Living Proof Curl Shampoo review: could this redefine your curly hair?

Calling all curly hair girls – Living Proof’s Curl Shampoo is a must add to your basket.

One of seven products in the Curl range, it’s the first stage of the easy step by step process the brand has created for healthy, hydrated waves, curls and coils. I decided to give it a road test.

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• Living Proof Curl Shampoo, £31 from Cult Beauty – buy here

Pros

• Hydrating
• Easy to control the amount of product
• Leaves hair feeling clean but not stripped
• Formulated specifically for non-straight hair

Cons

• Expensive
• Doesn’t lather

Living Proof Curl Shampoo review: full review

As the name suggests, Living Proof has formulated this entire range with everyone who doesn’t have straight hair in mind; whether that’s a slight wave, beautiful, bouncy curls or naturally coily or afro hair, this range has got you covered.

I’ve got lots of fine, wavy hair that’s prone to getting a bit frizzy so finding products that work can be a mission.

Because of this, I wasn’t sure what to expect when the Curl Shampoo arrived at my door in an aesthetically pleasing, salmon pink, curvy bottle but I shouldn’t have worried — Living Proof is a brand that knows what it’s doing.

The shampoo itself is quite creamy and at first glance looks more like a conditioner but that’s because it’s packed full of hydrating ingredients to nourish curly hair, which can get notoriously dry.

It has a top that clicks open with a push so you can’t use too much shampoo by accident, which is something I’ve definitely fallen foul of a number of times with bottles that have more open tops.

Because of its thicker texture, it doesn’t lather like a shampoo might normally, which is a little strange at first, but that didn’t impact how clean my hair felt once I’d rinsed the product out.

And while my hair did feel very clean, it didn’t feel like it had been stripped of all its natural goodness, which can be a side effect of cheaper shampoos. In this instance, I was delighted my hair didn’t feel squeaky clean.

In fact, my hair felt healthier after I’d used the shampoo, just like the Living Proof website promised.

It washed out easily without leaving residue on my scalp, so my hair felt cleaner for longer which is a real plus for curly hair generally because it means more time between wash days.

I used this shampoo about twice a week on my wavy hair and I probably could have left it longer, because it did such a good job of keeping greasiness at bay.

The scent of any hair product is always important and very personal, so the sweetness of this shampoo might not be to everyone’s taste.

But it’s not overpowering and lingered softly on my hair for the whole day after I had finished my shower.

The biggest consideration with this shampoo is its price tag. It’s very much on the luxe end costing £31 for a 340ml bottle.

But because you can control how much product you’re using with ease it does last. I’ve been using it for months alongside the conditioner and have had a really thorough cleanse each time.

And the condition of my hair is stellar; after each wash it feels hydrated and my waves look more defined.

In classic Living Proof fashion, the company has put in the research to make a range that really works and has taken the time to make it easy to use as well, with handy graphics letting you know whether the product has been formulated for wavy, curly or coily hair.

This gets a big tick from me and whether you have soft waves like me or curly hair, this shampoo is definitely worth a go.

Enjoyed this review? Check out our full roundup of the best shampoos to buy now.

Or if you’re looking for a vegan alternative read our reviews of the best vegan shampoos here.

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