Anita Butterworth
Forget the salon price tag. We asked mums which supermarket shampoos and conditioners they keep buying because they work just as well as the exxy options.
More than 100 mums responded to our callout for the best supermarket shampoos and conditioners.
From Pantene and TRESemmé to L’Oréal Elvive, Herbal Essences and Dove, there are plenty of supermarket haircare products that have earned a permanent place in mums’ shower routines.
But the question that really got the conversation going was a familiar one: are salon shampoos actually worth paying more for?
Some mums wouldn’t dream of switching from their salon brands, while others say paying big bucks for shampoo and conditioner is a waste of money and they’ve found supermarket products that work just as well.
So we went through the recommendations to find out which supermarket shampoos and conditioners mums are actually putting in their trolleys.
What supermarket shampoo or conditioner mums swear by?
When we asked our community of mums, the answers were predictably varied, but there were some clear favourites. Mums also had plenty to say about specific products for curly, fine, sensitive and dandruff-prone hair, as well as the eternal supermarket-versus-salon debate.
Here are the supermarket haircare brands that kept getting recommended.
Pantene
What mums love: A dependable everyday favourite mums keep repurchasing.
Pantene was the most popular recommendation by mums. For several mums, there wasn’t a complicated explanation for why they use it. They simply love it.
It’s a good example of the kind of supermarket product that has built up a loyal following simply because mums know what they’re getting.
Dove
What mums love: Hair that feels noticeably better after using it.
Dove was another brand that got some very specific praise, particularly for how it made hair feel.
What stands out with the Dove recommendations is that mums aren’t just saying they like the brand. They’re talking about the feel and appearance of their hair afterwards.
L’Oréal Elvive
What mums love: There seems to be an Elvive for different hair problems.
Elvive was one of the more interesting recommendations because mums weren’t all reaching for the same product.
Erin Conrad recommended the Elvive range, while Kirra Cee specifically singled out the Glycolic Acid range.
Debra Pattemore also recommended L’Oréal Elvive shampoo and conditioner.
Rather than one Elvive product emerging as the universal winner, the comments suggest mums are finding different products in the range that suit their individual hair.
Herbal Essences
What mums love: The varieties smell good and mums notice how their hair feels afterwards.
If there’s one thing the Herbal Essences recommendations have in common, it’s that mums seem to get very attached to their particular favourite.
Tracy Dare recommended the yellow Magnolia variety, saying her hair loves it and that it smells amazing.
Brooke Towner recommended Strawberry & Mint, while Tanya Kilner singled out the Coconut variety and said she’d tried most of them before finding one that worked well for her hair.
There was also a very specific conditioner recommendation from Simone de Groot, who said the pink Rose variety in the large pump bottle was the only one her hair liked.
Monday Haircare
What mums love: It works particularly well for curly hair.
Monday Haircare was recommended several times, in particular for people with curly hair.
TRESemmé
What mums loved: A classic supermarket favourite for mums who have already found their go-to TRESemmé bottle.
TRESemmé has some seriously loyal fans in the Mouths of Mums community.
Vicki Katzilieri said she wouldn’t use anything else, while another mum immediately replied that she loved TRESemmé too.
Trish Tchernegovski was equally concise in her recommendation, simply saying she loved it.
There wasn’t one particular TRESemmé product that dominated the comments. Instead, it was the brand loyalty that stood out.
OGX
What mums loved: Rosemary & Mint gets a specific thumbs-up, particularly for short hair.
Julie Anne Prehna recommended Rosemary & Mint and said it was great for her short hair.
It’s a smaller number of recommendations than some of the bigger supermarket brands, but the comments were specific enough to make OGX one to consider.
Sukin
What mums loved: It’s one of the brands mums specifically choose when they need sulfate-free haircare.
For some mums, choosing shampoo isn’t simply about whether their hair looks good afterwards. Ingredients and how their scalp reacts are a major consideration.
Sukin was specifically recommended by mums looking for sulfate-free haircare.
Gem
What mums loved: The smell and the feeling of healthier, stronger hair.
Gem may not be the first brand everyone thinks of when they think supermarket haircare, but it got some genuinely enthusiastic recommendations.
Roxanne McCudden had only been using it for around three weeks but was already impressed by how her hair felt and smelled. She also felt her hair was becoming stronger and healthier, although she was careful to point out she’d only been using it for a short time.
That makes Gem an interesting recommendation because it’s being used as a more affordable supermarket alternative to salon haircare, rather than simply as another cheap shampoo.
Aveeno
What mums loved: Fresh Greens Blend was a standout for fine hair.
Aveeno received a couple of positive recommendations.
Particularly for anyone fine hair who finds heavier shampoos leave their hair flat or weighed down, the Fresh Greens Blend recommendation is particularly worth noting.
Other supermarket haircare mums recommend
Nature’s Organics Apple Fresh received an especially enthusiastic recommendation from Inger Andersen, who said she’d used the shampoo and conditioner for years and loved the way it left her hair looking shiny.
Cedal was recommended specifically for dandruff and itchy scalps, with Dianne Margaret highlighting its zinc pyrithione content and low price.
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo also came up more than once, including from mums looking for gentle options.
And for curly hair, Essano and specific L’Oréal Elvive products were among the recommendations, alongside the mums who said supermarket products simply don’t work for their curls.
There was also a recommendation for People Haircare, with one mum saying she buys its Deep Cleanse Shampoo and Hydrate Conditioner from Coles, particularly when they’re on special.
There were also a host of other supermarket shampoo and conditioner brands that were mentioned.
Mums also recommended Clear, Palmolive, Flex, John Frieda Frizz Ease, Nature’s Organics, Essano, Glow Lab, Dermaveen, Sunsilk, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Cedal, Oil Garden, Argon Oil of Morocco and Milkshake, among others.
The supermarket vs salon shampoo and conditioner debate
The original question asked whether supermarket shampoos are really that different from salon products, and the comments made it clear that there is absolutely no consensus among mums.
Some think the difference is barely worth worrying about.
Joanne Wilks said she doesn’t think there’s much difference with more affordable brands and suggested spending a little more on a good after-wash conditioner instead.
Alicia Gillies was similarly unconvinced that salon products are worth the extra money, pointing out that she knows someone with amazing hair who uses supermarket products.
But other mums were absolutely on the other side.
One mum with fine hair said supermarket products leave her hair limp and oily, so she buys large salon bottles when they’re discounted. She argued that the bigger bottles last several months and work out better value for her.
Another mum said she has used only salon-branded shampoo and conditioner for 20 years.
And Megan Robinson was adamant there is a major difference between supermarket and salon products.
Interestingly, the conversation also showed just how personal haircare can be. One mum said supermarket products simply don’t work for her curls, while another recommended a supermarket Herbal Essences product for her own hair but said her daughter’s long, thick, wavy-to-curly hair does better with a different range.
And perhaps that’s the real takeaway from hundreds of recommendations: there isn’t one shampoo that works for everyone.
Hair type, scalp, colour treatment, curls, budget and even how often you wash your hair can all change what works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are supermarket shampoos as good as salon shampoos?
There isn’t a simple yes or no. Shampoo formulas vary in their cleansing and conditioning ingredients, and products are designed for different hair and scalp needs. Price or where a shampoo is sold doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether it will suit your hair.
This was reflected in the Mouths of Mums discussion too. Some mums were very happy with supermarket products, while others strongly preferred salon brands.
Sukin was specifically recommended in our discussion by a mum who said she needs sulfate-free products.
Can shampoo cause a dry or irritated scalp?
It can. Overwashing or using harsh surfactants can strip away the scalp’s surface oils and contribute to dryness and irritation. Shampoo can also occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis because of ingredients such as fragrances, preservatives or certain cleansing agents.
Does shampoo actually repair damaged hair?
It’s better to be cautious with the word “repair”. Conditioning ingredients can temporarily smooth the hair shaft, reduce friction and improve the way damaged hair looks and feels, but that isn’t the same as permanently reversing existing damage. DermNet notes that conditioning agents can temporarily patch hair-shaft damage and improve tensile strength.
Can shampoo cause build-up on your hair?
Haircare products can leave residue, which is one reason clarifying shampoos exist. DermNet describes deep-cleaning or clarifying shampoos as products designed to thoroughly cleanse without conditioning, and recommends them for occasional rather than daily use to avoid over-cleansing.
What is the best supermarket shampoo?
There isn’t one shampoo that’s objectively best for everyone. The mums in our discussion recommended brands including Pantene, Dove, L’Oréal Elvive, Herbal Essences, Monday Haircare, TRESemmé, OGX, Sukin, Gem and Aveeno, but the reasons varied from hair type and scalp needs to fragrance, price and simply finding a product that worked for them.
And that’s probably the most useful thing to take from the recommendations: the shampoo that works brilliantly for one mum may not be the right one for the next.
What should I look for when choosing a shampoo?
Your hair and scalp are a better starting point than the price tag. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing products according to your hair type, whether it’s fine, straight, curly, coarse or another texture.
You may also need to consider whether your hair is dry, oily, chemically treated or prone to particular scalp problems. Different shampoos are formulated for different purposes.
Is expensive shampoo better for your hair?
Not necessarily. Shampoo is formulated around its ingredients and intended use, rather than simply its price. Different formulas contain different cleansing and conditioning agents, so a more expensive product isn’t automatically going to be a better match for your hair.
How often should you wash your hair?
It depends on your hair and scalp. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing based on how quickly your hair becomes dirty or oily. People with straight hair and an oily scalp may need to shampoo more frequently, while dry, curly, textured or thick hair generally needs less frequent washing.
Should you put shampoo on your whole head?
Not usually. Dermatologists recommend concentrating shampoo on your scalp, where it removes oil, dead skin and product build-up, rather than applying it heavily through the lengths of your hair.
Do you really need conditioner after shampooing?
Conditioner can help moisturise and detangle hair and make it easier to manage. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying conditioner to the ends for fine or straight hair, while people with dry or curly hair can apply it through the length of the hair.
Is conditioner important for damaged hair?
It can help. Conditioning products coat the hair and can reduce friction, breakage and split ends. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a moisturising conditioner after shampooing, particularly when hair is fragile or prone to breakage.
What supermarket shampoo is good for curly hair?
In our Mouths of Mums discussion, Monday Haircare was specifically recommended for curly hair, with one mum saying the product she buys at Coles “works wonders on curly hair.”
More generally, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends adjusting your haircare routine to your hair type, with dry and curly hair often needing less frequent shampooing and more conditioning.
What supermarket shampoo is good for fine hair?
Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend was specifically recommended by one mum who said she uses it for fine hair and finds it “brilliant.”
There isn’t enough evidence from our comments to say it is objectively the best shampoo for fine hair, but it is a genuine recommendation from a mum with fine hair.
What supermarket shampoo is good for a sensitive scalp?
One mum in our discussion recommended L’Oréal Elvive Miraculous Oil Shampoo, saying she has a very sensitive scalp and had tried numerous shampoos before finding one that worked for her.
That’s an individual experience rather than evidence that the product will work for everyone with a sensitive scalp.
If a scalp is persistently itchy, sore, inflamed or developing a rash, it’s worth getting medical advice rather than simply changing shampoos. Shampoo ingredients can occasionally cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis.
Are sulfate-free shampoos better?
Not automatically. Sulfates are cleansing surfactants used in shampoos, and some surfactants can be more irritating or drying than others. Whether a sulfate-free shampoo is preferable depends on the individual and their hair and scalp.
So, which supermarket shampoo should you try?
If the Mouths of Mums community has taught us anything, it’s that the best shampoo is the one that works for your particular hair.
For some mums, that’s Pantene or TRESemmé they’ve been buying for years. For others, it’s a specific Elvive, Herbal Essences or OGX formula. Curly-haired mums have their own favourites, while those with sensitive scalps or particular hair concerns are often much more selective about what they use.
And while the supermarket-versus-salon debate is clearly nowhere near settled, one thing is: you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to find a shampoo you may genuinely love.
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ChiWren, QLD said
- 01 Oct 2026
Post a comment2:37 pm
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