For a lot of us, lockdown helped us realize just how much we were over-washing our hair.

But when we are in the routine of over-washing, it's hard to stop because our hair gets oily and dirty quickly and we have to wash it again.

We all have our go-to drugstore shampoo and conditioner at this stage - whatever one that has the nicest smell or makes our hair look shiny for a day or two after washing. However, some have started steering away from drugstore shampoo brands in search of alternatives with better ingredients.

Recently we've seen Hairstory's New Wash gain popularity with those making the switch. We decided to compare it to regular shampoo to see if we would recommend it. Here's what we found:

Key Similarities:

  • Both serve the purpose of washing your hair

Key Differences:

  • Hairstory is free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, and other harmful ingredients. Most drugstore brands are not
  • Hairstory delivers to your doorstep, some drug stores don't deliver
  • Hairstory has a sustainable subscription option called their "Refill Club." Most drugstores don't have subscriptions
  • Hairstory's refill's contain no unnecessary plastic. Drugstore shampoo bottles are made of plastic
  • Hairstory's New Wash comes in 3 types: Original, Rich, and Deep. There are so many drugstore brands, the options can be overwhelming
  • Hairstory has a thorough quiz to help you figure out which product is right for you
  • Hairstory has a money-back guarantee.

Drugstore Brand Overview:

Most shampoo and conditioner brands that you can buy in your local drugstore contain harsh ingredients like sulfates and other detergents that over-clean your hair - the same detergents found in cleaning products!

Turns out, if it foams it's probably not good for your hair. Drugstore shampoo strips away your scalp's natural protective oils, so your body ends up overproducing oils in response. Then we have to add moisture again by using conditioner and our hair is greasy in no time. It's the vicious wash, grease, repeat cycle.

These detergents can also be a cause of dandruff due to an irritated, flaky scalp.

Hairstory Overview:

Hairstory's New Wash is a safe and effective substitute for shampoo and conditioner. It cleans your hair and scalp without stripping your natural oils or damaging the microbiome.

When comparing the ingredient lists of most drugstore brands to Hairstory, the difference is huge. Hairstory contains zero harsh chemicals. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Jojoba seed oil, Evening Primrose oil, Sunflower seed oil, Peppermint oil, Rose oil, and keratin are a few of the strengthening and conditioning ingredients included in New Wash.

Our editors couldn't wait to try out New Wash. It takes a little while for your hair to get used to the switch depending on your hair type. Some people have no transition issues, but on average it can take 2-4 weeks of using New Wash 'til the results are fully set in. In our experience it was about the 2 week mark.

When your hair gets used to New Wash, you don't need to wash it as often because the wash, grease, repeat cycle has been broken. Once our hair got used to it we noticed our hair looking healthier and shinier than it's ever been!

Hairstory's Refill Club is worth noting too - members can subscribe and get a discount on their New Wash, plus free shipping. You'll receive an aluminum refillable container equipped with a convenient pump dispenser, and every 10-14 weeks you'll be sent a pouch to refill your bottle, meaning 63% less plastic consumption.

Final Thoughts

After trying Hairstory's New Wash, we can confirm it's no myth. We've fully made the switch from our drugstore brands to New Wash, and we've noticed a huge difference in our hair. It costs $40 for 8 oz., which seems like a lot, but we hardly ever have to wash our hair anymore!

Plus, our hair is in the best condition it's ever been in, so we're saving money by not having to use repairing products, serums, hair masks, and detanglers. Hairstory's products don't stop at New Wash though - they have tons of other products to help you reach your hair goals.

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Our editors have been searching for a new hair care routine for healthier hair. We've discovered the foundation to our hair goals all starts with the wash. No matter how much product you pile on, if your hair isn't at its best under all that, you won't achieve what you're looking for.

Trying to narrow down the best wash routine we landed on Hairstory's New Wash. This hair care brand is redefining the way we approach wash day with a game-changing hair cleanser. It turns out the shampoo-conditioner routine we're all looped into is actually making out hair worse, not better.

Shampoos are often packed with detergents and harsh chemicals that strip the hair and scalp of natural oils, leading to damaged hair and an overproduction of oil, sending you back to the shower even sooner. You go through more products and your hair isn't benefiting from this wash-grease-repeat cycle.

New Wash is a cleanser that works for all hair types and has none of those harmful detergents. Women are making the switch to Hairstory and here's what they're saying:

"Love how my hair feels"

"Felt the effect on my hair instantly after the first wash. My hair is fine and wavy, with a few highlights and it has recently been very dry and without form. Since I started using New Wash my hair has become soft, wavy, shiny... like it used to be when I was a kid!" - Natalia D.

"Flat and oily to full and healthy!"

"I have very soft, medium/lightweight hair, and I get an oily scalp a day or less after a wash. For a long time, I had been trying to decrease the amount of oil my scalp generates by washing less with my usual shampoo and conditioner...but never had much success.

Using New Wash has truly decreased the amount of oil on my scalp and given my hair a fullness and volume that I have never achieved before!" - Laura B.

"So happy with the results"

"I have fine, color-treated hair. It always looked dried and fried. My scalp was also dry and itchy. I've been using New Wash for two weeks and OMG. I don't need to load up with products - conditioner, hair mask, leave-in conditioner, styling cream, etc. - to get healthy-looking hair." - Andrea L.

Hairstory
New Wash: Original, Deep, & Rich
No Parabens, Sulfates, Or Silicones
Shop Now

"Never using traditional shampoo again!"

"I can't stress enough how much I love this product!! I was already only washing my hair once a week, however, I needed dry shampoo and a pony by day 2! With New Wash I use it once a week as well but now I can wear my hair down well into day 4." - Ashley A.

"Basically it's magic"

"Oh my god. I started using New Wash a year ago and it changed my hair. No more split ends (seriously, none) and it looks moisturized and healthy, which is a feat for hip-length hair. Also fixed my dry, flaky scalp that caused me so much stress." - Rachel V.

Not only is Hairstory better for your scalp, but it's also better for the planet. Hairstoryis known for its sustainable Refill Club, which gives you a refillable shower container, travel container, and free shipping on your orders. Then you subscribe to stock up on New Wash every 10, 12, or 14 weeks - whatever works for you - and it arrives at your door in a pouch (goodbye plastic bottles!!).

We're totally embracing this new wash routine with Hairstory. Trust us, your hair will thank you for making the switch.

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I adore trying new hair and beauty products. I'm constantly on the quest to find my holy grail products, but I've tried

so many, I'm ready to settle down with one product that takes care of all my needs.

So when I heard about the professional haircare brand, Hairstoryand their hair wash cleanser aimed to debunk the classic shampoo-conditioner routine, I was very intrigued. Apparently, traditional shampoos are actually just harmful detergents that strip your scalp of its protective oil barrier.

Was my hair ready to switch to something so different and leave my shampooing and conditioning routine behind?

I wasn't too sure if it was the right direction for me, so I decided to do more research and here's what I found:

New Washreplaces your shampoo and conditioner; it's everything your hair needs. Once your hair adapts to New Wash, you don't have to wash it as often - it breaks the cycle of wash, grease, repeat by not stripping your hair.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, "Jojoba" seed oil, "Evening Primrose" oil, Sunflower seed oil, Rose oil, Keratin- just some of the safe natural ingredients Hairstory uses. They are fully transparent about everything that goes into their products unlike other shampoos that only tell you what they need to.

Less need for conditioning treatments because New Wash is full of natural conditioning ingredients that won't leave your hair dry and damaged

Suitable for every type of hair with 3 formulations of New Wash: Rich, Original, and Deep! Hairstory has a comprehensive 23-step quiz to help you choose the one that best fits your hair.

Hairstory uses less plastic for their packaging and takes sustainability even further with their Refill Club. You get an aluminum refillable container equipped with a convenient pump dispenser and every 6-10 weeks, they send you a New Wash pouch to refill your bottle.

After learning all this, I couldn't not try Hairstory'sNew Wash, plus with so many glowing hair goal reviews online I couldn't wait to try it out.

I crossed my fingers the first time using my New Wash, hoping it would work in my hair. After a full two weeks of trialing it, I can confirm: I'm converted to the Hairstory New Wash method for cleansing my hair.

My hair already feels healthier and stronger and I can't wait to tell my sister, mom, and friends that they need to ditch the high-chemical, detergent-filled, traditional shampoos and conditioners and get on the New Wash hair wave with me.

Take Hairstory's Quiz Now To Find Out What Product Is Right For You!

This year has gone by in the blink of an eye and the holidays have officially begun! Now that gifting season is upon us, many of us are excited … but, not everyone is a professional gift-giver and that's okay. Our go-to haircare brand has everything wrapped up for you, literally.

Meet Hairstory's Holiday Boutiquefull of curated gift bundles so you can sit back and find the perfect gift without doing all the work. Each bundle has 2-3 gifts that go together and come at a great value. Giving presents that have meaning and function are #giftgoals and now you can do it all in one shot.

For The Eco-Warrior

Sustainability is major and if you have someone in your life that's tricky to shop for due to their eco-friendly dedication, the Paravel X Hairstory ($59) bundle is the way to go. You'll be giving them Hairstory's 8oz New Wash and 3oz Travel Jar, so their hair will get the gift of shine from a beauty brand that cares as much about the environment as they do.

New Wash doesn't use any of the harmful chemicals that are in shampoo, plus it's biodegradable so they can rest assured that the planet is safe when they wash with Hairstory. Paravel's Wash Kit is great for storing all of your self-care needs and is lightweight, durable, and most importantly sustainable, made from recycled materials. You can't go wrong with gifting this duo.

For The Friend Whos Always On The Go

Have that one person in your life who always seems to be moving? Well, the Hairstory X Bluestone Lane ($39) bundle is calling their name. Help them look their best so they can kick off their day with Hairstory's hat-proof, water-resistant wax. They'll leave the house feeling stylish and good to go with this easy, air-dried effect.

While looking their best will help, those movers and shakers love their coffee. This bundle includes BSL's Maverick Espresso Blend, which pairs well with any choice of milk and treats their palette to the rich tastes of cocoa, clove, and honeycomb. Help someone look and feel their best this holiday season.

For The Busy Parent

These days, moms and dads are just doing it all: working, cooking, cleaning, teaching - you name it, they've got it covered. With all the extra stress this year has brought, they deserve something special.

The Hairstory X Palermo Beauty ($45) bundle is the ultimate gift to give back a little bit of the self-care they've missed out on. The Hairstory Powder will refresh a parent's look so whether it's a last-minute Zoom or a quick trip to the grocery store they'll look good and feel good with minimum effort.

Starting the day off can be daunting for any parent but Palermo's Detox Body Scrub will help them kick things off feeling energized and ready for the day. The scrub's blend of tea tree and grapefruit awakens the senses while the Dead Sea salt, pumice stone, and sea clay exfoliate yesterday's tired, dull skin.

For The "Need 5 Minutes" Friend

We all have that friend who never seems to have enough time in the day for all their plans, whether it's washing their hair, getting enough sleep, or making plans to see you! Help them out with the perfect stocking stuffer bundle by Hairstory X Blissy ($49).

Hairstory's Hair Balm is a time-saving, air-drying hair hack. Just apply to damp hair and get a polished air-dried look, saving the 30 minutes to blow dry and free up their schedule. And Blissy's Silk Sleep Eye Mask + Carrying Case will help them get quality restful sleep and make them feel more energized to tackle the day. Plus, they'll wake up without dry eyes, puffiness, or face marks (amazing, right?!).

For The Fashionista

It's always hard to shop for that friend who is always dressed up and looking gorgeous, even if they're lounging at home or going to the pharmacy. Hairstory X Blissy ($45) has a bundle of stocking stuffers that will definitely help enhance all the fabulousness your friend's already got going on.

A big part of looking your best is your hair and Hairstory's Dressed Up will keep your friend's locks on point. They'll appreciate the extra hair protection, control, and texture when styling any look. On top of that, you'll be giving them the best Silk Scrunchie ever from Blissy to ensure there's no frizz, tugging, or hair damage with any up-do.

No matter who you're shopping for, Hairstory's Holiday Boutique has you covered. These bundles are sustainable, functional, and affordable - the trifecta of gift-giving.

Don't miss out, and get all your special someones the gifts they'll love all wrapped in one bow!

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I finally went to a hairdresser that specializes in curly hair and I have to tell you, it's the best thing I ever did. My cut was spectacular, and I'm finally not frustrated by my curls - but styling has been a little tricky.

My mane definitely needs product, but it CANNOT handle a daily blowdry.

Would my stylist have the answer? I called up the salon to talk to her, and she told me she'd heard great things about Hairstory's Hair Balm, which is recommended for air drying.

I was surprised to hear that there was a product specifically for letting your hair air dry. Still, I looked it up; it's a leave-in conditioner that works to tame frizz, shape curls and add moisture, without getting that crunchy dry effect.

There was free shipping on my first order, a money-back guarantee, and the product is made from all natural ingredients, so even though I'd never even heard of this brand before… it seemed like their products were high-quality.

They were also super transparent about their ingredients, which is kind of Hairstory'sthing; everything is listed, even if it's only in trace amounts that aren't required by law to be included on a label (yikes!). If you hover over an ingredient, they give you a full explanation on why they use it! Pretty cool.

Even with my limited knowledge of hair products, I could scan and see that this was packed with proteins, hydrating oils, and essential oils for fragrance instead of other weird stuff.

I figured I'd give it a try - they're most known for their shampoo-free cleanser, New Wash, which intrigued me, so I'd try that next if this worked out.

My package arrived pretty swiftly and I liked the crisp blue and white bottle. I double checked the instructions online for how much to use, and read that one full pump was right for long, thick hair (me!).

After a shower, I worked a pump full of Hair Balm into my hand and ran it through my hair, scrunching as I went. It smelled nice, at least, and not like chemicals.

I went to go watch a 2 hour movie, and didn't check on my hair until after...

Oh my goodness. There was a Noticeable Difference. First off, no frizz whatsoever - every hair was wound in a thick curl. I hadn't seen my hair silhouetted like that since I came out of the salon! My hair was soft too; it was like body lotion for my hair.

I walked around my apartment, checking it out in every mirror, and noticed as time went by, it still didn't lose volume or frizz up. It was a long-lasting effect.

Not to be dramatic, but this is life-changing for curly hair. If you subscribe for a new shipment every 6, 8, or 10 weeks, you'll get 5% off!

It apparently works for other hair types, too, so if you're looking for a hair-healthy styling product you can air dry with, I can't imagine anything better.

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