shoppers on a budget

Cons:

• It may be too heavy for hair that isn’t coarse
• Not alcohol-free

 

Buyer’s Guide – What to Look for in a Shampoo for Thick Hair

Not all shampoo is created equal, especially when it comes to coarse hair. Your average shampoo for all hair types simply doesn’t cut it sometimes. If you want to have the best results when it comes to boosting your hair health, it’s important to find the right shampoo for thick hair. So, how do you know what to look for?

 

Use a Moisturizing Formula – We’ve found that most thick hair usually tends to be on the dry end of the spectrum. For this reason, you’ll want to find a good moisturizing shampoo. Deep hydration is exactly what you need to revive brittle locks, especially those that are prone to tangles and breakage.

Look for shampoos containing argan, coconut, and nut oils to deliver long-lasting moisture and shine. They are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to hydration.

 

Seek Out Anti-frizz Ingredients – Most of us thick-haired ladies can attest to the fact that our hair gets frizzy faster, especially when it comes to damp days and humid climates. Look for a shampoo with frizz-fighting ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil to tame the flyaways. You’ll be left with hair that is much smoother and easier to manage.

 

Use the Right Formula for Your Hair Type – If you have thick, curly hair, then make sure you’re using a shampoo specifically formulated for curls and waves. Ingredients like marula oil will help enhance the natural curl pattern of your hair. If you have thick, straight hair, then look for a hydrating or repairing shampoo that isn’t geared specifically toward managing a curly mane.

 

Ditch the Chemicals – The more natural ingredients and fewer chemicals, the better. We generally suggest steering clear of ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and silicones as much as possible when it comes to hair care.

These nasty guys can strip your scalp of its natural oils, which can be harmful to hair that is already coarse and dry. If the shampoo you like does contain sulfates, make sure it’s gentle enough to use on your hair type first.