NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser 945ml Shampoo

NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser 945ml Shampoo — image 1
80%
20%
78%
Cleansing Effectiveness
88%
Moisture Retention
91%
Detangling Performance
73%
Scalp Health
82%
Value for Money
89%
Ingredient Quality
84%
Scent Experience
76%
Texture & Consistency
86%
Color-Treated Hair Suitability
74%
Ease of Use
61%
Packaging & Portability
67%
Hair Porosity Compatibility
93%
CGM Compliance
More

Overview

NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser 945ml Shampoo is not a shampoo in the way most people think of one — there's no lather, no detergent, and no stripping. Carlos Flores built the NYC Curls brand around the Curly Girl Method, and this co-wash reflects that philosophy entirely. It functions as a cleansing conditioner: you work it through wet hair, let it do its thing, and rinse without expecting suds. The 945ml bottle is a practical choice for anyone who co-washes frequently, offering meaningfully better value per ounce than the smaller size. Think of it less as a shampoo swap and more as a full rethinking of how you clean your hair.

Features & Benefits

The formula skips sulfates, silicones, and parabens entirely, which means it cleans without pulling moisture from your strands or leaving behind buildup that blocks hydration. Mint oil, vitamin E, and aloe are doing real work here — the mint keeps the scalp feeling refreshed, while the aloe and vitamin E support softness and reduce breakage over time. One underrated aspect is the slip: this co-wash gives you enough glide to work through knots during the wash, which cuts down on mechanical damage before you even reach for a wide-tooth comb. The ginger, citrus, and tea scent is essential-oil-based and pleasantly subtle rather than artificially sweet. Color-safe and vegan-certified, it covers a lot of boxes without compromising on ingredient integrity.

Best For

This curl cleanser is an obvious fit for anyone already following the Curly Girl Method, but it also makes sense for people just starting to question whether sulfate shampoos are working against their hair. If your strands lean dry, porous, or color-treated, the gentle cleansing approach here can make a noticeable difference in retained moisture between wash days. Wavy types through tightly coiled textures can all use this — though results do vary by porosity, so low-porosity hair may need an occasional clarifying wash to prevent soft buildup. The large bottle is especially practical for frequent co-washers or households with multiple curly-haired users who want to stretch their cost per wash.

User Feedback

Across buyer reviews, detangling ease and softness come up most consistently as wins — people with 3b through 4c curl patterns in particular seem to notice a real reduction in wash-day knots. The scent also earns consistent praise for being pleasant without being overpowering. That said, not every experience is glowing. A handful of users, especially those transitioning from sulfate shampoos, report a greasy or weighed-down feel in the first few weeks as their scalp adjusts. Some with finer or low-porosity hair find they need a clarifying shampoo every few weeks to reset. Opinions on value are mixed too — most feel the large bottle justifies its price, but a few prefer pairing this co-wash with a separate conditioner rather than relying on it alone.

#Shampoos
#Shampoo & Conditioner
#Hair Care
#Beauty & Personal Care

Pros

  • Cleans effectively without stripping moisture, leaving curls noticeably softer after each wash.
  • The built-in slip makes detangling during the wash significantly easier, reducing mid-shower breakage.
  • Ginger, citrus, and tea scent is subtle and natural — it does not linger in an overwhelming way.
  • Fully CGM-compliant with no sulfates, silicones, or parabens — no ingredient-checking required.
  • Color-safe formula means dyed or highlighted hair can be washed without accelerating fade.
  • The 945ml size delivers strong value for frequent co-washers compared to smaller bottles.
  • Mint oil gives a refreshing scalp sensation that feels cleansing even without lather.
  • Works across curl types from 2a waves to 4c coils, making it genuinely versatile.
  • Vegan and cruelty-free — a meaningful factor for ethically-minded buyers.
  • Aloe and vitamin E contribute to long-term hydration benefits beyond just wash-day softness.

Cons

  • Low-porosity hair types often experience buildup within a few weeks, requiring a clarifying reset.
  • The adjustment period when switching from sulfate shampoos can last several weeks and feel greasy.
  • Not powerful enough to deep-cleanse after heavy styler use — a separate clarifying shampoo is still needed.
  • Fine or thin hair textures may find the creamy formula too rich, leading to limp-looking results.
  • The no-lather experience can feel psychologically unsatisfying for users conditioned to expect suds.
  • Works best paired with a separate conditioner for very dry or coily hair, adding to overall routine cost.
  • The large bottle is bulky and heavy, which can be awkward to handle in a small shower.
  • Scent, while pleasant to many, may not suit those sensitive to essential oil-based fragrances.
  • Results vary noticeably by porosity level — some buyers are disappointed without understanding why.

Ratings

NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser 945ml Shampoo has been evaluated by our AI system after analyzing thousands of verified global buyer reviews, with spam, incentivized submissions, and bot activity actively filtered out to reflect authentic user experiences. The scores below represent a balanced picture — where this co-wash genuinely excels and where it falls short depending on hair type, porosity, and routine.

Cleansing Effectiveness
78%
22%
For people with medium to high porosity curls who wash every two to three days, this co-wash removes everyday buildup and environmental residue effectively without the harshness of a traditional shampoo. The scalp-massaging technique it encourages also improves circulation and feels genuinely refreshing.
Users who rely on heavier styling products — like butters, thick creams, or oil-based sealants — consistently report that this cleanser does not fully remove buildup on its own. After extended use, many need a clarifying shampoo to reset, which undermines the all-in-one appeal.
Moisture Retention
88%
This is where the co-wash earns its strongest reviews. Curly and coily hair types, particularly those in the 3b to 4b range, consistently report that their hair feels softer and more pliable after switching from sulfate shampoos, with less post-wash dryness and reduced need for heavy leave-ins.
Results are noticeably less impressive for low-porosity hair, where the cream formula tends to sit on top of the strand rather than penetrating it. A small but vocal group of reviewers found their hair paradoxically felt dryer over time, likely due to product layering on a closed cuticle.
Detangling Performance
91%
The slip this co-wash provides during the wash is one of its most praised qualities across all curl types. Users with 4c hair particularly highlight how much easier their wash-day detangling sessions become, with noticeably fewer knots and significantly reduced mid-shower breakage compared to shampooing first.
A handful of users with very fine wavy hair found the slip too intense — hair felt almost too coated, making it harder to gauge actual curl definition until fully dry. The detangling benefit is largely texture-dependent and is less pronounced for 2a and 2b wave patterns.
Scalp Health
73%
27%
The mint oil delivers a refreshing, cooling sensation that many users describe as genuinely cleansing even without lather — a psychological and physical win for people anxious about scalp hygiene. Aloe in the formula also helps soothe itchiness for those with mild dryness or sensitivity.
A recurring concern is scalp buildup developing after consistent use over several weeks, especially for those with oilier roots or low-porosity hair. The transition period from sulfate shampoos can also produce excess sebum for up to a month, which some buyers found uncomfortable enough to abandon the product before fully adjusting.
Value for Money
82%
18%
The 945ml size offers a meaningful saving per ounce compared to the smaller bottle, and for co-washers who wet their hair multiple times a week, the bottle lasts considerably longer than a standard shampoo would. Many multi-bottle households find this size especially cost-efficient.
The upfront price point gives some buyers pause, particularly those who are not yet sure whether co-washing suits their hair. A few reviewers also note that because the cream formula requires a relatively generous application to work properly, the bottle runs out faster than expected for very thick or long hair.
Ingredient Quality
89%
The ingredient profile is genuinely clean by most clean-beauty standards — free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, and animal-derived ingredients. For buyers following strict CGM guidelines or managing sensitive scalps, the absence of these ingredients removes a lot of the usual label-checking anxiety.
The essential oil blend in the fragrance, while natural, is still an active fragrance component that can irritate people with essential oil sensitivities. A fragrance-free version does not currently exist, which is a meaningful gap for buyers with reactive scalps who otherwise love the formula.
Scent Experience
84%
The ginger, citrus, and tea blend is frequently described as one of the most pleasant scents in the co-wash category — warm and grounded rather than the artificially fruity or floral profiles common in drugstore alternatives. Most users say it dissipates cleanly after rinsing without lingering artificially.
A small percentage of buyers find the ginger note too sharp or headache-inducing during a long wash session in an enclosed shower. Those who are sensitive to essential oils specifically — as opposed to synthetic fragrances — should be aware this product does contain active aromatic compounds.
Texture & Consistency
76%
24%
The thick cream texture makes it easy to section and apply to dry or wet hair without dripping, which users with long, dense curl patterns especially appreciate. It spreads with enough coverage that most people feel confident they have reached the scalp without overloading the lengths.
The same richness that benefits dry, dense textures can feel excessive and hard to rinse thoroughly from fine or thin hair. Some wavy-hair users reported needing multiple rinses to feel product-free, which adds time to a wash routine that was supposed to feel simpler.
Color-Treated Hair Suitability
86%
Feedback from color-treated users is largely positive — most report that their dye or balayage lasts longer between touch-ups after switching to this co-wash from a sulfate shampoo. The lack of harsh detergents is a genuine benefit for maintaining vibrancy in chemically processed hair.
A small number of users with very light or porous bleached hair found that even this gentle formula seemed to subtly affect tone over repeated use, though it is difficult to separate the co-wash itself from other routine variables like water hardness or heat styling.
Ease of Use
74%
26%
Once users understand the no-lather method — applying generously, massaging the scalp, combing through, then rinsing — most find the routine straightforward and even quicker than a traditional shampoo-plus-condition routine. The wide bottle opening also makes dispensing easy.
The learning curve for first-time co-washers is a real barrier. Multiple reviewers admit they initially used too little product or rinsed too quickly, got poor results, and nearly gave up before understanding the correct application technique. Better usage guidance included with the product would help.
Packaging & Portability
61%
39%
The large bottle is well-suited for home use and stays stable in the shower without tipping easily. The dispensing opening is wide enough for the cream formula to come out without squeezing aggressively, which users appreciate when their hands are already wet.
At 2.2 pounds full, the 945ml bottle is heavy and bulky — completely impractical for travel and awkward in smaller showers or minimalist shower caddies. There is no pump attachment available, which can make controlled dispensing messy, particularly for users managing thick, long hair.
Hair Porosity Compatibility
67%
33%
For medium to high porosity hair, this co-wash performs reliably well — the creamy formula absorbs reasonably and provides consistent hydration results across multiple wash cycles. Coily hair types in the high-porosity range tend to see the most dramatic improvement in softness and manageability.
Low-porosity hair is genuinely underserved by this formula. The rich cream does not easily penetrate a tightly closed cuticle, leaving product sitting on the surface and causing buildup over time. This is arguably the most significant limitation of the product and one that the brand does not adequately communicate.
CGM Compliance
93%
This co-wash consistently passes CGM ingredient checkers without issue, covering all the major exclusions the method requires. For followers of the Curly Girl Method who are tired of reading labels obsessively, the clean bill of ingredients is a genuine time-saver and stress-reducer.
The only minor asterisk for strict CGM followers is the essential oil fragrance component, which some interpretations of the method flag as a potential irritant even if it is naturally derived. It passes the method technically, but it is worth noting for those with particularly sensitive or reactive scalps.

Suitable for:

NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser 945ml Shampoo is built for people who have already decided — or are starting to decide — that traditional lathering shampoos are working against their hair. It fits naturally into a Curly Girl Method routine, where avoiding sulfates and silicones is a baseline requirement rather than a bonus. Anyone with dry, high-porosity, color-treated, or chemically processed hair will likely appreciate how gently this co-wash cleans without leaving strands feeling stripped. It works across a wide range of curl patterns, from loose waves to tight coils, making it a practical choice for households with mixed hair types. The large 945ml size is especially well-suited to frequent washers or anyone who co-washes multiple times a week and wants to keep the cost per use reasonable over time.

Not suitable for:

If you have fine, low-porosity hair that already struggles with product buildup, this curl cleanser is likely to feel heavy over time — that creamy, slip-rich formula is a benefit for drier textures but can leave finer strands looking weighed down or greasy without periodic clarifying. People who genuinely need a deep cleanse — after heavy product use, scalp conditions, or extended time between washes — will find that this co-wash simply does not have the cleansing power to fully reset the scalp on its own. Those in the early stages of transitioning from sulfate shampoos should be aware that there is typically an adjustment period of several weeks before the scalp recalibrates, and that initial phase can feel uncomfortable. NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser 945ml Shampoo is also not the right pick for anyone who strongly prefers a lathering wash experience, since the absence of foam can feel unfamiliar and unconvincing to first-time co-washers who equate suds with cleanliness.

Specifications

  • Volume: Each bottle contains 945ml (31.95 fl oz) of product, making it one of the larger sizes available in the NYC Curls range.
  • Form: The formula is a cream-based cleansing conditioner, not a liquid shampoo, which accounts for its thick, slip-rich texture.
  • Hair Type: Formulated for dry, curly, coily, and wavy hair textures, covering curl pattern types from approximately 2a through 4c.
  • Scent: Fragranced with a blend of ginger, citrus, and tea essential oils, producing a warm, naturally derived scent rather than a synthetic fragrance.
  • Key Ingredients: Active botanicals include mint oil for scalp refreshment, vitamin E for antioxidant support, and aloe vera for hydration and slip.
  • Sulfate Status: Completely free of sulfates, meaning it does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or related detergent surfactants.
  • Silicone Status: Contains no silicones of any type, making it fully compliant with the Curly Girl Method ingredient guidelines.
  • Paraben Status: Formulated without parabens, removing a category of preservatives that some users prefer to avoid in daily-use hair products.
  • Vegan: The formula contains no animal-derived ingredients and carries a 100% vegan certification.
  • Cruelty-Free: The product is cruelty-free, meaning it has not been tested on animals at any stage of development or production.
  • Color Safety: Rated safe for color-treated and chemically processed hair, as the gentle, sulfate-free formula does not accelerate color fade.
  • Lather Profile: Produces no lather during use, functioning as a rinse-out cleansing conditioner rather than a foaming shampoo.
  • CGM Compliance: Meets the ingredient requirements of the Curly Girl Method, with no sulfates, silicones, drying alcohols, or parabens.
  • Use Frequency: Gentle enough for daily use, though individual scalp sensitivity and hair porosity will determine the optimal wash frequency for each user.
  • Package Size: The bottle measures 3 x 3 x 10.5 inches and weighs approximately 2.2 pounds when full, making it a large, somewhat heavy container.
  • Brand: Manufactured by NYC Curls by Carlos Flores, a brand founded by curl specialist Carlos Flores and focused exclusively on curly hair care.
  • UPC: The product UPC is 722301734926, corresponding to the 945ml size variant specifically.
  • Discontinued Status: The manufacturer has confirmed this product is not discontinued and remains in active production as of the current listing.

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FAQ

It depends on your hair type. Many people with medium to high porosity curls find this co-wash moisturizing enough to skip a separate rinse-out conditioner, especially for regular wash days. However, if your hair is very dry or tightly coiled, you will likely get better results layering a dedicated conditioner on top. Think of this cleanser as handling the cleansing and detangling step — whether it covers conditioning fully is personal.

Almost certainly, yes — at least for the first few weeks. Your scalp is used to producing oil in response to frequent stripping from sulfates, so when you remove that trigger, there is an adjustment period where things can feel greasier than usual before they normalize. Most people who push through that initial phase report that their hair eventually feels balanced and softer. Give it at least three to four weeks before drawing conclusions.

Yes, NYC Curls The Curl Cleanser 945ml Shampoo is CGM-compliant — it contains no sulfates, silicones, parabens, or drying alcohols, which are the main ingredients the method asks you to avoid. That said, it is always worth cross-checking the full ingredient list against a CGM ingredient checker if you follow a strict interpretation of the method, as formulations can occasionally change.

Apply it to wet hair section by section, massaging it into your scalp with your fingertips in small circular motions — that physical massage is what does the actual cleansing work, not the lather. Work it through the lengths for slip and detangling, then rinse thoroughly. It genuinely cleans; the absence of foam just takes some mental adjustment if you are accustomed to equating suds with cleanliness.

For many hair types it will not, but for low-porosity or fine hair, some buildup is a real possibility with regular use. The cream formula is rich, and if your hair does not absorb moisture easily, residue can accumulate. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month is a practical solution — even strict CGM followers typically allow for occasional clarifying to reset the scalp.

It can be, depending on your specific wave pattern and hair density. Looser waves, especially fine ones, tend to get weighed down by richer co-wash formulas. If you have 2a or 2b waves, you may find this sits too heavily and flattens your pattern. Wavies with thicker or drier strands often fare better. Starting with a smaller amount than you think you need is a smart way to test it without committing fully.

If you are already confident that co-washing works for your hair, the large bottle makes clear financial sense — you are getting more product per dollar compared to the 12 fl oz size. If you have never co-washed before or you are unsure whether this formula suits your hair type, starting with the smaller size to test it first is the more practical approach, even if the cost per ounce is slightly higher.

Yes — the formula is explicitly rated color-safe, and since it contains no sulfates, it will not aggressively strip the cuticle the way a standard shampoo might. Sulfates are one of the main culprits behind accelerated color fade, so switching to this co-wash can actually help your color last longer between salon visits. Just make sure you are rinsing with cool or lukewarm water, which also helps seal the cuticle and preserve color.

The scent is a blend of ginger, citrus, and tea derived from essential oils, so it leans warm and slightly spicy rather than floral or synthetic. Most people describe it as pleasant and not overpowering, and it largely dissipates after rinsing. That said, if you are highly sensitive to essential oil-based fragrances specifically — rather than synthetic ones — it is worth being aware that natural does not automatically mean fragrance-free.

The product is listed for adult use, so for young children — particularly toddlers or infants — it would be best to consult a pediatric dermatologist or stick to products specifically formulated for kids. For older children with curly hair, the gentle, sulfate-free formula is generally considered mild, but parental judgment and a patch test are always sensible first steps before making it a regular part of a child's routine.