I Tried This Internet-Famous, Drugstore Hair Brand — Here Are My Honest Thoughts

I knew I had to review Monday Haircare when it popped up on my TikTok For You page not once, not twice, but three times within an hour. For those of you who aren’t addicted to TikTok (congratulations on that, by the way), that’s a lot, considering the amount of content you scroll through and the sheer number of products touted as the next big thing.

Currently, Monday's range includes seven shampoo and conditioner duos, each dedicated to a specific hair concern: Gentle (for delicate hair and scalps), Moisture (for dry hair), Smooth (for frizzy hair) Repair (for dry, damaged hair), Color Protect (for color-treated hair), Clarify (for oily hair), and Volume (for fine and flat hair). The brand’s original four product lines — Smooth, Moisture, Volume, and Gentle — first launched in early 2021, the brand eventually expanded the range with the addition of three new lines: Repair, Color Correct, and Clarify.

At only $8 for each bottle ($16 for a duo), it’s no wonder they’re so popular; products promise to offer salon-worthy results at a fraction of the cost. The Instagram-friendly, baby-pink packaging and roster of celebrity fans (including Khloe Kardashian and Addison Rae) sweeten the appeal.

Monday says it's shifted over 15 million bottles since its launch in 2021, and it is now available in over 60 retailers across 23 countries, averaging 12k sales per day — that's eight per minute. As ever though, with great hype comes great scrutiny: Monday Haircare has 13.9 million likes on TikTok, 500 million views of #MondayHaircare, and over 50k hours of Monday content watched on TikTok. But is it worth the hype and a coveted spot in your shower? To find out, I spent a few weeks trialing the brand. Here’s how I got on.

I don’t want to be that person who is swayed by the packaging alone, but Monday does look great in my bathroom — a definite upgrade on the usual squeezed-out-of-shape bottles, labels peeling off with all the moisture. Not only do they look great, but these bottles are also brilliant to use. I’m a big fan of the pump; you don’t want to be fussing with a screw top when you’re wet, soapy, and not quite awake yet.

My hair is on the finer side but always benefits from a dose of moisture, so I was most interested in the Gentle and Volume formulas, alternating the shampoos and conditioners depending on what my hair needed that day. I started out with the Gentle Duo; I was expecting the strong, tropical smell you tend to get with shampoos containing coconut oil, but this lighter, more floral fragrance is a lot more subtle — ideal if you're not a fan of overpowering scents. The light gel formula lathered up quickly and satisfyingly on my hair. Length aside (mine hits my chest), my hair is on the thinner side, so I only needed three pumps for my whole head. The conditioner has a thicker, creamier consistency, which absorbed quickly into my hair. Again, I didn’t need much to feel like my hair was well-coated, and two pumps were enough.

Afterward, my hair felt thoroughly cleansed but not stripped of its natural moisture. It dried soft and glossy, and my natural waves weren’t weighed down. All in all, this is a great shampoo and conditioner duo that’s simple, affordable, and performs well. After two weeks of using Monday's Gentle shampoo and conditioner, I've received plenty of compliments from friends. I have virgin hair, so it’s hard for me to say what effect Monday might have on bleached or treated hair.

I was also keen to try out the Volume Set, hoping it would boost my fine hair. Although it made it soft and glossy, I didn’t see any difference in my hair’s volume and body. For fine hair, my all-time favorites are Ouai’s Fine Hair Shampoo and Conditioner. They're a little pricier, but totally worth it in my opinion.

I was really happy to find out that Monday's entire range is PETA-certified cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. The brand is dedicated to focusing on natural ingredients and is 100% free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is found in many hair-care products but can irritate some sensitive or reactive skin types. Monday’s pink packaging isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, either: It's made with 20% recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable (including the pump!), so it doesn't have to end up in landfill. The brand has promised to make its products refillable soon, too. Watch this space, and keep scrolling to find the perfect Monday products for your hair.

Monday’s Volume Duo lightly cleanses and hydrates hair without weighing it down. Ginger root extract invigorates your hair and scalp for more volume.

On top of the punch of moisture from the coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E, Monday’s Moisture duo is formulated with hydrolyzed rice protein to strengthen and add shine to brittle hair.

Monday's Clarify Duo is great if you need a really deep clean. Grapefruit extract helps to break down excess buildup and oil, leaving you with hair that's both refreshed and feels brand new.

Monday's Repair formula uses keratin to help bring the hair back from any damage, while shea butter and coconut oil help to keep it healthy, happy, and, most importantly, hydrated.

Monday's Color Protect formula refreshes your color and helps to prevent fading. Plus, you won't have to worry about damage because it's full of strengthening amino acids as well as moisturizing shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E.