New Wash is a revolutionary hair cleanser from Hairstory, the newest brand to join the UK haircare market. New Wash is an interesting product as it is shampoo free and designed to replace both your traditional shampoo and conditioner. I obviously had to review it...
To give you a bit of background, Hairstory is the creation of Eli Halliwell (of Bumble and bumble fame), and is a haircare brand with a unique philosophy when it comes to haircare. According to Hairstory, shampoo is the worst thing to happen to hair. Apparently, it over-cleans the hair and strips away its natural protective oil barrier, causing hair to over produce oil. You then end up with oily hair and thus begins the nasty oily hair cycle no one wants to find themselves in.
The solution to this shampoo shit storm is the brand's hero product, New Wash (£44 hairstory.com). This hair cleanser is designed to clean the hair without stripping it of oil. It also removes the need for conditioner, as it features conditioning ingredients and leaves natural oils intact to condition the hair. Its innovative formula is packed with a number of nourishing ingredients, including jojoba seed oil, aloe leaf juice, evening primrose oil, sunflower seed oil, and peppermint oil. It is free of detergents, sulfates, and parabens. It is also free of synthetic fragrances and instead has a gentle fragrance that includes notes of rose, ylang ylang, clove, and other essential oils. Oh, and did I mention New Wash is 100% biodegradable?!
New Wash is designed to deeply cleanse the hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and healthy. It keeps coloured hair vibrant, as it helps to reduce fading, and it also enables you to go a couple of days between washes. However, one of the best things about this cleanser is its ability to benefit every hair type, whether fine, curly, or damaged.
I'm a New Wash cleanser convert and I've seen really great improvements in the overall condition of my hair. I also feel it's given my hair more body as it allows me to skip conditioner, which always makes my hair too soft and flyaway. I was warned that I may experience slightly greasy hair a few times after using New Wash, as it can take the hair a while to adapt to this new way of washing, however I had no greasiness whatsoever and, instead, experienced healthier and shinier hair after only a few washes. It has also made good on its long-lasting promise, allowing me to go three days without washing!!
Now, if I'm honest, it did take me a little while to get on the New Wash bandwagon, as it applies differently to all the shampoos and cleansers I've been used to. New Wash does not lather and has a consistency that is more similar to a conditioner than a shampoo. The key to using New Wash is to apply it to the hair and scalp evenly, massage it in vigorously, and rinse it really thoroughly. It has to be applied generously from the scalp to the ends of the hair, ensuring it comes into contact with every strand you want washed. Once fully applied, the scalp needs to be massaged incredibly well and then rinsed within an inch of its life. For some reason, this was much harder than it sounds and made the whole hair washing process much longer than I expected or wanted, especially as I only had the help of my hands.
I ended up brining the Hairstory Brush (£11 hairstory.com) into my new washing routine as it made the application a million times quicker and easier. It is an in-shower hair tool that helps comb the hair and massage the scalp. The Hairstory Brush features silicone bristles that are soft enough to feel nice on the scalp, yet stiff enough to do the job. It is able to remove dandruff and impurities, promote blood circulation for better growth and less hair loss, and protect the scalp from sharp fingernails. If you're planning on trying the New Wash, I strongly recommend you buy the Brush alongside it. It will provide an easier and more beneficial experience with better results. Trust me!
Side note: you'll no longer be able to purchase New Wash in the above bottle, however this is for good reason. Hairstory is kissing goodbye its plastic bottles and replacing them with pouches that use 63% less plastic and are apparently easier to use! In addition to this, the brand has announced plans to introduce fully recyclable pouches across the range and become a fully refillable beauty brand by 2021.