If you’re thinking of buying Routine Shampoo by Routine Wellness, don’t skip this review. As a mom of three, hair care often feels like a luxury, but after postpartum hair shedding, I realized it was more than vanity: it’s about confidence.
So a friend recommended Routine Shampoo after listening to my hair woes. I immediattely placed an order directly on the brand’s Amazon storefront, and it got delivered in 2 days (thanks to Prime Membership)
Here’s my honest review after buying and testing this hair product.
About Routine Shampoo
Routine Shampoo comes as a paired shampoo and conditioner set formulated for thinning, fragile, or stressed hair. It’s sulfate-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and safe for color-treated hair. The formula is packed with hair-loving ingredients:
• Biotin for elasticity
• Saw palmetto oil as a natural DHT blocker
• Argan oil and coconut oil for hydration
• Nettle oil to soothe the scalp
• Proteolytic enzymes, niacinamide, and caffeine to support circulation and healthier follicles
According to information I saw online, it’s gentle enough for daily use, cleans well without stripping, and leaves hair soft, manageable, and light.
How true could this be?
My experience using Routine Wellness Shampoo
So I got two sets of Routine Shampoo; the Rose Hips and the Cucumber. I started with the Rose Hips. From the very first wash, I I loved the subtle floral scent. The lather was gentle but effective.
When it came to washing my hair, the shampoo lathered gently but not as much as a typical drugstore shampoo. I know that’s because it’s sulfate-free, but sometimes I missed that bubbly “squeaky clean” feeling. After rinsing, my hair did feel clean, but not as soft or silky as I was expecting.
Over the course of a few weeks, I kept using it, switching between Rose Hips and Cucumber. My hair looked healthy enough, but it didn’t give me that wow factor. My roots got oily faster than I wanted, and I had to wash more often than I usually do. With three kids, that extra wash day feels like a big deal.
On the positive side, it didn’t irritate my scalp or cause any major problems, and it definitely feels like a safer, non-toxic choice compared to harsher shampoos. But I can’t ignore that my hair just didn’t look or feel its best.
Alternatives
Now here’s the thing, I started using the Kitsch Shampoo Bar and Conditioner three weeks ago. When I compare the two, Kitsch wins for me hands down. With Kitsch, my hair feels lighter, cleaner, and stays fresher for longer between washes. It also leaves my hair soft and manageable without weighing it down. And since it’s a bar, it lasts forever and doesn’t clutter up the shower with more bottles.
Routine Shampoo isn’t bad—it works, and it smells really nice. But if I had to choose, I’d recommend Kitsch Shampoo Bar because it simply performs better for me and makes my busy mom life easier.
Here’s my honest review and a quick comparison chart:
| Feature | Routine Shampoo | Kitsch Shampoo Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Liquid shampoo + conditioner set | Solid shampoo bar |
| Best For | Daily hydration, gentle strengthening, soft hair | Volumizing, regrowth, reducing shedding |
| Scent Options | Rose Hips, Cucumber, Lavender & Cedar, Coconut & Vanilla | Rosemary & Biotin, Rice Water Protein, Castor Oil, e.t.c |
| Ease of Use | Very easy, pump bottles, spreads quickly | Requires rubbing on wet hair and hands to lather |
| Travel-Friendly | Less convenient, liquid bottles | Super convenient, no spills, great for travel |
| Eco-Friendly | Standard plastic bottles | Plastic-free, sustainable |
| Lather | Gentle foam | Takes longer to lather, requires technique |
| Hair Feel After Use | Soft, light, hydrated | Strengthened, thicker, volumized |
| Visible Results | Reduced shedding, healthier strands | Regrowth along hairline, fuller volume |
| Price | Mid-range | Budget-friendly long term due to longevity |
| Best Choice For | Moms wanting gentle, fragrant daily shampoo | Anyone focusing on hair growth and eco-conscious hair care |
Side Effects of Routine Shampoo
For me, the only side effect was that my hair seemed to get oily quicker, and sometimes it felt a little weighed down. I didn’t experience irritation or flakes, but I could see how it might not work for every scalp type.
Pros
- Clean, non-toxic ingredients
- Gentle on the scalp
- Lovely natural scents
Cons
- Didn’t leave my hair as soft or shiny as I’d hoped
- Roots got oily faster
Final Thoughts
Routine Shampoo is nice, and I’d happily use it if it was the only option on my shelf. But given the choice, I’ll always reach for Kitsch Shampoo Bars. They just work better for my lifestyle and my hair.
If you want a gentle, fragrant shampoo for daily use that keeps hair soft and healthy, Routine is a solid choice. If your main goal is visible regrowth, volume, and eco-conscious hair care, Kitsch’s Rosemary & Biotin Bar is a fantastic alternative.
I wondered if I should try the routine HOWEVER…I too use the Kitsch & LOVE IT. It is a lot less expensive. They have quite a few products that I also use/like. The rice conditioner works immediately! Rub on your hair & you can run your fingers right away & no tangles. Leaves your hair very soft. They also gave a good one for face(w turmeric)reducing blotches.