IS SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO RIGHT FOR YOU? ANSWER THESE 5 QUESTIONS TO FIND OUT.

If you answered yes, sulfate-free is likely the way to go.

If you introduce sulfate shampoo into the curly-picture, you may be making the situation worse, since sulfate lifts the hair cuticle, making it more likely to frizz. In this scenario, a shampoo without sulfate is best since it won’t strip hair of as much moisture as a regular shampoo would.

The Redken Curvaceous line features three sulfate-free cleansing haircare products for different curl types. Redken Curvaceous Anti-Frizz Perfecting Lotion and Redken Curvaceous No Foam Highly Conditioning Cleanser both offer rich hydration and frizz control, making them ideal for curly hair or spiral hair.

Photo Credit: @amiechandelle

If yes, keep your new haircolor intact with a no-sulfate shampoo.

If you come across a shampoo for color-treated hair, chances are, it will be sulfate-free. Color-treated hair is BFFs with sulfate free shampoo for two main reasons:

1. After a haircoloring service your hair may be drier than usual. A sulfate-free shampoo, however, won’t dry your hair out as much as a sulfate shampoo would.

2. Since sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are so gentle, they’re less likely to wash away your hair dye.

If it is, you may want to skip the sulfate!

If you have hair that feels dry and rough, as opposed to smooth and soft, when you run your fingers down the length of the hair, then you probably have coarse hair. This type of hair can also benefit from shampoo without sulfate since a no sulfate shampoo won’t rid your hair of all its moisture. The natural oils on your head can travel down your hair to provide hydration.

Another alternative to using a shampooing without sulfate is co-washing, a technique where you use a conditioner with a shampoo to cleanse your hair.

You can also switch between your regular, traditional shampoo and a cleansing conditioner to get the best of both worlds—clean locks and moisturized hair. Cleansing conditioners gently cleanses while deeply conditioning the hair to fight frizz.

If so, say no to shampoos with sulfates.

On the other end of the spectrum, if your hair is fragile or damaged, a sulfate free shampoo will be gentle enough to not make the situation worse, so whatever moisture you have left on your hair, you get to keep. To strengthen hair after you shampoo, consider Redken's Extreme haircare range, which works to repair hair by bringing protein to hair’s core.

If yes, opt for a sulfate-free shampoo.

You may be able to skip daily shampoos because your hair doesn’t make a lot of natural oil; thus, you can get by with a milder shampoo. You may want to use a cleansing conditioner alongside your sulfate-free shampoo as it will give you the extra conditioning you may need to make up for the loss of oil.

Additionally, to battle the oiliness you may have between shampoos, go for a dry shampoo to soak up grease at the roots. Redken's Dry Shampoo Powder 02, features charcoal to absorb grease for a matte finish, it also adds volume and texture to hair. Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender Dry Shampoo also mattifies oily roots, and can even be used to make hair less slippery for updos.