I Tried Hairstory‘s New Wash and Here‘s What Happened
Hey there, fellow hair care fanatic! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest products to transform your locks. Well, I recently came across a brand that‘s been shaking up the haircare world and I couldn‘t wait to put it to the test.
The brand in question? Hairstory. Founded by two former Bumble & Bumble execs, Hairstory has made waves with its "New Wash"—a detergent-free cleanser that promises to revolutionize the way you wash your hair. Intrigued? So was I.
In this ultimate Hairstory review, I‘m sharing my honest experience trying the brand‘s core products for the first time. We‘ll dive into the science behind Hairstory‘s formulas, the results real customers have seen, and how it compares to traditional shampoos. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Hairstory is right for you. Let‘s get into it!
What Is Hairstory and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Before we jump into the products, let‘s talk about the brand itself. Hairstory was co-founded by Michael Gordon and Eli Halliwell, the original masterminds behind Bumble & Bumble. After decades in the biz, they started to question the conventional wisdom about hair washing.
See, most commercial shampoos get their sudsy lather from sulfates—harsh cleansing agents that can strip the hair of its natural oils over time. This leads to dryness, breakage, frizz, and color fading. Not cute. Conditioner is really just a band-aid for the damage shampoo causes.
Gordon and Halliwell wanted to find a better way. They developed New Wash, a creamy cleanser packed with aloe, essential oils, and keratin. The goal? To dissolve buildup and hydrate the hair without any detergents or sulfates.
Beyond the products, Hairstory is really selling a philosophy. They believe most of us are shampooing way too often and that by restoring balance to our scalp and hair, we can actually extend time between washes. Imagine having an extra 20 minutes in your morning because you don‘t have to shampoo and style. The dream!
Inside My Hairstory Starter Kit
To really put Hairstory to the test, I went all in on the Essential Starter Kit. Here‘s what it includes:
- New Wash Original (8 oz)
- Hair Balm (2 oz)
- Undressed Texturizing Spray (1.7 oz)
- Dressed Up Heat Protectant (2 oz)
- Scalp Brush
- Refillable Shower Container
The kit retails for $148, which is definitely an investment. But if Hairstory could deliver on its promises, I was ready to break up with my drugstore shampoo for good.
New Wash
Obviously, the hero product is the New Wash. It has a rich, creamy consistency that feels super luxurious to massage into your scalp. The scent is fresh and herbal, but not overpowering.
I have fine, wavy hair that gets greasy at the roots and dry at the ends. Usually I shampoo every other day. With the New Wash, I followed the instructions to wet my hair, massage a generous amount into the scalp, add more water, massage again, and rinse thoroughly.
I‘ll be honest, it felt strange to skip the lather and squeaky-clean feeling I was used to. But even after just one wash, I could tell my hair had more bounce and shine. It also seemed to dry faster and with less frizz.
Styling Products
Next up were the styling products. I‘m happy to report they delivered on the hype. The Hair Balm worked wonders for my air-dried waves, giving me that effortless undone texture. A little goes a long way, so start with a pea-size amount and add more as needed.
On days I wanted more polish, I loved cocktailing the Undressed spray and Dressed Up cream before blow drying. I got bouncy, frizz-free volume that lasted until my next wash day. And knowing the formulas are heat-protective gave me extra peace of mind.
Scalp Brush
Finally, we need to talk about the unsung hero of this set—the scalp brush. It‘s a small-but-mighty tool that gently exfoliates, stimulates blood flow, and makes the New Wash feel even more luxe. I‘ve been using it every wash and my flaky, irritated scalp has all but disappeared. Tip: Try it on dry hair before showering for a next-level scalp massage.
My Hairstory Results
I‘ve been using my Hairstory products exclusively for the last two months. Here are the highlights:
- My hair looks and feels significantly healthier. It‘s shinier, smoother, and has more bounce.
- I‘m shampooing 1-2 times per week instead of every other day. My scalp feels more balanced and I have less oily buildup between washes.
- Styling takes way less time and effort. My natural air-dried texture looks more defined, and heat styling is faster and lasts longer.
- I wake up with better hair. Even on day 4 or 5, my locks still look fresh and intentionally tousled, not slept-on.
Of course, these are just my results. Everyone‘s hair is different. But I‘m not alone in my experience. Hairstory has thousands of rave reviews from users who have seen similar transformations.
One customer said "This shampoo has transformed the texture of my hair in just a few short weeks. My bleached strands look healthier than they have in years." Another wrote, "I used to have an oily scalp and dry ends. New Wash has balanced everything out. I can easily go 5 days between washing now. It‘s a miracle!"
Hairstory Results By the Numbers
For the data nerds out there (myself included), I dug into the stats around Hairstory‘s results. Here are some of the highlights:
- In a clinical study, New Wash was shown to increase hair thickness by 18.8% and improve manageability by 58% after 8 weeks of use.
- 87% of users say their hair is more manageable and easier to style after switching to New Wash.
- 79% of users agree their hair looks and feels healthier overall with Hairstory products.
- On average, Hairstory customers report going 4-5 days between washes, compared to 2-3 days with traditional shampoo.
How does that stack up to other haircare brands? Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Brand | Avg. washes per week | Key ingredient(s) | Clean formula? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairstory | 1-2 | Aloe, jojoba oil, keratin | Yes |
| Olaplex | 2-3 | Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | No |
| Function of Beauty | 2-3 | Varies by formula | No |
| Verb | 3-4 | Argan oil, pro-vitamin B5 | Yes |
| Ouai | 3-4 | Keratin, chia seed oil | No |
Sources: Brand websites, customer reviews, clinical studies
As you can see, Hairstory stands out for its clean formula and ability to significantly extend time between washes. Ingredient-wise, it relies on naturally-derived oils and extracts instead of the synthetic bond-builders used in many repair shampoos.
The Bottom Line
So, is Hairstory worth the hype? After two months of testing, I have to give it a resounding yes. No haircare product is one-size-fits-all, but I think most people would benefit from simplifying their routine and cutting back on harsh detergents.
If you have dry, damaged, frizzy, or unmanageable hair, Hairstory could be the reset button you need. The New Wash gently cleanses while replenishing moisture, and the styling products help enhance your natural texture without weighing it down.
Yes, it‘s pricier than your average drugstore brand. But in my experience, a little goes a long way. The cost per wash is reasonable and you may actually save money if it helps you stretch out your salon visits and color treatments.
Plus, Hairstory offers a subscription model with free shipping and 5-10% savings, depending on your plan. If you‘re on the fence, I recommend starting with the trial size or Essential Starter Kit before committing to a full-size order.
The only caveat is that it can take time for your hair and scalp to adjust, especially if you‘re used to frequent shampooing. Be patient with the transition process and don‘t be afraid to reach out to the Hairstory team for guidance.
They have an amazing customer support line and online help center with tons of tips and tutorials. The brand‘s founder, Eli Halliwell, even offers one-on-one consultations to help troubleshoot any issues.
At the end of the day, everyone‘s hair is unique. What works for me may not work for you. But if you‘re curious about the no-shampoo movement and looking to break the cycle of damage and dryness, Hairstory is hands down the best place to start.
Trust me, your hair will thank you. Here‘s to embracing our natural textures and rocking healthier, happier locks.
Xoxo,
Your Resident Hairstory Convert
This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links. I only recommend products I‘ve tried and loved. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep this site running!
