8 Best Shampoos for Wavy Hair to Boost Volume and Definition

05.09.2026, 15:17 allure.com

If you have naturally wavy hair that falls flat by midday—or just fails to hold any shape whatsoever—you might need to rethink how you’re washing. The best shampoos for wavy hair can be crucial when it comes to bringing life back into your strands. And while many shampoos these days are finally easing up on the harsh, oil-stripping cleansing agents (bye, sulfates!) and replacing them with more nourishing ingredients, the ratio isn't always quite right for waves.

Unlike curls and coils, wavy hair typically benefits from lightweight hydration—emphasis on “lightweight”—to maintain its pattern. In this case, "more moisture isn’t always better,” says Joseph Chase, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles. “The right amount of moisture is what gives you softness and definition.” In other words, wavy hair is like the Goldilocks of hair types: It needs just enough moisture to reduce frizz and add shine, but not so much that it weighs down, flattens, or stretches out waves.

The right shampoo for wavy hair sets you up for an effective and low-maintenance hair-care routine that’s tailored to your texture. Whether you’re in need of a deep cleanse or hoping to add more volume, scroll ahead for tried-and-true shampoos for wavy hair that will keep your pattern defined and full of bounce.

Living Proof

Amazon

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Wavy hair requires a shampoo that meets it in the middle—namely, a formula that balances cleansing oily roots and lightly hydrating lengths without affecting its natural pattern. That’s where Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo shines. The formula (which has taken home both Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice Awards, no big deal) mimics the key benefits of silicone—like softness, shine, to name a few—without actually using any silicone.

That leaves strands noticeably fresher and fuller, adding more movement without the heavy feel and buildup that can accompany silicones. “This gives you that balance: hair feels clean and light while staying soft and moving,” Chase says. Bonus: Its rich, satisfying lather has a light citrus scent to make wash days feel just a little more elevated.

More to know

Joico

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: Lightweight hydration might be the name of the game, but if your waves are especially fine or thin, you might need to skip some of the more moisturizing ingredients. The Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo swaps the usual suspects for keratin (a protective protein) and natural hydrators like coconut water and sea kelp to replenish dry hair while thoroughly cleansing it.

In other words, it's a happy medium: “It's less rich than a shampoo for coarser hair, but it still adds all the moisture the hair needs so the finer waves stay light, defined, and bouncy,” says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Rikke Gajda. The formula also relies on a liposome delivery system (which encapsulates some of the active ingredients) to continuously release rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin throughout the day, locking in shine and smoothness long after you rinse.

More to know

Briogeo

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Sephora

Why we love it: IYKYK: Frizz control starts with your shampoo, which acts as the first step to resolving drynessBriogeo's Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Avocado Hydrating Shampoo is packed with amino acids, tomato fruit extract, and vitamin E to smooth dry cuticles and improve your natural texture, while shea butter and avocado oil leave waves soft and moisturized. “This is going to be great for a wavy-haired person who doesn't necessarily need more volume, but wants their waves to look healthier and more defined,” says New York City-based colorist Tiffanie Richards.

Translation: It defines and enhances the pattern you already have, so your waves (and curls) look smoother and more polished. For even bouncier curl definition, our editors love pairing the shampoo with the Curl Charisma Rice Amino & Shea Curl Defining Conditioner.

More to know

Amika

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Sephora

Why we love it: Just as with curly hair, wavy hair is prone to frizz—though usually to a lesser extent. To stop it before it starts, lather with Amika’s Forget Frizz Anti-Frizz Shampoo. Its texture is "slightly on the richer side, so it's amazing for thicker hair because it locks in moisture," Connecticut-based hairstylist Taylor Murphy previously explained to Allure. The sulfate-free shampoo starts with a satisfying trio of sea buckthorn, coconut oil, and water lily extract that nourish from scalp-to-ends, helping to restore shine and make hair easier to style. It’ll keep you covered even on rainy days, with a ‘humidity shield’ technology that blocks humidity and creates a silky barrier over strands.

More to know

Ouai

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Sephora

Why we love it: If greasy strands or buildup-laden roots are weighing your hair down, Ouai’s Detox Shampoo is a go-to for bringing the bounce back to waves that have fallen. It breaks down dirt, product buildup, and grime with apple cider vinegar, which acts as an astringent. For those living in an area with hard water, the formula also consists of chelating agents—ingredients that latch onto hard-water minerals so you can rinse them out—to remove impurities that might be “preventing your waves from absorbing hydration,” Richards says.

Hydrolyzed keratin, meanwhile, fills in the gaps in the cuticle by improving elasticity and damage caused by daily styling, heat, and environmental stressors. Because it’s a deep-cleaning formula, Richards recommends washing with the shampoo just a few times a month—just be sure to follow with a moisturizing treatment after to keep waves soft.

More to know

Kérastase

Amazon

Sephora

Why we love it: When waves start to thin out—whether due to age, postpartum hair loss, or genetic hair loss—they can lose their natural pattern and definition, causing roots to go flat fast. Kérastase’s Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo can help, balancing a deep cleanse with density-boosting (and hydrating) ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and gluco-peptides, to plump the cuticle and reduce breakage from root-to-tip.

The gel texture lightly clarifies the scalp and volumizes the roots with the help of salicylic and glutamic acids. The result? Hair appears “fuller and stronger without coating it or weighing it down,” says Chase, so strands appear fuller and thicker. The notes of bergamot, pink mint, cedar, and musk turn this thinning hair treatment into a luxury form of self-care.

More to know

Shu Uemura

Amazon

Sephora

Why we love it: Dry waves need moisture to thrive, but too much can make them go limp. If that sounds familiar, Michelle Hong, a New York City-based colorist, calls Shu Uemura’s Urban Moisture Deep Hydration Shampoo her go-to for dry, frizz-prone waves. Think of it as an instant hydration boost with protective benefits: The formula relies on humectants (like glycerin and propylene glycol) to help attract and retain moisture levels, as well as antioxidants (such as moringa oil) to protect against environmental stressors, including heat and pollution, that can cause incidental dryness. Another plus: If your hair is dry from color processing, this shampoo is also color-safe.

More to know

Wella Professionals

Amazon

Ulta Beauty (Shampoo)

Ulta Beauty (Conditioner)

Why we love it: For color-treated waves, the Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Shampoo targets damage—both from heat and chemical processes—without disrupting your color. The formula leaves a clean slate with clarifying acids— a BHA (salicylic acid) and an AHA (malic acid)—to clear away any build up on the scalp, and strengthens with omega-9 (oleic acid) to support healthier waves from root-to-tip. It also includes the brand’s Metal Purifier technology to detox hard water buildup and harmful impurities (metal deposits, pollution, and grime) contributing to dull and damaged hair. And when paired with its matching conditioner, this moisturizing shampoo and conditioner duo leaves color-treated waves softer and more manageable.

Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han

“I'm always on the lookout for shampoos and conditioners that intensely hydrate my dry, brittle, and partially color-treated hair without stripping too much of said color—emphasis on the last part! So I was pleasantly surprised when my pale pink stayed intact. (I have a color-depositing shampoo that I use occasionally, but I'm trying to rely on it less.) This Wella duo initially stood out because of its AHAs, which I suspected would be a great clarifying treatment for my scalp, especially as someone who sometimes only washes her hair once a week. (Time flies, ok!) The conditioner also has AHAs, which help repair strands from within the shaft. My hair feels extra soft—softer than it does with other shampoos and conditioners, or even hair masks, I swear—the next morning, so consider me impressed. Thank you, AHAs!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor

More to know

Eva NYC

Ulta Beauty

Why we love it: If you’re a diehard daily hair-washer (we exist!), good news: Eva NYC’s Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo is gentle enough for everyday use. Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands. The formula is also packed with moisture-binding ingredients, including sodium lactate, PCA, and sodium PCA, alongside conditioning polymers that boost shine, softness, and manageability. Dryness? Never heard of her.

Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann

"With curly hair, it's often recommended to wash your hair less frequently to preserve moisture and prevent drying out your already fragile strands. I try my best to adhere to an every two- or three-day schedule, but when life calls for frequent washing, I reach for Eva NYC's Take Care Healthy Hair Shampoo. It's a no-frills formula in the best way—just a solid, gentle cleanse. My hair is pretty fine and easily weighed down, so