Last Updated on March 5, 2021 by Kristen
If you have a boatload of hair like I do, and if you’ve been on this earth a good while, you’ve probably had just about enough of hair washing—and conditioning and styling products and all the rest.
This is why even after using it for more than a year, I’m still tell-all-your-friends excited about New Wash, a hair cleanser and conditioner all-in-one from Hairstory, a company founded by Bumble & Bumble founder Michael Gordon. Even if you don’t have a ton of hair, doesn’t using just one product, instead of two or four, sound pretty good?
You’ve maybe heard the term nopoo, but if you haven’t, I promise it’s a thing (I know, weird because obviously no one wants poo but they’re talking about shampoo). Co-wash is another one, and it basically means using conditioner to wash your hair. A product called Wen popularized this trend. But I like the ingredients in New Wash better, and it doesn’t make my hair feel coated with something like Wen does (sorry Wen).
I wrote about New Wash for Forbes and the article has nearly 2.5 million views—a post about not using shampoo to wash your hair! So it seems like it’s something people are passionate about. But there are skeptics out there, so I wanted to share a few insider tips about New Wash, because it has for real changed my life. I also use it exclusively on my 6-year-old daughter’s long, fine, wavy hair. To get the most out of the product, here are a few guidelines to follow.
Get hair really wet.
This is generally true for most hair cleansing products, but even more so for New Wash (possibly due to the consistency). Having a soaked head from the ends of your hair to your scalp will help make sure the product cleanses thoroughly.
Use plenty of product.
I have a lot of hair, so it makes sense that I need to use a lot of product. But even if you have short or thinner hair, you’ll still likely need to use more New Wash than you would regular shampoo. I have no scientific studies to back this up, but my guess is that because it doesn’t foam up, it doesn’t travel around your hair and scalp as readily. This may be a minus in your book since the product is comparatively expensive. In my opinion it all comes out in the wash (#seewhatididthere) because you’re using just one product.
Hairstory has also released a handy brush that both helps with product distribution and provides a lovely massage.
Yes, you’re washing your hair.
I promise you are washing your hair even though you’re not making suds. A friend who tried New Wash told she likes using it sometimes, but sometimes she also likes to “actually wash her hair.” The dirt and unwanted oils are definitely being removed from your hair, though, otherwise my sweaty, post-dance class hair would be unbearable.
New Wash has introduced a new iteration, New Wash (Deep), which might be for you if you desire a bit more aggressive cleaning. On the other hand if you need more conditioning, you might try New Wash (Rich).
You may need a period of adjustment.
Humans are creatures of habit, and New Wash might make your hair feel different than it did after using your previous go-to products. might be a good thing even if it doesn’t seem like it at first because humans fear change even when it’s good. I know from every web redesign I’ve lived though.
New Wash may not be for you.
Obviously I’m a fan, but I realize New Wash isn’t for everyone. For example, my beloved hair stylist, Connie McGrath, founder of Veer and Wander in San Francisco, tried it for a month and decided it’s not for her. Everyone’s hair is different. While it works for many, if you check out the reviews on Hairstory’s website, it’s clear that it does not work for all.
Given that an 8-ounce bottle costs $40, it’s a shame the company doesn’t offer a smaller, cheaper trial size. It doesn’t seem right that the folks who had a bad experience should be out that much moolah for something they won’t use.
If you’ve tried it, I’d love it if you’d share your experience in the comments!