Affordable Curly Girl Approved Shampoos and Conditioners | My Curly Girl Method Favorites

At this point, I’ve been following the Curly Girl Method for a year and a half, and I’ve tried my fair share of affordable curly girl approved products.

Because finding the best products can mean everything in the Curly Girl Method, I thought it was about time I did a round-up of my favorites.

I originally wanted this post to feature all of my favorite Curly Girl Approved products, but it was getting a little long, so I decided to split it up into two.

This post is all about my favorite Curly Girl Approved shampoos and conditioners. You can find my favorite affordable styling products here!

Now, the products in this post aren’t all my current favorites. As my hair’s needs have changed my favorites have changed as well. But all of my products have been favorites at some point in my curly curl journey.

So here you’ll find my favorite affordable curly girl approved shampoos and conditioners. I’ll also talk about why I liked them, when I used them, and what they did for my hair.

This page does contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using the product links on this page, I may get a small commission. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps keep this site running. Thank you!

Also, I follow the simplified version of the Curly Girl Method most directly derived from the Curly Girl Handbook. This means the only ingredients I look to avoid are sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols. If you have more ingredients that you look to avoid, it would be a good idea to check the ingredients for yourself before making a purchase.

Affordable Curly Girl Approved Shampoos

Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo

This shampoo was my first favorite sulfate-free shampoo. I used it when I was just starting the Curly Girl Method. It got my hair nice and clean without drying it out.

It’s still among my first recommendations to anyone starting the Curly Girl Method.

Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Shampoo

If you’re looking for a sulfate-free shampoo that’s made for curls, you can’t go wrong with Shea Moisture’s Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo. It both cleans and hydrates, and leaves hair soft and bouncy.

I picked this up solely because I’d heard good things about it, but I ended up really liking the product! And while I have a new favorite (which we’ll cover in a moment) I still really enjoyed how this shampoo made my hair look, feel, and smell.

TXTR by Cantu Soothing Shampoo

This became a favorite shampoo very quickly, and it’s also my current favorite! This is largely because of what it’s done for my dry scalp.

If you’ve read my dry scalp post, you know I struggled with a dry flaky scalp for most of my life, but it got a little more challenging to deal with once I started the Curly Girl Method and abandoned my sulfate scalp shampoo.

This shampoo worked magic on my scalp!

It’s formulated with tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar, which it goes a long way in cleaning my hair and soothing my scalp. I also love the targeted applicator! It makes it so easy to get the shampoo right on the scalp and not lost in the hair.

Affordable Curly Girl Approved Conditioners

Suave Essentials Tropical Coconut Conditioner

This is a Curly Girl classic for a reason! It’s super affordable and it can be used a co-wash, rinse-out conditioner, leave-in conditioner, or all of the above!

When I first started the Curly Girl Method, I used it as a co-wash only because it was a little too lightweight for my hair at the time. As my hair needed less moisture, it became my rinse out and leave-in as well.

Currently, it’s does everything for me, but sometimes when I need a little extra moisture, I’ll mix it with the following conditioner.

Tresemme Botanique, Nourish and Replenish

This is another Curly Girl classic. It’s the perfect starter rinse out conditioner. I’ve also used it as a leave-in when I was starting the Curly Girl Method and my hair needed a little bit of a heavier conditioner.

Today, it’s still a go-to for me. It’s good for days when the weather has my hair a little dryer or when I haven’t had time to deep condition. It always leaves my hair soft and hydrated with fabulous curls.

And like I said, I’ve also mixed it with the Suave to give my hair a little extra moisture when it needs it without overdoing it.

Not Your Mothers Naturals Tahitian Gardenia Flower and Mango Butter Curl Defining Conditioner

This conditioner is a good rinse out. It does a great job on the moisture and curl defining fronts, but where it really shines is with the fragrance.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like stronger smelling conditioners, this may not be for you. But if you love products that really make your hair fragrant, this is a conditioner to check out!

 Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Deep Conditioner

This was this first deep conditioner I used on the Curly Girl Method! It smells great, left my hair wonderfully soft and moisturized, and one container of this lasted 4-6 months.

And because it’s designed to strengthen and restore, it’s perfect for anyone new to the Curly Girl Method who may be dealing with more damaged hair.

Mielle Organics Deep Conditioner Babassu and Mint

I started using this conditioner when I was looking for a protein treatment and I love everything about it! Seriously, this stuff melts into my hair! The mint smells amazing and leaves my scalp a little tingly.

Typically, my hair is transformed after I deep condition with this product. My curls curl better, detangle easier, and stay soft and hydrated all day.

However, you have to be careful not to overdo it with protein. And if your hair is sensitive to protein, this may not be for you. But if you’re not protein sensitive, this is my favorite deep conditioner to recommend.

For more on curly hair and protein, check out this post!

Looking for more guidance on your curly hair journey?

For beginners

If you’re new to curly hair care and looking for some help, you should check out the No-Stress Guide to Curly Hair Care!

After spending two years learning and caring for my curly hair, I wanted to create my own, in-depth guide to help fellow curlies create incredible curls in the easiest way possible. 

It took me a while, but I eventually found an approach that helped me create a curly hair routine that fits into my life in the simplest way possible. And now I want to help you do the same!

For more intermediate/advanced guidance

If you’ve been on your curly hair journey for a while but still have some struggles, check out Curly Hair Problems!

After spending hours scouring the internet looking for solutions to my own curly hair problems, I found myself wishing for an easier, more comprehensive guide to the most common problems.

So that’s what I created!

Curly Hair Problems offers you 78 total solutions to the five most common curly hair care problems, including frizz, curl clumps, limp curls, product issues, and scalp issues.

Sound off: What are your favorite affordable Curly Girl Approved shampoo and conditioner? Tell us about it in the comments! And be sure to tell us a little bit about your hair type.