The Best Shampoos for Permed Hair
Do you feel like your perm is fading faster than you can snap your fingers? Or maybe it’s just not giving you the dramatic curls and waves that it used to? Well don’t worry for much longer. With the right shampoo, you can turn back time and bring your perm back to life.
Read on because we’ll be reviewing the best shampoos for permed hair so you can get the look and feel you’ve been dreaming of. Get ready to have your curls bouncing, spirals springing, and waves looking luscious.
What To Look for in Permed Hair Shampoo
Mild Cleansing Agents
A good permed hair shampoo should be mild and gentle. Look for shampoos that contain mild cleansing agents such as sodium laureth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine. These are milder than harsher surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which can be drying to permed hair.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Look for shampoos that contain moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and panthenol, which help keep your hair hydrated.
Sulfate- and Paraben-Free
Avoid shampoos that contain sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate. These can dry and damage the natural curl pattern of permed hair. Parabens have their uses, such as for killing bacteria, but they also dry out your scalp and cause hair to fall out.
Protein
Many permed hair shampoos contain protein to help maintain healthy, strong curls. Look for shampoos that contain hydrolyzed proteins, which are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft.
Anti-Frizz Ingredients
Frizz is among the biggest challenges for people with permed hair. Look for shampoos that contain anti-frizz ingredients such as silicones and polymers to help keep your curls smooth and in place.
Taking the education above into consideration, check out our specially curated list for the best shampoos for permed hair in 2023.
1. Blu Atlas Shampoo Classic
Blu Atlas Shampoo Classic is the best shampoo for permed hair around. It’s mild, gentle and full of natural ingredients that nourish your hair.
Saw palmetto and vegan biotin both help to revive stressed strands, and keep your perm looking voluminous and vibrant. The jojoba protein works to repair any signs of damage, while the aloe vera soothes the scalp with its anti-inflammatory properties. The coconut-derived surfactants provide a thorough cleansing experience but won’t strip away important natural oils.
On top of all that, it can be used daily, alongside the Blu Atlas Conditioner, to really give your permed hair the full pampering it needs.
Give Blu Atlas a try today. With a money back guarantee, it’s completely risk free.
2. TRESemme Flawless Curls Shampoo
Permed hair can be both a blessing and a curse. It looks beautiful and bouncy for a few days, but it’s delicate to maintain. Finding the right shampoo for permed hair is essential, and the TRESemmé Flawless Curls shampoo is a great product.
This shampoo helps hydrate, soften, and strengthen permed hair. It’s formulated with vitamin B1 to ensure moisture is distributed throughout the hair where it’s needed most. And because it’s gentle on the hair and scalp, it’s safe to use every day.
Using this shampoo for permed hair is easy; simply coat the hair with a generous amount of shampoo, massage it into the scalp and roots, and lightly squeeze from the roots to the ends. Then rinse thoroughly. The product is ideal for people with curly or wavy hair, as well as people with color-treated, damaged, or dry hair.
For people with permed hair, the TRESemmé Flawless Curls shampoo & conditioner system is a complete hair care solution. It helps nurture, hydrate, and protect the hair for a salon-smooth finish.
3. Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo
This heavenly shampoo is enriched with a host of ingredients that helps keep your permed hair looking beautiful no matter the environmental, chemical and heat damages posed.
The many amazing benefits that come with this unique shampoo include a rich lather, which allows you to indulge in the ultimate pampering experience. It gently sloughs away the debris without compromising the delicate hair cuticle, hence maintaining the cuticle’s integrity when styling.
Joico has also included their patented SmartRelease technology, which is made up of a liposome delivery system that uses rosehip oil, arginine and keratin to battle the everyday wear and tear of your permed hair. Together with protective lipids and moringa seed oil, this shampoo effectively works to strengthen the bonds of your hair so they’re better able to resist any chemical treatments, heat styling and even UV exposure. Far more than just a shampoo, the Defy Damage Protective Shampoo is the perfect partner to bring back health and shine to your curls.
4. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Shampoo
Life is easier with Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Shampoo. The creamy, sulfate-free formula is designed to offer 20 hours of humidity control for lush, defined curls.
Don’t worry about an unpleasant scent; this formula has juicy wild berry essences for a fruity shower experience. Permed hair is more susceptible to humidity and ends up with flat, frizzy, and undefined curls. This specific shampoo’s formula is tailored to respect the integrity of your permed hair while tackling dreaded frizz.
The curl-defining formula is enriched with natural ingredients playfully blended with delicious fragrance notes to elevate your day. Pair the shampoo with Totally Twisted Conditioner and Curl Scrunching Gel for extra moisture, nourishment and anti-humidity protection.
5. OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo
When it comes to protecting and nourishing your permed hair, OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Shampoo is the perfect choice. This curl enhancing shampoo is specially formulated to protect and hydrate those luscious waves and spirals to make you stand out from the crowd.
Blended with coconut oil, this shampoo helps to detangle and define your curls, leaving them looking smooth, soft and bouncy. Ideal for medium to coarse-textured hair, this shampoo also helps to quench your thirsty strands, reviving and hydrating them to make them look their very best.
This luxurious shampoo not only revitalizes your hair with a lovely scent, but also leaves it feeling softer and shinier than ever before. It contains citrus oil to clarify the scalp and sweet honey to boost hair moisture for an all-round great hair care experience.
Enjoy the most enviable, healthy, defined and hydrated curls.
6. Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo is ideal for everyday use. It’s gentle on the hair and leaves it feeling soft and hydrated. This invigorating fusion of mandarin orange extract, sea kelp and phytic acid effectively cleanses your hair and scalp of impurities and residue. Phytic acid also works to remove hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium, making it perfect for dry or damaged hair. Additionally, it helps ensure a longer-lasting perm by preventing buildup. Nourishing oils leave hair soft and looking its best.
The Come Clean Moisturizing shampoo from Kinky Curly is a great choice for people wanting to keep their perm looking great. Plus, it’s made in the USA and has no harsh chemicals, so it’s both safe and effective.
7. Matrix Total Results High Amplify Shampoo
Matrix Total Results High Amplify Shampoo is an intelligent choice for permed hair. For those of us who have gone that step further to enhance our hair, we need something that’s going to cleanse and protect our perm while giving us lift and body to really bring out its potential.
Matrix Total Results High Amplify Shampoo uses a specially formulated hair protection protein as the key ingredient. This protein provides volume and structure to your perm without weighing it down like other shampoos do.
With regular use of this shampoo, you’ll quickly notice the revived and healthy texture of your hair. It’s gentle enough for any hair type, so it won’t irritate or damage any fragile strands. And while it’s perfect for people with delicate permed hair, it can be used by anyone who wants to get stronger, shinier hair.
Apply this shampoo to wet hair, lather, rinse and follow with a conditioner. With regular use, you’ll soon see the difference.
8. Aveda Be Curly Shampoo
Are you looking for a shampoo that will bring incredible results for your permed hair? Aveda Be Curly provides the perfect blend of performance, plant-based hair care.
This shampoo uses pure plant and flower essences, ensuring safe and natural ingredients that will nourish your hair from root to tip. The powerful ingredients within the shampoo help to protect your curls from becoming dehydrated, frizzy, and unmanageable. It likewise helps to enhance the styling of your curly hair, creating a soft, snuggly look and feel.
Aveda Be Curly shampoo is developed with a rigorous set of environmental sustainability values, so you can rest easy knowing that your hair is being treated to the best products possible. It helps to coat your curls and kinks with long lasting moisture and nourishment that you can trust.
Be Curly Shampoo is perfect for all hair types. Whether you have dark or light curls, or super dry or oily locks, this shampoo will bring visible results that you’ll love.
9. KMS TAMEFRIZZ Shampoo
If you’re looking for a way to keep your perm looking perfect and get rid of frizz, then you need to check out KMS TAMEFRIZZ Shampoo. This special shampoo is the first step in frizz reduction, improves manageability, and provides up to 100% frizz reduction.
This shampoo has incredible ingredients. Lactic and malic acids for internal reconstruction, polyquaternium-10 for evenness of hair surface, glycyl glycine for manageability, babassu to restore elasticity, and acacia to moisturize and retain moisture. Plus, there’s a luxurious fragrance with flowers, fruits and a sophisticated flair.
No matter the weather or your daily routine, KMS TAMEFRIZZ Shampoo will keep you looking polished and your perm perfectly styled. For use on medium to thick, coarse hair, lather, rinse and repeat if necessary. Follow with your chosen conditioner for unforgettable results.
10. Ouidad Curl Quench Moisturizing Shampoo
Tired of trying to keep your permed locks in check? Ouidad Curl Quench Moisturizing Shampoo is just what you need to keep your curls looking their best.
The sweet blend of chamomile, corn oil, vitamins, and wheat protein works to hydrate and restore each strand of hair, so your locks stay strong and healthy. Not only will your curls be more manageable and defined, but they’ll also be shinier and softer than ever before.
The Ouidad philosophy recognizes the importance of taking care of your permed hair, which is why their shampoo is specifically designed for curls. Their blend of moisturizers and nourishing ingredients helps keep your curls from becoming dry, frizzy, and unmanageable. With the Curl Quench Moisturizing Shampoo, you can rest easy knowing that your permed locks are getting the treatment they need.
11. Curls Unleashed Coco Creme Curl Quenching Shampoo
Say goodbye to all your perm worries with the ORS Curls Unleashed Rosemary and Coconut Oil Sulfate-Free Shampoo. Not only does this sulfate-free shampoo deliver superior cleaning, it hydrates and adds moisture for softer, healthier looking curls.
With its conditioning and nourishing properties, it helps to detangle, reduce split ends and add moisture to keep your hair looking natural and refreshed. The coconut infused formula helps to promote hair growth for fuller, softer curls. Also, the invigorating scent of rosemary and coconut oil will leave your hair smelling great and feeling even better.
You can even use this shampoo as part of your regular routine. No matter if you have permed hair or not, the ORS Curls Unleashed Rosemary and Coconut Oil Sulfate-Free Shampoo is an amazing choice for anyone looking to maintain their healthy curls and give them a beautiful boost.
12. Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Calming Shampoo
Bumble and Bumble’s Curl Conscious Calming Shampoo is designed with curly and permed hair in mind. It’s a color-safe, curl-caring cleanser to meet your needs.
This calming shampoo is enhanced with a blend of oils and butters, such as jojoba, avocado, and coconut oils which deeply hydrate hair and leave it looking less frizzy and more shiny. With a blend of humectants such as glycerin, honey and panthenol, this shampoo will help to keep the hair moisturized and soft.
This shampoo is free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, formaldehyde, sulfates, gluten and silicon. It’s also cruelty-free, making it all the more desirable for those seeking hair care that’s also kind to the planet.
13. Design.ME FlashMe Curl Clarifying Shampoo
It’s important to invest in a quality shampoo that can make your permed hairstyle last. Enter Design.ME FlashMe Curl Clarifying Shampoo enriched with Buriti Oil. Not only will it help keep your curls fresh and hydrated, but it also has protective benefits for your hair.
This shampoo is heat-protective up to 400°F, meaning you can safely style your locks without worrying about heat damage. Its frizz control formula helps define and lock in your curls, giving you an all-day hold without a crunchy feeling.
Best of all, it’s vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free. So you can style your hair guilt-free knowing that your look is not only stylish but also healthy and ethically sourced.
14. Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo
If you’ve ever wanted to wear your hair curly, you know that it takes extra special care to keep your curls looking healthy and vibrant. That’s why Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo is a top choice for permed hair.
Not only is it free from parabens and sulfates, but this nourishing shampoo provides intense hydration to help strengthen your hair and keep your curls looking smooth and frizz-free for up to 24 hours. With a nourishing blend of Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Abyssinian Oil, no hair type is too curly for Curl Nourish Shampoo. This trio of oils brings a surge of moisture to every strand to help restore shine and strength.
The curl nourish system also includes a conditioner and leave-in treatment that work together to lock-in hydration and reinforce the curls with soft, manageable shine. For permed hair, this type of nourishing care is absolutely ideal. Because the curls are more fragile due to the chemical perm, regular conditioning and moisturizing is essential to avoid damaging your curls and getting frizzy flyaways.
Curl Nourish is the perfect choice for optimum protection and ultimate curl control.
15. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Grapeseed Power Wash Shampoo
This extraordinary sulfate-free formula is built to clean and hydrate your locks without drying them out. It gets rid of product buildup, residue, and impurities, while still keeping your hair soft.
The blend of aloe, apple cider vinegar, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and coconut milk will ensure that your curls are moisturized, without looking greasy. Because this shampoo is perfect for all hair types and textures, it’s a great choice for permed hair. It will not only help bring out the best in your curls and coils, but will also help keep them protected and nourished.
It’s especially important for permed hair to be shampooed regularly, so try to use this product at least once or twice a week. You’ll want to wet your hair thoroughly first, and then apply a moderate amount to your hair and scalp. Gently massage the formula through your locks, and for thicker texture that are prone to tangling, shampoo from the roots to the ends. Once you’re all done, rinse everything out and follow up with any quality conditioner, like Rescue Me from Aunt Jackie’s Grapeseed Style & Shine collection.
If you’re on the quest for the perfect shampoo to meet your permed hair’s needs, then Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Grapeseed Power Wash Shampoo is a solid choice.
16. Maple Holistics Silk18 Natural Shampoo
Love a perm? Then you’ll want to give Maple Holistics Silk18 Natural Shampoo a try.
Made with ingredients that include silk amino acids, botanical keratin, jojoba oil, and more, this shampoo is rich in moisture-rich agents that are ideal for combating dryness and frizz. Additionally, it is suited for all hair types and can be used on a daily basis to keep your locks looking and feeling their best.
For a full wrap around treatment, try pairing it with Maple Holistics Silk18 Conditioner for extra nourishment and hydration.
17. Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
Permed hair can be a real struggle to manage, especially when it comes to keeping it hydrated and healthy-looking. But with Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, those struggles can be a thing of the past.
This rich, deeply hydrating shampoo is infused with moisture-attracting red algae, argan oil and Vitamins A and E, making it the perfect choice for permed hair.
Red algae is a unique ingredient known for its ability to attract and retain moisture, which is essential for keeping permed hair hydrated and healthy-looking. The red algae works to lock in moisture, leaving your hair feeling soft, smooth, and manageable. Argan oil is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the hair from environmental damage and free radicals. It also helps to nourish and strengthen the hair, making it more resistant to breakage and damage. Vitamins A and E are also present and are known to nourish the hair and leave it looking healthy and shiny.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo is gentle enough for daily use, and it can help maintain an ideal moisture balance in your hair. To use it, simply massage it through wet hair and scalp, then rinse thoroughly. Follow up with Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner for best results.
18. OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo
OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo, you can give your permed hair the care it needs to look and feel its best.
One of the key ingredients in this OGX shampoo is coconut oil. This natural oil is known for its ability to deeply moisturize and nourish the hair. It helps to tame frizz and flyaways, leaving your hair looking silky and smooth. The coconut oil also helps to repair damaged hair, making it a great option for those with permed hair which takes a beating from the chemicals used to induce the curls.
The shampoo is infused with vanilla extract, which adds a delicious and enticing scent to the formula. Vanilla extract is known for its ability to soothe and calm the hair and scalp. It also helps to add a touchable softness to the hair, leaving it looking and feeling healthier with each use.
OGX is inspired by nature, and they focus on making hair look fuller, smoother, curlier, or bouncier with their products. They don’t try to make hair look “perfect”, but they want to help people look their best.
19. CURLSMITH Shine Shampoo
If you’re searching for a gentle and light shampoo for your permed hair, try Curlsmith Shine Shampoo.
This fragrance free shampoo is made with only the best natural ingredients.
Hops are believed to have antimicrobial and astringent properties, which helps control excess oil and moisturize the scalp. Jasmine flower helps infuse a pleasant floral scent, while citric acid can be used to balance the pH levels of the shampoo and help it lather more effectively.
Curl Smith’s shine recipe is vegan and cruelty free. It’s also free of sulfates, silicones, mineral oils, and phthalates.
Suitable for daily washes and color-safe, this shampoo looks and foams like a traditional shampoo and will not dry out your permed hair.
Reviews are glowing and customers are thrilled. “The consistency was so smooth, gave me great lather and didn’t strip.” “My hair felt moisturized and squeaky clean.” With Curlsmith Shine Shampoo, your perm will never have been so cared for.
Frequently asked questions
What is a perm?
A perm is a type of hair style where permanent waves are introduced into the hair using heat and/or chemicals. This is usually done to give the hair more body, as well as to add volume and texture. Some people like to use a perm to add curls or bouncy body to their hair without having to use a curling iron.
Step 1: Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any build up in the hair.
Step 2: Towel dry hair and use a wide-toothed comb to detangle any knots.
Step 3: Section off your hair and use a roller or perm rods to wrap each section of hair around.
Step 4: Apply a perm solution to the wrapped hair and secure the rollers or perm rods.
Step 5: Use a mild heat source such as a dryer to heat the hair and activate the solution.
Step 6: Once the solution has been activated, rinse the hair with cool water to remove the perm solution. Step 7: Towel dry the hair and use a wide-toothed comb to loosen the curls and create the desired look. Step 8: Apply a protective balm to the hair to help maintain the perm.
What ingredients are used to perm your hair?
The typical ingredients in a perm solution include ammonium thioglycolate, glycerin, an oil such as mineral oil, a wetting agent, an acidifying agent, and a buffering agent. You should talk to your hairdresser or a doctor before going through with a perm. Perm solutions have been known to cause an allergic reaction in some people, which can result in burning, itching, and loss of hair.
Is permed hair making a comeback?
From Katy Perry’s platinum perm for Prism album in 2013 to Dua Lipa’s sleek perm at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, permed hair is always in and out of the spotlight and is a mainstay in the celebrity hair styling tool kit.
There are more options available now than ever before for people who want to experiment with their hair. From subtle, low-maintenance “permanent waves” to voluminous curls or coils, the perm trend is cyclic but always present to some extent.
