Straightening shampoo might look like a regular shampoo, but they have specially formulated ingredients like silicone, keratin also some natural oils—coconut oil, argan oil, etc.
They form a moisture-locking coating around the hair shaft. This not only blocks the moisture within the hair but also refuses any moisture to penetrate the hair cuticle, which is responsible for the frizziness.
Because of this, the ironing process is done much faster, and the effect lasts longer. Faster flat-ironing also means less exposure to heat and damage. These shampoo ingredients also help loosen the curls and make them appear straighter and more manageable.
Take a small note on these 3 points mentioned below. They will help you choose the ideal one for your need.
- Presence of Keratin: Keratin is the building block of your hair. Shampoos that contain keratin protects the hair from heat damage. It heals the hair cuticles also restores the moisture. They are absorbed by the hair and loosens the natural curls making the hair appear smoother and frizz-free.
- Silicons: Silicons form a waterproof coating around the hair which locks the moisture in and don’t let the hair absorb the outside humidity. So, it holds the hairstyles for a longer time.
- Sulfate-free shampoo: Sulphates, mainly Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, are hugely used in shampoos, which makes the lather. If you have color-treated hair or have keratin/Brazilian hair treatment done, you strictly need to stay away from sulfates.
We also have a comprehensive buying guide at the end of this article that contains all of the above in detail, along with other important factors that you should consider.
Here are the Top 5 Best Hair Straightening Shampoos:
| Hair Straightening Shampoo | For keratin-treated hair | Sulphate-free | Volume | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Frieda Frizz Straight Shampoo | No | No | 8.45 Ounce | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| OGX Ever-Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Shampoo | Yes | Yes | 13 Ounce | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Keratin Intense Shampoo by Natural Formula | No | Yes | 13.5 Ounce | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| SEXYHAIR Smoothing Anti-Frizz Shampoo | Yes | Yes | 16 Ounce | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Shampoo | Yes | Yes | 10 fl Oz | CHECK ON AMAZON |
1. John Frieda Frizz Ease Flawlessly Straight Shampoo
Among all other John Frieda shampoos, Frizz Ease is dedicated to smoothen out the frizzy and unruly hair. It’s a quick fixer for people on a budget.
Although developed for thick wavy and curly hair, this shampoo is suitable for anyone dealing with unmanageable hair. The key ingredient of this shampoo is keratin.
Keratin, which you know as hair protein, creates a microfilm coating around the hair shaft. The heating tools absorbs all the moisture particles of your hair. Where the keratin helps block the moisture in. If you use a flat iron afterward, it looks silky smooth.
This shampoo is used by saloon stylist before any kind of heat-styling. It helps the hair hold the styles better and for a longer time. That being said, the Frizz ease shampoo is a good choice for those who have done a keratin treatment and hair smoothening treatment as well.
Other worth mentioning ingredients are—glycerine, cocamide, jojoba oil, malic acid, and some silicons. Glycerine is an excellent moisturizer. Cocamide is a coconut-derived hair conditioner, and malic acid is a natural hair cleanser.
The only drawback is it contains SLS and SELS (sulfates). It lathers very well but not safe on color-treated hair. You will find John Freda Frizz Ease hair conditioner as well.
Pros:
- Makes hair more manageable by reducing frizz
- Good for keratin-treated hair and hair smoothening
- Holds the hairstyles for long
- Doesn’t dry out the hair while styling
Cons:
- Contains sulfates
- The tube packaging leaks sometimes
2. OGX Ever-Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo
This keratin shampoo is simply the best in its range. If you own chemically relaxed or keratin-treated hair and looking for something more affordable, this is your next buy.
Original Keratin shampoos are usually expensive. But OGX Brazilian Keratin Therapy is different. It also has four other organic moisturizers, including coconut oil, almond oil, and cocoa butter.
This is ideal for both before and after straightening/keratin treatments. It’s also suitable for very dry curly hair, frizzy hair even the damaged hair types. The best part is it is free of parabens and sulfates and also color-safe.
The shampoo maintains and restores the keratin after the treatment and makes it last longer. You may notice straighter hair after the first use.
Furthermore, the natural ingredients improve the overall hair quality adding strength and shine. Many users have said it helped them with split ends. It smells like delicious oils. And it lasts for a good time.
Although it won’t make curly hair straight, it will surely tame the frizz, make it more manageable. You can use it as an everyday shampoo.
Pros:
- Has natural ingredients for healthy hair
- Color safe, sulfate-free
- Best affordable shampoo for keratin-treated hair
- Hair smells amazing
Cons:
- It may weigh down your hair or make it greasy if you have an oily scalp
3. Keratin Intense Shampoo by Natural Formula
Natural Formula is a brand trusted by hair experts. It provides various hair products including hair styling creams, dry shampoos, keratin intense creams, serums and so on.
This hair straightening shampoo from the brand contains two types of keratin to repair your hair strands from within and also form a protecting layer on the hair. This means the shampoo is best for damaged hair- hair that has undergone chemical treatments and also for the ones who regularly use flat irons for hair styling.
As soon as you apply this shampoo to your hair, the structure of your hair is automatically restored by providing sufficient moisture thereby restoring elasticity of each strand.
Another important ingredient of this shampoo is pentanol. It improves the effect of keratin on your hair and helps the hair to remain straight for 3 times more time than the rest of the shampoos.
The shampoo also contains additional moisturizing ingredients to give long lasting shine to the strands while keeping them straight. So, you can flaunt your poker straight hair wherever you go.
To keep your hair healthy, the shampoo is free from sulphates, parabens, sodium chloride salts that tend to make the hair rough and more prone to breakage.
Pros
- Suitable for dry hair, coloured hair, straightened hair and curly hair.
- Leaves the hair clean with a single wash.
- Perfect as a protectant before using heating tools.
- Affordable.
Cons
- It might not give any result to normal hair.
4. SEXYHAIR Smoothing Anti-Frizz Shampoo
You might know the red Sexy Hair bottle of hairspray; it is famous. But what you didn’t know is that SEXYHAIR has its line of hair care products.
It has ingredients like silicons, coconut oil, and a coconut derivative moisturizer. The shampoo is sulfate-free and color-safe.
The shampoo is good for reducing freeze, making it more manageable. Since it has natural elements, you might notice straighter hair after a few weeks of use.
The bottle lacks keratin, which means it doesn’t work for chemically relaxed or keratin-treated hair. It can be used as an everyday straightening shampoo because it’s free of harmful chemicals.
It’s also good for heat styling. The silicons hold the style longer, and the ironing takes lesser time while the coconut oil restores the moisturizer after that.
Few people had complaints with the lather. But, all sulfate-free shampoos make less lather. So, it’s not unusual.
Some had said it doesn’t make hair straight. Well, that is true. It can minimize frizz and reduce the curls. But nothing can change the natural texture of your hair, except a chemical treatment.
Pros:
- Has natural oils
- Sulfate-free and color-safe
- Reduce frizz and loosens curls
- Holds the style better
Cons:
- The liquidy formula runs out faster
- Some didn’t like the smell
5. It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Shampoo
It is the best straight shampoo in the mid-budget range. Especially for the keratin-treated hair. The brand is relatively new in the market and has made its place already.
The shampoo relies on natural elements. It works for every type of hairstyle and hair-textures. The formula includes keratin proteins, almond oil, castor oil, and Chinese tea extracts. All these ingredients are incredibly nourishing and work on improving the hair texture.
Keratin protein loses the natural hair curves a bit more. The natural oils conditions to make it appear smoother. It reduces frizz and tangles making it more manageable. With time your hair texture might also be improved.
Furthermore, it has protection from the sun. It is sulfate-free, paraben-free, and sodium chloride-free. Therefore it’s color-safe, and if you have a sensitive scalp, this is a good option. Also, another important thing to note is that the shampoo is not tested on animals.
As for the smell, it smells like oils, not the best, but not overpowering. For a 10 fl Oz pack, the price stands a bit higher. For best results, buy the conditioner too.
Pros:
- Good for keratin-treated hair
- Sulphate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free
- Has moisturizing natural oils
Cons:
- Not the best for heat styling
- Poor packaging
Things to consider before buying a straightening shampoo
Straightening shampoos have a different list of ingredients. To protect your hair from the burning heat of a flat iron or to extend the life of your chemical treatment, they include highly hydrating ingredients.
They block the moisture in, restores the hair proteins and form a glossy smooth coating around the hair shaft. Then some straightening shampoos are better than the other. And some are more suitable for your colored hair, and some are better for your dry-damaged hair.
Below we have a list of 5 things that you need to consider to get the most out of your straightening shampoo.
1. Keratin proteins are excellent
If you have undergone any chemical hair processing, straitening, smoothing, Brazilian or keratin treatment, you must look for ‘keratin’ in your shampoo.
You have heard the term “keratin” a gazillion times, but what is it? There is a lot of misconceptions about the name. Keratin is actually a protein found in hair, nails, and cuticles. It is the building block of your hair.
The protein keratin is a protective protein. This means it is tough and less prone to breakage and damage. When used in shampoo, the outer layer cells of your hair absorb the protein. So, when you style your hair with heat, it protects it from damage and breakage. It makes them stronger and fuller.
Keratin is also great at nourishing your hair. When absorbed by the hair cuticles, it makes it appear smoother and less frizzy. You will notice your hair looks a lot straighter, healthier, and shinier.
2. Look for silicons
Silicone is the most important ingredient in a straightening shampoo. It is a polymer with hydrophobic properties (waterproof). They form a thin waterproof layer around the hair fibers, which is impenetrable for moisture.
Silicons not only lock the needed moisture within the hair shaft but also refuses the humidity to penetrate the hair, which causes frizz. As a result, the hair could hold the styles for a much longer time. The thick, glossy layer of silicons also leaves your hair smoother, softer, and shinier.
Silicons have with ‘cone ‘, ‘conol’, ‘xane’ at the end of their names. Some common silicons found in straightening shampoos are-
- Dimethicone
- Cyclomethicone
- Amodimethicone
- Dimithiconol
- Pheryltrimithicone
- Ceterarylmethicone
Note: Are silicons bad for hair? Silicons do have a bad reputation. This is because they weigh the hair down. Especially the thin and oily hair types. They can produce more build-up and makes you wash your hair more often.
But it is not harmful to your hair. They are non-toxic and made for human use. Celebrity hairstylist John Freda says silicons are essential in a hair straightening shampoo. They have amazing hydrating properties; they hold the style for longer and resistant to humidity, which is the main reason behind frizzy hair.
3. Sulfate-free straightening shampoo
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate is also known as SLS/SLES, are two potent ingredients that make the lather. They are not good for color-treated hair. They wash off the color within 1 to 2 weeks.
SLS and SLES are also not good for chemically treated hair (smoothing, Brazilian/keratin treatment). They will wash off the keratin layer and will strip off the moisture.
4. Natural oils
You can find many types of natural oils in a straightening shampoo. They have incredibly moisturizing and hydrating properties. They make the hair healthier from within. And prepares the hair for styling experiments. Some of them are-
- Coconut oil-the vitamins and fatty acids deeply nourish the hair and reduce frizz
- Almond oil-reduce the chances of breakage and split ends
- Argan oil-antioxidants, fatty acids, and Vit E improves elasticity and deeply nourishes
- Cocoa butter- hydrates and make hair smooth and soft
- Castor oil-protects the hair follicles
- Glycerine-intense moisturizing properties
5. Volume of the bottle
You might not want to use a straightening shampoo every day. In alternative days you can use a hydrating shampoo or a clarifying shampoo to restore the moisture and remove all the build-up. So, buy a smaller pack of shampoo. Also, remember that if you buy a sulfate-free shampoo, you will need more of it. Because it makes less lather. And it will run out faster.
Conclusion:
Straitening shampoos are lifesavers for frizzy and unruly hair. They make it more manageable, smooth, relaxed, and looses up some curls. But, note that they can’t change your hair texture. Even the best out of the best straightening shampoos won’t be able to make it super silky and straight. It’s only possible with a chemical treatment.
If you are confused about your first purchase, our first recommendation would be John Frieda Frizz Ease Flawlessly Straight Shampoo. Its excellent at holding the style protects it from heat damage. It also has the must-have hair protein keratin. Above, all it’s in the budget. However, if you have keratin-treated hair go with OGX Ever-Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo.
Are you using any of these shampoos? How was the experience? Share with us in the comment section below.