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Transform your haircare game with these hardworking formulas
We kept every other part of our haircare routine exactly the same while testing these formulas
This shampoo bar’s eco credentials are only a small part of why we love it, but it’s a good place to start. The brand uses far less water in the production process than liquid shampoo, it’s carbon neutral and it uses compostable packaging. It also plants a tree for every order and is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
Usually, shampoo doesn’t do much for detangling our hair – we rely on our conditioner and a wide-toothed comb instead. However, Coco and Eve’s shampoo made our hair immediately feel smooth enough to run our fingers through it, which was a welcome surprise. The brand also claims that, once its three cleansing actives (soap nut, coconut oil and fruit enzymes) have worked their magic, you won’t have to wash your hair as often.
This one is a real gem for anyone who colours their hair, as it’s specially created to preserve fresh dye. The gentle, cleansing formula was developed to protect the hair fibre as well as intensely nourish. We tried it after colouring our hair at home, which tends to dry out our locks (particularly the ends).
The product itself felt a little sticky to touch, but this shampoo probably lathered up the best out of all the ones we tried, and we were surprised by how little product we needed to wash our hair, which compensates for the bottle being smaller than most of the others in this round-up. However, it is also available in 250ml (£28, Lookfantastic.com).
If you’ve got curly hair, we seriously doubt you’ll find much better than this shampoo bar from Only Curls. While we’re quite happy with the results from regular sulphate-free shampoos, for our curly hair in particular this shampoo bar performed miracles.
We really rate the scent of this one, with the nutty macadamia oil and shea butter being perfectly complemented by coconut – it instantly transports us to a tropical island. The shea butter also gives this shampoo its thick, creamy texture. However, while it did lather up, it did less so than some of the other options we’ve tried.
There’s nothing more annoying than stepping into the shower for wash day, only to realise you’ve run out of product. Thanks to Fiils’s subscription service, you won’t have to worry about this. You can opt for a new delivery every one, two or three months and can choose how many refill pouches you’d like to receive with each delivery. For your first purchase, you can choose the brand’s kit (£26, Fiils.co), which includes shampoo, conditioner and Fiils’s stylish reusable bottles. Alternatively, if you already have a reusable bottle, you can subscribe straight for the refills (£9.60, Fiils.co).
We’re not big fans of the pump system, as we think it makes it a little more difficult to get out the right amount of product, and can make us use more than we might need. And, as this shampoo didn’t lather as nicely as some others, we already ended up using more product anyway. However, the packaging is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and both the pump and bottle can be recycled again, which is a plus in our book.
At first, we weren’t all that impressed with this shampoo’s performance in the shower, but its scent and results soon won us over. When washing our hair, it didn’t lather as well as some of the others on this list and we found that meant we had to use more product to give our hair a proper clean. It did detangle our hair a little but, again, we weren’t blown away – until we took a good whiff of the product.
Less plastic packaging in the bathroom? Count us in. We’re massive fans of ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce, whether that be shampoo bars or refills. While it’s pricey, this one will sort you out for a while too, at 500ml per bag. For ease of use, simply transfer (some of) its insides into your shampoo bottle and voila. Its slim spout means it’s also easy to transfer into a travel-sized bottle, so no more fuss before going on holiday.
This shampoo lost points because of its pungent smell – for us, it was not only too strong but the smell also reminded us of aftershave. It’s a scent you’d expect from products targeted at men, and while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing in itself, it’s just not the smell we prefer from our shampoo.
Some might steer clear of beauty products that include hemp, as the plant is still strongly associated with weed by many, but there’s much more to it than that. In shampoo, hemp can help prevent breakage, as well as repair strands, and has been said to aid hair growth and is a natural moisturiser for hair and scalp. Along with the aloe vera, it makes for a hydrating and natural formula.
If you love a strong lather, chances are sulphate-free shampoos have not yet crossed your path. Sulphates and parabens are both chemicals that are often included in formulas to make your shampoo lather well, and, for most, this is a must that makes their hair feel clean after a wash.
But sulphates – also known as SLS and SLES – come with a dark side too. In giving a deep clean, sulphates help strip away oil and dirt from your hair but, in doing so, they can also strip your hair of the natural moisture and oils it needs to stay healthy. For coloured hair, sulphates can cause the dye to fade away quicker, and hair extensions may be damaged by sulphates too.
For some – curly hair types in particular – sulphates can also leave hair feeling dry. Additionally, the chemical can cause scalp irritation for those with sensitive skin.
While sulphate-free shampoos are known for many benefits (reduced frizz, irritation-free skin, softer hair and healthy curls), they also tend to lather less than regular shampoos. However, formulas have come a long way over the last couple of years and plenty of the ones included in this round-up lather just as well – if not better – than regular shampoos.
If you’re looking to ditch sulphates from your haircare routine, there’s many options out there. Each comes with its own set of benefits – while some tackle frizz or preserve coloured hair, others are made to smooth, strengthen or add volume. Many renowned beauty brands have tapped into sulphate-free shampoo, including L’Oréal and Olaplex, and some brands relatively new to the market have made it their trademark. Read on to find out which came out on top after we put them to the test.
We swapped our regular shampoo bar for a whole range of sulphate-free shampoos, all with their own unique benefits. We kept every other part of our haircare routine exactly the same over the testing period, to make sure any noticeable differences would come from the shampoo alone.
The sulphate-free shampoos were then judged on scent, how much product we needed for a proper wash, how well they lathered, price, and, of course, results – paying special attention to whether the product lived up to the claims made by the relevant brand. We gave extra points to formulas that were vegan, cruelty-free and planet-friendly.
Just a few of the options we tried during our quest to find the best
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This shampoo bar’s eco credentials are only a small part of why we love it, but it’s a good place to start. The brand uses far less water in the production process than liquid shampoo, it’s carbon neutral and it uses compostable packaging. It also plants a tree for every order and is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
Shampoo bars also often last longer than bottled formulas, and one bar of Ethique’s shampoo should last you about 80 washes. We tried this one as it’s unscented, soap-free and not made for a specific hair type, meaning it should work for just about anyone. It provided a decent lather – similar to some others in this round-up but more than our usual shampoo bar – and its results were stunning. Our hair immediately felt smooth, soft and hydrated.
Ingredient labels can be quite difficult to decipher, so we also appreciate the brand’s website – by simply clicking on an ingredient listed, you get a short explanation on it. So, if there’s anything you’re unfamiliar with, you’ll soon be clued up.
The shampoo bar is unscented, but we still thought our hair smelt clean after using it. If you do prefer a scented shampoo, the brand has plenty other options, including coconut, mint and citrus scents. Once dry, our locks were noticeably shinier too, and this bar delivered some of the best results overall.
Usually, shampoo doesn’t do much for detangling our hair – we rely on our conditioner and a wide-toothed comb instead. However, Coco and Eve’s shampoo made our hair immediately feel smooth enough to run our fingers through it, which was a welcome surprise. The brand also claims that, once its three cleansing actives (soap nut, coconut oil and fruit enzymes) have worked their magic, you won’t have to wash your hair as often.
While the smell of some shampoos can be a little overwhelming, we appreciated this formula’s subtle coconut and fig scent, and our hair felt well-hydrated after use. The shampoo is free from de-volumising silicones as well as sulphates, and we can confirm a little goes a long way, as the shampoo lathers up nicely. The product is also vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, however, it is one of the more expensive buys on this list.
Our hair felt soft and bouncy after use, and, while there wasn’t as much shine compared with using other shampoos, it still left our locks feeling super healthy and hydrated.
This one is a real gem for anyone who colours their hair, as it’s specially created to preserve fresh dye. The gentle, cleansing formula was developed to protect the hair fibre as well as intensely nourish. We tried it after colouring our hair at home, which tends to dry out our locks (particularly the ends).
The botanical oils give this shampoo a lovely smell, and its creamy texture lathers up well, meaning you don’t need much product for a proper clean. The first thing we noticed after our hair dried was how shiny it was, and our hair also felt surprisingly smooth.
While this shampoo claims to make colour last longer too, we haven’t used it for long enough yet to confirm this. However, overall, we were very happy with the results when using this on our newly coloured hair.
The product itself felt a little sticky to touch, but this shampoo probably lathered up the best out of all the ones we tried, and we were surprised by how little product we needed to wash our hair, which compensates for the bottle being smaller than most of the others in this round-up. However, it is also available in 250ml (£28, Lookfantastic.com).
This formula was created to repair broken bonds – which are responsible for the shape, strength and elasticity of our hair – and protect your locks from damage. While it’s suitable for all hair types, it will really work its magic on damaged hair. We appreciated its soapy scent and it detangled our hair immediately too. Once dry, our hair felt incredibly soft and smooth and we think our tresses would really benefit from using this product during the summer months, when our ends tend to become quite dry and brittle.
If you’ve got curly hair, we seriously doubt you’ll find much better than this shampoo bar from Only Curls. While we’re quite happy with the results from regular sulphate-free shampoos, for our curly hair in particular this shampoo bar performed miracles.
As everyone with curly hair probably knows, frizz is always lurking and, with the wrong products, locks can easily feel dry. However, with its nourishing ingredients, this shampoo offers the perfect formula to keep curls hydrated, and we’re big fans of shampoo bars in general, for their eco-friendly credentials.
The shampoo bar lathers up well, while feeling creamy to touch, and the avocado and kukui nut oils smell great too. After using this shampoo, not only did our hair feel more hydrated than it had in months, we also spotted some extra shine in our locks – and we can only imagine those results getting better with regular use.
We really rate the scent of this one, with the nutty macadamia oil and shea butter being perfectly complemented by coconut – it instantly transports us to a tropical island. The shea butter also gives this shampoo its thick, creamy texture. However, while it did lather up, it did less so than some of the other options we’ve tried.
The formula’s first ingredient is aloe vera, to moisturise your locks. After drying, our hair felt soft and shiny, as the formula is created to revive and hydrate dry, damaged hair. These results lasted too, and we didn’t feel the need to wash our hair again until more than three days later, meaning it’s the perfect pick for those looking to reduce their number of wash days. Considering the bottle is filled with a generous 385ml of tropical goodness – making it larger than the other ones we’ve tested – it should last a long time too, making it great value for money.
There’s nothing more annoying than stepping into the shower for wash day, only to realise you’ve run out of product. Thanks to Fiils’s subscription service, you won’t have to worry about this. You can opt for a new delivery every one, two or three months and can choose how many refill pouches you’d like to receive with each delivery. For your first purchase, you can choose the brand’s kit (£26, Fiils.co), which includes shampoo, conditioner and Fiils’s stylish reusable bottles. Alternatively, if you already have a reusable bottle, you can subscribe straight for the refills (£9.60, Fiils.co).
The certified B-corp is carbon neutral and wants to become carbon positive by planting trees in its Fiils forest. All ingredients are suitable for vegans, while being free from sulphates and silicones.
Fiils has four different formulas available: pomelo for all hair types, lemongrass for normal to oily hair, coconut for normal to dry hair and rose for flat and dull hair. Each has different benefits, from hydrating and smoothing to strengthening and nourishing. We did think the formula was a little runny compared with some others, and we had to be careful not to let the product slip through our fingers and waste it, but besides that, we were very happy with the results.
Read our full review of Fiils’s refillable hair and body care
We’re not big fans of the pump system, as we think it makes it a little more difficult to get out the right amount of product, and can make us use more than we might need. And, as this shampoo didn’t lather as nicely as some others, we already ended up using more product anyway. However, the packaging is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and both the pump and bottle can be recycled again, which is a plus in our book.
The Moroccan argan oil gives this formula a pleasant smell, and also helps moisturise your strands. While our hair felt soft and smooth, it wasn’t as shiny or well-hydrated as with some of the other formulas we’ve tried. But, at just under £5, it’s still a decent budget-friendly option.
At first, we weren’t all that impressed with this shampoo’s performance in the shower, but its scent and results soon won us over. When washing our hair, it didn’t lather as well as some of the others on this list and we found that meant we had to use more product to give our hair a proper clean. It did detangle our hair a little but, again, we weren’t blown away – until we took a good whiff of the product.
It smells herbal and citrussy, and its fragrance reminds us of the kind they’d use in a spa. The best part was that this delicious scent lingered even after conditioning and applying our hair products.
We were even more impressed by the results this shampoo delivered. They were a lot better than we expected, and our locks felt soft and well-hydrated. The shampoo also comes in special formulas for strengthening and smoothing, if that’s what you’re after.
Less plastic packaging in the bathroom? Count us in. We’re massive fans of ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce, whether that be shampoo bars or refills. While it’s pricey, this one will sort you out for a while too, at 500ml per bag. For ease of use, simply transfer (some of) its insides into your shampoo bottle and voila. Its slim spout means it’s also easy to transfer into a travel-sized bottle, so no more fuss before going on holiday.
We love that this shampoo has been created to work for all hair types – it promises soft and shiny hair for all. It lathered well and is free from sulphates, parabens and artificial colours.
This shampoo lost points because of its pungent smell – for us, it was not only too strong but the smell also reminded us of aftershave. It’s a scent you’d expect from products targeted at men, and while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing in itself, it’s just not the smell we prefer from our shampoo.
The structure of the shampoo is a lot thicker and stickier than some others on this list, and is probably best compared with that of the Olaplex shampoo. It lathers very well, meaning you won’t need a lot of product. At the time of writing, it’s difficult to pinpoint whether it’s made our hair feel thicker, but we can imagine the formula might help achieve this over a prolonged period of use. It did leave our hair feeling clean, but not as shiny compared with results after using some others in this round-up.
A little tip: hidden underneath the lid, there’s one of those pesky layers of plastic that needs to be peeled off before using. We didn’t realise this in time, and it’s a tricky task to remove the plastic with wet hands, so make sure you do this before stepping into the shower.
Some might steer clear of beauty products that include hemp, as the plant is still strongly associated with weed by many, but there’s much more to it than that. In shampoo, hemp can help prevent breakage, as well as repair strands, and has been said to aid hair growth and is a natural moisturiser for hair and scalp. Along with the aloe vera, it makes for a hydrating and natural formula.
This shampoo lathered well and we appreciated the herbal scent. Our hair felt soft and smooth after use. The shampoo also did a great job of detangling our locks, but if you have curly hair or you’re prone to frizz, this might not be the best pick for you.
Essentially, sulphates are chemicals used as a cleaning agent in products such as shampoo, shaving gel and shower wash. It’s what causes the foam when washing your hair, which, for most people, tells them it’s doing its job of removing dirt. But, for certain types of hair – such as curly hair – using sulphates can be damaging, and it can even cause skin irritation for some.
This type of shampoo works much like any other regular formula but the ingredient list is where you’ll find the most differences, due to the lack of sulphates.
While they might sound harmless, sulphate ingredients can cause the scalp’s natural oils, which help to keep strands healthy, to be stripped away, and they can even cause some skin irritation.
Some people prefer their shampoo to be foamy, in which case sulphate-free shampoo might not be for you. But there’s a lot of benefits to be had from staying clear of this chemical, such as reducing frizz and scalp irritation, as well as leaving hair softer and better conditioned, while it can also help curly hair stay intact.
The majority of the time, if a shampoo is sulphate-free, it will say so on the packaging. But, if you want to be extra sure, the best thing to do is double check the label for the two most common sulphates found in shampoos: sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
This is largely dependent on whether your extensions are made from synthetic hair or natural hair.
If it's synthetic hair, you should use a clarifying shampoo that will help remove build-up of products, grime and smells. However, if they’re made from human hair, a sulphate-free shampoo is best, as it will be gentler on strands.
Formulas have come a long way over the years, and while sulphate-free shampoo used to lather quite poorly, that’s no longer the case. If lather is what you’re looking for and what makes you feel like you’ve had a proper, deep clean, we recommend Olaplex no. 4 bond maintenance shampoo.
For those with curly hair, we don’t think you can find much better than Only Curls’s shampoo bar for its exceptional hydrating qualities. For coloured hair, we recommend L’Oreal’s sulphate-free formula.
But, overall, Etique’s shampoo bar won us over with its results, easy-to-read ingredients list online and eco-credentials. The unscented bar should give any hair type a proper clean, and there’s plenty scented options available too.
Want more treats for your tresses? Check out our round-up of the best shampoos for grey hair
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