The most predominant belief around shampoos is that they only cleanse your scalp and tresses or remove excessive oil. However, there are many more deliverables that shampoos offer. There is a specific and targeted shampoo for every mane-related woe, and here we explore the best hair straightening shampoos. Due to heat styling, dye jobs, and other hair treatments, our tresses undergo damage and breakage, leading to frizz and unmanageable hair. For those who are looking to tackle such issues and achieve slicker, frizz-free, and more manageable hair, these top-quality hair straightening shampoos will amp up your hair care routine. 

These products have gained popularity for their ability to give your hair salon-like care and are ideal for multiple pre-hair treatment sessions. If you have not already introduced these keratin-infused, straightening shampoos to your haircare regimen, try them out now. Based on our observations, we have compiled an expert-recommended list of shampoos and a buying guide for your perusal.

Hair straightening shampoos can be looked at as more of a pre-treatment regimen. Whether you are going for a keratin protein procedure, straightening your tresses, getting a Brazilian blowout, or going for some kind of styling, these shampoos prep your hair. Their main job is to increase the manageability of coarse, unruly hair by taming frizz and smoothening the locks.  Generally, these shampoos are infused with a higher content of silicones and other hair-binding and smoothing agents that weigh your hair, making it appear straighter than its organic state. 

Technically speaking, these shampoos do not work to alter the hair structure or straighten them. The formulation simply enhances hair health by deeply cleansing and clarifying, while preparing them for hair treatments. For curly and wavy hair, these shampoos will loosen up the locks. 

Without further ado, let’s explore the top recommendations that stand out against their competitors.

• 1
  Best natural blend

  OGX Ever Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo

  BUY ON AMAZON

Glossy locks with a lustrous shine are not something exclusive to editorials. With the use of OGX’s Brazilian keratin shampoo, infused with coconut oil, avocado oil, and cocoa butter. The blend adds a glossy shine to your locks, making them lustrous and healthy. The rich formula hydrates the strands, nourishes the scalp, softens the cuticles, and strengthens the stresses. With so many hair-loving benefits, this shampoo is great for preparing your mane for straightening, styling, Brazilian blowouts, or keratin treatments.

2

Best salt and sulfate-free formula

NYK1 Salt Sulfate Free Shampoo

BUY ON AMAZON

To increase the quality and longevity of your protein smoothing, keratin, or Brazilian blowout and straightening treatments, the NYK1 shampoo is one for the job. It garners protection and deep cleansing properties for all hair types. Enriched with coconut oil, this formula withholds moisture to intensely condition the hair, making it soft and lustrous. Unlike the general course, this shampoo is devoid of salt, sulfate, and sodium, which ensures that your keratin effect isn’t stripped off and stays on for long.

3

Best for fine hair

JOHN FRIEDA Frizz Ease

BUY ON AMAZON

Prep your hair with JOHN FRIEDA’s frizz-proof shampoo for the ultimate styling experience. Particularly curated to zap frizz and soften the tresses for manageability, this shampoo has many features to deserve a spot on your beauty shelf. Infused with keratin oil, the formula nourishes your hair and smoothens unruly locks. This allows easier styling and straightening, resulting in flawless and shiny hair. At the core, this shampoo deeply cleanses in order to achieve a healthy scalp and mane.

4

Best for gentle cleansing

Salerm Cosmetics Keratin Shot

BUY ON AMAZON

The Salerm Keratin Shot shampoo is specially whipped up to prep your hair for a keratin straightening treatment. Not only this, you can use this shampoo-care to help maintain your mane after the treatment. It ensures that the quality and duration of the keratin process effect is well balanced. All you need to do is wet your hair with warm water, lather up the product, and cleanse your scalp. Leave it on for about five minutes and rinse off using warm water.

5

Best for greasy scalp

KERATIN RESEARCH Clarifying Shampoo

BUY ON AMAZON

Pamper your mane with some salon-level care with Keratin Resaerch’s clarifying shampoo. This pre-treatment potion with a higher pH is best for deeply cleansing your scalp. Wash away residue, buildup, dirt, and grime from your hair with this formulation. The shampoo opens up the hair cuticles for intense cleansing and extracting any kind of impurities present in the hair shafts. It also optimizes the receptivity of the keratin treatment your hair is about to undergo.

6

Best long-lasting results

GK HAIR Hair Taming System

BUY ON AMAZON

This clarifying and purifying shampoo recipe by GK Hair is composed of aloe vera and provitamins. The pre-treatment shampoo prepares your hair for frizz-taming and straightening procedures. As the shampoo works hard to deeply cleanse the scalp, it also soothes it. The natural formula makes it a fan-favorite, as the shampoo helps strengthen the roots of your hair. The presence of keratin ensures that your hair appears youthful, as it repairs and restores the hair from inside out. Note that this product is not meant for daily use.

7

Best softness effect

Fanola Smooth Care

BUY ON AMAZON

The environmental stressors and humidity make our hair frizzy and unmanageable. The Fanola smooth care shampoo aids you in taming unruly hair and zapping the frizz. You no longer need to worry about unkempt hair that becomes very difficult to style. With the vitamin E and cottonseed oil-enriched shampoo you can achieve gentle cleansing and nourishment of your mane. Get those silky smooth locks with a healthy shine for longer with this formula.

8

Best hair texture enhancement

UNITE LAZER Straight Shampoo

BUY ON AMAZON

For thick and unruly hair, UNITE’s Lazer range of haircare is the perfect pick. We know how daunting, managing frizz, flyaways, and damaged hair can get, that’s why our experts approve this sulfate-free smoothing shampoo. The recipe is whipped up to gently cleanse the mane while also adding softness and shine to coarse hair. This shampoo also smooths cuticles and tames curls without weighing the hair down. The added benefits are that the shampoo is safe for extensions and chemically-treated hair, plus you can indulge in the sweet vanilla bean scent.

9

Best drugstore option

L'OREAL PARIS Smooth Intense Shampoo

BUY ON AMAZON

Something specifically curated for frequently straightened or unruly hair, the intense smooth shampoo by L'OREAL PARIS is a must-have addition. Imbued with pro-keratin and tourmaline this shampoo promises great results. One can expect post-wash hair that is not dull, flat, or stiff. Your locks will appear and feel soft and silky from root to tip. The pre-heat styling shower essential will reduce your damage exposure with its advanced haircare.

10

Best overall

bellisso Keratin Enriched Shampoo

BUY ON AMAZON

Among many of its key features, bellisso’s keratin-infused shampoo’s top priority is to control damage. With every wash, the shampoo deeply penetrates on a cellular level and works to mitigate breakage, split ends, and frizz. The moisturizing formula cleanses the scalp, removes buildup, and strengthens the hair, while also lending your tresses a sleek and smooth appearance. The best part is that this sulfate and paraben-free shampoo can be used on a daily basis.

11

pura d'or Smoothing Therapy Shampoo

BUY ON AMAZON

This liquid potion by pura d'or is a blend of chia seed and linseed extracts. The formula is tailored to tame frizz and add shape and volume to the hair. With hydrated and healthier hair, you can detangle the locks without using a comb or causing breakage. The shampoo also consists of geranium oil which works to nourish the scalp, as well as make the tresses silkier and smoother for easy styling. You will notice reduced frizz and lesser styling time, devoid of any harsh chemicals like silicone, sulfate, and paraben.

By now you must have gauged the vast variety of hair straightening shampoos available in the beauty bazaar and their array of features and formulations. To pick the most-suited shampoo for hair needs, check out the buying guide ahead.

• Formulation: everything comes down to the ingredients of the shampoo. To get those soft and lustrous strands go for shampoos infused with keratin and other conditioning agents like coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter. Besides these, elements like vitamins E and provitamins help in controlling frizz. For long-term hair health, ensure that the shampoos are without sulfate, paraben, and other harsh chemicals. You may also look for UV protection agents in your shampoo.
  Speaking of ingredients offering sun protection, our contributor Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “One of the most important ingredients is histidine, an amino acid that helps absorb excess copper, which helps prevent harmful sun exposure such as UVA and UVB. Another ingredient is Polyquaternium-59, which helps filter UV as well as conditions the hair. Shampoos with such ingredients can help with UV protection.”
• Cleansing features: An essential aspect of shampoos is their cleansing. Opt for the ones that purify and clarify your scalp, driving away all the dirt, grime, and excessive oils. With a clean and fresh scalp, you will experience better hair results in pre and post-treatment. 
• Hair type: the commonly overlooked aspect of hair-care products is their catering to different hair types. If you have a dry and itchy scalp, look for options that are nourishing, hydrating, and conditioning. Those with oily scalps can avoid intensely conditioning shampoos and opt for more water-based formulas to mitigate greasy mane. If you have curly or wavy hair, pick the products that have slightly heavier formulas, so as it make your tresses manageable and easy to straighten. 
• Suitability: If you have color-treated hair or hair extensions, ensure that the shampoo is suitable for your hair needs.

• Consists of agents that are highly conditioning and water-resistant. These elements create a weighed coat on the strands, preventing frizz, absorption of moisture, and curling up. 
• Deeply cleanses the scalp, helping you achieve a healthier mane.
• Makes hair manageable for easy and long-lasting styling.
• Prolongs the effect and quality of the keratin process.
• Allows effortless detangling.
• Prevents and repairs hair damage and breakage.
• Minimizes heat damage.
• Strengthens the hair shafts
• Speeds up the time for styling

Contributor: Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, Co-founder and Dermatologist - PowerYourCurls