Native Curl Care Shampoo Reviews: Is It Worth It?

We have all been there—standing in the hair care aisle, staring at a wall of bottles, completely overwhelmed. You see the sleek, minimalist bottle of Native Curl Care Shampoo. It looks good. It smells absolutely incredible, like a tropical vacation in a bottle. But does it actually work for curls? I was exactly where you are, skeptical but hopeful, clutching that beige bottle and wondering if I was about to waste twenty bucks or find my holy grail.

If you are tired of shampoos that either strip your hair like dish soap or leave it feeling like a grease pit, this might be the balanced cleanse you’ve been hunting for. But it’s not perfect. If you want to know if this trendy, “clean beauty” favorite can actually handle the complexity of real-life curls before you commit, you need to read this. I’m going to break down everything—the good, the bad, and the frustrating pump—so you can decide if Native is worthy of your wash day.

My Experience With Native Curl Care Shampoo

Let’s be real: wash day is a chore. It’s an event.

I don’t just hop in the shower; I plan my entire evening around it.

My hair is a mix of 2C waves and 3A curls, which means it’s picky.

It gets dry at the ends but can get greasy at the roots if I look at it wrong.

I had seen Native all over social media, mostly for their deodorant, but when I saw they launched a specific “Curl Care” line with Coconut Milk and Turmeric, I was intrigued.

The packaging claimed simple ingredients, no sulfates, and no parabens. It sounded like exactly what my sensitive scalp needed.

I bought the shampoo and the matching conditioner. The first thing that hit me when I popped the cap in the shower was the scent. Oh my god, the scent. It is warm, sweet, and creamy—definitely coconut-forward but with a little spicy warmth from the turmeric. It didn’t smell chemical or fake; it smelled like a high-end spa. Honestly, just for the aromatherapy experience alone, I was already halfway sold.

I wet my hair and went in for the first lather. Now, usually, sulfate-free shampoos are a disappointment in the suds department. You scrub and scrub and get… nothing. But Native surprised me. It lathered up surprisingly well. It felt rich and slippery, not like a stripping detergent. I could actually work my fingers through my roots without it feeling like straw. It felt luxurious, almost like a co-wash but with more cleansing power.

However, the rinsing process was where I noticed something interesting. My hair felt soft, which is good, but almost… too soft? It didn’t have that “squeaky clean” feeling. For some curly girls, that’s a blessing. For me, I was a little worried it was leaving a film. Once I dried my hair (diffused, low heat), my curls were definitely defined and shiny. They looked hydrated. But by day three, my roots were heavier than usual. I realized this isn’t a shampoo for a “lazy” wash; you have to really rinse it out.

The biggest hiccup? The pump. I spent a solid five minutes in the shower, soaking wet, wrestling with the bottle trying to get the pump to pop up. I was twisting it every which way, cursing under my breath. I eventually just unscrewed the whole top and dumped it into my hand. I later learned there’s a trick to it (which I’ll share in the maintenance section), but in that moment, it was a serious buzzkill. Despite the pump drama, the actual formula left my hair feeling healthier and less frizzy than my usual drugstore brand. It wasn’t a miracle cure for all my hair woes, but it felt like a solid step up in quality.

Also read: My Thoughts on Sweet Relief Hair Support

Pros Of Native Curl Care Shampoo

• Exceptional Scent Profile That Lingers: This is arguably the biggest selling point for the brand. The Coconut Milk & Turmeric scent is genuinely delightful. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet and earthy. Unlike many fruit-scented shampoos that smell like cheap candy, this has a sophisticated, layered fragrance. It makes the shower experience feel indulgent. Better yet, the scent actually lingers on your hair. I caught whiffs of warm coconut throughout the next day, which made me feel fresh even after a gym session. If you are someone who values fragrance as a key part of your beauty routine, this product delivers a 10/10 experience.
• Surprising Lather For A Sulfate-Free Formula: If you have been part of the “clean beauty” movement for a while, you know the struggle of sulfate-free shampoos. They often feel like rubbing lotion on your head—no bubbles, no satisfaction. Native has managed to formulate this with cleansers derived from plant oils that actually create a rich, satisfying foam. This is huge because that foam helps you track where you’ve cleaned. You don’t end up using half the bottle just to feel like you’ve covered your whole scalp. It gives you the sensory satisfaction of a traditional shampoo without the harsh stripping effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
• Clean Ingredient List You Can Actually Read: Native prides itself on simplicity, and they print the ingredient list with explanations of what each ingredient actually does right on the back of the bottle. It is free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, and dyes. For curly hair, avoiding silicones is often crucial because they can build up and block moisture. By using plant-derived cleansers and simple moisturizers, it respects the delicate nature of curly hair. I felt much better knowing I wasn’t coating my scalp in harsh chemicals that could cause long-term irritation or dryness.
• Provides noticeable Hydration And Slip: The “slip” of a shampoo refers to how easily your fingers glide through your hair while washing. This shampoo has excellent slip. It didn’t tangle my hair up into a bird’s nest while I was scrubbing. The inclusion of moisturizing agents meant that my hair felt detangled even before I applied conditioner. This is a massive pro for anyone with Type 3 or Type 4 hair who dreads the detangling process. It starts the moisturizing process at the cleansing stage, rather than waiting for the conditioner to do all the heavy lifting.

Cons Of Native Curl Care Shampoo

• The Infamous Pump Mechanism Failure: This is the single most common complaint you will find online, and I experienced it firsthand. The pump design is notoriously difficult to unlock. Many users report twisting it endlessly without it ever popping up. It seems like a small manufacturing defect, but when you are wet, naked, and blind without your glasses in the shower, it is a major annoyance. It forces many people to unscrew the cap and pour the product out, which leads to product waste and makes the bottle slippery and hard to handle. For a brand that focuses on user experience, this mechanical failure is a significant oversight.
• Can Be Heavy For Fine or Wavy Hair: While it is marketed for curls, “curls” is a broad category. If you have fine hair with a wave (Type 2A or 2B) or low-porosity hair, this formula might be too rich for you. The moisturizing ingredients that are great for thick, thirsty coils can weigh down finer strands, leading to a loss of volume. I noticed that on days when I wanted a lot of root volume, this shampoo made my hair lie a bit flatter than I liked. It can leave a feeling of being “over-moisturized” or slightly coated if your hair isn’t dry enough to absorb all the oils.
• Not A True Clarifying Shampoo: Because it is so gentle and moisturizing, it struggles to remove heavy product buildup. If you use heavy gels, waxes, or a lot of dry shampoo throughout the week, Native might not be strong enough to break all of that down in one wash. You might find that your scalp still feels a bit “lived in” rather than deeply scrubbed. Over time, this can lead to buildup on the scalp, which might cause itchiness or dullness. You cannot rely on this as your only shampoo if you are a heavy styling product user; you will need to rotate in a stronger cleanser occasionally.
• Potential For Residue Or “Waxy” Feel: Some users report a waxy texture left on the hair after rinsing. This often happens with “natural” shampoos that use alternative surfactants. If you don’t rinse thoroughly—and I mean really thoroughly—the product can cling to the hair shaft. This residue can make curls look stringy or undefined once they dry. It requires a bit more water and manual agitation to rinse out completely compared to a standard drugstore shampoo that washes away instantly. If you have hard water at home, this issue can be exacerbated, leaving your hair feeling tacky.

Maintenance Tips For Native Curl Care Shampoo

• How To Finally Fix The Broken Pump: If you are stuck with a pump that won’t pop, do not throw the bottle across the room. Here is the fix that worked for me: The pump consists of a moving top part and a collar that screws onto the bottle. You need to grip the collar (the part right below the pump head) extremely tightly with one hand—use a towel or rubber band if you need grip. Then, twist the pump head counter-clockwise with force. The key is ensuring the collar below it does not spin. If the collar spins with the pump, it will never unlock. You have to create resistance. Once I figured this out, I could open it every time, but it requires a firm grip.
• Rotate With A Clarifying Wash: Since we established that this shampoo is very gentle and potentially heavy, you need to incorporate a “reset” wash into your routine. I recommend using a dedicated clarifying shampoo (one with stronger cleansers or tea tree oil) once every 3 to 4 washes. This will strip away any buildup from your styling products and any residue left behind by the moisturizing agents in the Native shampoo. This “sandwich” method ensures your scalp stays healthy and breathable while still getting the moisture benefits of Native for the majority of your washes.
• Emulsify In Your Hands First: Don’t just squirt the shampoo directly onto your scalp. This formula is thick and creamy. You should pump it into your palms and rub your hands together vigorously to “emulsify” it before applying. This activates the lather and spreads the product out. This makes it much easier to distribute evenly across your scalp. If you apply a glob directly to the top of your head, it’s harder to spread, and you’ll end up with a concentrated patch that is hard to rinse out, leading to that greasy spot problem.
• Rinse Longer Than You Think Is Necessary: Because of the plant-based oils and the lack of harsh stripping agents, this shampoo clings to the hair a bit more than you might be used to. When you think you are done rinsing, stay under the water for another 30 seconds. Gently scrub your scalp while the water runs over it to physically lift the product off. This extra time is crucial to preventing the “waxy” feeling and ensuring your volume isn’t killed by leftover shampoo weight.
• Pair With The Matching Conditioner (But Use Sparingly): The Native Curl Care Conditioner is designed to work with the shampoo, and they do share the same scent and ingredient philosophy. However, the conditioner is very rich. If you are using the shampoo, your hair is already getting some moisture. When applying the conditioner, keep it strictly to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. Do not put it near your roots. Since the shampoo is already hydrating, adding conditioner to your roots is a recipe for flat, greasy hair by noon. Let the shampoo handle the scalp, and let the conditioner handle the dry tips.

Read more: My Thoughts on Biogaia Protectis Baby Probiotic Drops

Comparison With Other Brands

Native vs. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus

Shea Moisture is the heavyweight champion of the drugstore curly aisle. When you compare Native to the classic Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo, the biggest difference is the “weight” of the product. Shea Moisture is significantly heavier. It is packed with Shea Butter, Neem Oil, and Silk Protein. It is fantastic for thick, thirsty, Type 4 coils that need serious oil. However, for looser curls or waves, Shea Moisture can be too heavy and leave hair looking greasy. Native is much lighter. It provides moisture, but it feels more like a “cleanse” and less like a “cream.” The scent of Shea Moisture is also very distinct—sweet and floral—whereas Native is more gourmand and spicy-coconut. If you have fine strands, go with Native. If you have thick, coarse coils, stick with Shea Moisture.

Native vs. Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo

Cantu is the budget-friendly option that many of us started our natural hair journey with. The Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo is known for being very effective at removing buildup—sometimes too effective. Many users find Cantu to be a bit drying over time, even though it is sulfate-free. It has a stronger cleaning action than Native. Native feels more “premium” and gentle. You can feel the difference in the ingredients; Native feels smoother and less chemical-laden. Cantu’s scent is a very strong, artificial pineapple-coconut smell that some people love and others find overpowering. Native’s scent is more subtle and sophisticated. If you are on a strict budget, Cantu works, but if you can afford the extra few dollars, Native offers a gentler, more hydrating wash that is less likely to dry out your ends.

Native vs. Monday Haircare

Monday Haircare is another brand you’ll see right next to Native on the shelf, boasting similar minimalist, pink aesthetic packaging. Monday is often criticized for being essentially “detergent in a pretty bottle.” While their bottles look great on Instagram, their formulas often contain sulfates (in some lines) or preservatives that are harsher than Native’s. Monday’s “Moisture” line is comparable, but Native’s ingredient profile is generally cleaner and more transparent. Native is specifically formulated for the needs of curly hair (avoiding silicones), whereas Monday often includes silicones (Dimethicone) in their conditioners, which can coat the hair and prevent moisture absorption over time. If you are following the Curly Girl Method or trying to avoid silicones, Native is the safer bet over Monday.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So, is Native Curl Care Shampoo worth it? After emptying the bottle, I can say: yes, but with managed expectations. It is an excellent “daily driver” for someone with Type 2C to 3B curls who wants a clean, good-smelling product that won’t break the bank or strip their hair. It offers a luxurious shower experience and respectful ingredients.

However, if you have extremely fine hair, you might find it too heavy, and if you have extremely coarse Type 4 hair, you might find it not moisturizing enough. And yes, you will probably have to fight the pump. But for the price point and the quality of the ingredients, it is a solid upgrade from the standard chemical-heavy drugstore brands. If you are ready to smell like a tropical goddess and give your curls a gentle, hydrating wash, grab a bottle. Just remember to grip that collar tight when you open it!