I've tried hundreds of shampoos for curly hair, but this might be the best one on the market
Most shampoo leaves my curls frizzy - this quenching formula makes them look so bouncy and defined


When you have curly hair, as I do, it can be tricky to find your ideal routine. It takes a lot of trial and error to cocktail your perfect product lineup, but arguably, the most important one in the mix is shampoo. It needs to clean hair without affecting the curl pattern, or leaving it looking dry, heavy or limp.
For people with straight, unproblematic hair, I imagine finding the best shampoo is a positively delightful experience. This one smells nice. This one’s on offer. I like this packaging. Imagine! For me, as someone with frizz-prone, naturally quite thirsty curls, finding the perfect shampoo has been a bit of a journey.
Luckily, I’m a senior beauty editor, so finding the best shampoo for curly hair is literally my job. So, after years of searching and suds, I think I’ve discovered the best formula on the market.
Why this £22 shampoo is the best curly formula I’ve ever tried
Davines LOVE Curl Shampoo may just be the best curly shampoo I've ever used. It's the formula that's left my frizz-prone hair looking its best - whenever I use it my curls look bouncy, soft and defined. My hair also feels moisturised immediately after washing, whereas with other formulas it can feel dry, tangled and crying out for conditioner.
RRP: £21.75
This is the best formula I’ve tried for my 3A curls. It lathers up beautifully, leaving it feeling clean but never dry, and it helps create better curl definition. It also smells gorgeous - it's fresh, zingy and floral.
Davines also earns brownie points for its sustainable beauty credentials - the company is a B-Corp, and this formula is made using sustainably harvested almond extracts, created using renewable energy and comes in recyclable packaging. Bonus marks for the fact that it's available in a refillable pouch, too.
Rhiannon's collection of Davines LOVE Curl shampoo
While the eco element is nice to have, the real win for me is just how good the formula is. It has a lovely silky texture - it's not too runny or too thick that it's an effort to squeeze out of the bottle. It lathers really well and washes out easily - there's no film or residue left on the stands. Because the formula is moisturising, it also improves the 'slip' of my hair, adding a much-needed extra layer of hydration before even picking up my conditioner bottle.
At £21.75, it feels very fairly priced - especially when you consider the eco elements. Plus - for those wondering how often you should wash your hair when it's curly, this hair type can be washed less regularly, so the bottle lasts a long while. It's also available as a 75ml for £11 if you want to try before committing to the full size - or £39.15 for 500ml if you fall in love and want to stock up.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
And stocked up I have. I'm currently on my second bottle with another one ready on standby, and the refill pouch ready to roll when that's done. This is comfortably a year's worth of hair washes - there's something very calming about having that stash. A year of bouncy, healthy curls - truly, what could be better?

Rhiannon Derbyshire is the Senior Beauty Editor for Woman & Home.
She started interning for glossy magazines in 2011 while working alongside her Fashion Journalism degree. There, she was lured to the beauty desk, seduced by red lipsticks, posh shampoos, and every skincare product imaginable. 10+ years into her career, she now writes about all things skincare, haircare and makeup for six national titles and interviews celebrities, experts and brand founders. She oversees and judges products for the Woman & Home skin, hair and beauty awards, testing hundreds of products yearly.
With 3A curls, Rhiannon specialises in writing about curly hair routines and has a penchant for red lipsticks and minimalist skincare routines - with a bit of LED therapy thrown in.
-
Bye skinny jeans, hello palazzo trousers - Meghan Markle nails New York spring style with her ultra-wide leg look
Jeans will never fully be replaced in my wardrobe but I’ve been finding myself drawn to wearing trousers more and more recently.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Dr Amir Khan reveals the 5 'sneaky' bad habits that may be damaging your health without you realising
The doctor took to Instagram to discuss the unhealthy habits to break for better work-life balance, sleep, and wellbeing
By Kat Storr
-
Michelle Williams' flicky bob is the perfect transitional look for growing out short hair
With a face-framing fringe, choppy layers and flicked-out ends, Michelle Williams' bob is the cool cut of the summer...
By Naomi Jamieson
-
Demi Moore’s chic bob transformation is all the inspiration we need to give our strands a refresh for summer
Chop, chop, it's time to take a trip to the salon
By Sennen Prickett
-
Helen Mirren's simple trick to making berry-red lipstick far less intimidating is so clever - and it's perfect for spring
When in doubt, do as Helen Mirren does and steer clear of matte formulas...
By Naomi Jamieson
-
We've found the two styling tools behind Cat Deeley's effortless television-ready curled hair
Unlocking a blow dry that's full of body and bounce, these results are set to give anyone hair envy
By Sennen Prickett
-
Budget to Blowout: The only three cleansing shampoos I rely on to keep my greasy hair at bay
These three deeply cleansing formulas do a stellar job at prolonging the time between each hair wash
By Sennen Prickett
-
Claudia Winkleman uses this nifty fake tan to unlock her recognisable bronzed holiday-like glow
The presenter surprisingly relies on these clever self-tan wipes for her bronzed complexion
By Sennen Prickett
-
A glossy shine was never possible on my dyed blonde hair, until I tried this £17 spray - now my strands glisten
Offering silky-softness and instant shine, this easy-to-use blow-dry treatment has transformed my frazzled, faux blonde lengths...
By Naomi Jamieson
-
We were fully ready to embrace pastels until we saw Sarah Jessica Parker's liquorice manicure
Liquorice nails for spring? Groundbreaking
By Naomi Jamieson