Shampoo & Conditioner

What is the difference between shampoo and conditioner?

A good hair day starts with a good shampoo and conditioner. This dynamic duo forms the foundation of any haircare routine and gets your locks in fabulous condition before prepping and styling.

Shampoo is a haircare product made to cleanse your hair. It contains special ingredients like detergents and surfactants, which remove oil, dirt, sweat, product buildup and other impurities, leaving your hair feeling fresh and clean.

Once your hair is clean, conditioners bring back softness and manageability. They're loaded with nourishing ingredients, such as oils, botanical extracts and proteins, which help repair, detangle, moisturise and protect your hair shafts from damage.

You can find shampoos and conditioners made for every hair type and hair concern, from dry and damaged to curly, straight, fine, frizzy and thinning hair. Most people use them as a two-step process, starting with a shampoo to clean and following up with a conditioner to smooth and seal in moisture and nutrients.

Do you need both shampoo and conditioner?

Generally, yes. Every hair type will need both shampoo and conditioner to maintain long-term hair health. This is because shampoo cleanses the hair by opening the hair cuticles, which can sometimes leave it feeling dry and frazzled. Following it up with a conditioner closes the cuticles and seals in all of the nutrients and moisture.

How to use shampoo and conditioner

To use shampoo and conditioner effectively, you should understand the different types and their role in your haircare routine. Aside from the regular versions you use in the shower, you can also find dry shampoo for refreshing hair between washes and leave-in conditioner for extra hydration and manageability. There are also sulphate-free shampoos that cleanse gently without stripping natural oils, especially on coloured hair.

For extra care, use a moisturising shampoo and hydrating conditioner to deeply hydrate, repair and protect. A shampoo bar is another handy and eco-friendly alternative. These hair products can help with different hair concerns, from reducing split ends and hair loss to controlling oily hair and frizzy hair.

Here's a quick guide on how to use each product:

• Shampoo: Squeeze a small amount into your palm and apply to wet hair. Massage into the scalp to create a rich lather. Rinse thoroughly. If your hair needs extra support, follow with a nourishing hair treatment before conditioning.
• Conditioner: Apply a small amount to the lengths of your hair, avoiding the scalp. Leave it in for a few minutes to work its magic, then rinse thoroughly.
• Dry shampoo: Use between washes to refresh hair and absorb oil. Shake the can well, hold it a short distance from your scalp and spray in sections. Massage in with your fingers and style as usual.
• Leave-in conditioner: After washing, towel-dry until damp and mist mid-lengths to ends. Comb through to detangle before air-drying or using a blow dryer. Do not rinse. You can layer it with a lightweight hair serum to help reduce frizz and add shine as part of your hairstyling routine.

How to find the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair

The right shampoo and conditioner help keep your hair clean, balanced and easy to manage. Once you know your hair type and what it needs, choosing the right pair is simple.

Here’s how to find what works for you:

• Understand your hair type: Texture matters. Straight, curly, thick or fine hair all respond differently to products, so start with what you’re working with.
• Know what your hair needs: Are you dealing with dryness, oiliness, breakage or colour fade? Choose the haircare essential made to support that.
• Read the label: Look for ingredients that match your needs, like hydrating oils, gentle cleansers or strengthening proteins.
• Think about your routine: If your hair is often styled with heat or treated with masks or hair colour, look for shampoo and conditioner that protect and support that type of care.

What shampoo and conditioner should I use?

The right shampoo and conditioner depend on your hair type and what you want your hair to do or feel like. Whether you’re after volume, control, moisture, strength or shine, we’ve got the options to match your needs.

These are some of our favourites:

• For wavy or curly hair: Control waves and curls with Goldwell Dualsenses Curls & Waves Shampoo or Wella Nutricurls Waves Shampoo to help detangle, hydrate and define shape. Redken All Soft Mega Curl Shampoo is another great option for curly hair that needs more moisture and anti-frizz care. It’s sulphate-free and made with aloe vera to boost bounce and manageability.
• For fine or flat hair: For fine hair that needs more body, try Davroe Volume Senses Amplifying Shampoo or Redken Volume Injection Shampoo to lift and thicken from root to tip.
• For oily scalps or dandruff: Try muk Head Muk Oily Scalp Shampoo to reduce oil without stripping natural moisture, or De Lorenzo Tricho Scalp Control Cleanser to soothe flakes and itching.
• For damaged, coloured or thinning hair: Biolage Keratindose Conditioner smooths frizz and adds strength, while Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care helps restore fullness and reduce breakage in thinning hair.
• For blonde, natural or organic care: Tone brassiness with KEVIN.MURPHY Blonde Angel Wash or NAK Hair Blonde Shampoo. For natural shampoo and conditioner, try De Lorenzo Rejuven8 or sulphate-free picks fromevo like The Therapist and Normal Persons.

Which shampoo and conditioner is best for dry hair?

The best shampoo and conditioner for dry hair are rich in hydrating ingredients like botanical oils, plant-based butters and conditioning agents. These help restore moisture, soften texture and reduce breakage over time.

Moroccanoil shampoo and conditioner are strong options for dry or damaged hair. They’re infused with argan oil, which is known for its antioxidant and fatty acid content that helps hydrate and protect.

Choose from Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner, or Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, depending on what your hair needs most. For extra nourishment, try adding the Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask to help strengthen and boost elasticity. Follow it with the Moisture Repair Conditioner to lock in moisture and smoothness.

For those looking for cruelty-free hair products, plant-based and vegan formulas can be a gentle and effective choice. And if you're seeing signs of thinning or breakage, look into haircare for hair growth that strengthens the scalp and helps improve fullness over time.

With the right shampoo and conditioner from Hairhouse, you can build long-term hair strength, softness and shine. We stock tried-and-tested favourites that suit every hair type, including travel sizes. Shop online for fast shipping Australia-wide, or visit your nearest Hairhouse using our store locator to chat with our experts!