Side by side
Hairstory New Wash Original Fragrance-Free vs Hairstory New Wash Original Purple
85% function match · 10 of the 12 functions we compared match Formula overlap 95%. Hairstory New Wash Original Fragrance-Free and Hairstory New Wash Original Purple share 4 ingredients among each other's most prominent.
Which of these fits your hair?
We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.
Your profile at a glance
- Your answers appear here
- Your answers appear here
- Your answers appear here
- Your answers appear here
When each one is the right call
What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.
- New Wash Original Fragrance-Free — fragrance-free
- New Wash Original Purple — fragrance-free
Side by side
Every trait, aligned
One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.
- Fragrance-freeno fragrance (parfum) on the label — scented
- Colour-treated hairthat fades faster in a sulfate wash
- Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
- Frequent washerswho want gentler cleansing
- Fragrance-freeno fragrance (parfum) on the label — scented
- Colour-treated hairthat fades faster in a sulfate wash
- Frequent washerswho want gentler cleansing
- Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
- Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
- A squeaky-clean feelthis deliberately leaves conditioning behind
- Regular clarifyingthere is no detergent here to clear residue
- Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
- A squeaky-clean feelthis deliberately leaves conditioning behind
- Regular clarifyingthere is no detergent here to clear residue
More facts about each one
- sulfate-free
- silicone-free
- fragrance-free
- protein-free
- curly-method compatible
- sulfate-free
- silicone-free
- fragrance-free
- curly-method compatible
Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".
The bottom line
The bottom line depends on your hair
Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.
$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.
The detail behind the table
Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.
Shared and distinct ingredients
Shared and distinct ingredients
Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.
What both formulas carry
What only one of them carries
New Wash Original Fragrance-Free
Nothing notable here that the others do not also carry.
New Wash Original Purple
Full ingredient list — New Wash Original Fragrance-Free (34)
-
1
Water
- solvent
-
2
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
- humectant
- botanical extract
- gum
-
3
Glycerin
- humectant
-
4
Cetearyl Alcohol
- fatty alcohol
- emollient
- thickener
-
5
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
- conditioning agent
-
6
Cetyl Alcohol
- fatty alcohol
- emollient
- thickener
-
7
Stearyl Alcohol
- fatty alcohol
- emollient
- thickener
- Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
-
8
Gluconolactone
- humectant
- exfoliant
- hard-water chelator
-
9
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
- botanical extract
-
10
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
11
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
- emollient
- light ester
- oil
- wax
-
12
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
13
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
- emulsifier
- emollient
-
14
Glyceryl Stearate
- emulsifier
- emollient
-
15
Menthyl Lactate
- fragrance
- active
-
16
Equisetum Arvense Extract
- botanical extract
-
17
Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Extract
- botanical extract
-
18
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
- botanical extract
- essential oil
- fragrance
-
19
Tocopherol
- antioxidant
- vitamin
-
20
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
- botanical extract
-
21
Calendula Officinalis Extract
- botanical extract
-
22
Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract
- botanical extract
-
23
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
24
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
- botanical extract
- 25 Phytosterol
-
26
Distearoylethyl Dimonium Chloride
- conditioning agent
-
27
Panthenol
- humectant
- conditioning agent
- vitamin
-
28
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
- conditioning agent
- emulsifier
-
29
Calcium Gluconate
- hard-water chelator
- salt
-
30
Benzyl Alcohol
- preservative
- solvent
-
31
Phenoxyethanol
- preservative
-
32
Sodium Benzoate
- preservative
-
33
Potassium Sorbate
- preservative
-
34
Citric Acid
- pH adjuster
- hard-water chelator
Full ingredient list — New Wash Original Purple (41)
-
1
Water
- solvent
-
2
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
- humectant
- botanical extract
- gum
-
3
Glycerin
- humectant
-
4
Cetearyl Alcohol
- fatty alcohol
- emollient
- thickener
-
5
Cetyl Alcohol
- fatty alcohol
- emollient
- thickener
-
6
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
- conditioning agent
-
7
Stearyl Alcohol
- fatty alcohol
- emollient
- thickener
- Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
-
8
Gluconolactone
- humectant
- exfoliant
- hard-water chelator
-
9
Rosa Centifolia Flower Water
- botanical extract
-
10
Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract
- botanical extract
-
11
Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Extract
- botanical extract
- protein
- hydrolysed protein
-
12
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
- botanical extract
-
13
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
- botanical extract
- antioxidant
-
14
Viola Odorata Flower/Leaf Extract
- botanical extract
-
15
Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract
- botanical extract
-
16
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
- botanical extract
-
17
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
- botanical extract
-
18
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
- emollient
- light ester
- oil
- wax
-
19
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
20
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
21
Propanediol
- humectant
- solvent
-
22
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
- oil
- emollient
-
23
Xylitol
- humectant
- 24 Phytosterol
-
25
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
- botanical extract
- essential oil
- fragrance
-
26
Panthenol
- humectant
- conditioning agent
- vitamin
-
27
Distearoylethyl Dimonium Chloride
- conditioning agent
-
28
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
- conditioning agent
- emulsifier
-
29
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
- emulsifier
- emollient
-
30
Menthyl Lactate
- fragrance
- active
-
31
Glyceryl Stearate
- emulsifier
- emollient
-
32
Caprylic Acid
- preservative
- emulsifier
-
33
Caprylyl Glycol
- preservative
- humectant
-
34
Calcium Gluconate
- hard-water chelator
- salt
-
35
Tocopherol
- antioxidant
- vitamin
-
36
Benzyl Alcohol
- preservative
- solvent
-
37
Sodium Benzoate
- preservative
-
38
Potassium Sorbate
- preservative
-
39
Phenoxyethanol
- preservative
-
40
Citric Acid
- pH adjuster
- hard-water chelator
-
41
Ext. Violet 2 (CI 60730)
- colourant
- direct dye
- violet dye
Claims check
What each brand says, against what each formula shows
Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.
New Wash Original Fragrance-Free
Zero added fragrance for sensitive scalps
SupportedSafer for scent-sensitive scalps.The same balanced cleanse as Original
Stated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.Replaces shampoo and conditioner to simplify your routine
Stated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.No damaging detergents, just naturally derived ingredients
Stated by brandA brand’s own definition.
New Wash Original Purple
Neutralizes brassiness and yellowing of lighter tones
Stated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.Doubles the color protection of New Wash Original and New Wash Rich
SupportedLess fade per wash.Shields hair from UV rays and repeated washing
Partly supportedIndirect help, not a filter.Prevents color fade between salon appointments
SupportedLess fade per wash.
What owners say
What people report
Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.
Hairstory New Wash Original Purple draws complaints about dryness and weight.
New Wash Original Fragrance-Free
Reviewers frequently praise it as a gentler, non-irritating alternative to traditional shampoo, especially for sensitive/itchy scalps
multiple reviewers report prior scalp irritation resolved after switchingFans of fragrance sensitivity specifically call out relief at having an unscented version of New Wash available
customers who previously avoided New Wash Original due to scentA recurring complaint is that the product does not fully cleanse oily hair/scalp, leaving hair feeling less than fully clean for some users
users describing 2-4 week adjustment trialsSeveral reviewers note the fragrance-free formula is noticeably thinner/runnier than New Wash Original, though most say it does not affect results
longtime New Wash Original users switching to the fragrance-free versionSome reviewers dispute the "fragrance-free" label itself, noting the ingredient list still contains scented botanicals (peppermint oil, lavender extract, rose water, menthol) even though no literal fragrance/parfum ingredient is listed
fragrance-sensitive customers scrutinizing the ingredient panelNew Wash Original Purple
Convenience of a premixed purple toning wash is valued by customers who previously had to manually mix a separate purple booster into New Wash
existing New Wash customers switching from the separate Purple Color Boost add-inEffectively neutralizes brassiness and yellow tones on gray, silver, and blonde hair, with several reviewers reporting a longer-lasting, cooler color result between salon visits
reviewers with gray/silver or color-treated hairSome reviewers with dry or fine hair find the Original-base Purple formula not moisturizing enough and want a Rich-formula purple option, needing extra conditioning on ends
reviewers with dry, fine, or color-treated hairReviewers in hard-water areas report hair feeling weighed down, greasy, or coated rather than clean, echoing the same hard-water complaint seen on other New Wash variants
reviewers in hard water regionsEffect is described as subtle by some, working best as an occasional brassiness fix rather than a strong dramatic toner when used every wash
reviewers with gray hair using it routinelyPrice check
Cost per ounce, in context
Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.
$6.00/oz vs $6.75/oz — within about the same cost per ounce.
Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 95 co-washes with a computable unit price.
Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.
Compare with something else
Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.
New Wash Original Fragrance-Free · New Wash Original Purple · All co-washes in the library
How this page was made
- This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
- We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
- The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
- The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
- The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
- 11 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
- Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
- This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.
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