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Shopping for hair care products online can be both convenient and overwhelming due to the vast selection available. When browsing, it's essential to consider a few key factors. First, identify your hair type and specific needs; this will help narrow down your choices. For instance, curly hair might benefit from sulfate-free products, while fine hair might need volumizing formulas.
Pay attention to the ingredient list: natural and organic ingredients are often preferred for their gentle, nourishing properties. Customer reviews and ratings can provide valuable insights into a product's effectiveness and potential downsides. Look for clear descriptions and usage instructions to ensure the product is suitable for your routine.
Wednesday, February 19th
Ulta Beauty, founded in 1990, is a leading American beauty retailer offering a comprehensive selection of cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrances. With over 1,200 stores across the United States and a well-stocked online store, Ulta caters to a wide range of beauty enthusiasts, from those seeking high-end brands to those preferring drugstore options. The store is renowned for its "All Things Beauty, All in One Place" concept, providing not only an extensive range of products but also salon services, including haircuts, coloring, and skincare treatments.
Might not have every brand you like
As we looked for ways to compare the various hair care product retailers out there, we chose three common items (a shampoo, a deep treatment, and a styling tool) from different brands. We were surprised that Ulta only offered one of the three:
Over 4,000 hair care products
That's not par for the course, though: Ulta actually has more products (4,000+) than many of its rivals on our list. We found over 170 brands from A(G Care) to Z (well, the list stopped at W with Wella, Wet Brush, and Wigo...). It wasn't hard to get our salon favorites like Redken and Paul Mitchell, along with some new brands we hadn't tried before.
Filters save you time
If you're not loyal to a particular brand, you should use Ulta's filters to make your shopping a little more efficient. You can shop by Type (hair type or styling tool type), Concern (like dandruff or dry scalp), your preferences for clean ingredients or sustainable packaging, special offers, and so forth.
Thousands of product reviews from shoppers
Ulta often has thousands of customer reviews on the products they sell, and they don't pull any punches. For example, the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit had more than 46,000 reviews the last time we looked, and comments ranged from "couldn't be more natural looking” to "big mistake: this color turned my hair orange”. You can also take advantage of numerous customer Q&As on most products, often with the answer coming from the product's manufacturer itself.
Your loyalty is rewarded here
Ulta has an extensive Beauty Rewards program (and we laughed when we saw their description of it as "the rewardiest program in beauty, where beauty loves you back”). It doesn't cost anything to join, and you'll earn points for every dollar you spend. When you reach an annual spend of $500, you get 1.25 points per dollar as a Platinum-tier member, and spending $1,200+ in a year gets you 1.5 points per dollar in the Diamond tier. Other perks vary based on your loyalty level, but they include your choice of a birthday gift, double points in your birthday month and a $10 coupon. You can redeem points for salon services, products, or discounts (from $3 off for 100 points, up to $125 off for 2,000 points).
Customer-centric returns and shipping
One of the reasons Ulta lands at the top of our list is the retailer's generous return policy. We even like the way they word it: "Wrong shade? Not right for your hair? We understand things happen, which is why Ulta Beauty is dedicated to making the return process beautifully simple for you.” You've got 60 days to return any hair care product, used or unused, for a full refund or exchange. Just make sure that you've got your order confirmation email as proof of the price you paid; otherwise, your refund will be the lowest selling price for that item within the last 90 days. Your best bet is to return the items to your local Ulta, if possible, because you'll have to pay for the shipping costs to do it by mail. And, speaking of shipping, if you don't opt for in-store pickup of your online order, you'll get free delivery if your order is at least $35 (a lower threshold than many of Ulta's competitors).
"A+” from the BBB despite some complaints
How about Ulta's reputation? (It's the store our favorite hair stylist recommends, for what it's worth!) The Better Business Bureau gives the beauty store a perfect "A+” grade and accreditation, despite having received over 1,000 complaints in the last 12 months. Given the number of Ulta stores and the number of purchases made there (and online), it's not surprising that there would be so many. Fortunately, that rating from the BBB means that Ulta's representatives are responsive and handle problems quickly and appropriately. We saw a similar pattern at Trustpilot and on other platforms: yes, Ulta has its fair share of complaints that range from problems with online accounts to in-store woes, but the response from Ulta is prompt and apologetic.
#1 choice for hair care products online
Despite some challenges with customer satisfaction, Ulta still earns our #1 spot among hair care product retailers. You can't beat the return policy or the rewards program, the selection is excellent, and it's a store that hair care professionals trust. The next time you need to restock your shampoo or you want to try a new deep conditioning treatment, make Ulta the first online store that you visit.
Nordstrom, established in 1901 as a small shoe store in Seattle, has grown into a premier fashion retailer known for its high-end products and exceptional customer service, both at its over 100 full-line stores and through its online shop. The retailer distinguishes itself through its commitment to quality, a generous return policy, and a loyalty program that rewards frequent shoppers. Nordstrom's annual events, such as the Anniversary Sale, attract a wide audience seeking exclusive deals on top brands. Combining a rich history with modern retail practices, Nordstrom continues to be a favorite destination for discerning shoppers.
Around 1,300 hair care products
Nordstrom has a slightly smaller inventory of hair care products than we've seen with some retailers on our list, but at 1,300 options it's not exactly paltry, either. Here's how this store did with the three items we used for comparison while shopping:
Some items have thousands of shopper ratings
The brands offered by Nordstrom are distinctively higher-end, as you'd expect, but that doesn't stop people from buying them. In fact, hair care products are so popular at Nordstrom that some items have reviews numbering in the thousands. As a few examples, you could check out the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler (3,069 ratings), Oribe's Gold Lust Repair & Restore conditioner (2,430 ratings), or Olaplex's No. 7 Bonding Oil (2,492 ratings). Those reviews are great because Nordstrom shoppers tell it like it is, and some products have comments going back several years.
Get rewarded for your purchases
When you sign up for the complimentary rewards program at Nordstrom, The Nordy Club, you'll automatically earn one point for every dollar you spend. There are tons of benefits you'll want to know about (too many for us to list), but be aware that they're even more generous if you happen to have a Nordstrom credit card. We also noticed at the time of our visit that there was a "3x points on Beauty” promo in place.
Free gifts with some purchases
Other perks of shopping at Nordstrom? You bet! Many of the hair care products we saw had a "gift with purchase” designation: for example, with any $60 Leonor Greyl PARIS purchase, we could get a travel-size hair mask and a detangling comb.
Free shipping to all 50 states + PR
You also don't have to meet any particular order threshold to get free shipping: Nordstrom offers that all the time, including to addresses in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. That's in addition to being able to order online and pick up your purchase at a store near you; just make sure you have your preferred Nordstrom location entered as you browse the site.
Amazing return policy
Also, Nordstrom is extremely generous when it comes to returns. There's no time limit, no restrictions on whether or not you've used the product, and no cost: bring your hair care items to your nearest store or get the prepaid label through the Nordstrom website. While they do ask that you treat them "fairly” (don't use up every last drop of 10 bottles of shampoo and then bring them back for a refund!), Nordstrom doesn't place any time limit or restrictions on returns. We love that.
Handles problems quickly and with apologies
At this point, we almost don't care what Nordstrom's reputation is, because we're so very impressed with everything we've just mentioned. Fortunately, though, there are no concerns there either. The Better Business Bureau gives Nordstrom an "A-” (with the slight downgrade for not yet resolving 7 complaints); the retailer has about the number of complaints you'd expect for such a big business (slightly over 500 in the last year). It seems like people expect Nordstrom to be amazing, and 99% of the time it is; the only ones who return and report are those who have had a problem, and thankfully we've seen that Nordstrom's reps respond quickly, apologetically, and appropriately every time.
Almost too good to be true
While Nordstrom doesn't earn our #1 spot, mostly because they don't carry quite as many brands as our highest-ranked seller of hair care products, we're big fans of this store. Who can argue with free shipping and free returns with no time limit? Or free gifts with the purchase of many top-shelf brands' products? The next time you're shopping for hair care items, Nordstrom should get your full attention.
Planet Beauty, established in 1992 in Newport Beach, California, is a privately-owned luxury beauty retailer dedicated to offering a superior one-stop shopping experience for professional beauty and personal care needs. With a presence in over 40 locations across the state and a robust online platform, Planet Beauty provides an extensive selection of more than 20,000 high-quality beauty products, including makeup, skincare, haircare, styling tools, and fragrance.
Terrific range of brands and products
Planet Beauty carries tons of brands across the 2,500+ hair care products in their inventory. Their range includes salon favorites like Paul Mitchell and Biolage, and maybe some new ones you'd be interested in trying like Ibiza Hair, Hairtamin, or Bumble and Bumble. How did this retailer do with the three products we used to make a fair comparison across all of the stores on our list? Take a peek:
Price matching available
Planet Beauty really wants to earn your business with free shipping on orders over $59 and everyday low prices. But, if you happen to spot your favorite hair care product at a lower price from a major national retailer (like many of the ones on our list), reach out to PB with the ad or a photo/screenshot/URL of where you found it. Planet Beauty could up the ante a bit by offering a discount instead of just matching the price, but we'll take it anyway.
How about a rewards program?
Another way Planet Beauty could step up its game is with a rewards program. The lack of a loyalty program isn't a dealbreaker, but many of PB's rivals offer them as a way to encourage repeat shoppers.
Return policy isn't exceptional
The return policy here isn't as generous as some hair care retailers we reviewed. Planet Beauty says you've got 30 days to send back your items, but from what we can tell, they have to be unused and with the seal unbroken. So, if you try that top trending hair mask and it still leaves you frizzy, you shouldn't expect to get your money back here.
Positive reputation overall
The Better Business Bureau gives Planet Beauty a disappointing "F” grade for the retailer's lack of response to 5 complaints filed against it, 4 of which were in the last 12 months. We're pretty sure that was an accident on Planet Beauty's part, because the store gets lots of 5-star love elsewhere. On Trustpilot alone, 76% of the 5,300+ ratings were a perfect score, with lots of comments echoing a fantastic experience with on-time delivery, products exactly as advertised, and no issues with customer service. And, for those who left not-so-happy reviews for Planet Beauty, company reps responded to more than 75% of them (so they're clearly not ignoring their disgruntled shoppers as a rule).
Great option for hair care
Final conclusion? Planet Beauty is a good place to shop for hair care products. You should find everything you need in their selection of well-known and niche brands, prices are competitive, and thousands of people give this retailer a 5-star rating. Planet Beauty isn't quite our #1 pick, but it's still enough to earn one of our highest recommendations.
Strawberrynet is an international beauty retailer that offers a wide range of cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products. Established in 1998 and based in Hong Kong, Strawberrynet operates solely as an online store, providing customers worldwide with access to a diverse selection of beauty products from various well-known and niche brands.
Carries brands that you know and love
How did Strawberrynet do on the three hair care items we used as an apples-to-apples comparison across all of the retailers in our review?
You'll usually pay much less than retail
So, whether or not you find what you're looking for at Strawberrynet is a bit of a gamble, and it might not always be at the lowest-possible price. However, on the whole, the hair care products here are almost always priced lower than the recommended retail amount. Also, during our visit to Strawberrynet, there was a sitewide 10% discount promo going on, no coupon code required (but the fine print said it would require a minimum order of $130 to qualify).
Over 3,000 hair care products
And, Strawberrynet's inventory isn't exactly sparse. With nearly 3,000 products from brands that include staples like Tigi and Shiseido to more niche names like o'Naomi and hongkonghomebrew, you won't be lacking options here. Other filters to help you find your next favorite hair care products are the category (like intensive treatments or styling products), function (such as curl-enhancing or color protection), and price.
Easy to shop, but not many product reviews
Once you've clicked on the products you're interested in, you'll get all the typical details about ingredients, available sizes, and any available customer reviews. On that last front, there aren't as many at Strawberrynet as we've seen elsewhere, but most hair care items have at least a few ratings from previous shoppers. It's just not going to be as useful for guiding your purchase as we've seen with the numerous reviews on products elsewhere.
Rewards program (but points expire in 90 days)
You'll automatically be enrolled in Strawberrynet's Point Rewards program when you make your first purchase. You'll get 2% of your order total in points on every purchase, and they can be applied towards future orders. Just be aware that all points expire within 90 days: a small detail that could have a big impact, and one that isn't quite as customer-friendly as other hair care product retailers' loyalty programs.
Orders take weeks to arrive
So, what are the other downsides here? First off, your order is likely going to ship from Hong Kong. Strawberrynet tells you to expect your order to take 10-14 business days through its standard, free-over-$50 delivery to the US. If you've run out of your must-have shampoo, this isn't going to be where you get it in-hand in a day or two (and, of course, forget the same-day delivery offered by some of the US-based retailers on our list that have brick-and-mortar stores nationwide).
Don't bother with returns
That also translates to a less-than-awesome return policy. You only have 30 days to send back unopened, unused products, and you're responsible for the return shipping costs (which could be all the way back to Hong Kong, as far as we can tell). Here's part of the reason why, according to Strawberrynet: "Our site is aimed at customers who have already purchased and experienced the product.” So, if you don't like the smell or the way it leaves your hair feeling, Strawberrynet says that's on you. You might want to use Strawberrynet as a place to get your tried-and-true hair care products for less money, rather than experimenting with new ones.
Surprisingly high number of 5-star reviews
With respect to reputation, Strawberrynet does better than you might think. Across 26,000+ ratings on Trustpilot alone, this retailer earned 5 stars from 75% of them, with very few in the 2-stars-and-below category. One reviewer said she's been a loyal customer since 1999. And, we're happy to see that on both compliments and complaints, Strawberrynet's support reps are always quick to respond.
Great option for saving money on your favorite hair care brands
Strawberrynet comes in with a solid rating from us. It works a little differently from most of the rivals on our list, so just pay attention as you place your order: don't expect a refund if you don't like the hair care products after you try them. But, if your top priority is saving money on the products you know and love, you'll want to take a look at Strawberrynet.
Since 1997, FragranceNet has shipped over 30 million packages and sold more than $3 billion in beauty products, ranging from brand-name perfumes and colognes to the top names in salon hair care and beyond. Don't be fooled by the name: FragranceNet offers much more than just, well, fragrances.
Selection of products is competitive
Generally speaking, it can be hard sifting through all of the online options for buying hair care products. How can you tell which one to buy from? We chose three items to comparison-shop across all of the stores in our evaluation (a shampoo, a hair oil treatment, and a styling tool), to see how they all measured up. How did FragranceNet do? Pretty well, but see for yourself:
In other words, if you're looking to save money on your hair care purchase, even on high-end items like styling tools, FragranceNet is an excellent place to start.
Exceptional range of products and brands
And, even though FragranceNet didn't have the first two comparison items we searched for, there's no shortage of inventory there. In fact, with nearly 4,000 hair care products to choose from, FragranceNet has more than double what some of their rivals keep in stock. Featured brands include Sexy Hair, Redken, Chi, Aveda, Biolage, Rusk, and Kenra, and it's easy to use the filters to shop by brand. Even if you're looking for one that's lesser known, there's a good chance that FragranceNet carries it.
Shopping experience isn't as robust
The shopping experience at FragranceNet is a little hit-or-miss for us. For example, instead of showing you how much each hair care product costs as you browse, all you can see is what percentage you'll save over retail prices (until you click on something you might want to buy). There also weren't quite as many reviews as we typically see on hair care products; FragranceNet's "best sellers” still only have maybe 20 ratings from customers, if that.
Make sure to activate the coupons
But, once you click to a product that interests you, it's pretty easy to get all of the pertinent details: ingredients, usage instructions, other products in the brand or the specific line within a brand, and so on. Just don't miss clicking to activate any available coupons: on Tigi's Curls Rock Amplifier, for instance, the retail price was $21, FragranceNet's everyday discounted price was $14.99, but the price with the activated coupon was an exceptional savings at $10.49.
Solid rewards program
Like most of the hair care retailers we evaluated, FragranceNet has a loyalty program. Known as Purpl, it works the way most rewards programs do: earn points every time you shop, earn more points for answering surveys and leaving reviews, redeem your points for discounts and products. You'll earn 5 points for every dollar spent. Once you've earned 2,000 points, you reach Ambassador tier, and 4,000 points earned in a year gets you VIP status. Check the FragranceNet site for details on the benefits of each one (which may include free shipping and welcome gifts).
No returns or refunds on products you've tried
We're disappointed by FragranceNet's return policy: they do not offer refunds or exchanges on skin care or hair care items "due to health reasons”, so they encourage you to "please make your selections carefully”. That's really lackluster compared with many rival stores who not only accept returns, they offer refunds even on hair care products that have been tried and found wanting.
BBB complaints regarding customer support
Can we overlook that shortcoming, based on FragranceNet's overall reputation? Maybe, maybe not. The Better Business Bureau gives the retailer a perfect "A+” rating and accreditation, which is typically a good sign. But, with nearly 600 complaints filed against the company in the last three years, most of which cite issues with getting a proper response from FragranceNet's customer support, is it enough that the company fixes problems eventually? The BBB's rating would indicate "yes”, but we'd rather see shoppers not having to jump through the file-a-complaint hoop to begin with.
Thousands and thousands of 5-star reviews
But, in other places, it's nothing but (Fragrance)net for customer satisfaction: quick shipping, helpful customer service, and authentic products are all mentioned in the 15,000+ 5-star reviews we found for this company on Trustpilot alone.
Squeaks by with a good rating
We thought about it long and hard, and we've decided to give FragranceNet a cautiously-optimistic rating. No, we're not thrilled with the "no returns” policy or some of the complaints we've seen in some reviews. However, the savings here are legit, the inventory is impressive, and the company has been around for nearly 30 years. You might want to try a one-off, smaller hair care order here first, see how it goes and then make your long-term product purchasing decision from there. Hopefully you too have a great experience and FragranceNet becomes your new favorite place to get your favorite salon-quality shampoo, conditioner, and other hair care products.
If your top priority in beauty products is "clean, non-toxic, and ethical”, Safe & Chic will quickly become your favorite place to buy hair care items. Since 2015, their team has been hand-picking a curated selection of more than 2,500 products and 160 brands, all of which are never tested on animals and meet the company's high standards for safety and efficacy.
Doesn't carry most mainstream salon brands
It's probably not going to surprise you that Safe & Chic didn't carry the three hair care products we used to compare the retailers on our list (namely, Kérastase Première shampoo, Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil, and the GHD Glide Smoothing Hot Brush). All of Safe & Chic's hair care products focus on natural ingredients that nourish and restore the hair, to be gentle on the scalp while avoiding harsh chemicals: not that those three comparison items are bad for you, but they're not within the brands that this retailer has identified as meeting their overall approach to beauty products.
Still has all of the product types you need
But, don't worry: there are dozens of brands to choose from here, and in all of the categories you'd expect for taking care of hair: shampoo, conditioner, hair care sets, travel, styling and treatments, men's hair, and so on. Instead of browsing all of Safe & Chic's hair care products, you'll be better off starting with one of those kinds of products and then going more specifically to what you need (choosing shampoo and then if you need a product for dry hair, curly hair, color-treated hair, and so forth).
Customers could use some guidance
We'll be honest, though: it's not easy to know what to buy here. We started in a pretty basic category, shampoo for normal hair, and we almost immediately felt overwhelmed. Should we go with EVOLVh's UltraShine Moisture shampoo or Rahua's Classic shampoo? The only way to sort the results was by price or "bestsellers”, but we didn't see any ratings to let us know how popular anything was. The hair care products at Safe & Chic do have customer reviews most of the time, but you won't get any inkling of them until you click on a specific product to see more details. It would be helpful if Safe & Chic developed a quiz, so that newbies could get some recommendations for where to start.
Not lacking in details
But, once you do select a hair care product, there are plenty of details to let you know what you're getting. We appreciate the full transparency on ingredients (as you'd expect from a retailer whose sole focus is on natural, safe hair care), the brand bios, and the recommended items under "Frequently Bought Together” (so you don't have to go searching for the matching conditioner, for example). And yes, the customer reviews are insightful; that Rahua shampoo we mentioned got rave reviews that often mentioned how soft it leaves people's hair.
"Clean” hair care products are costly
Of course, anything that is top-shelf and all-natural isn't inexpensive, and hair care products are no different. For a 9.3 oz bottle of shampoo, you'll often pay around $40 at Safe & Chic. We recommend keeping an eye out for any promotions on offer; at the time of our review, there was a seasonal code featured at the top of the site that gave us a savings of 15% on our order, with some exclusions. Also, you'll pay $8.95 for shipping unless your order is over $100, but that's really not going to be a tough threshold to meet here.
Loyalty program isn't noteworthy
Be sure to create an account when you order from Safe & Chic, instead of just checking out as a guest. That enrolls you in their free Chic Rewards loyalty program and starts you off with 25 points. You'll earn a point for every dollar you spend, and 50 points for following the company on IG. It's not the most robust rewards program we've seen: you can redeem 750 points for a $10 voucher, 2,000 points for a "mystery box” with a value of $100, or 3,000 points for a mystery box worth $150. Considering that you'd likely have to spend thousands of dollars to qualify for the highest rewards here, it doesn't really add a ton of "wow” factor.
Store credit for partially-used product returns
How about returns? If you're sending back an unopened, brand-new item, Safe & Chic will give you a full refund within 30 days, but the return shipping fees are on you. Generously, if you tried a shampoo or conditioner and didn't like how it left your hair, you can still send it back; instead of a refund, though, you'll get a store credit to try something else.
Some customers are really unhappy...
Safe & Chic was given an "F” rating by the Better Business Bureau. But, before you get too concerned, that was for failing to respond to the three complaints filed with the BBB in the last three years. We're willing to call that an oversight and not evidence of some huge pattern of poor customer service. When we looked at comments for Safe & Chic on Trustpilot, it was interesting how customers either loved this brand (82% 5-star ratings) or hated it (18% 1-star ratings) with nothing in between. For the nearly 20% that said "absolutely not”, the complaints were about the products and the customer service. Some said that despite having products arrive with the seal broken or in bad condition, they were given a nasty response from the customer service team when they asked for a refund or replacement. Others described having orders inexplicably canceled, or being blocked from re-ordering a product that they'd had an issue with.
...but other customers are huge fans
On the other hand, the people who love Safe & Chic really adore the brand. For every disgruntled customer ranting about the customer service, you'll find three others who say that it's been excellent and trustworthy. Ditto that for comments on product quality: while some question whether or not what's in the bottles is authentic, many more Safe & Chic devotees say that it's the only brand they trust to be consistently good for their hair and skin. Go figure.
Good option if "clean” hair care is your top priority
Safe & Chic holds steady on our list. If you place a lot of importance on clean, cruelty-free haircare, this retailer offers the peace of mind and convenience you're looking for: literally buy anything they carry and you're good to go. We're a little iffy on the overall track record for Safe & Chic's customer service, but by and large, their customers are happy and most of them place repeat orders down the line. Although this store won't have the products that many customers are looking for (or at the prices they're willing to spend), Safe & Chic performs well within the hair care niche it serves.
Sally Beauty, founded in 1964, is a well-known retailer specializing in professional beauty supplies and products for hair, skin, and nails. With over 3,700 stores worldwide and a comprehensive online platform, Sally offers a vast selection of products, including hair color, styling tools, skincare, and salon equipment, catering to both professionals and everyday consumers.
Missing some major brands
Sally didn't do so well when we looked for the three products used as a comparison among the different hair care retailers in our review:
That really surprised us, because in general Sally has a broad inventory of nearly 2,000 products to choose from. But, as we looked through the brand list, we noticed that Sally tends to offer a few products from many different labels with a strong emphasis on textured/curly hair. For example, there were 21 options in the All About Curls line, 10 in the Flawless by Gabrielle Union line, 4 from Made for Locs, and so on. There were also a handful of hair care products from traditional salon brands like Nexxus, Matrix, and TiGi. But, overall, you might have a tougher time finding specific brands you're used to when you shop at Sally, or with getting a broad range of options within those brands.
Still some good reasons to shop here
That's not to say that there aren't some perks to getting hair care products at Sally. The retailer does a great job of letting you see which products prioritize sustainable, mindful ingredients (just look for the "mindful” label), which ones come from women-owned/founded, Black-owned/founded, or Hispanic-owned/founded manufacturers, and so on. And, at the time of our visit, Sally had a Buy 3 Get 1 Free promo going on that let us mix-and-match among all of the hair care products on our shopping list.
Lots of product reviews to consider
When you click on any hair care product, you'll see a detailed description of what it is and how it works, plus a list of all of the ingredients, usage instructions, plus pro tips and FAQs. Sally also has lots of loyal customers - which you can appreciate when you look at the number of reviews left on most of the products. We didn't see many that had under 100 ratings. For instance, if you want to know if Sauce Beauty's Guacamole Whip Deep Moisture Hair Mask is worth $14.29, turn to the reviews. (By the way, it got 4.5 stars out of 5 across 1,400+ ratings.) You might want to avoid Ouidad's Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel, though: it barely averaged 3 stars.
Free rewards program
You'll also get Sally Beauty Rewards when you create your free account. You get $5 for every $50 you spend and other VIP benefits. There's also an Elite tier, but Sally is pretty quiet on the details of the rewards program overall and of what it takes to reach the higher level (or what benefits come with it). You may just have to roll the dice on this one; at least it won't cost you anything to join.
Plenty of free shipping options
Shipping is free on any Sally order of at least $40 being delivered within the continental United States. But, if you've got a Sally location near you, watch for extra savings if you choose to place your order online and then pick it up in store: at the time of our recent visit to the Sally website, there was a promo featured at the top for getting 15% off any online orders with in-store pickup. Also, your local Sally may offer 2-hour delivery on certain items: just enter your address on any product page and you'll see if what you're ordering will be eligible.
Return policy isn't very generous
Although Sally says they have a "Love It or Return It” guarantee, it doesn't really seem to offer much. They don't specify how long you have to make a return on items ordered online (in-store purchases have a 60-day window, for what it's worth), and they have to be "in original condition and in original packaging”. That sounds like you can't try out a new conditioner, decide it left you feeling greasy, and then return it for a refund. Our research indicates that some brick-and-mortar Sally locations might accept returns like that, but you're at the mercy of your local Sally's policies.
Reputation is mostly positive, despite "D-” from the BBB
Does Sally have a good reputation? Not according to the Better Business Bureau, who gave the company a "D-” rating for not responding to 27 of the 122 complaints filed against Sally in the last three years. On the other hand, Sally's overall rating elsewhere is 4.6 stars out of 5, spanning more than 22,000 reviews. Many of those come from online customers who say that everything was delivered on time or that in-store pickup went off without a hitch. (One comment even said "I had an online order that was ready in 20 minutes. Everything was perfect, with a cute little note written on my bag!”)
Above average for hair care products
At the end of the day, we'd say Sally is above average when compared with rival stores on our list. The selection is pretty solid, and in general most customers leave satisfied whether they buy their hair care products online or in-store. Yes, Sally could go a bit farther to move up on our list, like doing a better job of explaining their rewards program or allowing shoppers to return products that don't deliver the expected results. Still, with so many 5-star reviews on the various hair care items they carry and for the company as a whole, Sally comes in with an above-average rating from us.
Aveda is famous for its "plant-powered hair care rooted in nature”. Founded in 1978 by Horst Rechelbacher, Aveda integrates ancient Ayurvedic principles with cutting-edge scientific research to create hair, skin, and body care products that are as eco-friendly as they are effective. Known for using naturally derived ingredients and essential oils, Aveda's products are cruelty-free and packaged with sustainability in mind. With a focus on nurturing both the planet and its people, Aveda stands out as a leader in responsible beauty, offering a luxurious and mindful approach to personal care.
Only carries Aveda products (of course)
It's no shock that Aveda doesn't carry the three items we used for comparison shopping across the hair care retailers on our list (Kérastase Première shampoo, Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil, and GHD's Glide Smoothing Hot Brush). You wouldn't expect to buy a Toyota Corolla at the BMW dealership either!
Take the quiz for a bespoke hair care recommendation
Wondering where to begin with all of the popular hair care products Aveda does offer? We recommend starting with the Hair Quiz, which you'll find linked at the top of the website. Answer a few questions and you'll get a tailor-made hair care routine with recommended products, recommended salon services, plus video how-tos and lifestyle tips just for you. You can also reach out to Aveda via live chat to work with a beauty advisor and get even more advice about your pesky hair care problems and which products will help you solve them.
Very detailed descriptions and reviews
Or, if you want to trust the masses, you could start with Aveda's best-selling Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo, with nearly 2,300 ratings averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars. 94% of customers recommend it. This and every other hair care product on the Aveda website comes with ample details about how to use it, what ingredients it contains, how it's responsibly packaged and manufactured, and customer Q&As. You'll also be able to see if it comes in any other sizes (the Rosemary Mint shampoo was available in a 50 mL travel size, 250 mL standard bottle, and a long-lasting 1 L bottle, priced at $11, $21, and $67, respectively). Also, if you happen to have an Aveda store near you, you'll be able to see if any product is available for same-day delivery (starting at $5) or free in-store pickup.
Different ways to save money
When you subscribe to Aveda's emails or texts, you'll get a 15% discount code on your order. Just watch for the pop-up as you browse, or look for the "15% off” spot on any page on the Aveda website. You'll almost always find more offers at Aveda, too: at the time of our visit, there was a promo for a free 4-piece travel set (plus a limited edition tote for just $10) on a minimum order of $80, and you'll get free shipping anytime if your order is at least $55.
Subscribe and save
Speaking of subscriptions, Aveda helps you stay stocked up on your favorite hair care products. Just toggle the button right above the size options, tell Aveda how many bottles to send and how often (every 1-6 months), and you'll save 10% plus get free shipping.
$10 to join rewards program
Another good idea? Joining the Aveda Plus (also called Aveda+) rewards program. We're not thrilled that it costs a one-time fee of $10 to join (most rival hair care retailers' loyalty programs let you in for free), but you may think it's worth it to get free standard shipping on every order, a gift on your birthday and double rewards points, new product previews, admission to exclusive VIP events, and 10 points for every dollar you spend. Redeem your points for free products or towards in-person salon and spa services, the choice is yours.
Customers love the product, hate the service
Aveda is part of the Estee Lauder brand family, and as such it has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. That's a good start, but it doesn't carry over into the customer feedback we found in places like Trustpilot. The story told there? Over and over again, it sounded like this: "great products, terrible customer service”. Orders go missing? Aveda reps don't seem too bothered by it. Deliveries are missing items? Same deal. And don't even get started with how unhappy people are with the rewards program; sounds like Aveda has made some changes to it in the last few years, and they weren't very customer-centric.
Above average hair care, below average delivery
Here's our best recommendation: if you really love Aveda hair care products, you might have a better overall experience if you buy them from a third-party retailer. (Helpful hint: look at the well-known department store on our list, because it carries Aveda products!) Most people agree that Aveda's products are worth the money, so get your favorite shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care essentials from an Aveda partner that will pay more attention to your satisfaction. Aveda itself? We give it high marks for product quality and low marks for customer service, which averages out to a middle-of-the-road rating when it comes to hair care products.
Sephora is like a playground for beauty enthusiasts, a vibrant haven where the worlds of makeup, skincare, hair care, and fragrance converge in a dazzling array of colors and scents. Visiting the Sephora website feels like embarking on an adventure, with so many top-notch products from both beloved brands and emerging indie labels. Whether you're trying something new to tame an old hair care problem, or simply looking for your tried-and-true shampoo and conditioner, Sephora offers an immersive experience that invites you to discover, experiment, and indulge in the latest beauty trends.
Sephora has it all
To make an apples-to-apples comparison across all of the hair care product retailers on our list, we chose three products to find on each website: a salon-type shampoo, a hair treatment, and a styling tool. Here are the specific ones we chose, and how Sephora measured up with availability and price:
So, while Sephora might not do you any favors on pricing, you can typically count on them to have what you want in stock, and often in sizes that other stores might not carry.
Intuitive website
Overall, Sephora's inventory has over 1,700 options for hair care, and the site is super-smooth to shop. Whether you want to only see products that qualify as vegan, you've got curly hair that needs some special treatment, or you're hoping that your fave shampoo and conditioner come in a mini size perfect for travel, you'll have no trouble using those filters and sort tools right at the top.
Free in-store pick-up
Also, if there's a Sephora near you, make sure you've got that location entered in the dropdown box next to "pickup”. (The site automatically detected our closest store, so yours might already be there too.) That will make it even easier to order your favorite hair care products online and pick them up on your trip to the mall, or even more conveniently, have them same-day delivered right to you.
Take a look at product reviews
Sephora is one of the most popular beauty stores on the market, and it shows in the number of reviews on their hair care products. Those stars and comments can give you all of the insider tips you need to try something new. One of Sephora's most-rated hair care items, with over 1,300 ratings, wasn't exactly a hair care product: OUAI's St. Bart's Hair and Body Mist is probably better classified as a fragrance, but with notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose and musk, we'd buy it.
Loyalty program is worth signing up
When we visited the Sephora site this time around, we spotted an offer to save 10% if we signed up for text updates as a new subscriber. And, if you join Sephora's complimentary loyalty program, Beauty Insider, you'll get free standard shipping on any order. (Non-loyalty members have to spend at least $50 for no-cost delivery, FYI.) Every purchase you make earns rewards points that can be redeemed for discounts on future orders (500 points = $10 off). Depending on how much you spend at Sephora each year, you may qualify for their two higher tiers of loyalty, VIB ($350/year) and Rouge ($1,000+/year). You'll be notified of special savings events, with discounts of 10-20% or 2x-4x the points-per-dollar, based on your tier. Finally, as a Rouge-level insider, you'll be able to exchange 2,500 points for a savings of $100 on a purchase. But, that's not all: loyalty club members earn free birthday gifts, can exchange points for product samples, and receive invitations to exclusive events. It's free, so why not?!
30-day returns, even on "gently used” products
How about returns? Sephora lets you get a refund on new and "gently used” products returned within 30 days of purchase. If your return is within 31-60 days, you can still get store credit.
"A-” from the BBB
The Better Business Bureau gives Sephora an "A-” rating, short of a perfect grade mostly because of the nearly 900 complaints filed with the BBB in the last three years. But, that's really no cause for concern: most big-name beauty stores, especially the ones with lots of brick-and-mortar locations, get their fair share of unhappy customers. Fortunately, that BBB grade means they think Sephora is doing an admirable job of managing issues when they come up.
Big problems with online orders
Sadly, while you may have nothing but love for your local Sephora store, your online hair care product orders might be a big disappointment. We looked at what people were saying on Trustpilot, shocked to see that 70% of the 2,400+ ratings there were the lowest possible 1-star score. So many of the rants were specifically for online orders: products were missing from many people's deliveries, and they got a much-less-than-helpful response from Sephora's customer team (if they were able to get a response at all). We read more than one complaint like this: "My order with Sephora was over $1,000 and to not reimburse me for or resend the missing items is beyond low, especially when the store makes it somehow my fault that the products were missing.” While it's true that a majority of the customers with delivery problems were from outside of the US (which would open up more opportunities for items to "walk away” during customs inspections), there were still numerous problems with Sephora orders and customer service within the US too.
Disappointingly average
It pains us to say it, but we can only give Sephora a "just average” rating. The in-store experience is so vastly different from the (often disappointing) online one that you might wonder if you're even shopping at the same retailer. You might be able to find your way around that by ordering your faves online for in-store pickup (which would solve the "items missing” issue we saw so many times). But, because that's not possible for every Sephora shopper, we can't put this store at the top of our list for hair care products anymore. (*sniff*) It's not the worst place to shop, but Sephora, we expected better from you!
Founded in 1995, Beauty Brands aims to provide a comprehensive shopping experience that combines the convenience of retail with the luxury of salon and spa services. With numerous locations across the United States, the retailer offers a unique blend of professional beauty products and expert services, making it a go-to destination for beauty enthusiasts.
Doesn't carry some top brands
Because it can be tough finding ways to compare online retailers of hair care products, we decided to look for three separate items often carried by such stores: a specific brand and type of shampoo, deep treatment, and styling tool. Want to know how Beauty Brands performed? Take a look:
You can take that as a hint that you might not find the particular brands and products you've got in mind when you shop here. But, there are 1,700+ choices in the Hair category at Beauty Brands, so it's likely you could find a comparable product in a rival brand (like the CHI and Amika styling tools in place of the GHD brush we wanted).
Filters make it easy to shop
It's also pretty easy to navigate the Beauty Brands site to find what you need. Maybe you're starting with a category like hairspray or "gray + silver hair care”. BB even has products for kids and pets. Or, you could be trying to solve a problem, like dandruff or thinning hair. All of those and more can be found quickly with the filters here. You may also like the "Ingredients” filter, if it's important to you to use hair care products that are vegan or free of fragrances, parabens, or sulfates.
Click to see product reviews
You won't be able to see which products are the most popular as you browse the results: Beauty Brands only shows you the stars indicating the average of the ratings at first, but when you click on an individual product you can see how many customers left feedback. For instance, CHI's Shine Infusion Thermal Polishing Spray had 39 reviews during our visit, and the comments and review summary gives a solid overview of who liked it and why. We love the way BB shows a total of all of the pros (35 people said Shine Infusion was easy to use, 32 said it was effective, 20 said it was a good value) and the cons (1 person said it wasn't effective, 1 person said it the scent could be better).
Watch for ways to save
As we visited the Beauty Brands online store, we got a pop-up asking if we'd like to take $7.50 off our order. If we then gave them our name and email address, they'd send us a discount to our inbox... but then we saw the code at the top of the site when it refreshed, so we didn't have to wait on the email. That could be a good way to save on your shipping, since your order will only get free delivery if it's over $70.
Nice Rewards program
Also, once you've shopped with Beauty Brands for the first time, you'll automatically be enrolled in their Take 10 rewards program. Every time you reach a total of $100 spent, you'll "recieve” (yes, they spelled it wrong on the site) a 10% discount that can be redeemed towards products or in-store Salon & Spa services. You'll get free gifts on your birthday and anniversary (we assume they mean the anniversary of when you became a customer). Once you've spent at least $600 at Beauty Brands in a calendar year, you'll get free shipping on any online purchase, exclusive discounts and savings, and early access to sales and events.
Customer-friendly return policy, even on products you tried
Beauty Brands is pretty generous with their return policy: you can get a refund within 60 days for any reason, and after 60 days you'll get store credit. They don't specify an end period for the return policy (but we imagine if you tried to send something back after several years, you might get laughed at). Beauty Brands doesn't exclude opened items from this policy, so if that conditioner winds up drying out your hair or the deep treatment leaves it feeling sticky, you're not stuck with it.
Big improvement in the BBB rating
We're happy to report that Beauty Brands has brought its Better Business Bureau rating up significantly since our last evaluation: all the way from a "D-” to an "A+”. There were only 21 complaints filed with the BBB over the last 3 years, and almost none in the last year.
Tons of problems and unresolved complaints
However, we're still seeing too many disgruntled customers complaining about their experience with Beauty Brands. One shopper described having a bottle of conditioner completely empty out during shipment, only to get no response from Beauty Brands' support team after leaving voicemails and sending messages via the website. Another described a crazy-good sale on Sexyhair hair spray, but the bottles were only half full when she opened the box. What we didn't see? Anyone commenting to say "OMG I had the best experience buying hair care products from Beauty Brands online store!” So much for the 100% satisfaction guarantee they advertise: it doesn't look like they're doing anything more than paying it lip service.
Still has a lot of room for improvement
Although we're glad to see that jump in the rating from the BBB, it's not nearly enough to move Beauty Brands up in our ratings. The selection isn't bad, and on the surface there's a lot to like here (from the rewards program to the satisfaction guarantee). It just doesn't hold up when you look at shoppers' experiences. For buying hair care products online, Beauty Brands is still below average.
Hair care has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with practices and products evolving significantly over time. In ancient Egypt, people used a mixture of animal fats and natural oils to maintain their hair, while ancient Greeks and Romans favored elaborate hairstyles held in place with beeswax and other natural substances.
During the Renaissance, elaborate wigs and hairpieces became popular in Europe, symbolizing status and wealth. The 20th century saw a revolution in hair care with the introduction of shampoos, conditioners, and a plethora of styling products designed to cater to every imaginable hair type and style.
Today, the market is brimming with a diverse array of hair care products. Shampoos and conditioners form the foundation of any hair care routine, with formulations targeting specific needs such as hydration, volume, color protection, and dandruff control. Styling products like gels, mousses, and sprays help shape and hold hairstyles, while serums and oils add shine and combat frizz. Treatments such as hair masks and leave-in conditioners provide deep nourishment and repair. Additionally, there are products aimed at promoting hair growth and maintaining scalp health.
Moreover, be mindful of the brand's reputation. Established brands often have a track record of quality and safety, while niche brands might offer innovative solutions. Price is another consideration - while higher-end products might offer premium ingredients, there are many affordable options that deliver excellent results. Lastly, keep an eye out for special deals and bundles which can offer better value for your money.
When deciding where to shop online for hair care products, keep these criteria in mind to save time (and maybe money too):
From buzz cuts to bobs, every hairstyle deserves great hair care products. To help you take care of your tresses, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked today's most popular online options for getting your preferred shampoos, conditioners, brushes and more. Happy shopping - and styling!
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