Herbal Essences vs Olaplex:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Olaplex had more branded searches than Herbal Essences among shampoo brands in the United States. Olaplex had about 135,000 branded searches, while Herbal Essences had 33,100. Olaplex made up 14.4% of all shampoo brand searches we track, and Herbal Essences accounted for 3.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about shampoo brands, Olaplex appeared in three of the five answers and Herbal Essences in one. Olaplex was mentioned before Herbal Essences in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Olaplex, about 4 searches for every 1 for Herbal Essences
Who does AI mention more?
Olaplex, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Herbal Essences in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Olaplex, named ahead of Herbal Essences in 2 of 3 answers
Follow Herbal Essences vs Olaplex and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top shampoo brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Olaplex was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Herbal Essences was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Olaplex was listed before Herbal Essences in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Olaplex3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pureology3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Redken2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Dove2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Kérastase1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Amika1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Herbal Essences1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
K180 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Moroccanoil0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Native0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about shampoo brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which shampoo should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best shampoo brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What is the best shampoo for hair loss?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“shampoo”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best shampoo”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 26, 2026.
Is Herbal Essences or Olaplex more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Herbal Essences and Olaplex by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 shampoo brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Olaplex, Herbal Essences. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Kérastase | Olaplex | K18 | Moroccanoil | Redken | Native | Head & Shoulders | Amika | Herbal Essences | Pureology | TRESemmé | Dove | Garnier | Pantene | Briogeo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 21.1% | 14.2% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 2.8% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 23.1% | 18.9% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 8.4% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 3.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 21.6% | 17.7% | 9.7% | 11.9% | 8% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 4.3% | 2% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 22.6% | 15.2% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 3.7% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Feb 2026 | 21.5% | 14.4% | 11.7% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 19.8% | 16.2% | 10.8% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.1% | 13.8% | 11.2% | 9.2% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| May 2026 | 21.3% | 14.3% | 11.7% | 9.6% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 2.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 23% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 8.5% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 21.3% | 14.3% | 11.6% | 9.6% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 20.2% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 9.1% | 7.4% | 5% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 21.5% | 14.4% | 11.7% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.4% |
How has the Herbal Essences and Olaplex comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Olaplex was ahead of Herbal Essences in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Herbal Essences’ share of searches among shampoo brands in the United States held steady at 3.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 33.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Olaplex’s share of searches among shampoo brands in the United States moved from 14.2% to 14.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
How did search popularity change for United States shampoo brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Olaplex overtook K18 to rank 2nd among shampoo brands in the United States, with 14.4% of the searches.
In September 2026, Herbal Essences lost share of searches among shampoo brands in the United States, from 4.1% to 3.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Herbal Essences’ and Olaplex’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Herbal Essences
1 branded search term
- herbal essences
Olaplex
1 branded search term
- olaplex
Other head-to-heads among shampoo brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.