We Found The 15 Very Best Shampoos for Frizzy Hair and Flyaways (YW!)
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As someone who grew up in the early 2000s, learning to love my coarse, frizzy hair has been quite the journey. Constantly trying to smooth my stubborn flyaways has resulted in some serious heat damage over the years (note to past self: put the flatiron down!), so now I try to focus on smoothing my hair with products—and it starts in the shower with the right shampoo! That's right: Adding a smoothing shampoo to your haircare regimen is key to keeping frizz to a minimum.
That’s a lot easier said than done, ofc, especially since not all shampoos for minimizing frizz are created equal (think: what works for your friend’s fine hair probs won’t do the trick for your 4b curls). So to help you find the right smoothing shampoo for your hair type, we tested a ton of different formulas and consulted four master hairstylists—Nunzio Saviano, Rogerio Cavalcante, April Kayganich, and Clariss Rubenstein—for their product recs, expertise, and insights.
Our top picks for best shampoo for frizzy hair of 2024:
Best Drugstore Shampoo for Frizzy Hair
John Frieda Frizz Ease Replenish & Repair Nourishing Shampoo
Read more
Keep reading for the full list of the 15 best shampoos for frizzy hair. There are options for every hair type, including a sulfate-free wash that’s great for curls, a strengthening shampoo for dry, damaged hair, a smoothing shampoo for color-treated hair, and sooo much more.
Pros
- Ideal for most hair types, including fine and straight and thick and curly
Cons
- Some reviewers said it made their roots a bit more oily than usual
Consider this smoothing shampoo the perfect first step in any at-home blowout. "It's a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that helps to smooth flyaways, add shine, and promote healthy, silky hair," Saviano said. Work it through damp hair in the shower, and it'll help gently clean and detangle, leaving you with a completely clean slate for the rest of your routine.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Babassu oil (moisturizing)
Glowing customer review: "This is the only product that I have ever used that claimed to do just what it said. Not only is my hair no longer frizzy, but it is ultra shiny and looks so healthy."
Pros
- One of the most affordable options on the list
- Help repair damaged hair while minimizing flyaways
Cons
- Some reviewers say it leaves a weird film on hair
John Frieda's Frizz Ease line is iconic, and the collection's nourishing shampoo is one of my favorite drugstore shampoos for giving hair a smooth, sleek look. Reviewers rave about the scent and how it minimizes frizz while helping to repair breakage and split ends. P.S. This bb is a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner, so it's editor-approved too.
- Sulfate-free? No
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, coconut oil (moisturizing and smoothing)
Glowing customer review: "This is by far the best smelling shampoo I’ve ever used. My hair is so soft and smells amazing after using this. I only wash my hair 2-3 times per week so this is lasting me a while."
Pros
- Deeply hydrating formula is ideal for coarse hair textures
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
- Thick formula may feel heavy on fine hair
Yogurt and honey aren't just for your breakfast bowl—they're also amazing for delivering some much-needed moisture to coarse hair. Like the name implies, this hydrating and repairing shampoo from SheaMoisture has a thick, creamy formula that calms frizz from root to tip while reducing the appearance of damage. Plus, its subtle honey scent is delightful.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Shea butter and baobab oil (moisturizing), manuka honey (nourishing), yogurt extract (strengthening)
Glowing customer review: "I have high porosity hair with 2c/3c curls so a lot products weigh down my curls or dry them out. I tried this about a year ago and have only used this ever since. It smells amazing, keeps my curls healthy and bouncy, and most importantly doesn't dry them out."
Pros
- Increases hair shine and smoothness after one use
- Formula is made with clean, plant-based ingredients
Cons
- Some reviewers say the earthy scent can be overwhelming
Dry hair types, this one's for you. Dae's shampoo deeply moisturizes hair so it looks smooth and glossy and feels nice and silky, whether you decide to heat style or air dry. And the milky texture lathers up nicely, but won't strip away any natural oils (a must if your hair and scalp are on the dry side).
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil (glossing); cactus flower extract (strengthening); moringa leaf extract (moisturizing)
Glowing customer review: "My hair feels a lot more healthy and hydrated after using this—it's not brittle and frizzy anymore. I love the easy pump to get product out too!"
Pros
- Uses protein to help strengthen hair while you wash
- Repels moisture to prevent frizz in humid climates
Cons
- Not the best option for fine or thin hair
This smoothing shampoo is a godsend for thick hair—whether it's straight or curly—that tends to get frizzy. It gentles cleanses so your strands don't feel straw-like and uses a blend of seven different oils and water-blocking technology to keep hair smooth and soft until your next wash.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Avocado oil, coconut oil (nourishing and shine enhancing); spirulina protein (strengthening)
Glowing customer review: "This is the only shampoo that has ever actually taken the frizz out of my curly hair. It smells amazing and leaves my hair shiny, soft and frizz free!"
Pros
- Shea butter and coconut oil-infused formula is great for hydrating curls
- The bottle comes with a pump!
Cons
- Some reviewers found it difficult to rinse out
“Rocking my natural curls isn’t an everyday affair, but this hydrating dream is changing the game for me," says Marisa Petrarca, contributing beauty writer, about this Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner. "We’re talking love-at-first-sight packaging (read: a massive, easy-to-pump shampoo bottle) and a formula that’s like a magic potion for shine and frizz control. Yup, it has me in a chokehold.”
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, vitamin E (moisturizing)
Glowing customer review: "This shampoo locks in moisture without weighing down. My hair looks amazing with less frizz. I love using this as my curls deserve to look their best!"
Pros
- Moisturizing jojoba oil-enriched formula
- Great for color-treated hair
Cons
- On the expensive side
The key to combatting frizz and flyaways? Moisture, moisture, and more moisture. Pureology's best-selling shampoo strikes the perfect balance between adding enough hydration to calm frizz without making your hair feel heavy or greasy. Its mid-weight formula works wonders on a variety of hair textures, making it a popular pick among professional hairstylists.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Jojoba oil (moisturizing), sage and green tea (promotes scalp health)
Glowing customer review: "I absolutely swear by this shampoo. My hair used to be extremely dry and frizzy, get clumped and knotted easily, and turn into a greasy mess after one day. Now I rarely get any frizz, it’s shiny and soft, and I could go without washing it for like 3-4 days at times."
Pros
- Lightweight formula is ideal for fine hair
- Leaves scalp feeling clean and fresh
Cons
- Some reviewers say it can be drying
As anyone with fine, frizzy hair knows well, finding a shampoo that smooths your flyaways without totally weighing you down is no easy feat. That’s where this lightweight, sulfate-free shampoo for fine hair comes into play—it cleans and softens fluffy hair super gently without the residue.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Moringa seed oil (moisturizing and detangling); quinoa extract (repairing); sunflower seed extract (UV protection)
Glowing customer review: "I used this shampoo and conditioner and I can see a dramatic difference in my hair. It's way less frizzy, very soft, less tangled, and my split ends are less noticeable."
Kérastase Discipline Sulfate-Free Smoothing Shampoo
Pros
- Good for waves and curls that are chemically processed
Cons
- Most expensive shampoo on this list
Cavalcante loves this shampoo from luxe haircare brand Kérastase for anyone with hair that's prone to frizz and flyaways. "It helps hair retain moisture so it doesn't lose its shine of softness, plus it puts a light coating on the hair to protect it from humidity without weighing it down," Cavalcante says. "It's a great option for chemically straightened hair, like Brazilian blowouts too."
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Morpho-kératine complex (smoothing and restoring)
Glowing customer review: "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 and this transformed my hair into soft, silky, bouncy curls."
Pros
- Helps color-treated hair stay smooth and vibrant
- Smoothes the hair cuticle to lock in shine
Cons
- Some reviewers found the floral scent overpowering
Looking to smooth your hair while also preserving your hair color? Our editors are obsessed with this Redken shampoo for color-treated hair. It has an acidic formula that promotes softness and shine while maintaining your highlights or hairdye—allowing you to go longer between color treatments. Because who doesn't love saving a little extra $$$ at the hair salon?
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Ingredients: Vitamin E (nourishing)
Glowing customer review: "I have very dry, now greying hair thats been colored for years and years. This is the only shampoo I've ever used that makes my hair soft afterwards. It's expensive but worth it!"
Pros
- Improves your hair's ability to retain moisture
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated with sustainability in mind
Cons
- Some reviewers say you don't get a ton of product for the price
One of Rubenstein's favorite smoothing shampoos, this olive extract and vitamin E-infused formula dramatically improves hair elasticity. Okay, soooo what does that even mean and why is it important? Let me explain! Elasticity refers to the amount of moisture your hair retains—strong strands with high elasticity can stretch without losing their original shape. This means less breakage and frizz, plus it makes styling your hair so much easier.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Olive extract (moisturizing); glycerin (hydrating)
Glowing customer review: "I have thick, frizzy hair and also live in Florida, home of 80% humidity in the summer. Since the first time I used this shampoo, my hair was smoother and easier to manage."
Pros
- Bond-repairing technology helps mend breakage and split ends
Cons
- Needs to be used with other Olaplex products for best results
Olaplex No. 4 is the holy-grail shampoo for anyone with damaged, bleached, or overly-processed hair, thanks to its ability to repair broken keratin bonds in your hair shaft. Every time you use it, expect your hair to look and feel healthier (with noticeably less frizz and flyaways too).
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (strengthening/bond-building); sunflower seed oil, camelia seed extract (moisturizing and nourishing)
Glowing customer review: "I literally used this once and I noticed a difference in my hair. My hair has never been this soft. And the best part is that you don't have to use a lot of it to get a good wash."
Pros
- Heavenly amber-vanilla scent
- Antioxidant-rich formula removes buildup and soothes frizz
Cons
- Not as moisturizing as other options on this list
Anyone who's used Amika products before know they smell absolutely divine, and this shampoo is no exception. Its ambery vanilla scent basically doubles as hair perfume, making me actually enjoy wash days for a change. But that's not the only reason why we love it: its lightweight formula removes unwanted buildup to reveal shinier, softer hair while keeping frizz to a minimum.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Sea buckthorn (nourishing), ginger root extract (enhances shine), glycerin (hydrating)
Glowing customer review: "This shampoo brought new life to my damaged hair and brought back out the shine that my hair use to have. It healed heat damage and controlled my frizz, leaving behind a glossy shine. And it smells amazing too."
Pros
- Ideal for type 4 curls
- Gently cleanses to remove buildup without stripping hair
Cons
- Too heavy for straight or wavy hair
The name of the game is hydration when it comes to this flyaway-smoothing cleanser from Curls. With moisturizing ingredients like blueberries (they're also loaded in vitamins C and B), aloe vera leaf juice, and chamomile extract, this sulfate-free shampoo for curls works to soften your hair and soothe your scalp as you cleanse. It's a win-win, truly.
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Blueberry extract (antioxidant protection); aloe vera leaf juice, chamomile extract (hydrating)
Glowing customer review: "I've never been wow-ed by a shampoo until I tried this. My type 4 curls feel super hydrated and juicy after shampooing with this formula."
Pros
- Contains vegan keratin to help smooth and fortify hair
- Safe for color-treated and highlighted hair
Cons
- Some reviewers say the thick texture doesn't come out of the bottle easily
With a name like Liquid Glass, you can (and should!) expect this shampoo to provide salon-quality results. Luckily, Drybar delivered. The rich cream features an all-star ingredient for people with high porosity hair: keratin. As Kayganich explains, "Hair that's more porous has more 'holes' in it. Fill those gaps with products that contain keratin to help reduce frizz."
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Key ingredients: Murumuru butter (softening), neroli oil (shine-enhancing); vegan keratin (smoothing)
Glowing customer review: "This is a fantastic option for anyone who has dry, dull. It really calms down frizz and gives hair excellent shine too."
What causes frizz and flyaways?
If you're finding that your naturally smooth hair has been extra frizzy lately, Kayganich might have an explanation: "Frizzy hair happens from lack of hydration or moisture, which can be caused by chemical treatments, mechanical damage, or the environment." People with high-porosity hair—aka hair that absorbs water easily but has a hard time retaining it—are also prone to frizz, Kayganich explains. "Frequent heat styling and using products with drying ingredients (i.e., alcohols) can also worsen frizz," adds Saviano.
What's the best shampoo for frizzy hair?
The best shampoos for frizzy hair contain super hydrating and nourishing ingredients that promote hair health and smooth its outer cuticle, according to Saviano. Rubenstein suggests looking for a shampoo that's infused with vitamin E and fatty acids, plus moisturizing hair oils like argan, jojoba, coconut, and olive. Basically, shampoos that moisturize hair will be your BFF when it comes to smoothing frizz.
How to choose a shampoo for frizzy hair:
Avoid sulfates when possible.
Even though sulfates help remove dirt, excess oil, and buildup and create that satisfying foamy lather when you’re shampooing, these harsh surfactants are notorious for stripping away your hair's natural oils. This is not ideal if you want to decrease frizz. So go ahead, try a sulfate-free shampoo if you haven't already—they're totally worth the hype!
Consider your own hair.
Not all shampoos for frizzy hair are created equal, so be sure to choose a formula designed specifically for your hair type and texture. If you have coils or curls, a rich moisturizing formula will be your best bet. If you have finer hair that's straight or slightly wavy, a formula with lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin is the way to go.
Realize your shampoo's limitations.
Anything that sits on your hair a few seconds before being washed out isn’t going to leave you with long-term smoothing powers. Though an anti-frizz shampoo is a great start, you’ll also need a combo of moisturizing and smoothing styling products to help with your post-shower hair. Rubenstein says that deep conditioners, hair masks, and smoothing hair serums are a musts for minimizing frizz, too.
Meet the experts:
- Nunzio Saviano is a stylist, hair trend expert, and the owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York, NY.
- Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York, NY.
- April Kayganich is a hairstylist, educator, and texture expert who's made a name for herself in Austin, Texas (and on Instagram!) by teaching people how to embrace and style their natural curls.
- Clariss Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist at Gloss in Beverly Hills, CA.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from the best best detanglers to the best blue shampoos for brunettes. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to shampoos for damaged hair. She regularly tests and analyzes shampoos for damaged hair for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top stylists and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.
Lauren Gruber is an associate commerce editor who helps readers navigate the beauty crowded landscape by identifying which products are actually worth their money. She has tested dozens of haircare products over the years to bring you the best shampoos for frizzy hair.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Lauren Gruber is an commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for publications like Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Country Living, House Beautiful, and more. She has over four years of professional experience covering a variety of lifestyle topics from home to fashion, with an advanced background in beauty and fragrance. When she’s not researching the most worthy Prime Day deals or hands-on testing all the latest perfume launches, Lauren is probably hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater. You can find her previous work at Entertainment Tonight, Shop TODAY, USA Today, Self Magazine, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.
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