Canstar Blue’s latest shampoo review has seen Dove, ALDI Natures Essence, Pantene, Herbal Essences, Sunsilk, Palmolive, L’Oréal, TRESemmé, Head & Shoulders, and other popular brands, compared on effectiveness, consistency, scent, packaging design, value for money and overall satisfaction.
Dove has rated best in Canstar Blue’s shampoo review, earning five stars for consistency, packaging design and overall satisfaction.
If your shampoo is leaving you with too many bad hair days, it might be time for a change. We know figuring out the world of haircare products can be a bit of a headache, which is why we publish our shampoo ratings each year, to help ease the stress. There’s a lot to consider when buying shampoo, whether you’re looking for something for thick and frizzy hair, flat and fine, dry and damaged, coloured, or perhaps even struggling with dandruff.
No matter what type of hair you have, it deserves to look and feel good. So, to find out which brands are leaving Aussies happy, Canstar Blue surveyed more than 1,900 adults and asked them to rate the brand(s) of shampoo they use, with their feedback reflected by the star ratings you see above. Respondents scored brands on effectiveness, consistency, scent, packaging design, value for money and overall satisfaction. Brands that received at least 30 responses are rated in this report.
This year, Dove was rated the best brand for shampoo after achieving a five-star review for overall satisfaction, consistency and packaging design.
Here are the best shampoo brands in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s latest review:
Dove washed up best after scoring a five-star review for consistency, packaging design, and overall satisfaction, while most other brands achieved four stars overall. The only exception was Sukin, which ended on three stars.
ALDI Natures Essence similarly impressed in terms of value for money, scoring full marks, as did Herbal Essences and Pantene for effectiveness. Herbal Essences also got five stars for consistency, scent and packaging design.
Apart from finding out which shampoo brand Aussies love most, our review also identified the most important drivers of satisfaction when deciding what to buy:
There’s no point using shampoo that doesn’t do anything for your hair – that would just be money going down the drain. With 54% of Aussies washing their hair at least every few days, you’d certainly hope the shampoo on the shower caddy is a good one. Not all hair is the same though, so one product might not be best for everyone, and that’s why brands typically have a number of options in their range. Nearly a quarter (24%) of consumers in our survey said they use a specific type of shampoo for their hair type, while 13% indicated they use a specific type for coloured hair. It’s important you shop around as there’s plenty of choice.
Shampoo formulation and consistency are important to consider, especially if you have a specific hair type or colour. Creamy and conditioning shampoos are best used for thick or curly hair types, while water-based and clear formulas are more suited to thin and straight hair or heads with dandruff.
Shampoo is a product we typically can’t get by without if we want clean hair. With only 11% of survey respondents indicating they buy the cheapest brand, it might suggest that there are many people out there who take their hair seriously and are willing to pay more for their shampoo. On the other hand, there’s still a good chunk of consumers who prefer to not spend a fortune, meaning the price tag and getting good value for money from your shampoo is an important area to consider the next time you’re running low.
A shampoo that fills the shower with an ocean breeze and tropical notes, making you feel like you’re in Hawaii can certainly help after a stressful day. Many brands will boast fruity flavours and flowery scents, while others have a kick of fresh mint and arabica coffee for something different. Whatever takes your fancy, a pleasant scent can certainly make you want to come back for more.
While shampoo packaging shouldn’t make any difference to your hair, it might convince you to try one brand over another. Yes, you shouldn’t judge a book – or shampoo bottle – by its cover, but it certainly helps draw the eye, and well-designed packaging can even make shower time a little easier. Shampoo bottles that are easy to open and pour are always a plus, and something that’s easy to grip while you’re all suds up will make shower time easier.
The brand of shampoo you take to the checkout will ultimately depend on your budget as well as your hair preferences, with washing your hair not a one-size-fits-all area. Although this year’s ratings suggest Dove and Herbal Essences are two brands worth considering, with both receiving five-star reviews in multiple research categories. Notably, ALDI Natures Essence also proved to be a good pick for value for money.
But while one brand might do the job for one person, you might need to give a try to a few different brands before you settle on the one that’s best for your golden locks. If your hair is in need of a shampoo change, why not try one of the brands that Aussies have been loving, with plenty of choice out there!
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She’s an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.
Picture credits: StoryTime Studio/Shutterstock.com, Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock.com, 9dream studio/Shutterstock.com.
Canstar Blue surveyed more than 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have purchased and used shampoo for their hair in the last six months (excluding dry shampoo) from a supermarket or pharmacy – in this case, 1,913 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
Here are the past winners of Canstar Blue’s shampoo ratings:
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