Kevin Murphy vs Pureology (The Definitive Guide)

Here at FemmeNordic, we live for those juicy beauty battles (if you couldn't tell by the 350+ and counting brand comparisons we've done over the past year!), and today we're putting two top-of-the-line shampoos head to head - it's Kevin Murphy's ANGEL.WASH versus Pureology's Hydrate Sheer Shampoo.

These two products are going to vie for the title of Best Shampoo for Fine, Coloured Hair. Let's get started!

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Kevin Murphy ANGEL.WASH vs Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo

Kevin Murphy and Pureology both offer loads of different ranges catering to every conceivable hair type and concern. For the sake of brevity, we've narrowed the comparison down to their color care shampoos.

If it's not quite the match-up you were hoping for, sorry! That said, there'll be quite a few takeaways from this comparison that you'll be able to apply to *any* Kevin Murphy vs Pureology match-up, and we'll also leave a summarized list of our favorites from each brand towards the end of the article (basically, this post is worth the read regardless!).

Anyway, let's dive into it.

First Impressions

Kevin Murphy's ANGEL.WASH promises to give your fine, coloured hair a heavenly experience with its volume-enhancing, colour-strengthening, and external aggressor-protecting features. It's vegan, as well as paraben-, sulfate-, and cruelty-free - so you know we're off to a good start. Plus, it's Kylie Minogue-approved!

Pureology’s Hydrate Sheer Shampoo, on the other hand, aims to be your hydration superhero. It's specifically designed for fine, dry, colour-treated hair, pledging to deliver deep hydration without weighing it down. Also a contender in the ethical stakes, it's 100% vegan and all about colour care.

Key Ingredients

These two products have a few superstar ingredients in common, like hydrolysed wheat protein, green tea extract, and an essential oil blend for a calming aroma. The ANGEL.WASH, however, pulls ahead with its diversity of hydrolysed proteins, from oats to soy and vegetables, which contribute to the volumising effect. On the other hand, Pureology throws in jojoba, sage, and eucalyptus leaf extract to enhance hydration and scalp health.

Neither shampoo contains harsh sulfates, which is great to see. This means that on top of all the other benefits, you're also getting a gentle cleanse (which also happens to be very important when it comes to color-longevity!).

Benefits Showdown

When it comes to benefits, both products put up a strong fight. Kevin Murphy's ANGEL.WASH boosts fine, limp hair and helps retain its colour vibrance, all while protecting it from external stressors. Meanwhile, the Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo provides superior moisture and touchable softness while keeping your colour intact.

Both shampoos seem to deliver on their promises. If you're seeking volume and strength, the ANGEL.WASH is your knight in shining armour. But, if your main concern is hydration and softness, Pureology is ready to come to your rescue.

User Experiences and Reviews

Overall, Kevin Murphy's shampoo has received positive reviews from customers. Of the 336 reviews considered (at the time of publishing: 1st June 2023), a whopping 94% of users gave a favorable rating (yielding a 4.8/5 star rating overall). Many customers praise the Kevin Murphy Angel.Wash for adding body and movement to fine, bleached hair without making it look greasy. Another customer also spoke highly of the product but did point out a minor issue regarding the bottle's opening mechanism (in that it can be fiddly with wet hands).

However, like any product, Kevin Murphy's hair products do not work for everyone. A small percentage of reviewers had less positive experiences, but the issues they faced were not explicitly specified in the reviews (in fact, most of the "negative" reviews were actually positive comments, leading us to believe that they misclicked the stars).

Pureology's Hydrate Sheer Shampoo has also garnered favorable reviews from the majority of users. With an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, the shampoo appears to be a hit. Many laud the product for its light feel, suitability for fine hair, and pleasant scent.

Notably, one customer found the shampoo to be particularly effective for hydrating fine hair without weighing it down. Similarly, a 71-year-old user mentioned that the shampoo left her thinning, gray hair soft and shiny.

Nonetheless, the product also has its detractors. One review found the Hydrate Sheer Shampoo drying and inadequate for hydrating their hair. Similarly, another review detailed that the shampoo did not help with their scalp conditions, leaving it drier and flakier.

It is important to note that individual experiences can vary greatly, as everyone's hair is different and responds differently to products. These reviews offer a snapshot of how Kevin Murphy and Pureology have worked for some users, but they are not a guarantee of how they will work for everyone.

Last Thoughts

To conclude, both the Kevin Murphy ANGEL.WASH and Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo are solid choices for fine, coloured hair. They overlap in most ways, so it really does just come down to what you most *feel* like getting. It's almost frustrating when this happens - why couldn't one just be objectively better than the other??

Maybe put it this way, though: Pureology definitely has the longer track-record of success (being founded a lot earlier than Kevin Murphy), and they're also a lot more popular if the quantity of reviews (on their official sites) means anything. That's not to say that Kevin Murphy should be discounted; we're just throwing more food for thought into the mix.

Remember, your hair is as unique as you, so the best shampoo for you is the one that meets your individual needs. Trial, error, and a bit of hair-loving patience are your best friends in this journey. Now, go forth and conquer that hair game!

Oh, and here's that list of our other favorites from each brand that we promised:

Our favorites by Kevin Murphy

For dry hair:
Try the Hydrate-Me Range

For fine hair:
Try the Plumping Range

For mature hair:
Try the Young Again Range

Our favorites by Pureology

For damaged hair:
Try Strength Cure

For flat, fine hair:
Try Pure Volume

For frizzy hair:
Try Smooth Perfection