15 Shampoos That Bring Life Back to Dry, Frizzy Strands

You may not realize it, but the simple act of shampooing can aggravate weak, damaged hair. This shampoo was made with fragile strands in mind, making it gentle and pH-balanced. It’s also packed with peptides to strengthen stressed-out hair.

Hair type: Fragile

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “When I started using this shampoo, I noticed an immediate difference in my hair. I’m extremely prone to frizz and flyaways, but this works like a sealant for hair, making it all but impervious to heat and humidity.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

Post-bleach or coloring, hair can become weak and prone to breakage and frizz. This shampoo repairs and reverses the damage, leading to stronger and smoother hair.

Hair type: Damaged

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I always find myself going back to Olaplex. I really do think that when I use it, my hair feels stronger and less prone to frizz. I also love how the whole Olaplex range smells.”—Katie Berohn

For hair that needs a reboot, this shampoo will get it in line. Fun packaging aside, it’s packed with shea butter that will help calm down frizz while giving your hair the moisture it desires.

Hair type: Frizzy, dry

Size: 10.1 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: No

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Great product. I have very coarse hair that gets tangled when I wash it. This conditioner detangles and leaves my hair shinier than other conditioners.”

If you live anywhere humid, you know that battling frizz is practically a lifestyle. This shampoo contains coconut oil, which not only smells delicious but also reduces frizz and protects your hair from humidity.

Hair type: Frizzy

Size: 8.45 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve noticed my hair feels better. I don’t use conditioner on my hair as much. My hair has much less frizz and I live in a very humid climate. I’ve told several people how much I like this product.”

If you think your hair is beyond repair, then it’s time to turn to this shampoo from Eva NYC. Formulated with argan oil and baobab seed, this shampoo reduces the appearance of breakage, thoroughly cleanses your strands, and returns moisture to over-processed hair.

Hair type: Frizzy, dry

Size: 8.8 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Eva NYC rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Eva NYC reviewer says: “Amazing shampoo that smells so good. Makes hair super soft, frizz-free, shiny, and manageable. Highly recommend this for frizzy hair.”

Fekkai’s Brilliant Gloss Shampoo is the antidote your hair needs if your mane is desperate for a glossy, smooth look that only hydration can provide. This product contains olive oil and prickly pear oil, which nurtures, protects, and eliminates frizz.

Hair type: Frizzy

Size: 8.45 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Ulta rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “Leaves my hair soft and shiny and helps tame a weird frizzy patch I have. I like that the scent is mild and not too perfumey or overpowering.”

Your hair is like any other part of your body—it will put up a hell of a fight if you’re not giving it the nutrients it needs. This shampoo revitalizes and nourishes dry, frizzy hair so it can continue looking its best.

Hair type: All

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Sephora rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I’m almost done with my first bottle of this shampoo and I am IN LOVE with what it has done to my hair! I have thick, curly hair that was dry, brittle, and frizzy. This shampoo transformed my hair into soft, silky, bouncy curls. Seriously, my hair has never been so shiny from just air-drying. I’ve tried so many brands of shampoo and none of them have worked the way this shampoo has. It did take a little time; the transformation wasn’t overnight. About halfway through the bottle is when I really noticed a difference. If you’re on the fence, give it a try.”

You may know that sulfates can sometimes strip delicate hair and cause excess frizz. Here’s a sulfate-free shampoo that expertly removes build-up without dehydrating strands, all while calming frizz.

Hair type: Frizzy

Size: 10.1 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Ulta rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “Singing the praises of this line is probably something I honestly should be paid for. I have tried to find a better product for my hair, but there just isn’t a cheaper hack or a more expensive splurge that can do what Redken’s Frizz Dismiss can do for my hair.”

Bumble and bumble beloved shampoo contains a lightweight oil that moisturizes dry, frizzy hair without weighing it down. The nourishing formula also strengthens hair against breakage to encourage growth and prevent more frizz.

Hair type: Dry

Size: 8.5–33.8 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I have dry hair and am 50+, so the texture is also coarse. This shampoo is so hydrating and left my hair clean without being stripped. For sure smoothed my hair and left it very shiny and silky.”

Curly girls know that frizz can be a constant unwanted companion. This shampoo moisturizes dry curls and coils while imparting a glossy, healthy shine so frizz barely visits.

Hair type: Dry

Size: 8.5-33.8 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: No

Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “The older I get, the dryer my hair becomes. This product is the only one I have found that adds moisture, helps retain the moisture, and protects my curls.”

Curly hair is naturally drier than other hair types, and if you desire defined, frizz-less curls, an extra dose of hydration is necessary. Here’s a shampoo that uses shea butter and moringa oil to hydrate the hair while still cleansing away any build-up on the scalp.

Hair type: Dry

Size: 10 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Ulta rating: 3.7/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “Love this product! I bought the trial size so I could try it out. I have blonde curly long layered hair. I’ve had so many compliments on how healthy my hair looks with perfect curls. I used the shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in styling cream (needed just a nickel size for all my hair!).”

Formulas that lack sulfates can be less satisfying to work with because they tend not to lather as much. However, this plant-based, silicone-free formula bubbles up when combined with water and leaves hair shinier and smoother with each use.

Hair type: Frizzy

Size: 6.7 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Amazon rating: 4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have spent so much money on shampoo/conditioner. Finally, I found one that actually does what it claims. It tames my crazing wavy, fly-away hair, and due to no sulfates, it doesn’t strip my color. Yay!”

Who wouldn’t want their hair to feel as soft as a teddy bear? That’s exactly what the Moroccanoil Frizz Control Shampoo delivers, thanks to a rich blend of argan oil, amaranth oil, and jackfruit extract. Silky hair is within your reach.

Hair type: Frizzy

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Sephora rating: 4.9/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “After trying dozens of shampoos and conditioners, I feel like I’ve won the lottery. The shampoo used in conjunction with the frizz control conditioner leaves my hair healthier, smoother and more manageable.”

This shampoo from Amika nourishes your strands with vitamins and fatty acids. As a result, your hair will be armed with everything it needs to resist frizzing, no matter how humid or hot it is outside.

Hair type: Frizzy

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have thick, curly, color-treated hair and live in Florida. So you know that hair is going to be frizzy and out of control if I don’t use the right products. Some of the products I use help a lot, but they are also greasy, so I have to wash my hair more often, and I don’t like doing that. This was recommended to me by a random lady in a store when I was looking at shampoos. She claimed it was the best. It leaves your hair nice, clean, and soft. It does not weigh your hair down. I don’t want to have a flat head a few minutes after I’ve styled my hair with the styling brush. With thick, curly hair and styling products, that can happen very easily. The scent is a clean scent and not overwhelming. It is 89°F outside with humidity, and my hair stayed very nice while I was out. “

Product buildup, sweat, and excess sebum are no match for this shampoo, which also has the ability to block frizz. Its secret weapon? Jojoba esters, which are derived from jojoba oil, and infuse each strand with plenty of hydration.

Hair type: Frizzy

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Sulfate-free: Yes

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have had a long battle with my very thick, long, mostly straight, sometimes wavy, always frizzy hair. When I let it air-dry, it gets so frizzy that I’ll only wear it up in a clip or messy bun—not even a ponytail. I’ve spent all of high school, college, and grad school straightening it because I didn’t know how else to deal with it, but now that I’m married with a child, I just don’t have the time. I’ve tried tons of shampoos and conditioners and recently gave up on the idea that they could ever make a difference. On a whim, I decided to splurge and try this one, with the matching conditioner, and I actually noticed a big difference in my hair after just air-drying! Not only is it less frizzy, but it is also somehow softer and less dry-looking.”

Allison Chin is the director of product development at Eva NYC, an innovative hair care brand based in Brooklyn, New York. Chin and her colleagues have worked to ensure that all Eva NYC products are vegan, cruelty-free, and non-GMO.

As Chin mentioned, the best anti-frizz shampoos are sulfate-free formulas containing moisturizing ingredients, such as oil and glycerin (a compound derived from fatty acids). As for the oils that provide ample hydration, you’ll want to consider anti-frizz shampoos that contain argan oil, castor oil, and jojoba oil. “More importantly, caring agents that effectively smooth the entire surface of the hair fiber are essential for combating frizz, such as conditioning polymers and some lightweight silicones,” Chin adds.

“Shampoos that are overly drying or not conditioning enough should be avoided, as they will aggravate frizz,” Chin explains. You’ll likely know whether or not a shampoo is drying depending on whether its formula contains excessive sulfate. Sulfates (chemicals acting as cleansing agents) can often strip away the hair’s natural oil, leaving strands dehydrated and brittle.

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, writer Lauren Tappan spoke with a trusted hair care expert about shampoo. She and former associate e-commerce writer Carol Lee also searched the internet for shampoos for frizzy hair, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each based on their features and customer reviews.