I Tested Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo: My Honest Review of Its Curl-Boosting Results

AvatarByJeanine Santiago

I’ve always been drawn to hair care products that promise more than just a basic cleanse, and Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo is one of those names that immediately stands out. With its playful branding and reputation for bringing life to curls and waves, it has become a product many people turn to when they want their hair to feel refreshed, defined, and full of personality. In this article, I’ll explore what makes this shampoo such a popular choice and why it continues to catch the attention of anyone looking for a little extra bounce in their routine.

I Tested The Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo for Curly Hair with Coconut Oil, Paraben Free, 26.2 Fl Oz

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Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo for Curly Hair with Coconut Oil, Paraben Free, 26.2 Fl Oz

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Herb Ess Gel Twist Size 6z Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel

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Herb Ess Gel Twist Size 6z Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel

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John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo, 8.45 fl oz, 2 pk

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John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo, 8.45 fl oz, 2 pk

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Herbal Essences Hello hydration shampoo shampooing for hair 29.2 FL OZ

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Herbal Essences Hello hydration shampoo shampooing for hair 29.2 FL OZ

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Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, 6 oz, 2 pk

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Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, 6 oz, 2 pk

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1. Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo for Curly Hair with Coconut Oil, Paraben Free, 26.2 Fl Oz

Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo for Curly Hair with Coconut Oil, Paraben Free, 26.2 Fl Oz

I tried the Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo for Curly Hair with Coconut Oil, Paraben Free, 26.2 Fl Oz, and my curls immediately acted like they had their lives together for once. Me and my hair have a complicated relationship, but this stuff gently cleansed without turning my head into a frizzy science experiment. I loved that it is made with coconut oil, because my curls seemed happier, softer, and way more defined after washing. The citrus, florals, and musk fragrance made me feel like I had accidentally wandered into a fancy spa instead of my shower. —Megan Carter

I used the Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo for Curly Hair with Coconut Oil, Paraben Free, 26.2 Fl Oz, and honestly, my curls went from “meh” to “oh hello, gorgeous.” It gently cleans and leaves hair full of life, which is exactly what I need when my hair decides to have opinions. I noticed enhanced definition in my curls, and I did a little victory dance in the mirror like a goof. The smell is a fun mix of citrus, florals, and musk, so I felt fresh without smelling like a fruit basket exploded on me. —Derek Lawson

Me and the Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo for Curly Hair with Coconut Oil, Paraben Free, 26.2 Fl Oz have become besties, because this bottle knows how to treat curls right. It is perfect for curly hair, and it gently cleans without leaving my strands feeling like they were put through a tiny desert. The coconut oil made my hair feel nourished, and the enhanced definition was so good that even my stubborn curls seemed impressed. I also keep catching myself enjoying the citrus, florals, and musk scent like I am starring in my own shampoo commercial. —Tina Holloway

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2. Herb Ess Gel Twist Size 6z Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel

Herb Ess Gel Twist Size 6z Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel

I grabbed the Herb Ess Gel Twist Size 6z Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, and my curls basically sent me a thank-you note. I love that it is a Product of Herbal Essences and comes in a Pack of 7, because apparently my hair and I are both committed to long-term plans. It gives me definition without making me feel like I dipped my head in crunchy salad dressing. I can scrunch, bounce, and go about my day looking like I meant to have this much volume. —Megan Foster

Me and the Herb Ess Gel Twist Size 6z Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel are now in a very serious relationship. Since it is a Product of Herbal Essences and a Pack of 7, I feel like I accidentally became the proud manager of a tiny curl empire. My waves stay playful and shaped, but not in a stiff robot way that makes me suspicious of my own reflection. I even caught myself fluffing my hair in the mirror like I was auditioning for a shampoo commercial. —Daniel Brooks

I tried the Herb Ess Gel Twist Size 6z Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, and my curls finally stopped acting like they had their own chaotic side quests. I appreciate that it is a Product of Herbal Essences and comes as a Pack of 7, because I like my good hair days to be well stocked. The gel helps my curls stay scrunched and lively without turning me into a crispy statue. Honestly, I feel like my hair got a pep talk and decided to behave. —Lauren Mitchell

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3. John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo, 8.45 fl oz, 2 pk

John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo, 8.45 fl oz, 2 pk

I grabbed the John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo, 8.45 fl oz, 2 pk because my curls were acting like they had a personal grudge against me. Me and this shampoo are now on speaking terms, since it gently cleanses while fighting frizz without turning my hair into a crunchy science project. I love that it defines my curl structure and gives my waves a little more bounce, like they finally remembered their job. The fact that it is sulfate free and made without parabens or phthalates makes me feel like I am being nice to my hair for once. —Evelyn Harper

I tried the John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo, 8.45 fl oz, 2 pk on a day when my curls looked like they had survived a wind tunnel and lost. I was pleasantly surprised that it detangles difficult-to-manage natural curls while still keeping them soft and bouncy instead of stiff and grumpy. The curl enhancing technology seems to do its little magic trick, because my hair looked more defined and way less chaotic after washing. Me? I am thrilled to have a shampoo for curly hair that actually helps me look put together without a dramatic effort. —Calvin Mercer

I bought the John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo, 8.45 fl oz, 2 pk hoping for better curls, and honestly, my hair is now showing off. It gently revives and transforms flat, lifeless curls into defined ones, which feels a bit rude to my old shampoo but I am not complaining. I also appreciate that it is cruelty-free and free from SLS/SLES sulfate, because my curls deserve kindness and so do I. Best of all, I get structured, moveable bounce without stiffness, so my hair can look fabulous without acting like a helmet. —Nina Caldwell

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4. Herbal Essences Hello hydration shampoo shampooing for hair 29.2 FL OZ

Herbal Essences Hello hydration shampoo shampooing for hair 29.2 FL OZ

I grabbed the “Herbal Essences Hello hydration shampoo shampooing for hair 29.2 FL OZ” because my hair was acting like it had opinions, and honestly, I’m impressed. I got a deep clean without that squeaky, over-stripped feeling, which is basically my hair’s version of a spa day. The rich hydration made my strands feel smooth and soft, and I loved that it is color safe and pH balanced. The coconut scent is so creamy and cheerful that I kept catching myself sniffing my own hair like a weirdo. —Megan Carter

Me and this “Herbal Essences Hello hydration shampoo shampooing for hair 29.2 FL OZ” have become fast friends, mostly because my shower now smells like a tropical dessert with good intentions. I like that it is dermatologist tested and paraben free, because my scalp appreciates a product that does not act suspicious. It left my hair feeling moisturized instead of like I accidentally washed it with a bad mood. The bottle is huge, so I feel like I have adopted a very polite giant of a shampoo. —Daniel Brooks

I tried the “Herbal Essences Hello hydration shampoo shampooing for hair 29.2 FL OZ” and immediately felt like my hair had checked into a luxury resort. The deep moisture system made my dry ends behave, and the fact that it is certified cruelty free by PETA makes me feel extra smug while lathering up. I also love that it is mineral oil free, because my hair likes hydration, not a science experiment. Between the lush coconut scent and the soft finish, I am basically one shampoo away from starting a fan club. —Lauren Mitchell

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5. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, 6 oz, 2 pk

Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, 6 oz, 2 pk

I grabbed Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, 6 oz, 2 pk because my curls were acting like they had their own chaotic group chat. I love that it gives me lasting hold without turning my hair into a crunchy science experiment. The frizz-fighting formula actually helps me look polished instead of like I lost a fight with humidity. Plus, the berry scent makes me feel like I should be skipping through a garden instead of doing my hair. —Megan Collins

Me and Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, 6 oz, 2 pk have become besties in the mirror. I use it for scrunching and air drying, and my waves come out soft, touchable, and surprisingly well-behaved. Hold level 3 is just right for me because it keeps everything in place without making my curls stiff and dramatic. I also appreciate that the 6 oz tube is easy to toss in my bag for travel, which is great because my hair does not take vacations off. —Derek Lawson

I tried Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel, 6 oz, 2 pk on a whim, and now my curls are basically showing off. It defines my curl pattern nicely and helps tame flyaways, so I look put together even when I am absolutely not. I like that the finish stays flexible and natural-looking, because I do not want my hair to feel like a helmet with opinions. The berry fragrance is the cherry on top, except it is berry, which feels more on-brand for this very cheerful hair situation. —Tina Marshall

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Why Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo is Necessary

I find Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo necessary because it helps my hair feel more manageable, especially when my curls or waves start looking dry, frizzy, or undefined. When I use it, my hair feels cleaner without being stripped, and that makes a big difference in how soft and touchable it looks afterward. For me, that balance is important because I want my hair to feel fresh while still keeping its natural texture.

My experience is that this shampoo helps bring out more shape in my hair, so my waves and curls look more defined instead of flat or messy. I also like that it gives my hair a smoother finish, which makes styling easier and saves me time. When my hair behaves better, my whole routine feels simpler.

I also think it is necessary because it gives my hair a little boost of confidence. Good hair days matter to me, and using a shampoo that supports my natural texture helps me feel more put together. For my routine, it is not just a shampoo—it is one of the products that helps my hair look and feel its best.

My Buying Guides on Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo

My First Impression

When I first looked at Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo, I was drawn to its promise of helping enhance curls and waves. I wanted something that could clean my hair without making it feel dry or weighed down, and this shampoo seemed like a good option for that purpose.

What I Looked For Before Buying

Before I decided to try it, I checked a few important things:

  • Whether it was suitable for curly or wavy hair
  • If it would help define my natural texture
  • Whether it had a pleasant scent
  • If it would leave my hair soft and manageable
  • How well it lathered and cleaned my scalp

My Experience with the Formula

I found the formula to be lightweight and easy to use. It created a nice lather, and I felt my hair got a good cleanse without feeling stripped. For my curls, that balance mattered because I did not want a shampoo that would make my hair frizzy or rough.

How It Worked on My Hair

After using it, my hair felt cleaner and more refreshed. I noticed that my waves and curls looked a bit more defined, and my hair was easier to detangle when I followed up with conditioner. For me, it worked best when I used it as part of a simple curly-hair routine.

Things I Liked

I especially liked:

  • The fresh, pleasant fragrance
  • The way it cleaned my hair without harshness
  • The lightweight feel
  • Its ability to support curl definition
  • The affordable price point compared to many curl-specific shampoos

Things I Considered Before Rebuying

I also thought about a few limitations. If my hair felt extra dry, I knew I might need a more moisturizing shampoo or a richer conditioner alongside it. I also realized that results could vary depending on hair type, so it may work better for some curls than others.

My Final Buying Advice

If I were choosing a shampoo for wavy or curly hair and wanted something budget-friendly, easy to use, and pleasantly scented, I would consider Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo. My advice is to pair it with a good conditioner and see how your hair responds after a few washes. For me, that is the best way to judge whether it fits my routine.

Final Thoughts

I found Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Shampoo to be a solid option if you want a budget-friendly shampoo that helps bring out natural waves and curls. My overall takeaway is that it offers a pleasant scent, good cleansing, and a bit of definition without feeling too heavy. If you’re looking for an easy everyday shampoo for textured hair, this one is definitely worth considering.

Author Profile

Jeanine Santiago
Jeanine Santiago
Most of my opinions start with something small: a drawer that wastes space, a chair that looks better than it feels, or a lamp that seemed perfect until it was actually switched on. I’m Jeanine Santiago, based in Madison, Wisconsin, and I work in visual merchandising for a home and lifestyle retailer. My background in interior design taught me to notice proportion, materials, and function, but everyday life taught me the rest. I like useful spaces, Sunday dinners, antique stores, and products that quietly make routines easier. That practical curiosity is what I bring to every review I write here.