Home / Hair Care / Best Hair Straightening Shampoos: Review And Buying Guide

Best Hair Straightening Shampoos: Review And Buying Guide

Best Hair Straightening Shampoos

Hair can be such a fickle thing to deal with, especially if you have unruly and rebellious hair. It might even take hours of running it through the flat iron just to have something to work with. And even then, it’s still not the sleek finish you were hoping for. Instead, you end up with a dissatisfied look on your face and damaged hair.

Well, you don’t need to worry anymore because we’ve got the solution you’ve been looking for. And this solution doesn’t involve throwing money away at professional hair-smoothing treatments. The answer lies in a great hair straightening shampoo that will leave your hair straight and glossy.

It all starts with proper hair care. The best straightening shampoo can turn that frizzy and unmanageable hair into something shiny and smooth. You just need to know which straightening shampoo is the best fit for you.

Read also related articles: Best hair straightening brush, best hair dryer for fine hair, and best conditioner for bleached hair.

Top 10 Best Hair Straightening Shampoos

To consider your options, we’ve narrowed it down to the 10 best straightening hair products in today’s market. Take a look and you might even find the right one for you and your hair type!

1.  Garnier Whole Blends Smoothing Shampoo

Garnier Whole Blends Smoothing Shampoo

When it comes to personal care, Garnier is one of those brands you just know won’t fail you. After all, it’s got over a hundred years of experience to brag about and an amazing reputation to boot. It’s no wonder their hair straightening shampoo is considered one of the most effective ones in today’s market. For a product like this, you’d expect it to be a bit pricey, but it’s actually quite affordable.

At the core of this amazing straightening shampoo, you’ll find cocoa butter and coconut oil extracts. And what’s great about these raw products is that they’re both sustainably sourced from Africa and the South Pacific, respectively.

These two ingredients are particularly important when it comes to hair smoothening since this combination helps dial down hair frizz. A fair warning, though, as this shampoo contains sulfates, which can make the formulation quite strong. On one hand, sulfates can be great since they create a good lather and really helps in cleansing the scalp. But on the other hand, sulfate shampoos are generally advised against when you have dyed hair.

Pros

  • Ingredients sustainably sourced
  • Likable coconut smell
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Lathers well
  • Parabens-free product
  • Incredibly affordable

Cons

  • Contains sulfates
  • Can dry the hair a bit too much

2.  John Frieda Frizz Ease Flawlessly Straight Shampoo

John Frieda Frizz Ease Flawlessly Straight Shampoo

You’ve probably seen the word “keratin” plastered across several hair products. But what does it actually mean and why is it considered a plus for a hair product to have it? Well, simply put, keratin is a type of protein that acts as one of the primary building blocks for human hair. Chemically, it will complement the makeup of hair and help it become healthy, which will come in handy for straightening shampoos.

The formulation of the John Frieda Frizz Ease Flawlessly Straight Shampoo is built around keratin. Because keratin is at the core of this straightening shampoo, it’ll do a good job at keeping frizz down and dealing with flyaway hair.

How does it work exactly? Well, keratin coats the hair shaft and creates microfilm surrounding it, which blocks off the shaft’s porous portions. When these porous portions are blocked, frizz is kept under control and hair becomes smooth and shiny.

Pros

Cons

  • Contains sulfates
  • Can make hair feel sticky, greasy, and dirty
  • Packaging leaks sometimes

3.  Hairgurt Smoothing Yogurt Shampoo

Hairgurt Smoothing Yogurt Shampoo

Combating frizz and flyaway hair may be an important aspect of hair straightening, but it’s not all there is to it. Being able to soften and smoothen hair is also key for straightening shampoos. And that’s exactly what this product from Hairgurt has to offer.

Not to say that it won’t be able to deal with frizz, because it definitely can. Hairgurt just chooses to focus on its softening abilities. And that’s not even the best thing about this straightening shampoo.

What makes this shampoo stand out is its delicious and alluring scent. It’s got an array of smells to choose from and they’re all so enticing that the company even made sure to add a “do not eat” warning on the label.

Pros

  • Natural ingredients
  • Does smoothen the hair
  • Comes with multiple fruity smells
  • Paraben-free product
  • Suitable for color and chemically treated hair
  • Lathers well

Cons

  • A bit on the expensive side
  • Fruity smells may not appeal to everyone

4.  Agave Healing Oil – Smoothing Shampoo

Agave Healing Oil – Smoothing Shampoo

People often have a negative perception of the effectiveness of all-natural products. Yes, there can be a lot of benefits that come with using all-natural products. But sometimes they just don’t deliver in the same caliber as their artificial counterparts.

This issue, however, won’t be much concern for the Agave Healing Oil – Smoothing Shampoo. In fact, this all-natural product even delivers better performance compared to artificial competitors. This makes it one of the best hair straightening shampoos in today’s market.

From the name alone, you can probably guess that this shampoo has agave plant sugars at the core of its formulation. Not only that, but it is also completely devoid of artificial ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

Pros

  • Formulation based on agave sugars
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Does smoothen the hair
  • All-natural
  • Suitable for color and chemically treated hair
  • Lathers really well

Cons

  • Very expensive shampoo
  • Can really dry out the hair

5.  TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo

Similar to the John Frieda shampoo we’ve mentioned above, the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo also boasts of its keratin formulation. The difference, however, is that this straightening shampoo from TRESemmé also contains marula oil.

Marula oil is a great natural addition for straightening shampoos due to its conditioning and hydrating properties. And like keratin, marula oil does a great job at sealing the hair shaft, which is a vital aspect in hair straightening.

When combined, keratin and marula oil effectively combat frizz by sealing the hair shaft from moisture. This fantastic duo also adds a vibrant shine to hair. A fair warning, though, as an excessive application of the product may lead to greasy and oily hair. So, just make sure to use an appropriate amount in every wash.

Pros

  • Formulation based on keratin and marula oil
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Does smoothen the hair
  • Likable smell
  • Lathers well
  • Affordably priced

Cons

  • Contains sulfates
  • Can make hair feel too greasy
  • Not ideal for color or chemically treated hair
  • The smell may be a bit too strong
  • Can dry the hair a bit too much

6.  L’Oréal Paris Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Bundle

L’Oréal Paris Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Bundle

A downside when using hair straightening shampoos is the possibility of ending up with dry hair over time. And nobody wants to have limp and listless hair. Thankfully, the quick fix to this problem is just as easy as using a good conditioner along with the straightening shampoo.

L’Oréal makes it even easier by pairing their hair straightening shampoo with a great conditioner in this awesome bundle. What’s great about this pair is that the conditioner was specifically formulated to work hand-in-hand with the straightening shampoo.

Seeing as there are less reported complaints of dryness when using the shampoo, it seems that the conditioner does indeed make a difference. It’s not completely foolproof, though, as there are still some users with persisting problems of dryness.

Pros

  • Shampoo and conditioner combo
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Can straighten hair for up to two days
  • Smells excellent
  • Sulfate-free product
  • Affordably priced

Cons

  • Can make hair feel too greasy
  • Can dry hair too much

7.  Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo

There’s nothing like winning an award to prove that your product is indeed one of the best. The Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo has won awards such as the Best of Beauty Award (2011 and 2014) and The Coveter’s Luxury Beauty Awards. And if you’re still not convinced, you can test its effectiveness yourself.

This shampoo’s formulation revolves around olive extracts, which the company sources from Messina, Italy. This formulation not only does wonder in dealing with frizz but it also smooths hair in such a way that it’ll be easy to straighten.

Aside from that, the shampoo also contains great conditioning and moisturizing properties. But as is the case when it comes to hair straightening shampoos, increasing the amount or frequency could lead to dry hair.

Pros

  • Formulation based on Italian olive extracts
  • Multiple award-winning shampoos
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Does smoothen the hair
  • Sulfate-free product
  • Lasts a long time

Cons

  • Very expensive shampoo
  • Some people find the smell too artificial
  • Can dry the hair a bit too much
  • Low-quality packaging

8.  R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo

R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo

When it comes to hair products, you’ve got to trust the professionals. And here is a hair straightening shampoo made by professionals for professionals. A group of hairstylists decided to develop and create a professional-quality shampoo specifically for the media industry. And thus, R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo was born.

Everything has to look perfect when you’re in front of the camera  — from your clothes to your hair. And this straightening shampoo makes that too-good-to-be-true television hair a reality. It does a great job of handling frizz and flyaway hair, and it also makes straightening using a hairdryer and flat iron easier.

Not only that, but it also gives hair some shine and body. And who do we have to thank for that? Well, the glycerin, babassu seed oil, and juniper berry extract all play a vital role in this shampoo’s formulation.

Pros

  • Natural formulation
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Smoothens the hair
  • Smells amazing
  • Cruelty-free product
  • Lasts a long time

Cons

  • Very expensive shampoo
  • Can weigh down the hair a bit too much

9.  PURA D’OR Smoothing Therapy Anti-Frizz System

URA D’OR Smoothing Therapy Anti-Frizz System

Silicones may play a big role in straightening hair and removing frizz, but you can survive without it. Natural ingredients can still deliver the same results, albeit not as efficient.

For someone who tends to gravitate towards silicone-based shampoos, the difference may be quite visible. But testing out natural straightening shampoos is still worth a try. Yes, there may be a difference, but you also have to consider the health benefits that come with using a more natural formulation.

For this reason, the PURA D’OR Smoothing Therapy Anti-Frizz System has gained some popularity in the hair industry. What’s great about this system is that each component (shampoo, conditioner, and cream) works great on its own and even better as a team.

Pros

  • Shampoo, conditioner, & cream combo
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Doesn’t contain silicones
  • Contains natural ingredients
  • Lasts a long time
  • Bottles come with pumps

Cons

  • Can make hair feel too greasy
  • Doesn’t lather much
  • Some people may not like the smell

10. It’s A 10 Miracle Shampoo Plus Keratin

It’s A 10 Miracle Shampoo Plus Keratin

With the word “miracle” plastered on the label, you can only expect the best. And sure enough, this product delivers, especially when combating frizz and smoothing hair. Its strong formulation does a great job of creating microfilm around the individual hair shafts.

This microfilm locks out moisture and can even handle high humidity. Aside from that, it also offers some protection from the sun and its harmful UV rays.

It’s got a heavy, thick, and creamy consistency, plus a strong smell. But don’t be alarmed since the smell is actually quite nice. Strength of the smell aside, it’s got a very fresh and clean scent to it.

Pros

  • Formulation includes keratin
  • Deals with frizz well
  • Does smoothen the hair
  • Suitable for color and chemically treated hair
  • Lasts a long time
  • Affordably priced

Cons

  • Can make hair feel sticky, greasy, and oily
  • The smell may be a bit too strong
  • Very heavy consistency

What to look for in a hair straightening shampoo

What to look for in a hair straightening shampooThere are a lot of benefits that come with using hair straightening shampoos such as the following:

Hair straightening shampoos manage frizz and flyaway hair by leaving it smooth and silky, instead. Hair becomes lustrous and shiny, and the shampoo even makes it hard for knots and crimps to form in your hair, making it easy to detangle. It’ll make styling your hair with heated styling tools easier and quicker, lessening the possible damage from the heat. And it’ll be much help on days when you don’t have time to style since the straightening effects of these shampoos last longer.

But with so many hair products out there, it might be hard to distinguish which ones were specifically made to straighten hair and which ones just advertise it on the label. Well, fear not, because you’ll only need to take a look at the ingredients to find out. The ingredients are what make a difference, and here, we’ll discuss what you need to look for and what you need to avoid.

Silicone

If you ask a hair expert what the most important ingredient in a straightening shampoo is chances are they’ll say silicone. This is because silicone is one of the most effective in combating frizz. It also helps make hair more manageable and sleek.

How does it work exactly? Well, when applied to hair, it’ll surround each strand with a thin hydrophobic barrier which seals in the moisture. It’ll also smoothen and straighten the hair down to the cuticle. Silicone also helps heat from a styling tool reach the hair so that it’ll be much easier and quicker to style.

Why is it important to seal the moisture in and keep external moisture out? Well, hair strands that maintain this healthy balance of moisture are more likely to stay straight for longer.

One thing you should know about silicone, however, is that it is not just one thing. It’s actually an umbrella term and there are different types of silicone with names that typically end in “-cone,” “-conol,” and “-xane.” So don’t be alarmed if you don’t see the word “silicone” on your bottle because it just might be under a different name.

Keratin

The hair industry loves to talk about keratin and how amazing it is. But why is it so crucial? Well, it’s because keratin is the key protein making up human hair and nails.

It is essentially the building block for hair and a sufficient amount of keratin in hair will make it straight and healthy. It does this by nourishing the cuticle and relaxing it so it becomes strong and less prone to damage. Keratin also protects hair from heat damage, allowing hair to be properly straightened with a flat iron.

Additionally, keratin also has great conditioning properties, giving your hair that healthy glossy look. It also helps deal with frizz and flyaways, making hair more manageable.

Coconut and argan oil

Coconut and argan oilA healthy amount of oil in hair keeps it looking fresh and healthy. When the natural oils your scalp makes are not enough, you can definitely trust in oils, such as coconut and argan, to do the job for you. These oils make for great conditioning agents that help in the hair straightening process.

Certainly, there are different types of oil out there and a lot of them can be found in shampoo formulation. But coconut oil stands out because of its ability to go deep, nourishing the hair follicle from within and making the strands soft and well-moisturized. It is also effective in reducing split ends and combating frizz. Coconut oil makes for healthier hair that can be effortlessly straightened.

Argan oil is another type of oil commonly used in straightening shampoos and is often comparable to liquid gold in the hair industry. It has amazing conditioning properties and is packed with a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Argan oil makes hair soft and silky. And it also makes styling hair using heated tools much easier and quicker.

Artificial ingredients: yes or no?

It is a common belief that artificial products are more effective and deliver better results compared to their natural counterparts. However, the all-natural shampoo world has been challenging this notion in recent years. A lot of all-natural shampoos have gained a positive reputation for doing just as good a job or sometimes even better than the typical artificial shampoos.

For years, these artificial ingredients have been properly tried and tested, and even regulated by the concerned authorities. While all-natural shampoos may have a lot of benefits, artificial ones are just as safe for use.

Now, if you want to know whether one is greater than the other, there is no short answer. Often, the effectiveness of shampoo depends on the type of hair you have or other personal concerns that could affect it. Some products or ingredients — whether artificial or natural — might work for you, while others may not be as effective.

The key is to mix and match and see which ingredients work, and which don’t. When all else fails, look back at everything we’ve written so far. Take note of the ingredients we’ve chosen to highlight and the cons we’ve listed for each product. For example, some may prefer all-natural shampoos because they don’t have sulfates, which people with dyed hair typically avoid.

Keep in mind your specific hair scenario and see if any of the product’s concerns apply to you or if what they have to offer is just what you need.

Final thoughts


Proper hair care starts in the shower. Using the right shampoo makes all the difference. Luckily, the straightening shampoos we’ve listed above are sure to help you get those healthy straight locks.

How much they are able to straighten your hair often depends on the type of hair you have. But even so, these shampoos will certainly aid in preparing your hair for the straightening process. They’ll be able to give you a solid foundation to work on, and the rest can be up to flat irons.

If you’ve got a go-to straightening shampoo you’d absolutely vouch for, make sure to let us know by leaving a comment below sharing your experience. And if you don’t, we can guarantee that the Garnier Whole Blends Smoothing Shampoo will do wonders for your hair, so be sure to try it out!

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