Monday Haircare is a New Zealand-founded haircare brand delivering salon-quality shampoo and conditioner at mass-market prices. Founded by Jaimee Lupton, it sold out six months of stock in just six weeks at launch and became the top haircare brand in both Australia and New Zealand.
The brand offers seven duos targeting specific hair types — Smooth for curly, Repair for damaged, Moisture for dry. Formulas contain 11 amino acids, coconut oil, shea butter, and keratin. Products are SLS-free, paraben-free, and dermatologically tested. Most users report softer hair within weeks. A minority report scalp reactions from fragrance allergens.
Monday has won Glamour’s Best Drugstore Shampoo for Frizz and is widely stocked at Target, Ulta Beauty, and Amazon. The brand delivers genuine value for most hair types at $7.99 (£5) per bottle. Users with sensitive scalps should always patch test first before committing to a full routine.
What Is Monday Haircare?
Monday Haircare is a New Zealand-born luxury haircare brand offering salon-quality shampoo and conditioner at affordable mass-market prices, founded by beauty entrepreneur Jaimee Lupton. The brand targets supermarkets and mass retailers without sacrificing formula quality or aesthetic appeal.
Here’s the thing: the brand sold out six months of stock in just six weeks after launching in Australia and New Zealand. Monday shipped over two million bottles and became the number one haircare brand in both countries within its first year. That’s not a slow build — that’s a phenomenon.
Lupton built Monday around one core belief: results-oriented haircare should not cost a week’s salary. The brand was created to offer something that ‘whispered’ on shelves — clean, minimal, and premium — rather than competing with the noise of existing drugstore products.
Brand Credentials:
- Award-winning formulas including Glamour’s Best Drugstore Shampoo for Frizz
- Dermatologically tested across the full product range
- Free of SLS and parabens
- Leaping Bunny-approved and PETA-certified cruelty-free
- 100% recyclable packaging with 20% recycled plastic content
Who Founded Monday Haircare?
Jaimee Lupton is a New Zealand-based beauty entrepreneur who founded Monday Haircare after growing frustrated with expensive beauty products that produced no better results than affordable alternatives. Her personal experience drove the brand’s core mission of democratizing prestige haircare.
Lupton’s design vision was equally deliberate. She chose a single tone of pink — sleek, minimal, and architectural — with a pump dispenser over a cap. The packaging was designed to look like something expected from a high-end salon brand, not a supermarket shelf.
Where Is Monday Haircare Made?
Monday Haircare uses high-volume production to negotiate lower raw material costs, enabling luxury-grade ingredients at drugstore price points. Each formula went through seven stages of research and development before launch to meet the standard of premium salon brands.
The brand launched in Australia and New Zealand before expanding globally. Monday entered the US through Target and Ulta Beauty simultaneously. UK consumers access the range through Look Fantastic, Debenhams, and Just My Look.
What Products Does Monday Haircare Offer?
Monday Haircare offers seven shampoo and conditioner duos — Gentle, Moisture, Smooth, Volume, Clarify, Repair, and Colour Protect — each targeting a distinct hair type or concern. The range is designed to be uncomplicated and easy to shop without overwhelming consumers with excessive SKUs.
Beyond shampoo and conditioner, Monday has expanded into hair masks, leave-in conditioners, heat protectants, texturizing mousse, dry shampoo, styling products, and biotin hair gummies. US prices across the extended line range from $5.99 to $13.99 (approximately £4.70 to £10.90).
Most shampoos and conditioners come in 350 to 354ml (11.8 to 12oz) bottles. US pricing starts at $3.49 for travel sizes and reaches $13.99 for full-size specialty products. UK duo sets are priced at £10 per pair.
Full Monday Haircare Product Range:
| Range | Hair Type | Key Ingredient | US Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gentle | Normal / Delicate | Lower fragrance | $7.99 |
| Moisture | Dry / Coarse | Shea Butter, Coconut Oil | $7.99 |
| Smooth | Curly / Frizzy | Wheat Protein | $7.99 |
| Volume | Fine / Flat | Ginger Root Extract | $7.99 |
| Clarify | Oily | Salicylic Acid | $7.99 |
| Repair | Damaged | Keratin | $7.99 |
| Colour Protect | Colour-Treated | Amino Acids | $7.99 |
Which Monday Haircare Range Is Right for Your Hair Type?
Monday Haircare matches each of its seven ranges to a specific hair type: Gentle for normal or delicate hair, Smooth for frizzy or curly hair, Volume for fine or flat hair, Moisture for dry or coarse hair, Clarify for oily hair, Repair for damaged hair, and Colour Protect for colour-treated hair.
The Smooth range uses wheat protein and shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E to nourish wavy, coily, or frizzy hair without adding weight. The formula is built specifically for hair that needs moisture sealed into the shaft rather than deposited on the surface.
Repair shampoo and conditioner contain keratin — a structural protein naturally found in hair — to prevent breakage, reduce frizz, and boost smoothness. The Repair range also includes coconut oil and shea butter to support colour-damaged strands and seal the cuticle after chemical processing.
Does Monday Haircare Have Products Beyond Shampoo and Conditioner?
Monday Haircare has expanded well beyond its original shampoo and conditioner duos, offering treatment masks, leave-in conditioners, styling products, and nutritional supplements for hair health. The brand’s extended product range covers the full at-home haircare routine from wash to finish.
Extended Product Line:
- Deep Moisture Hair Mask with Keratin — $7.99 (for dry to damaged hair)
- Anti-Frizz Hair Mask with Jojoba Oil — $7.99
- Moisture Leave-In Conditioner with Hyaluronic Acid — $5.99
- Repair Leave-In Conditioner with Keratin — $5.99
- Smooth Heat Protectant — $6.99
- Brunette Dry Shampoo with Keratin — $7.99
- Hair Gummies with Biotin and Vitamin C+E — $13.99
What Are the Ingredients in Monday Haircare?
Monday Haircare formulas contain 11 amino acids and essential plant extracts across all ranges, with each line adding targeted actives matched to its specific hair concern. The Smooth range adds wheat protein and hydrolyzed collagen. The Moisture range uses shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin E, and hydrolyzed rice protein.
The Smooth Shampoo ingredient list includes Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Salicylic Acid, and Phenoxyethanol. These surfactants and conditioning agents form the functional core of the cleansing formula.
Conditioner ingredients feature Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Dimethiconol, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride. Together these create a conditioning matrix that detangles, softens, and seals the hair cuticle after washing.
Is Monday Haircare Free of SLS and Parabens?
Yes. Monday Haircare is 100% free from sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and parabens across its entire range, with formulas that are pH-balanced and dermatologically tested. SLS is a surfactant found in many haircare products that can irritate sensitive or reactive scalp types.
But here’s what to watch: the brand is not marketed as ‘clean.’ Monday’s formulas contain fragrance ingredients hexyl cinnamal and linalool — compounds identified as potential allergens by the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Individuals with reactive scalps or fragrance sensitivities should check the label before use.
Does Monday Haircare Use Sustainable Packaging?
Yes. Monday Haircare bottles are made with 20% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable — including the pump — ensuring minimal landfill impact from packaging waste. The brand has committed to introducing refillable options as an additional step toward sustainability.
Monday is also Leaping Bunny-approved and PETA-certified cruelty-free. All formulas are vegan. The brand positions itself as ‘sustainably minded’ without holding a formal ‘clean beauty’ certification, maintaining a distinction between ethical sourcing and the broader clean-beauty marketing category.
What Do Monday Haircare Reviews Say?
Monday Haircare reviews are predominantly positive, with Moisture shampoo accumulating 683 reviews and Smooth shampoo 448 reviews on the brand’s website, and approximately 58 to 59 percent of ratings at five stars. Four-star ratings account for a further 23 to 27 percent across most products, indicating strong overall satisfaction.
Review Breakdown (Moisture Shampoo — 683 reviews):
| Stars | Percentage | Count (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 58% | 396 |
| 4 stars | 27% | 184 |
| 3 stars | 9% | 62 |
| 2 stars | 3% | 21 |
| 1 star | 3% | 21 |
The brand has been featured in Allure and Glamour, winning Glamour’s award for Best Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner for Frizz. Monday was also identified as TikTok’s most hyped hair brand in multiple editorial reviews, with several beauty editors testing and endorsing the line.
Analytical review sites offer a more nuanced view. Illuminate Labs rates Monday’s active ingredients as clinically supported but raises concerns about certain inactive ingredients. The site does not currently recommend Monday Shampoo overall, despite acknowledging its effectiveness for most users.
What Are the Positive Monday Haircare Experiences?
Monday Haircare users consistently report noticeably softer, shinier hair after switching to the brand, with many noting improved manageability and a pleasant subtle scent within just a few washes. The brand’s packaging and aesthetic experience also receive strong praise across reviews.
Curly and frizzy-hair users are among Monday’s most vocal supporters. Multiple reviewers report that the Moisture and Smooth ranges reduce frizz significantly and improve curl definition. One user stated: ‘My hair is so soft — it’s been hard to find a shampoo for curly hair that doesn’t make it dry or oily.’
Users with damaged hair report visible recovery within two weeks. One reviewer described their ‘very damaged hair as completely full of life’ after just two weeks of use. Illuminate Labs tester Hannah Westerman reported a conditioning effect, improved softness, and zero adverse reactions over one month of daily use.
What Are the Common Monday Haircare Complaints?
Monday Haircare complaints center on three issues: increased hair dryness over time, accelerated hair shedding and breakage, and in rare cases, severe scalp reactions requiring medical treatment. These negative experiences appear in approximately 4 to 7 percent of reviews across available platforms.
Reported Complaints:
- Hair dryness and increased frizz after extended use
- Hair breakage and accelerated shedding
- Scalp itchiness and inflammation
- Oily scalp despite regular washing
- Severe reactions including scalp yeast overgrowth (rare)
Some users report that Monday Haircare worsened their hair condition over extended use. One reviewer noted their hair became ‘frizzy, lifeless, and matted together’ after what they suspect was a formula change. Switching to a different product after one wash produced immediate improvement for that user.
Multiple reviewers report family-wide hair loss after using Monday products. One user reported a scalp yeast infection requiring steroids, antibiotics, and medicated shampoo after one week of use. The user noted continued hair thinning one year after stopping the product. These severe cases represent a small minority of the total review base.
Does Monday Haircare Actually Work?
Monday Haircare delivers clinically supported active ingredients — hydrolyzed collagen, coconut oil, shea butter, keratin, and hyaluronic acid — that are individually backed by evidence for improving hair moisture, strength, and manageability. The formulas went through seven R&D stages before launch to match salon-brand standards.
In fact, Illuminate Labs tester Hannah Westerman used Monday Shampoo for one month and reported a ‘conditioning effect,’ improved softness, and pleasant scent with no adverse reactions. She described the shampoo as feeling nourishing and easy to work through hair, with the conditioner producing equally impressive softness.
The brand holds multiple beauty awards including Glamour’s Best Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioner for Frizz. Monday holds dermatological testing certification across the full range. The brand’s rapid sell-out performance and global expansion reflect widespread positive market response to its formulas.
Does Monday Haircare Improve Hair Softness and Smoothness?
Yes. Monday Haircare Moisture Shampoo uses shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E to seal the hair cuticle and restore hydration, with hydrolyzed rice protein added to strengthen dry and stressed strands from within the hair shaft.
The Smooth range uses wheat protein and macadamia seed oil to lock moisture into the hair shaft and reduce frizz at the surface. Allure Beauty editors selected the Moisture Shampoo for their January Beauty Box, citing its ability to soften and add shine to dry winter hair. The scent was described as ‘subtle’ and the packaging as ‘chic.’
Can Monday Haircare Cause Hair Loss or Scalp Reactions?
A subset of Monday Haircare users report hair breakage and shedding after use, with some reporting that switching to a different shampoo after just one wash produced immediate improvement in hair condition. These reports appear on both Amazon and the brand’s own review platform.
Monday formulas contain hexyl cinnamal and linalool — fragrance compounds identified as potential allergens by the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Illuminate Labs flags these as ‘allergen concerns for immunocompromised individuals.’ Users with sensitive scalps or a history of contact dermatitis should patch test before full use.
How Does Monday Haircare Compare to Other Budget Brands?
Monday Haircare ranks well against most budget haircare brands in terms of ingredient quality, with active components — macadamia oil, keratin, hyaluronic acid, and hydrolyzed collagen — that typically appear only in premium salon products. The brand uses high-volume production to source these ingredients at competitive cost.
Illuminate Labs compared Monday Smooth Shampoo against Raw Sugar Shampoo in a direct ingredient analysis. Raw Sugar Shampoo was declared the winner based on a cleaner inactive ingredient profile, despite Monday’s strong performance on active ingredient quality. Raw Sugar avoids the synthetic fragrance allergens present in Monday’s formulas.
Brand Comparison:
| Brand | Price (per bottle) | SLS-Free | Fragrance Allergens | Illuminate Labs Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Haircare | $7.99 / £5 | Yes | Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool | Not recommended |
| Raw Sugar Shampoo | ~$8.99 | Yes | None flagged | Recommended (winner) |
| Acure Vivacious Volume | ~$9.99 | Yes | None flagged | Top pick |
Monday entered the US through Target and Ulta simultaneously — a dual retail strategy that few haircare startups achieve at launch. The brand also won Glamour’s Best Drugstore Shampoo award, which positions it above most competitors at the same price tier in editorial credibility.
Is Monday Haircare Better Than Raw Sugar Shampoo?
No. According to Illuminate Labs’ ingredient analysis, Raw Sugar Shampoo ranks above Monday Shampoo on clean ingredient profile, primarily because Raw Sugar avoids the synthetic fragrance allergens — hexyl cinnamal and linalool — present in Monday’s formulas.
For users prioritizing clean ingredients, Illuminate Labs recommends Acure Vivacious Volume Shampoo as the top pick. Acure contains argan oil, which clinical studies show protects hair from damage, and is free of all ingredients the lab considers unhealthy. Both Raw Sugar and Acure are available at similar price points to Monday Haircare.
What Are the Side Effects of Monday Haircare?
Monday Haircare side effects reported by users include scalp itchiness, increased hair dryness, hair shedding and breakage, and in rare cases, scalp yeast overgrowth requiring medical treatment. These reactions appear in approximately 4 to 7 percent of reviews across available platforms.
Monday formulas contain hexyl cinnamal, linalool, and parfum — fragrance compounds recognized as contact allergens under EU Cosmetics Regulation guidelines. These ingredients pose a sensitization risk for users with reactive scalps, compromised immune systems, or a prior history of fragrance contact dermatitis.
Bottom line: Illuminate Labs rates Monday’s overall ingredient profile as ‘fairly safe’ with noted allergen caveats. The formulas are dermatologically tested and free of SLS and parabens. For the majority of users without scalp sensitivities or fragrance allergies, no adverse reactions occur during normal use.
Who Should Avoid Monday Haircare Products?
Individuals with fragrance allergies, reactive or sensitive scalps, or compromised immune systems should exercise caution with Monday Haircare due to the presence of EU-listed allergens hexyl cinnamal and linalool, which are known to trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Users with a history of scalp conditions, dandruff, or contact dermatitis should patch test Monday products on a small area of the scalp for 48 hours before full use. Discontinue use immediately if itching, flaking, or accelerated hair shedding occurs within the first two weeks of use.
How Much Does Monday Haircare Cost?
In the US, Monday Haircare shampoos and conditioners retail at $7.99 per bottle for standard 12oz (354ml) sizes, with travel sizes starting at $3.49 and specialty products such as hair masks and hair gummies reaching $13.99. Subscription pricing on the brand’s website offers 15% savings over standard retail.
In the UK, each shampoo or conditioner bottle is £5 per 354ml, with duo sets for £10. Some retailers offer further discounts — Debenhams listed Repair Shampoo at £4, reduced from the standard £5. The UK price represents strong value per milliliter compared to salon alternatives in the same country.
Monday Haircare’s website offers a subscription delivery option with frequencies ranging from every two weeks to every six months. Subscribers unlock 15% savings off the standard retail price, making regular use more affordable for committed customers.
Is Monday Haircare Worth the Price?
For most users, yes. Monday Haircare delivers ingredients typically found in products costing 3 to 4 times more — including coconut oil, keratin, hyaluronic acid, and macadamia seed oil — at $7.99 (USD) or £5 per bottle. Award wins and mass retail presence at Ulta and Target support the value claim.
For users with sensitive scalps, the low price does not offset the potential cost of treatment if adverse reactions occur. Some reviewers report spending on medical appointments and prescription medications after scalp reactions — costs that far exceed any savings from the affordable product.
Where Can You Buy Monday Haircare?
Monday Haircare is available in the US at Target, Ulta Beauty, and Amazon, with Amazon listing over 29 Monday products including shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, styling products, and hair gummies. The brand’s official website also sells direct to consumers with subscription pricing options.
In the UK, Monday Haircare is available through Look Fantastic, Debenhams, and Just My Look. UK bottles are 350 to 354ml (11.8 to 12oz) at £5 each or £10 for duo sets. Most UK retailers stock the core shampoo and conditioner range with select retailers carrying treatment products.
Where to Buy Monday Haircare:
- Target (US) — core shampoo and conditioner range
- Ulta Beauty (US) — core range and select specialty products
- Amazon (US) — 29+ products including styling and supplements
- Look Fantastic (UK) — full range at £5 per bottle
- Debenhams (UK) — core range with occasional discounts
- MondayHaircare.com — direct with subscription pricing (15% off)
Is Monday Haircare Available at Ulta and Target?
Yes. Monday Haircare debuted at Target first, then entered Ulta Beauty on the same launch day — a simultaneous mass and prestige retail strategy that quickly built US brand awareness and consumer accessibility.
Monday products are also available via Amazon Prime with free shipping, and through the brand’s official website with subscription pricing. The Ulta and Target listings cover most core shampoo and conditioner lines, with select specialty products available through Amazon and the brand’s own store.
Is Monday Haircare Worth It?
For users without scalp sensitivities, Monday Haircare delivers genuine value through salon-caliber ingredients at drugstore prices, award-winning formulas, and consistently strong positive reviews from the majority of its customer base. The Moisture and Smooth ranges receive the most consistent praise across editorial and consumer reviews.
For users with reactive scalps or fragrance allergies, the documented risk of adverse reactions makes Monday a higher-risk choice at any price point. Cleaner alternatives — including Acure Vivacious Volume Shampoo and Raw Sugar Shampoo — are recommended by ingredient analysts for this group.
Monday is Leaping Bunny-approved, PETA-certified, and dermatologically tested. The brand does not claim clean status, but has removed SLS and parabens from all formulas. Ingredient transparency would improve with explicit allergen warnings for hexyl cinnamal and linalool on product packaging.
Pros:
- Salon-quality ingredients at drugstore prices ($7.99 / £5 per bottle)
- Seven targeted ranges for all major hair types
- Award-winning formulas with dermatological testing
- Cruelty-free, vegan, and 100% recyclable packaging
- Wide availability at Target, Ulta, Amazon, and Look Fantastic
Cons:
- Contains fragrance allergens hexyl cinnamal and linalool
- Not classified as ‘clean beauty’
- A minority of users report hair loss and scalp reactions
- Ranked below Raw Sugar and Acure by clean ingredient analysts
Should You Try Monday Haircare?
Monday Haircare is best suited to users with normal, curly, dry, or fine hair who want affordable salon-quality results without committing to high-cost alternatives. Starting with the Moisture or Smooth range gives the best chance of positive results based on the volume and consistency of positive reviews for those lines.
New users should start with a single bottle ($7.99 / £5), patch test the conditioner on the scalp for 48 hours, and monitor for any irritation during the first two weeks before committing to the full range or a subscription. This approach limits risk while allowing the product’s active ingredients time to demonstrate results.