Shampoo & Conditioner

How shampoo and conditioner work together

Hair shampoo is a haircare product that cleanses your scalp and hair by removing oil, dirt, sweat and product buildup. With your hair freshly cleansed, conditioner can then do its job, restoring softness, manageability and moisture back into your strands.

It all comes down to your hair cuticle. Shampooing opens the cuticle to lift away impurities, which can leave your hair feeling a little dry and exposed. Conditioner closes it back up and locks in moisture and nutrients, giving you that smooth, soft finish you're after.

The good news is that whether you're working with dry or damaged hair, curly hair, fine, frizzy or thinning strands, there's a shampoo and conditioner made specifically for your hair type.

How to use shampoo and conditioner correctly

Shampoo belongs on your scalp, where oil, sweat and buildup collect, and conditioner belongs on your mid-lengths and ends, where your hair needs moisture most. You'd be surprised how many people do it the other way around!

From sulphate-free shampoos and shampoo bars to dry shampoo and leave-in conditioners, here's how to use each one correctly:

• Shampoo: Apply a small amount to wet hair and massage it into your scalp to build a lather, then rinse thoroughly. If your hair needs a little extra love, follow with a hair treatment before you condition.
• Conditioner: Work it through your lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp. Leave it in for a few minutes, then rinse with cool water to close the cuticle and lock in moisture.
• Dry shampoo: Your between-wash best friend. 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: On towel-dried, damp hair, apply from mid-lengths to ends and comb through to detangle. No rinsing needed! Pair it with a hair serum for frizz control and added shine, and you're good to go.

How often should you wash your hair?

How often you shampoo comes down to your hair type, scalp and lifestyle. Fine or oily hair tends to need washing every one to two days, while dry, thick or curly hair can comfortably go longer between washes, sometimes up to a week.

The key is paying attention to what your hair is telling you. If your scalp feels itchy or your roots look flat and greasy, it's time for a wash. A good dry shampoo is brilliant for buying an extra day or two between washes and keeping your roots looking fresh without stripping your scalp.

How to choose the right shampoo and conditioner

The right shampoo and conditioner start with knowing your hair type and your main hair concern. From dry hair and damaged hair to oily, frizzy and thinning strands, there's a formula made for what your hair needs.

Here's what to think about before you buy:

• Your hair type: Straight, curly, thick or fine hair all respond differently to products. Start there, and you're already halfway to finding your match.
• Your main hair concern: Whether you're dealing with frizzy hair, oily hair, split ends, hair loss or dandruff, there's a shampoo and conditioner made to target that specifically.
• The ingredients: Look for moisturising formulas with hydrating oils for dry or damaged hair, gentle cleansers for sensitive scalps, volumising agents for fine hair, and anti-dandruff actives like zinc pyrithione or piroctone olamine for flaky scalps.
• Your styling routine: If you colour your hair regularly or use hairstyling tools often, look for a shampoo and conditioner that protects against damage and helps your colour last longer.

What ingredients should you look for in shampoo and conditioner?

Not all shampoos and conditioners are created equal, and the ingredients list is where you'll spot the difference. The good news is that you only need to know a handful of key actives to make a confident choice. Once you know what to look for, choosing the right formula becomes much easier.

It's also worth checking whether your products are paraben-free and silicone-free if you have a sensitive scalp or fine hair that builds up quickly. Here are the ingredients our team recommends keeping an eye out for:

• Bond-building actives: These work deep in the hair shaft to repair broken bonds caused by colour, heat and chemical treatments. If your hair is damaged or colour-treated, this is the ingredient to look for first.
• Argan oil: Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, argan oil hydrates your hair, smooths the cuticle and helps protect against everyday damage without feeling heavy.
• Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): A moisture-binding ingredient that strengthens and adds flexibility to your strands. It's particularly worth seeking out in a hydrating shampoo or conditioner if your hair feels dry or brittle.
• Hydrolysed plant proteins: Working similarly to keratin, these plant-based proteins fill in gaps along the hair shaft to rebuild strength and reduce breakage over time.
• Piroctone olamine: If you're dealing with a flaky or itchy scalp, look for this active in your clarifying shampoo as it targets the fungal cause of dandruff directly. It's one of the most effective scalp actives out there.

The best shampoo and conditioner for every hair type

Knowing your hair type makes choosing a shampoo and conditioner a lot easier. We stock a mix of Australian and international brands at Hairhouse, so whether you're after volume, moisture, anti-frizz control or repair, you're covered.

Here's a quick breakdown to help you find your match:

• For wavy or curly hair: Start with a sulphate-free formula to keep your curl pattern intact. Redken All Soft Mega Curl Shampoo is a favourite for bounce and anti-frizz manageability. If your curls are also colour-treated or damaged, add Olaplex No.4 and No.5 to your wash-day routine.
• For fine or flat hair: Reach for a lightweight volumising formula that builds body without weighing your hair down. Schwarzkopf and Joico are solid picks, and so is NAK Hair Volume Shampoo if you're looking for a great Australian-made option.
• For oily scalps or dandruff: Davroe Scalp Remedy Shampoo targets the root cause of flaking without stripping your scalp. Healthy scalp care is the foundation of hair growth, so apply conditioner to your mid-lengths and ends only to keep roots from getting weighed down.
• For dry or damaged hair: If your hair is feeling brittle or broken down from colour or heat, reach for a bond-repairing formula. Olaplex No.4 and No.5 are a great place to start. If you prefer an Australian brand, De Lorenzo Instant Rejuven8 Duo uses baobab seed protein to rebuild strength and restore softness with every wash.
• For colour-treated, blonde or thinning hair: L'Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular is a standout for colour-treated hair needing serious repair. For thinning hair, Kérastase Densifique Fondant Densite Conditioner targets density and fullness. For blondes, Schwarzkopf and Joico toning shampoos neutralise brassiness and keep your colour looking fresh.

What else should you use with shampoo and conditioner?

Beyond your wash-day duo, a weekly hair mask and a good heat protectant go a long way. If you're noticing thinning hair or breakage, a targeted scalp treatment is worth adding to your routine. We also stock a range of vegan and cruelty-free formulas for those who prefer plant-based haircare.

At Hairhouse, you'll find the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type and budget across our stores Australia-wide and online. New to us? We have options at sale price and full price to suit every budget, making your first order a great time to stock up on everything your hair needs.

Pop into your nearest Hairhouse store for a personalised recommendation from our hair experts, or shop the range online and have it delivered straight to your door!