Best Shampoo for Thin Frizzy Color Treated Hair

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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

Frizzy hair is cute in small doses—but when things get unmanageable, it's essential to employ a few styling tricks in order to tame frizz. Jamie Wiley, Global Artistic Director of Pureology, tells us that seven out of 10 people will have challenges with frizz at some point in their hair journey, no matter their hair type.

Shampoo is perhaps the most important step because the way you wash your hair is the first line of defense. You want a formula that's nourishing, smoothing, and softening but still cleansing enough to remove build-up and give you that fresh hair feeling—all things that are achievable given you have the right product on hand.

And lucky for you, haircare just so happens to be our area of expertise. So we've curated the best formulas for every budget and hair type, the common denominator being smooth, shiny hair.

Keep reading to discover the best shampoos for frizzy hair.

Our Top Picks

This formula contains a special molecule that guards against humidity and reduces hair friction for sleek, shiny hair.

This budget-friendly formula is packed with nourishing oils to soften and smooth the hair, resulting in shiny, frizz-free hair.

Great for damaged hair that knots easily, the formula contains a special polymer to coat each strand, keeping it frizz-free.

A standout for unruly hair, Farewell Frizz deeply cleanses and keeps hair shiny and smooth with nourishing plant oils.

It's sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair, so you can get that sleek, shiny feeling without losing out on vibrance.

The Smooth formula from the New Zealand-founded brand comes at an excellent price point and slightly weighs down unruly hair.

This luxurious formula is rich in amino acids and a microemulsion smoothing system that leaves waves and coils soft and smooth.

Juniper berry, glycerin, and babassu seed oil nourish the scalp and hair shaft, leaving it healthy and shiny.

This top-rated formula prevents the cuticle from swelling in the face of humidity, keeping frizz and flyaways at bay.

This formula replenishes the hair's water content, resulting in reduced frizz and flyaways.

What We Like

• Sulfate-free and color-safe

• Suitable for all hair types

• Lathers well

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

Living Proof has amassed a cult following of fans since it launched, and it's because their formulas consistently deliver. The No Frizz Shampoo contains a patented molecule that protects against humidity and reduces hair friction for sleeker, shinier hair.

Hair Type: All hair types and textures | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fruity citrus | Size: 8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Rich in nourishing oils

• Lathers well

• Gentle scent

What We Don't Like

• Contains sulfates

This budget-friendly formula is packed with nourishing oils to soften and smooth the hair, resulting in shiny, frizz-free hair. It lathers well, so it works great for thick, coarse hair types where lighter shampoos might not cut the mustard. Plus, we love the classic shampoo scent—it definitely lingers well after wash day.

Hair Type: Thick, coarse, dry | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Clean | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Polymer blend smooths the hair

• Sulfate-free

• Adds shine

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

This shampoo has a sulfate-free formula that works to smooth the hair, seal the cuticle, and reduce frizz without weighing it down. It also contains a special polymer blend that coats each strand, keeping them shiny, sleek, and tangle-free. This feature is great for damaged hair that knots easily.

Hair Type: Fine to thick, straight, wavy, or curly | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Powdery floral | Size: 8.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Contains rosehip, argan, and coconut oils

• Suitable for all hair types

• Deeply cleanses

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

Briogeo does clean but efficacious hair care really well, and Farewell Frizz is a standout formula for unruly, fluffy, flyaway hair. What's unique about this product is that it deeply cleanses the hair, but the inclusion of argan, rosehip, and coconut oils will leave hair shiny and hydrated.

Hair Type: All hair types and textures | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fruity | Size: 8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

• Sulfate-free and color-safe

• Contains nourishing shea butter

• Adds shine

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

This shampoo is rich in shea butter, an ingredient Wiley tells us is useful for trapping moisture in the hair shaft (thus preventing frizz and flyaways). It's also gentle, sulfate-free, and is safe for color-treated hair, so you can get that sleek, shiny feeling without losing out on vibrance.

Hair Type: Medium to thick, color-treated | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Woody and sweet | Size: 9 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Affordable

• Easy-to-use pump bottle

• Made from recycled plastic

What We Don't Like

• Contains sulfates

Monday Haircare is a New Zealand-founded brand that is taking over the world one baby pink shampoo bottle at a time. The Smooth formula, in particular, is really nourishing thanks to the inclusion of shea butter, panthenol, vitamin E, and coconut oil, so it will slightly weigh down fluffy, unruly hair (no more frizz halo). The price point is excellent as well when you consider the volume of the product.

Hair Type: Medium to thick | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Soft, clean | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Smells amazing

• Designed to smooth curls and waves

• Rich in amino acids

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

Oribe is the embodiment of luxury. From the signature fragrance to silky foam to the way it makes your hair all swishy and wonderful, this shampoo is seriously good stuff. This formula is rich in amino acids and a microemulsion smoothing system to soften, define, and smooth out wavy, curly, and coily hair.

Sydney-based hairstylist Anthony Nader also recommends this to clients as it "really nourishes and softens the hair, leaving it silky and glossy."

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coarse, thick | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood | Size: 8.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

• Contains juniper berry and glycerin to hydrate

• Sulfate-free

• Nourishes the scalp

What We Don't Like

• Scent may be overpowering for some

The name Television Perfect Hair speaks to us on so many levels, and thankfully the formula inside truly does deliver soft, glossy, and voluminous hair. Enriched with juniper berry, glycerin, and babassu seed oil, it nourishes the scalp and hair shaft, leading to healthier hair.

Hair Type: Medium to thick, wavy and curly | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Musky and sweet | Size: 8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

• Protects against humidity

• Suitable for all hair types

• Combats

What We Don't Like

• Strong scent

​​Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or coily hair, you'll find Amika's top-rated shampoo will keep frizz and flyaways at bay—even in the face of heat and humidity. The secret is an ingredient called phenyl trimethicone, a silicone that works overtime to protect the cuticle from swelling (and thus, frizz). It's also really nourishing overall, making it a top pick for dry or damaged hair.

Hair Type: All hair types and textures | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Sweet, fruity | Size: 8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

• Smells beautiful

• Contains humectants to hydrate

• Softens thirsty hair

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

Fun fact: Your hair shaft can become dehydrated, leaving it dull, frizzy, and flat. Amp up water content with Pureology's Hydrate Shampoo, a quenching blend of sage, jojoba, amino acids, and glycerin to soften and care for thirsty hair. Wiley tells us that by replenishing the hair's water content, you'll notice reduced frizz and flyaways.

Hair Type: Medium to thick | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Lavender, patchouli, bergamot | Size: 9 fluid ounces| Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

• Contains shea butter, neem oil, and coconut oil

• Sulfate-free

• Light and cleansing

What We Don't Like

• Shea butter may overpower fine hair

Kinky, coiled, curly hair is dry by nature, meaning frizz and flyaways are hard to avoid. SheaMoisure gets this, which is why the Coconut & Hibiscus shampoo is light and cleansing but contains all the nourishing ingredients needed to smooth things over. Pair it with the matching conditioner for good hair days only.

Hair Type: Thick, coarse, wavy, curly, coiled | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Coconut and hibiscus flower | Size: 16 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

• Lightweight

• Color-safe

• Builds volume

What We Don't Like

• Expensive

Drunk Elephant's launch into hair and body was one that went off with a bang. The Cocomino Glossing Shampoo generates a really light, silky foam that deeply cleanses, builds volume, but also smooths and nourishes the hair thanks to ingredients like sacha inchi oil and coconut aminos.

Hair Type: Fine to medium hair types | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Coconut | Size: 8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

Your shampoo of choice will depend on your budget and hair type, but Team Byrdie unanimously agrees that Living Proof's No Frizz Shampoo (view at Sephora) and Pureology's Hydrate Shampoo (view at Sephora) are two standouts. Living Proof is so hydrating and softening and leaves the hair looking shiny, whereas Pureology Hydrate is light enough to encourage bounce but smooths over flyaways.

What to Look for in a Shampoo for Frizzy Hair

Ingredients

Wiley tells us some of the best anti-frizz ingredients to look out for when buying a shampoo include shea butter, vegetable protein, coconut oil, camellia oil, and soy protein. She also suggests steering clear of sulfates, drying alcohols (including isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and propyl alcohol), and silicones, as they can cause build-up and damage the hair over time.

FAQ

• How do shampoos for frizzy hair work?

  Interestingly, Wiley explains that some anti-frizz shampoo formulas contain anti-humectants that work by preventing the hair from absorbing too much moisture, thus preserving its natural texture. This is usually useful for smoothing out thick, coarse, curly, and coiled hair or for those who experience excess frizz when humidity levels are high.
  On the flip side, you might also be experiencing frizz and flyaways because your hair lacks moisture, in which case a humectant will be your best friend. Wiley tells us this is more common in dry hair that's prone to frizz and flyaways all the time.
  When in doubt, look for a formula that has both.

• Do shampoos for frizzy hair expire?

  Like most beauty products, shampoo formulas do generally have an expiry date. See your individual product for details. But if you notice a weird change in scent, color, or texture, we suggest you get rid of it.

• Are shampoos for frizzy hair safe for all hair types and textures?

  Wiley tells us they are definitely safe, but for best results, it is useful to look for one specifically geared towards your hair type and texture. Lighter, clarifying options will smooth finer hair without weighing it down, while rich formulas with ingredients such as shea butter are great for coarse, porous hair.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Emily Algar is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, and POPSUGAR. For this article, she tapped experts Jamie Wiley and Anthony Nader to share their expertise and top recommendations.

Meet the Expert

• Jamie Wiley is the Global Artistic Director at Pureology, the founder of Hairboss, and an acclaimed stylist with numerous Fashion Weeks under her belt.
• Anthony Nader is a hairstylist and the founder of Raw Hair by Anthony Nader, a Sydney-based salon.

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

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2. Israel MO. Effects of topical and dietary use of shea butter on animals.AJLS. 2014;2(5):303. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20140205.18

3. Linnell JC. Vitamins | water-soluble: thin-layer (Planar) chromatography. In:Encyclopedia of Separation Science. Elsevier; 2000:4454-4460. doi: 10.1016/B0-12-226770-2/03021-0

4. Oshimura E, Abe H, Oota R. Hair and amino acids: the interactions and the effects.J Cosmet Sci. 2007;58(4):347-357.

5. Soimee W, Nakyai W, Charoensit P, et al. Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil.Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(4):915-924. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13099

Best Shampoo for Thin Frizzy Color Treated Hair

Source: https://www.byrdie.com/best-shampoos-for-frizzy-hair

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