Best Shampoos & Conditioners
Bondi Boost HG
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Honestly, Bondi Boost HG didn’t live up to the hype. The texture felt heavy, the scent was overpowering, and after weeks of use I saw little to no improvement in hair growth. For the price, I expected better results.
Bondi Boost Dandruff Repair
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The best anti-dandruff duo in Australia, hands down – I've tried in an insane amount of product from Woolies, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, and they all seem to either strip my scalp back to the bone or… Read more
don't actually alleviate itch symptoms. These seems to nail the brief perfectly - for someone who regularly washes their hair to get the grease and hair products out, these products maintain the perfect balance between clean and healthy. I rarely if ever get a flakey or itchy scalp, and as a result I've been using this duo for literally years.
Bondi Boost Rapid Repair
Give it a go - results in one wash – I saw results after one wash. My hair was not a mess in the morning - it did not require the usual routine of serums and sprays to detangle and… Read more
defrizz. Hair was relaxed and easy to manage, plus it did not frizz out during the day as it normally would.
After my third use, I could just leave home without doing my hair in the morning if I wanted. It looks so much better, feels better and doesn’t get ratty and frizzy from humidity and wind.
I have thinning hair and also colour it. My hair feels thicker and it doesn’t wash out colour. No fade, left it in for 5-10 minutes prior to rinsing.
The results in so few uses has exceeded my expectations by far. I recommend giving this product a go.
Redwin Tea Tree
My hair feels much smoother and stronger after using it consistently. It’s lightweight, easy to apply, and doesn’t weigh hair down. I’ve noticed less breakage and a healthier shine overall.
MooGoo Milk Shampoo
I thought i was being paranoid after using it for a couple of weeks my hair started falling out just by touching my scalp and has become itchy and painful. After reading some reviews it turns out in not the only one experiencing hair loss. Show details
Everblue Empower Shampoo & Conditioner
Tried it because it was on sale and it's from NZ, it had a medal sticker on it too so I thought its worth a try. Big bottles, love the little ring… Read more
that stops it from leaking. It's a fantastic product, you don't need much and my hair has almost doubled in volume?? It's soft and shiny and so thick and bouncy. I'm definitely a convert.
Natures Organics Organic Care Range
I’ve been using this brand for years and honestly wouldn’t switch to anything else. It always leaves my hair feeling soft, clean, and healthy. The… Read more
quality has been consistent over time, which is rare these days. Definitely one of the best brands I’ve ever tried truly reliable and worth it!
Pantene Pro-V 3 Minute Miracle
Natural and soft – Since my wife is using these and recommended that it smoothed the hair I tried it too, of course it really smells so good and have nothing complaint about this product.
Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque
Warning!!! Discontinued product! – If you LOVE LOVE LOVE Macadamia Deep Repair Masque as much as me, please be warned I heard in Nov 2020 that it is a discontinued product! Nooooooo....... Not sure if this only Australia or internationally. Buy NOW if you can find it! Show details
Natulux Shampoo 500ml
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Quite good for my hair – Very good customer service, corrected my mistake without any hassle. Hesitate when trying new one but turn out their shampoo is quite good for my hair. A bit cheaper than others sulfate free shampoos. Show details
Folli Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner
Disappointing outcome for such an expensive line of products. I've been using both Shampoo & Conditioner for the last 3 months and hair loss has been… Read more
greatly accelerated. Sheer volume of hair loss every time I use it is just shocking, I basically pulling handfuls of hair every time. I have not noticed hair growth, I have not noticed volume increase, quite the opposite. That's the first conditioner that contributes to knots and make hair brushing more challenging. I wanted to give it a go, but there are better products out there (évolis, even kerastase gave me better results)
DermaVeen Hair Range
this product would have to be the best for people with very sensitive skin.There is no scaling or itch to the scalp at all,the best I have ever used… Read more
(and I have used heaps over the years) I highly recommend this product,try it and you will have no regrets
Redken Extreme Range
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Redken Shine Flash hair spray – I bought Redken Shine Flash hair spray for its description of glasslike shine, but VERY DISAPPOINTED. Not worth the money. I have other product that… Read more
is better and quarter the price. I used to use Redken vinyl Glam but cannot get in Australia. WHY? I do not recommend SHINE FLASH and the smell is not nice too.
Fudge Toning Clean Blonde
I wanted a budget friendly product that does the job. Fudge blonde range is that for me. I wash my hair every night anyway and I don't use copious… Read more
amounts, so I find the bottles last a fair time. My hairdresser noticed that my colour was holding well and my hair was healthy. The hairdresser assumed it was the overpriced stuff they sold me. I told them no, it's from woolworths. I will continue to use the Fudge range as I am pleased with the results.
one of the Very Best Duos! – For my really hard to tone hair this has been wonderful, especially after so hard to find a toner without nasties especially with the purple toner… Read more
chemicals they usually use in this type of product. I know it’s good as doesn’t stain hands when using! Hair loves it, and used with the hair mask my hair is slowly becoming tamed! Everyone always comments on my healthy hair when using Bondi Boost! Have been a customer for a long time and always come back to these products especially when I’m serious about getting my hair repaired and healthy again!
Moroccanoil Oil Treatment
Thanks to this product love it – Helps my damage scalp to regain the smoothness and softness of my hair Show details
Folli Natural Hair Growth Shampoo
I’m a 34-year-old woman who’s always used supermarket shampoos like Pantene or Dove. They were cheap and easy, but I noticed my hair was getting limp… Read more
and my scalp sometimes felt itchy.
A friend recommended the Natural Hair Growth Shampoo, so I finally gave it a try. Right away, I noticed it felt gentler—there’s no harsh chemical smell, just a light, natural scent. It lathers up nicely, even though it doesn’t have all the sulphates most supermarket shampoos do.
After about three weeks, I could actually see and feel a difference. My hair felt lighter, my scalp was less irritated, and best of all, I was losing less hair in the shower! It also feels like my hair is getting a bit more volume at the roots—something I never got with the big brands.
Compared to my old Pantene or Dove shampoos, the Natural Hair Growth Shampoo is a bit pricier, but I use less each wash, and I genuinely think it’s worth it for how much healthier my hair looks and feels. If you’re sick of supermarket shampoos that just coat your hair and weigh it down, I’d say give this a go—you might be surprised!
Euca Coconut Hair Shampoo
Perfect – I have short curly hair that can be a bit dry and needs products to sit "nice" Euca Cocnut Hair Shampoo and matching Conditioner were perfect… Read more
Beautiful smell, creamy texture, only needed one pump of shampoo and conditioner Hair was not dry and I didn't add extra products
Natures Organics Fruits
Many would think a conditioner at 40c/100 mls could not be good, right? Well I thought I'd give it a go after using Aldi's Tressess for years, at… Read more
67c/100m. My hair feels exactly the same using Nature's Organics, just as good. Spending more to have better hair is a myth. This conditioner coats the hair just the same as any other........... I have only used the Coconut & Lime as it matches my bathroom.................. The con is the overpowering perfume. Natures Organics have gone overboard with the perfume that's not necessary, adding unnecessary chemicals to pollute the waterways. It's a pity personal care products are nearly always perfumed, and this conditioner is the strongest smelling I've ever used. Perfume can irritate the skin, and contains phthalates that get into your lungs and bloodstream and are an endocrine disrupters. More personal care companies should consider "fragrance free" as many buyers prefer it................... Available at Coles, Woolworths and IGA
Marc Daniels Go Curly
CURLY HAIR GOD – After years of trying to maintain my hair and restore my curls, this little weapon did it for me in 3 minutes. A legit god to curly hair. Not even a sign of frizz and there’s curls I haven’t seen for years. Show details
Neutrogena T/Gel
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After trying 4 times, I found that Neutrogena T-Gel turned my ears, eyebrows, and nearby scalp into a snow globe of skin flakes. The itchiness takes a brief vacation for just a day or two before clocking back in. Show details
De Lorenzo Tricho Range
This made my dandruff much worse – This irritated my scalp so much and made my dandruff go from a little bit of flaky skin to horrible, massive flakes Show details
De Lorenzo Instant Rejuven8
Perfect product - can't live without it – Absolutely gorgeous product. So natural and easy to use. So pleased I found out about it. My hairdresser recommended it. Great for making my grey hair look a beautiful shade of blonde
OC Naturals Silky Smooth Shampoo
Silky smooth works so well – I have been using OC for awhile now, but decided to try another blend. I certainly picked the right one for me. I have long hair & it is so much more… Read more
softer & fuller from using OC Naturals Silky Smooth shampoo and conditioner. This one will be my staple for awhile now. I'm on a tight budget, so this works for me every which way. Love it.
Redken All Soft Range
I use it daily and would like to find a regular supplier, I'm in Bundaberg Qld – I have lived in rural Australia and having water quality from bore water to town water and tank water I found since using allsoft my hair is soft and… Read more
excellent condition all day other shampoo's will dry my hair and my scalp, only thing is hard to find a supplier in the last 12 months when I do find supply I have to buy plenty of stock, I don't mind the price as you only use a small amount each time, great product, cheers Steve
The best. Effective after a single use. I keep this on hand for occasional use. It's so effective it works immediately. After one wash I just go back… Read more
to my normal shampoo as this one contains silicone, which I prefer to avoid as it damages my hair with long term use. Totally fine to use as needed though!
I have been using this shampoo in this manner for years. I don't love the artificial fragrance smell, but I can cope given its other benefits.
Head & Shoulders Smooth and Silky
Head & Shoulders Smooth and Silky does a decent job of making hair soft and smooth, but it’s no magic potion. The anti-dandruff formula with… Read more
Piroctone Olamine is so gentle you might suspect it’s whispering at your flakes instead of fighting them, so frequent use is a must.
MooGoo Cream Conditioner
Used this with the shampoo, it smells like cleaning product and left hair dried out. Show details
Chaz Dean Wen Sweet Almond Mint
Didn't know it would make my hair fall out – I've been battling hair loss for about three years now. I only just found out about the Wen lawsuit and this is the exact product that I'd been using… Read more
before noticing that my hair wasn't being replaced with new strands and a yellow waxy buildup started to appear on my scalp along with painful red bumps. What I wouldn't give to go back three years and stop myself from using up the bottle my Mom had gotten me. A dermatologist diagnosed me with a scarring type of folliculitis caused by sebhorreic dermatitis, which I had never ever had before. The loss was dramatic and has been incredibly painful. If there is any chance you could end up with this condition, DO NOT RISK IT.
Garnier Fructis Range
850ml Pump bottles do not pump – Often buy 850ml Fructus range. Had trouble with every single bottle in last few months with the pump part not working at all. Not just me as 4… Read more
people in household also cannot open pump to work. Is there a special way of holding my mouth that I am missing? No trouble with the contents, just cannot get to them.
Contents
- Get to know your hair
- Hair texture
- Hair structure
- Hair porosity
- How to choose the right shampoo for your hair type
- What to look for when choosing shampoo and conditioner
- Ingredients
- Scent
- Price
- Tips for washing your hair
- How often should you wash your hair?
- How much shampoo should you apply?
- Why is a conditioner important?
Get to know your hair
Before shopping around for hair products, it's important to know more about your hair, because many shampoos and conditioners are designed for certain kinds of locks.
Hair texture
Everyone’s natural hair falls into one of the four main hair textures. Before doing these determining tests, let your hair dry naturally the next time you wash it and keep it free of products. If it dries straight, that means you have straight hair. The other three types include wavy, curly and coily, which as the names suggest, mean that your hair falls in either in light waves, curls or tight coils.
Hair structure
After doing this test, it’s a good idea to determine your hair structure. Hair tends to be fine, medium or coarse.
- Fine hair tends to be difficult to style since it can’t hold a curl for long without falling flat. In this instance, it’s best to avoid ‘heavy’ products that can weigh the hair down.
- Medium-structure hair is the most common hair type. It can hold shape for a longer period of time and is easy to shape.
- Thick or coarse hair can hold styles but it is harder to shape since the hair is tougher and less flexible. Coarse hair is more prone to dryness and frizziness, but there are plenty of moisturising hair masks that can help resolve this.
Hair porosity
The final part of getting to know your hair involves determining your hair porosity. This refers to your hair’s ability to absorb moisture and product. You can do a simple test to determine this. Take a strand of hair and place it in a bowl of water; if it sinks to the bottom, that means it is extremely porous and absorbs all the moisture. This is often due to tears in the hair strands which can’t be repaired but can be sealed to prevent further damage with specially-designed hair masques and treatments. Porous hair tends to be harder to dry and difficult to style.
If your piece of hair sinks to the middle but does not land at the bottom, then it has a well-balanced porosity. Hair that floats above the surface of the water does not absorb moisture easily which can quickly lead to a build-up of product on the hair. You can treat this by using creams and hydrating conditioning treatments that seal moisture in the hair cuticle and avoiding alcohol-based products that dry out the hair.
Knowing your hair is the first step to creating healthy and beautiful locks.
How to choose the right shampoo for your hair type
Have you ever wondered why some people claim a certain shampoo as their holy grail, but when you try it, it makes your hair stringy and feels awful? That’s because different hair products tackle different hair types and you should look for a shampoo and conditioner that match your hair needs.
The best way to do this is to look for hair type buzzwords found on the label. These range from dry, fine and oily to frizzy. Whatever your hair type is, there is a shampoo and conditioner made for it.
Fine hair
Those with fine hair may benefit from using a volumising shampoo and conditioner to add body and make each strand feel fuller and shinier. You’ll want to choose hair care products that are nourishing enough to keep fine strands from drying out, but are not so creamy that they weigh them down.
Curly hair
Not all curly hair is frizzy, however, those with naturally curly hair may want products to help tame flyaway hairs and prevent dry, damaged-looking locks. In this case, it’s suggested to go with a shampoo specifically for curly hair. These products tend to be hydrating and infused with essential oils and butter.
Dry hair
Look for shampoos and conditioners with intensive moisturising replenishments. Dry hair can benefit from products that use natural oils such as coconut oil, avocado oil, argan oil and grapeseed oil.
Oily hair
Those with oily scalps should stay away from shampoos and conditioners that advertise themselves as moisturising since that can make your hair more oily. Those with oily hair can also suffer from dandruff (due to yeast feasting on said oils) which can be treated with anti-dandruff shampoo containing ingredients like ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione or selenium sulphide.
Colour-treated hair
Choose a colour-preserving shampoo that won't strip highlights that you just spent a fortune on at the salon. Many blue/purple shampoos also help clarify bleached or coloured hair and correct unwanted brassy tones.
Damaged hair
We put our hair through a lot. Colouring, chlorine, dryness and damage can take their toll on hair, making it susceptible to breakage. How can you tell if your hair is damaged? Split ends, dullness and dehydration are all tell-tale signs.
Strengthening or fortifying shampoos are good for brittle, over-processed, highlighted, weakened, or damaged hair as they usually contain extra protein to improve hair's condition.
Dull hair
Is your hair lacking a little shine? This can be due to several factors including product built-up, dryness, heat and other environmental factors. It can leave even healthy locks looking dull and matte.
What you need is a product with moisture, but avoid stripping ingredients such as silicone. Instead, look for ingredients such as glycerin, fatty acids, mango seed oil and argan oil to help restore elasticity in the hair.
Normal hair
If you’re blessed with a normal hair/scalp type, then you’ll most likely have full-bodied and shiny hair. Congratulations, you lucky person. You can opt for any of the aforementioned products or go for hair care products designed to boost a particular element of your hair.
For all hair types, it’s recommended to choose products with organic ingredients that are sulphate-free and don’t strip the hair of more oils than essential.
What to look for when choosing shampoo and conditioner
Ingredients
Check the ingredients list to find out what's in your shampoo. Surfactants such as SLS are commonplace and are the ingredient that makes shampoos lather. However, there has been some speculation towards claims that it damages hair and irritates the skin. To avoid this, consider splashing out on shampoos and conditioners labelled as sulphate-free.
Scent
As with all beauty products, you’ll need to favour the scent it has since it’ll be following you around for at least a few hours. Scents in haircare can range from floral to fruity, spicy and clean notes. There are also fragrance-free shampoos available for those with sensitive skin or those who prefer no scent.
Price
Shampoo prices can vary widely between brands. Drugstore brands such as L’Oreal Paris and TRESemmé are more affordable at $7 to 15 per bottle. However, these prices can quickly rack up if you choose to go with designer brands, cruelty-free vegan products, organic products or products that are specific to a hair type.
Reviews are a useful tool to see how others rank a product in terms of value for money before dishing out a high-end product that you typically can’t return.
Tips for washing your hair
If someone asked you with a straight face how to wash hair, you’d look at them like they were crazy. However, there is some technique involved.
How often should you wash your hair?
Many people think they should wash their hair every day, but that could be more detrimental than helpful.
Shampooing three or four times a week can be plenty since cleansing removes your hair's natural oils which help to create texture in the hair and protect it from outside damage.
If your hair is on the fine or oily side, you may find that you need to wash it more often, but it's a matter of finding the schedule that works for you. Many people with oily scalps compensate by washing too regularly, however, this strips your hair of its natural oils which causes your scalp to go into over-drive to produce more.
Less is more when it comes to how regularly to wash your hair. However, if you go longer than a week, you might find that the oil builds up and becomes uncomfortable for you.
How much shampoo should you apply?
Start by wetting your hair with lukewarm water to open up your hair cuticles.
Using more shampoo than you need and plopping it straight onto your hair can damage your cuticles and lead to frizzy hair. So what should you do, instead?
Pump a 5-cent coin amount of product into your palm and lather it up before applying it to your hair. You should start at the roots (the very top of your hair) and massage the product into your scalp using gentle pressure for about a minute. You can then gently distribute the rest of the product throughout your hair.
Why is a conditioner important?
A good-quality conditioner can make a huge difference to your hair’s health and appearance. While a shampoo cleanses, a conditioner softens and detangles the hair to protect it against further damage. It’ll make your hair shinier, less static and easier to style after you’ve dried it.
When applying conditioner, put the product onto your palm first and then start applying it from midway down your hair, running your fingers through to the ends. You can add more conditioner to the end and leave it on for a minute or so since they are normally the driest part of your hair. You don’t need to apply conditioner on the roots since that’s likely to make your roots oilier.
Finish off by rinsing your hair under slightly cool water - this will close your cuticles and retain moisture.