Herbal Essences vs Pureology:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Herbal Essences and Pureology were level in searches among shampoo brands in the United States, with an estimated 33.1K branded searches each, at 3.5% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about shampoo brands, Pureology appeared in three of the five answers and Herbal Essences in one. Pureology was mentioned before Herbal Essences in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Herbal Essences and Pureology are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Pureology, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Herbal Essences in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Pureology, named ahead of Herbal Essences in 2 of 3 answers
Follow Herbal Essences vs Pureology 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, Pureology 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. Pureology 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 Pureology more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Herbal Essences and Pureology 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 Herbal Essences, Pureology. 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 Pureology comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Herbal Essences took it in April 2026, Pureology took it in May 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, Pureology’s share of searches among shampoo brands in the United States moved from 4.3% to 3.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 33.1K.
How did search popularity change for United States shampoo brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Herbal Essences lost share of searches among shampoo brands in the United States, from 4.1% to 3.5%.
In September 2026, Pureology 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 Pureology’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
Pureology
1 branded search term
- pureology
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.